2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 462 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 44 involved a crash and 8 involved a fire. 46 people were injured and 4 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Wheels, hubDec 17, 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 07E106000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Campaign 05V379000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintSep 17, 2002
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH REARWARD FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS ON THE SECOND ROW SEATS, TWO POTENTIAL PINCH POINTS EXIST ON EACH OF THE FOLDING HEAD RESTRAINTS WHEN THE RESTRAINTS ARE FOLDED REARWARD AS THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.
IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006.
Campaign 02V253000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
462 reports, newest first.
Power train, Sep 17, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 TAHOE THAT JUST TURNED 41K MILES. I EXPERIENCED ON A FEW OCCASIONS WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP THAT THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO LOSE ACCELERATION FOR A SECOND OR SO BEFORE RE-ENGAGING AND RESUMING NORMAL ACCELERATION. PROBLEM WAS DEFINITELY TRANSMISSION RELATED. THIS SAME INCIDENT HAPPENED TO ME BUT THIS TIME THE ENGINE REVVED, ACCELERATION DIMINISHED, AND LOUD BANGING TUMBLING METAL NOISE WAS HEARD. ENDS UP THE TRANSMISSION MECHANISM THAT CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT FAILED AND BROKE APART BREAKING OTHER INTERNAL COMPONENTS. TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS HELPFUL BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR 50% OF REPAIR COST FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAS A TOW PACKAGE AND HAS NEVER TOWED A THING YET. OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THIS GRAND IN A VEHICLE DID NOT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT AND IT APPEARS THIS PROBLEM IS SIMILAR TO OTHER TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME VEHICLE. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE LOOKED AT BY THOSE THAT KNOW. *JB
Tires, Sep 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 80 MPH, WITHOUT WARNING THE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW CAUSING THE DRIVER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *PH
Power train, Sep 10, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILED. PART HAS BEEN REPAIRED THREE TIMES; HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Other or unspecified, Sep 2, 2003
CONSUMER BOUGHT A BAR TO HANG CLOTHES ON FROM THE DEALER. WHEN ADDING WEIGHT TO THE BAR, THE HOOK CAME OUT AND CAUSED THE BAR TO FALL. *AK THE HOOKS FELL OUT OF THE CEILINGS ANCHOR PORTS AND ALLOWED THE BAR AND CLOTHES TO FALL WHICH WAS LOCATED ABOVE THE REAR SEATS. *SCC *JB
Suspension, Aug 14, 2003
STEERING FEELS UNSTABLE OVER 50MPH. TAHOE WANDERS REQUIRING YOU TO CORRECT ALOT. SEEMS UNSAFE, WIFE WON'T DRIVE TAHOE ANYMORE.*AK
Seat belts, Aug 10, 2003
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT OCCASIONALLY LOCKS UP DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THIS FORCES THE PASSENGER TO UNDO SEAT BELT, FULLY RETRACT THE BELT TO ITS NORMAL "UNUSED" POSITION BEFORE PUTTING IT BACK ON. OTHER TIMES, THE SAME BELT WILL NOT LOCK. FRONT PASSENGER WILL LUNGE FORWARD DURING NORMAL TO HARD BRAKING. NO PATTERN TO FAILURE, BUT ONE OR THE OTHER OCCURS AT LEAST 50% OF THE TIME THE FRONT PASSENGER BELT IS USED. *NLM
Tires, Jun 17, 2003
CUPPING PROBLEMS ON 2002 TAHOE BEGAN AT 12K MILES, 2 TIRES REPLACED AT 30K DUE TO 2ND LAYER OF TIRE EXPOSED. TOLD BY TIRE RETAILER THAT THIS IS TYPICAL FOR THIS TIRE: FIRESTONE WILLDERNESS AT P265/70R16. *JB
Tires, Jun 14, 2003
TIRE SIDEWALL SEPARATION. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. ONCE THE VEHICLE SETS OVERNIGHT OR A PERIOD OF SIX HOURS OR LONGER THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM OCCURS: I GO TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL DIE. NOTE THAT MY DRIVE WAY IS ON AN INCLINE. THIS CANNOT BE RECREATED IF THE DEALERSHIP ATTACHES A TECH TOOL TO THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RECREATED WITHOUT FAIL WITH NOTHING ATTACHED. I HAVE ALSO HAD ONE OCCURRENCE THAT AFTER I STARTED THE VEHICLE BACK, WHICH IT WILL ALWAYS START BACK, I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT ON A MAJOR ROAD WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO TRY AND STALL OUT. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE PICKED BACK UP AND RESPONDED NORMALLY JUST A SECOND BEFORE I WAS NEARLY STRUCK BROADSIDE BY A SEMI-TRUCK. THE DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE PROBLEM STARTED. *JB
Power train, Equipment, May 17, 2003
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OCT-02 @ 21,000 MILES, WOULD ONLY REPLACE 1 PART, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AGAIN MAY 13,2003 @ 31,000 MILES, THIS TIME I WAS TOLD ALL PARTS IN TRANSMISSION WERE DESTROYED AND DEALER WANTED TO FIX BROKEN PARTS AND PUT BACK IN. IT GOT VERY FRUSTRATING AT THIS POINT....CALLED TOLL FREE NUMBER AT CHEVROLET AND GOT NO WHERE, THEY THINK I'M STUPID, I PAY MORE THAN $40,000 FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE AND HAVE THIS HAPPEN TWICE IN 5 MONTHS....I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE HERE FOR MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN I WAS DOOMED WHEN I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE, IT TOOK ALMOST 6 WEEKS TO GET AND THEY KEPT GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND ABOUT WHERE IT WAS, THEY KEPT TELLING IT HAD LEFT THE FACTORY AND WAS ON ITS WAY, BUT ALWAYS FOUND AN EXCUSE, THEN THEY SAID IT GOT PULLED OFF THE LINE FOR INSPECTION...WHAT'S WRONG HERE? THEY TOLD ME AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES IT HAD LEFT THE FACTORY AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT'S ON THE LINE...IT NEVER LEFT THE FACTORY....I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THEN....*JB
Seat belts, May 3, 2003
THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL LOCK AND NOT ALLOW THE PASSENGER TO MOVE. THE PROBLEM OCCURS AT REST OR IN MOTION. THE SEAT BELT RATCHET MECHANISM CONTINUES TO TIGHTEN CAUSING DISCOMFORT FOR THE PASSENGER WHO HAS TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THE DEALER INSPECTED AND ASSURED THAT IT "FUNCTIONS AS DESIGNED", IF THAT IS SO WHY DOES THE DRIVER SIDE NOT "FUNCTION AS DESIGNED" IF IT DID I THINK IT MIGHT CAUSE A FATALITY. *JB
Power train, Apr 27, 2003
TRANSMISSION PROBLEM ON MY 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE. *NLM
Seats, Apr 1, 2003
THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT FELL ON THE CONSUMER'S FIVE YEAR OLD NEPHEW WHILE THE CHILD WAS GETTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT WAS PULLED UP WHEN THE BACK OF THE SEAT LANDED ON THE CHILD. *JB *TS
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 31, 2003
THE FAN BELT MADE A NOISE. *JB
Tires, Mar 26, 2003
INAPPROPRIATE TIRES ON SUV'S COULD BE THE CAUSE OF ROLLOVERS.
Steering, Mar 21, 2003
POPPING NOISE HEARD IN STEERING SINCE THREE WEEKS OF PURCHASE. DEALER ORIGINALLY ADVISED IT WAS NORMAL ON NEW VEHICLES AND NEEDED TO "WORK OUT THE KINKS." TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT, DEALER FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN LOWER BALL JOINTS AND REPLACED BOTH. PICKED U VEHICLE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD POPPING NOISE AGAIN. DEALER THEN PERFORMED SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT BY FINDING CENTER CROSS MEMBER AND RIDE HEIGHT BUSHINGS IN NEED OF LUBING. POPPING NOISE RECURRED WITHIN MONTH OF PICKING UP VEHICLE AFTER SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT. SERVICE MGR TOOK TEST DRIVE AND HEARD POPPING NOISE. NOW STATES HE CANNOT RECREATE AND KNOWS SOMETHING IS WRONG BUT NOT SURE WHAT. *NLM
Power train, Mar 21, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILS TO FUNCTION APPROPRIATELY WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO FORWARD OR REVERSE. IN REVERSE POSITION, LOUD GRINDING NOISE IS HEARD. IN FORWARD, VEHICLE HESITATES BEFORE FINALLY MOVING FORWARD. THIS HAS BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIR 3 TIMES. FIRST REPAIR REVEALED FRONT THRUST SHIM WITH TOO MUCH END PLAY; TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY WAS REBUILT (MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE), THRUST WASHER REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED. TWO RETURN VISITS FOR SAME PROBLEM AND DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT RECREATE AND HAVE FOUND NO PROBLEMS. *NLM
