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2002 Chevrolet Suburban Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 286 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the brakes (44% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles). It is 5th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Brakes
127 complaints · 44%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock, power assist.
Abs activates at low speed braking... More difficult to stop and scary because unexpected...definitely a safety issue.. The car started having problems fall 2004, brought the car to the dealership for repair.. Problem seem to be fixed.. But recently started having the problem again.
A bolt securing the rear left brake caliper bracket assembly failed catastrophically jammming the brake and the rear wheel while in motion. Fortunately this occurred at low speed and was controllable, but if it had occurred at speed on the highway, there would have been a major accident since the rear wheel could have…
Fuel system
27 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
: the contact stated while driving on the highway at 20 MPH and pulling up to a toll booth, the vehicle stalled suddenly without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealership where the dealership determined the vehicle needed a new ignition switch. While driving back home the vehicle stalled again. The vehicle was…
My wife and I have been very happy with the vehicle until a situation last year. Specifically, there is a known problem with the gas tank and gauge. The gas tank will be a 1/4 full but the car will not start because it thinks the gas tank is empty. My local gm dealer service center quoted me over $800 to fix this…
Wheels and tires
25 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt, hub, sidewall.
Purchased a surbuban 2002 in jun 2002. The truck came with firestone wilderness le. I had the tires rotated every six thousand miles and now I am told my dealer that they are pitted and that this is the sixth occurence that they have seen of these tires being defective. I notified firestone but they refused to assist…
While driving at 70 MPH the passenger side rear tire exploded from the sidewall. Also driver's side rear tire developed a hole in the sidewall, and the tire deflated. The cause of both failures was undetermined.
Transmission
23 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Dt: 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, anti lock brakes failed to stop the vehicle when driving at slow speeds, when consumer pressed on thek brakes the vehicle slowed down , but did not completely stop the vehicle, consumer has to pump the brakes to get the vehicle to stop, consumer took vehicle to the dealer,who told him that…
Noticed noise and vibration when in four wheel drive. Chevy dealer inspected and determined that a plastic plug on front differential had failed and drained all of the oil from differential resulting in failure. Chevy has re-designed the faulty part (obviously as a result of many failures). Front differential assembly…
Steering
22 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 41,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist system, column, hydraulic power assist, steering wheel/handle bar.
The truck had an ongoing problem with a clanging noise in the steering column, mostly when the steering wheel was turned. Consumer was afraid that it may cause a steering component to break, resulting in loss of steering, and could cause an accident. A service representative was contacted by phone and informed of the…
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact heard a knocking sound coming from the wheels when the front wheels were turned. She stated that the cause of failure may be the upper intermediate steering shaft. The dealer and manufacturer stated that she would have to pay $275 for the repair. The dealer did…
Engine
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 87,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Since purchasing an 02 Chevrolet surburban, 8.1l and 81k miles, I have experienced multiple random engine shut offs while highway driving, creating dangerous safety situations. The motor will restart after a 5 minute rest period and run fine, until the next failure which occurs without warning. The dealership has so…
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving between 30-60 MPH. A charging light also illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted to a stop and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the crank shaft…
Seat belts
13 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 3,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear/other.
The rear left and center safety belt latch plate were designed improperly. The consumer was unable to properly tighten the belt, when he tried to secure a child.
The front passenger , the second seat passenger and the third seat on the driver side are defective. When riding, the seat belts will lock into a position where you can't immediately get out of the belt. The belts have been serviced on at least 3 times.
Air bags
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Dt: husband had an accident, car pulled out in front of him and hit them on driver and back seat passenger side head. Upon impact, air bag did not deploy.
Chrysler cannot find the fuel rail in US or canada. I cant walk and had I not gotten disabled and had to go to canada, at families due to child and I being assaulted and injured. Have government documents showing we entered country due to statement above. Car not used, garaged for several years but turned on…
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 recalls
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
On january 11, 2011, odi opened ea11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 general motors (gm) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the united states that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received defect petition dp10-003 on march 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (my) 2003 chevrolet silverado 2500hd 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.dp10-003 was granted and on march 30, 2010, preliminary evaluation pe10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by general motors corporation (gm).on july 2, 2010, odi received gm's response to an information request, which included gm's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Gm stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject veh
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on may 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general motors (gm) provided owner complaint information, field reports and warranty claim data based on a population of 108,338 vehicles. The data was categorized by engine stalls while driving, engine stalls with an unknown driving condition, no start conditions and claims where it was
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Summary
In a letter dated august 29, 2005, gm notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that may result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).gm's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently registered in the following 14 salt-belt states:connecticut, illinois, indiana, massachusetts, maine, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, and west virginia.the recall procedure will involve removing the sensor, cleaning the mounti
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
Steel wheel rim fracture
Summary
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control. A defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Throttle sticking closed
Summary
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (gm)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve may intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator may apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of additional accelerator pedal force, to open a stuck throttle valve, may open the throttle valve more than intended and, in turn, accelerate the engine and vehicle more than intended and reasonably expected by the driver.on august 1, 2002, the office of defects investigation (odi), of th
Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (127 complaints, typically around 84,000 miles); fuel system (27 complaints, typically around 69,000 miles); wheels and tires (25 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from August 29, 2005 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban?
- It is 5th of 25 Suburban model years by number of complaints, with 286 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.