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.
Air bags, Nov 15, 2002, crash
THE TRUCK HIT A WALL HEAD ON BETWEEN 33-35 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO HIT THE WINDSHIELD WITH HIS HEAD SHATTERING IT. GENERAL MOTORS SENT SOMEONE TO DIAGNOSE THE TRUCKS' CONDITION WHICH THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD "EXCEPTIBLE STANDARDS". PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS TS
Structure, Oct 29, 2002
ALL DOOR LOCKS STOPPED WORKING, DEALER REPLACED SENSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Electrical system, Oct 29, 2002
THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS SHORTED OUT THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES, DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AFTER EVERY INCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 25, 2002
FOR THE BATTERY, THE POSITIVE POST (SIDE POST BATTERY) CAME COMPLETELY OUT OF THE BATTERY. WHEN I TRIED TO REPLACE THE BATTERY, THE POSITIVE TERMINAL SPARKED WHICH COULD HAVE CASUED A FIRE. THE WASHER CONTAINER IS UNDER THE BATTERY, WHEN THE BATTERY LEAKED BATTERY ACID, IT STARTED TO CORRODE THE CONTAINER. DT
Tires, Oct 25, 2002
TRUCK WAS EQUIPPED WITH PASSENGER CAR TIRES INSTEAD OF TRUCK TIRES. *YH.*AK
Steering, Oct 15, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Seats, Sep 26, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE FOLDING THE SEAT BACK IT BROKE. DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *MRCONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE FOLDING THE SECOND SEAT THE HEAD REST SNAPPED BACK AND CUT CONSUMERS FINGER WIDE OPEN. CONSUMER DID NOT CONTACT CHEVROLET. *JG (CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNES THIS VEHICLE)
Tires, Sep 21, 2002
TRAVELING SOUTH ON CA. HIGHWAY 99 THROUGH MACFARLAND CA. ON 11-20-2002 AT APPROX. 2215 HRS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE BLEWOUT. WE WHERE TRAVELING AT APPROX. 72 MPH ON STRAIGHT FLAT STRETCH OF HWY AND WERE ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE TIRE, I NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALL HAD BLOWN OUT. THE TAHOE WAS PURCHASE ON AUG. 9TH OF 2002, AND ONLY HAD ABOUT 3842 MILES. WE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, THE TIRE JUST FAILED.*AK
Electrical system, Sep 18, 2002
WHILE DRIVING INSTRUMENTAL PANEL DIDN'T WORK PROPERLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO ADD ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK
Steering, Sep 10, 2002
STEERING COLUMN IS NOT CENTERED PROPERLY WITHIN VEHICLE, AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT MAY CAUSE SEVERE INJURY. DEALER CONTACTED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Visibility, Sep 10, 2002
DUE TO A FAULTY RUBBER GASKET THE RIGHT WINDOW COMES OUT OF THE TRACK INTERMITTENTLY WHEN RAISED WITH THE ELECTRIC MOTOR, THE DEALER CANOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NLM
Structure, Aug 20, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE IS OIL FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Seat belts, Aug 12, 2002
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT I WOULD LIKE TO LODGE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE PLACEMENT OF BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATBELT. I HAVE BEEN BURNED, ON BOTH MY LEFT AND RIGHT- SIDE UPPER-BACK AREA, BY THE METAL INSERT OF THE SEATBELT. IT SEEMS THAT IF THE SUN'S POSITIONING HAPPENS TO SHIFT TO THE FRONT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, THE INSERT OF THE SEATBELT BECOMES DANGEROUSLY HOT. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE'S OTHERWISE SUPERB STRUCTURE. I WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON A POSSIBLE REMEDY TO THIS MATTER AND LOOK FORWARD TO AN EXPEDIENT RESPONSE.*AK
Suspension, Aug 6, 2002
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT. AT ANY SPEED, ESPECIALLY AT SPEEDS OF 55-75 MPH, THERE IS PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND IT PULLS TO ONE SIDE. THE STEERING REMAINS UNSTABLE REGARDLESS OF SEVERAL RETURN TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *TT
Tires, Aug 4, 2002
COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION FROM SIDEWALK ON THE EXTERIOR PORTION OF TIRE WITH NO APPARENT DAMAGE FROM A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.*AK
Tires, Aug 1, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY (I-70 SB) MY LEFT FRONT TIRE SUDDENLY WENT FLAT. INITIALLY IT FELT LIKE I WAS TRAVELING OVER A SERIED OF MINATURE BUMPS, THIS LASTED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS, THEN THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT/SLOPPY: AT THAT POINT I WAS MADE MY WAY TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, FORTUNATELY I HAD ROOM TO GET OVER AT AN EASY PACE WITHOUT HAVING TO VEER SHARPLY, I GRADUALLY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER. AS I NEARED THE SHOULDER I SENSED THE TIRE WAS NO LONGER BETWEEN THE RIM AND THE ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHIN APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS OF THAT SENSATION. AFTER STOPPING I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTED THE TIRE. I FOUND THE LEFT FRONT TIRE TO BE COMPLETELY RUINED. THE ENTIRE SIDEWALL (OUTER SIDEWALL) WAS DETACHED FROM THE TREAD. IT LOOKED AS IF SOMEONE TOOK A SAWSALL AND CUT THE ENTIRE PERIMETER OF THE SIDEWALL. LUCKILY TWO WEST CHESTER POLICE OFFICERS DISCOVERED MY SITUATION AND PROVIDED WARNING LIGHTS TO ALERT TRAFFIC, WHILE I CHANGED THE TIRE AND SPARE. THIS ALL HAPPENED ON08/01/2002 AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00AM. MY FATHER AND 13 Y/O SON WERE WITH ME. I WENT TO SCHMITT HUELSMAN AUTO MALL (WHERE I PURCHASED THE TAHOE) AND I ASKED TO HAVE ALL TIRES REPLACED, REQUESTING A DIFFERENT BRAND. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO DO THIS. FOR NOW HE IS GOING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WITH THE SAME BRAND. I PREFER NOT TO HAVE THIS SAME BRAND. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONFIDENCE IN THIS BRAND OF TIRE. AT THIS TIME THE DEALER IS IN POSSESSION OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRE.*AK