Air bags, Feb 7, 2003, crash
VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, BUT NONE OF THE AIR DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. DRIVER SUSTAIN SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PLEASE PUT THE CORRECT MODEL. PH
Tires, Jan 22, 2003
SIDEWALL BLOWOUT IN FACTORY EQUIPTED FIRESTONE TIRE ON CHEVY TAHOE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Structure, Jan 7, 2003, crash, fire
I AM A PARAMEDIC IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY MISSOURI, A SUBURB OF ST. LOUIS. IN THE MONTHS OF NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER 2002 I RESPONDED TO THREE CRASHES INVOLVING FULL SIZE GM TRUCKS. ALL THE VEHICLES CAUGHT FIRE IN THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER A MODERATE TO HIGH SPEED IMPACT. THE VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED IN DRIVER SIDE OFF SET IMPACTS THAT LEAD TO INTRUSION INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLES WERE A 2002 4X4 AVALANCHE, 2001 EXT. CAB 4X4 SILVERADO, AND A 2002 4X4 TAHOE. THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE BATTERY AND THE FUEL LINES THAT RUN ALONG THE FRAM ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THEY ALSO, ALL HAD THE 5.3L V-8. I WAS NOT ABLE TO LOOK CLOSELY AT THE AVALANCHE OR SILVERADO DUE TO TAKING CARE OF THE INJURED OCCUPANTS. I DID LOOK AT THE TAHOE ENGINE AND IT APPERED THAT THE BATTERY CABLE HAD BEEN SEVERED IN THE CRASH. ALL VICTIMS WERE NOT TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLES AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS QUICKLY.I AM VERY CONCERNED DUE TO HAVING THREE FIRES IN SUCH A SHORT TIME FRAM. I RUN PROBALLY 500 VEHICLE CRASHES A YEAR AND VERY FEW RESULT IN FIRES EVEN WHEN THE FUEL SYSTEM HAS OBVIOUS LEAKS. I AM VERY CONCERNED DUE TO HAVING THREE IN ABOUT A 2 MONTH TIME FRAME. PLEASE CONTACT ME IF YOU NEED MORE INFO.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 17, 2002
PERIODICALLY, WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED FROM A STOPPED POSITION, THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THE CAR DOES NOT GO. SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IN TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. HAVE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY CANNOT LOCATE A PROBLEM.
Tires, Dec 5, 2002
TIRE BLEW AFTER BEING ON THE ROAD FOR 2 HOURS. SWANT GRABER MOTORS (715)537-3247 WHO REPLACED THE TIRE SAID THE BLOWOUT WAS DUE TO ROAD HAZZARD I'M NOT BUY THAT. THEY SHOWED ME A PUNCTURE IN THE SIDEWALL. HOW CAN A PUNCTURE OCCURE GOING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 75 MPH. ON THE SIDEWALL? THE OPPISITE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY DISCINIGRADED. DT
Air bags, Dec 4, 2002, crash
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON FRONT IMPACT. THE VEHCILE WAS INSPECTED BY A CRASH INVESTIGATOR WHO TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS DESIGNED. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 29, 2002, crash
I WAS IN A WRECK LAST MONDAY NIGHT WHILE DRIVING A COMPANY VAN. THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN YOU SET IT AT A SPEED THEN GO DOWN A HILL IT WOULD GET 15-20 MILES FASTER. ANY HOW THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE WENT DOWN AND I HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT OF THE VAN A FIRE STARTED IMMEDIATELY BY MY LEFT FOOT AND NONE OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNTIL THE FIRE GOT TO THEM. THE VAN ROLLED OVER ONCE AND LANDED ON ITS WHEELS THE DOORS WOULDN'T OPEN I ROLLED DOWN THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND GOT OUT THAT WAY AND THE ABS BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP WHEN YOU HAVE TO GET ON THEM REAL HARD. DT
Tires, Nov 19, 2002
THE CONSUMER HAD A FLAT TIRE THE LEFT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. WHEN HE REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE IT WAS DAMAGE. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS