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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 14, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING, APPLIED BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING ALL FOUR WHEELS LOCKED UP, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SKIDDING OUT OF CONTROL, THIS MALFUNCTION WAS NOT SERVICED BY DEALER. *AK THE DEALER REFUSED TO SERVICE VEHICLE. THEY TOOK THE WHEELS OFF AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE BRAKES, THE CHASSIS, UNDER CARRIAGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER. THE PICTURES WERE SENT TO THE FACTORY FOR EVALUATION. THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKING ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS DRIVEN BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE. GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKE SYSTEM ON THIS VEHICLE. *JG
Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2002
VEHICLE WAS GOING 35MPH WHEN CHIMES/ REDUCED SPEED LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN WHILE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STILL PRESSED DOWN. VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER, AND NOT RESPONDING TO SPEED UP. EVENTUALLY, VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP AND STALLED. VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM ON 3RD OF JUNE, BUT HAD PROGRESSED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND THROTTLE WAS DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEAE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *AK
Steering, Jun 5, 2002
AT 60+ MPH, THE POWER STEERING FEELS UNSTABLE. THIS MAY BE A FAILURE IN THE VARIABLE ASSIST SYSTEM ALTHOUGH DEALER WAS CONFUSED IF TAHOW STILL HAD THIS SYSTEM. IT MAY BE FRONT SUSPENSION INSTABILITY. VEHICLE HANDLES VERY WELL AT LOWER SPEEDS BUT OVER 60, IT WANDERS AND THE STEERING FEELS LIKE IT WILL OVERCOMPENSATE OR OVERSTEER. UNKNOWN IF THE TAHOE STILL HAS A VARIABLE POWER ASSIST STEERING. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A CHEVROLET REPRESENTATIVE THAT CAN PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.*AK
Suspension, May 15, 2002
AUTORIDE SYSTEM CAUSING SEVERE VEHICLE INSTABILITIES, UNSAFE CHARACTERISTICS. WILL CAUSE ACCIDENT. VEHICLE IS UNSTABLE AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. OPERATION OF AUTORIDE CAUSES VEHICLE TO WANDER AND WOBBLE OFF TRACK.*AK
Air bags, May 10, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING SWERVED TO MISS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND LOST CONTROL, ROLLED OVER FOUR TIMES. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDNOT DEPLOY. DRIVER INJURED AND VEHICLE TOTALED. PLEASE ADD VIN. *AK
Tires, May 6, 2002
WHILE DRIVING RIGHT REAR TIRE SEPARATED FROM SIDEWALL WHICH TORE TIRE FROM RIM, DAMAGING RIM. DEALER CONTACTED. ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR A 2002, CHEVROLET, TAHOE, WILDERNESS LE TIRE SIZE P26570R16. *AKCONSUMER'S FIRST INDICATION SOMETHING WAS WRONG WAS A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION FELT IN THE STEERING. *JG
Visibility, Apr 19, 2002
MIRROR VIBRATES ECCESSIVELY, PREVENTING ABILITY TO VIEW OTHER VEHICLES SAFELY. DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE DURING NIGHT TIME HOURS. DEALER REPLACED TWICE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS, REFUSED TO REPLACE AGAIN!. *AK
Visibility, Apr 10, 2002
LEFTAND RIGHT WINDOW MOTOR BROKE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Seat belts, Mar 6, 2002
SEATBELT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE LOCKS UP WHERE IT CANNOT BE USED. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER REPLACED SEAT BELT. BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COME OUT OF RETRACTOR AT ALL AND ALSO THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AGAINST THE SEAT. *YH
Tires, Jan 3, 2002
A BLISTER IS FORMING ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT/RIGHT FIRESTONE TIRE, SIZE: P265/70R16, DOT: UNKNOWN. TIRE HAS APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES ON IT, AND IS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON 2002, CHEVROLET TRUCK, TAHOE.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE DOT# 8X72WL24301, THE DEALER REPLACED ALL 5 TIRES.*SLC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 2, 2002
CHEVROLET HAS 3 OTHER CASES OPEN THAT HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE PULLS HARD TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TRIED TIRES, BRAKE PADS, ROTORS ETC.. IT APPEARS ALL NEW TAHOES DO THIS AS I DROVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW ONE AND IT DOES THE SAME THING. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS OPENED TAC CASE # 5303279 WITH CHEVROLET. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT CHEVROLET ALREADY HAS 3 UNRESOLVED CASES. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THE PROBLEM IS IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AS THE REAR PASSENGER BRAKE SEEMS TO ACTIVATE FIRST WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD FOR A SUDDEN STOP. THIS THROWS THE REST OF THE VEHICLE TO TRACK TO THE RIGHT WHICH MUST BE ABRUPTLY CORRECTED BY THE DRIVER. THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT CHEVROLET HAS NO FIX. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID THEY CLAMPED THE REAR BRAKE LINES ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM, WHICH PROVES THE PROBLEM IS IN THE REAR BRAKE SYSTEM. I AM VERY CONCERNED AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO TOW MY BOAT. IF I MUST APPLY THE BRAKES SUDDENLY (WHICH CAN HAPPEN QUITE OFTEN WHEN TOWING) I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS NOT NOTICEABLE UNDER SLOW/SMOOTH BRAKING. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THE FASTER YOU ARE GOING. THEREFORE, AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL EASILY LOSE CONTROL. I TEST DROVE ANOTHER BRAND NEW TAHOE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER ALSO SAID HE TESTED A USED ONE AND IT HAD THE PROBLEM AS WELL.*AK
Tires, Nov 20, 2001
TIRE BLEWOUT ON STRAIGHT SECTION OF HIGHWAY, TREAD STARTED TO SEPARATE.*AK (DOT NUMBER: 8X72 WL2 TIRESIZE: P265/70R16)