VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 352 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.4 times the median Suburban year — the 2002 model ranks #12 of 47 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 34 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 136 reports (39% of the total).

352

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

8

Investigations

34

Crash-involved

9

Fires reported

34

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Suburban years?

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes13639%
Fuel System339%
Tires & Wheels257%
Transmission247%
Steering226%
Engine185%
Seat Belts134%
Airbags123%
Visibility & Wipers103%
Electrical System103%
Other103%
Lighting93%
Speed Control82%
Suspension72%
Seats51%
Body & Structure41%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Latches & Locks10%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

03V094000Body & StructureMarch 7, 2003 · 3,674 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING 10-15 MPH IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED, AND CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NO ONE SUSTAINED INJURIES. POLICE DID ARRIVE AT THE SCENE, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 20, 2003 · crash

2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN THAT STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. WE TOOK IT INTO THE SERVICE CENTER WHERE THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT THE FUEL PUMP WILL NEED TO REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700. THERE IS CURRENTLY A RECALL ON 2001…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 19, 2006

I PURCHASE A 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN ON 7/2/05 IN DELAWARE COUNTY FROM A DEALERSHIP. WE DROVE THE CAR TO OUR HOUSE IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE FROM THE HOUSE UNTIL 7/4/05. ON 7/4/05 MY FIANCE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK AND THE TIRE EXPLODED FROM THE LEFT FRONT OF THE CAR ON THE WAY. THE CAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 4, 2005 · crash

DRIVING ON FREEWAY ALONG CARPOOL LANE WHEN THE CAR AHEAD OF US STOPPED TO MOVE TO THE NEXT LANE AND WE ALL HAD TO STOP. I HAD A GOOD DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR(LITERALLY) BUT STILL DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I CRASHED INTO THE CAR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 9, 2003 · crash

I WAS HIT ON THE HEAD INSIDE MY 2002 SUBURBAN, WEARING MY SEAT BELT AT 48 MPH BY AN ONCOMING MAZDA MIATA. MY STEERING COLUMN COLLAPSED, I WENT INTO ONCOMING 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC, WENT UP A CURB, WENT THROUGH A BRICK RETAINING WALL, AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON ANY OF THE 3…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 7, 2003 · crash

2002 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 352 complaints put the 2002 model at #12 of 47 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (136 complaints), fuel system (33 complaints), tires & wheels (25 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1993, 2015, 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2002, 1998, 2016, 2008, 2004, 2021, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.