VehicleVerdict

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 543 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Tahoe year — the 2002 model ranks #10 of 37 Tahoe years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 57 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 195 reports (36% of the total).

543

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

53

Crash-involved

13

Fires reported

57

Injuries

4

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Tahoe years?

See all Tahoe years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes19536%
Tires & Wheels458%
Steering428%
Transmission377%
Electrical System346%
Airbags316%
Fuel System275%
Engine265%
Suspension214%
Visibility & Wipers173%
Body & Structure173%
Seat Belts153%
Other122%
Seats92%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Lighting41%
Latches & Locks31%
Speed Control31%
Driver Assistance10%

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

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

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

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.

02V253000SeatsSeptember 17, 2002 · 558,904 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

MY ABS ACTIVATES UNDER 5MPH ON DRY ROADS. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT MY TRUCK DOESN'T QUALIFY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THEY CAN "WALK AWAY" SAYING MY VIN IS NOT AFFECTED. BUNCH OF GARBAGE - I'VE BEEN A CHEVY GUY FOR EVER AND WORKED AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP - THIS CAUSES ME TO LOOSE SOME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 28, 2017 · crash

HAD A FRONT END COLLISION INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE WHOM RAN A RED LIGHT. WE ESTIMATED OUR IMPACT SPEED AT 30 MPH UPON COLLIDING TOGETHER. NEITHER FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SUFFERED NECK AND BACK BRUISING AND MUSCLE STRAIN.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · December 4, 2003 · crash

I WAS COMING HOME ON MY ROAD GOING 30 MILES AN HOUR GOING AROUND THE CURVE 25 IF THAT MY STEERING DID NOT WORK I WENT ON THE ROAD STARTED ROLLING IN TWICE AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN NOT ONE OF MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF I WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE AMBULANCE HAD TO COME AND GET ME

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 10, 2018 · crash · fire

POWER TRAIN - TRANSMISSION 2002 TAHOE 1) UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, WILL NOT ENGAGE IN REVERSE AND ENGINE REVS AS IF STILL IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. PLACE BACK IN PARK SEVERAL TIMES -- OR WAIT 30-60 SECONDS TO ENGAGE. 2) INTERMEDIATE SLIPPAGE IN LOW GEAR UPON ACCELERATION AT LOW SPEEDS OR FROM STOP.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2005

PURCHASED THE TRUCK BRAND NEW IN 2002 AND HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT HELL FROM IT. WE'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES, SEVERAL BREAKDOWNS AND STRANDED MOMENTS ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT EVEN CHEVY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT. IT'S BEEN UNRELIABLE AND GIVEN US HELL THE ENTIRE TIME…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 28, 2016 · fire

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe — common questions

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 543 complaints put the 2002 model at #10 of 37 Tahoe years. It is one of the Tahoe years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Tahoe problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (195 complaints), tires & wheels (45 complaints), steering (42 complaints).

Does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Tahoe years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tahoe years to avoid are 2007, 2015, 2008, 1999, 2003, 2001, 2021, 2011, 2004, 2002, 1997, 2010, 2009, 2013, 2023, 2012, 2022, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Tahoe years belongs to 1988.

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.