Power train, Jul 30, 2002
I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY TAHOE WAS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY IN LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY DECEMBER 2001. OCCASIONALLY, WHEN I SHIFTED THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND PRESSED ON THE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD REV, BUT THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. ADDITIONALLY, OCCASIONALLY AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN/LIGHT THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO JOHN THORNTON CHEVROLET TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY EXPLAINED THAT THE VALVE BODY HAD BURS LEFT ON IT AT THE TIME IT WAS MANUFACTURED AND THAT THE BURS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REMOVED. THE BURS WERE FALLING OFF OF THE VALVE BODY AND INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING A BLOCKAGE WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE VALVE BODY. APPROXIMATLEY 3 WEEKS AGO I BEGAN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO SAME DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT, AGAIN, WAS A DEFECTIVE VALVE BODY AND THEY REPLACED IT. I CALLED CHEVROLET TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF IT, BUT WOULD LOOK INTO IT. TODAY, JULY 30, 2002, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR. I CALLED CHEVROLET AGAIN AND THEY TOLD ME TO CONTACT A DEALERSHIP FOR AN EVALUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP FOR AN APPOINTMENT, HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY ABLE TO FIX WHAT CHEVROLET TELLS THEM THEY CAN FIX WHEN THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRENTY. SO FAR THIS HAS ONLY OCCURRED WHEN I AM TRYING TO GO FROM A STOP TO START, HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL MALFUNCTION WHEN I AM DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONCERN AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THIS TO RESOLUTION SINCE I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IN WORKING WITH CHEVROLET AND THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Seat belts, Jul 28, 2002
THE SEAT BELT LOCATED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE ON THE SECOND ROW BECAME JAMMED AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONSUMER'S CHILD WAS BUCKLED IN AND THE BELT BECAME TIGHTLY WRAPPED AROUND CHILD'S NECK. CONSUMER DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER WHO HAD TO CUT THE BELT IN ORDER TO RELEASE THE CHILD. *TS *CB *NLM
Tires, Jul 28, 2002
THE SPARE TIRE DOES NOT COME OFF THE BACK OF THE TRUCK. *AK
Suspension, Jul 22, 2002
WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES FRONT END WILL GO TO THE RIGHT AND BACK WILL GO TO THE LEFT. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Seat belts, Jul 16, 2002
SEAT BELT LOCKED IN PLACE AND FAILS TO EXTENT OR RETRACT, RENDERING IT UNUSEABLE FOR PASSENGERS.*AK
Steering, Suspension, Jul 10, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD WANDER ACROSS THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING AT MULTIPLE SPEEDS AND GOT MORE SEVERE AT HIGHER SPEED. VEHICLE BEEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, PROBLEM REOCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE STEERING WHEEL IS NOT CENTERED, THIS IS CAUSING TIRES TO FEATHER, DEALERSHIP HAS ALIGNED THE FRONT END ON TWO OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *SLC
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 9, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND/OR BRAKING, STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE LEFT. WHEN BRAKING, STEERING PULLLED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SPINNING OUT TWICE.*AK DEALER FOUND CASTER AND CAMBER OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND PERFORMED ALIGNMENT. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Wheels, Jun 19, 2002
TRANSMISSION TAKES 30 SECONDS TO SHIFT TO SECOND GEAR. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM.*AK AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE STILL MAKES NOISES AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ADJUSTED CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE ALSO DOESN'T RUN THE SAME. IT FEELS AS IF THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER. THERE IS A SCRAPING NOISE THAT IS HEARD FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND THE ROTORS DEGLAZED. *JG
Seat belts, Jun 18, 2002
PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD CONTINUE TO TIGHTEN ON PASSENGER WHILE DRIVING. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK