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2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, most often about the brakes (55% of complaints, typically around 100,000 miles). It is 4th of 16 Suburban 1500 model years by number of complaints.
Complaints120
Recalls0
Crashes reported3
Fires reported1
Injuries reported61 death reported
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems
Brakes
66 complaints · 55%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, fluid, driveline, foundation components.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the anti-lock braking system would intermittently activate at less than 10 MPH and when depressing the brakes. The brake pedal would vibrate abnormally with an increase in stopping distance and time. The dealer replaced the brakes yet the failure…
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH the ABS light illuminated. As a result, the braking distances increased. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnose that the ABS system…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 147,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
I have aj 2002 chevy suburban w/144k miles on it. The fuel pump was replaced while still under warranty because if the fuel level got too low it would not start. In the last 3 months have had the intermittent shut off problem listed on other complaints. I have had it do it on rough roads and interstate highways. Same…
Various incidents of vehicle dying while driving on highway when temperatures are high. Does not do it when cold. Has failed to start also. After waiting 10-20 minutes engine may start and continue without problem to destination. Have changed sensor without improvement of problem. Local garage has not been able to…
Engine
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 loses acceleration power on highway. Vehicle does not respond to acceleration attempts. Once brake is applied vehicle completely stalls and has no power steering or brakes. This has occurred in highway driving at 70 MPH in heavy traffic areas. There is no consistency in occurrences.…
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning when driving various speeds. The failure recurred over a span of several months until the check engine light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact stated that he was able to restart the vehicle…
Steering
8 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: gear box, linkages, electric power assist system.
Sudden loss of power steering and very heaving steering requiring great effort. I made a hard u-turn and then found the steering was extremely heavy. It took both hands and a lot of force to steer the car. I pulled over, popped hood, and saw nothing wrong. No dash malfunction lights were on. At repair, the steering…
Have 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 4WD 5.3 engine a/t. Was driving 45 MPH when vehicle suddenly stalled out & lost all steering/brakes. 131,589 miles on odometer at time. Managed to coast vehicle onto shoulder, waited 2 minutes, started vehicle again, pulled out into busy traffic just to make it 2 blocks before stall…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The passenger side of the lift glass separated and the glass wouldn't close. You had to manually line it up. Apparently this is a big problem but gm wont do anything about it. The customer shouldn't have to pay over $800 to get this fixed.
I was driving on the highway when I heard a blast of air like a tornado or hurricane in my car. Papers and things in my car started flying. When I stopped I discovered that the rear window had seperated itself from the frame at the top and was now open by an inch. The window is designed to open from the bottom with a…
Equipment
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: electrical.
I have a 2002 Chevrolet suburban. This year I purchased a new travel trailer to be towed by the suburban. After hearing other stories about hitch failure I inspected mine and noticed the welds were cracking. This was after the second trip towing the trailer, and a good thing I checked before our next trip. Any way I…
Was pulling a travel trailer when the stock hitch receiver broke off causing me to lose control of my vehicle, causing a death, and multiple injuries to the whole family. Vehicle was totaled.
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: hub.
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated when traveling at speeds between 3 to 10 MPH, the ABS would independently activate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 07e106000 (wheels: cap/cover/hub). The remedy stated the dealer was to pull the speed…
Michelin tires size 265/70/15 are cracking on the side wall area also tread is coming off tires,I did purchased the tires from costco five years ago ,but the tires have less than forty thousand miles on them,costco refused to rotate or work on them,the tires original warranty was for sixty five thousand I don't think…
Transmission
4 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
I have a 2002 suburban that since I purchased it in 2002 I have been complaining about the transmission not shifting right. Every time I brought it in it would be in the dealership for less than a day and I would be told that everything is okay. Now my warranty is up and my transmission is broke. I have no reverse…
Sat. 2/16/13 I started my 02 suburban up by turning the key through an open drivers side window. The car lurched forward about 6 inches. This has happened intermittently for years, but really noticed it this time because my arm get hit by steering wheel since I was outside vehicle. Normally when it happens I am seated…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (66 complaints, typically around 100,000 miles); fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 147,000 miles); engine (15 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban 1500?
- It is 4th of 16 Suburban 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 120 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.