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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 449 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the brakes (39% of complaints, typically around 105,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Brakes
177 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock.
In february 2004, I purchased a used 2002 Chevrolet. In june 2004 the vehicle's electronic brake control module failed and was replaced by my local Chevrolet dealer. At the time of the repair the vehicle had 52, 000 miles. On february 15, 2007 the same part failed again. The vehicle now has 102,000 miles. The…
Failure of ABS speed sensors causes unexpected increased stopping distance. Same symptoms as NHTSA campaign id number 05v379000. Occurs nearly every time you attempt to stop at a slow speed. Could be a bigger problem in slippery (I.e. Snow/ice) conditions. Abs safety component is to make braking safer, a failure of an…
Wheels and tires
43 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, tread/belt, temporary/emergency spare tire, pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
I have had to replace tires, falken ziex s/tz 01 275/55 r 20 this is my 2nd set of 4 tires I have had to replaced. The first set the steel belts crossed over eachother 8 months and less than 10 thousand miles.this second set I just had to replace due to the tires causing my vehicle to vibrate extremely, at highway…
I was delivering an some went wrong with my wheel on my truck.. My tire came off.an my truck lock up.an my truck roll 6 times....my tire on the back driver side was gone ...
Steering
40 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 50,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box, hydraulic power assist system, steering wheel/handle bar.
When making turns from 5 MPH or more vehicle experienced severe vibration, and it caused the vehicle to jerk and thump intermittently. Vehicle was taken to two separate dealers. First dealer was unable to locate the problem, and the second dealer determined that the intermediate steering shaft needed to be replaced.…
2002 chevy Tahoe lt 4WD, current mileage is 85k. For the last 25k miles this vehicle has experienced a noisy shuddering sound with a slight vibration felt through the steering wheel when turning left or right. Ball joints, tie rods and alignment check out ok. Problem can be temporarily (for several days) resolved by…
Transmission
37 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Approximately 10k miles on 2002 Tahoe, vehicle would not go into reverse, and transmission, failed, was told by dealer that only part of transmission needed fixed. Now at 40k miles roughly 2 years later and out of warranty, same problem happened, what will gm do for me???
2002 Tahoe won't back up in 4 wd and has grinding noise when in 4 wd. Dealer advised that bearing in front differential bad. Replacement of differential advised. Dealer charged only for labor, apparently this has been an ongoing problem. Cost to repair $447, mileage 39500.
Air bags
31 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 84,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
In 2009 my ignition switch would not work.I would try 3 or 4 times to start the car and it would finally start. It occurred driving for about 1 hour over bumpy roads. I had weseloh Chevrolet diagnose it but they couldn't identify the problem. Finally they installed a new ignition switch and charged me 425.oo and it…
Tl - the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while the driver was driving at 45 MPH and attempted to avoid a crash with another vehicle. As a result, the driver crashed into a guardrail and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact was taken to a hospital and…
Electrical
30 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 91,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, instrument cluster/panel, seat heater.
Due to the error in the fuel gauge(indicating more fuel than the vehicle had) the vehicle ran out of fuel on the interstate with my entire familty on board. This could have been a serious accident as I was unable to exit the freeway and was not given a low fuel indicator light. This error in fuel level could have…
In 2009 my ignition switch would not work.I would try 3 or 4 times to start the car and it would finally start. It occurred driving for about 1 hour over bumpy roads. I had weseloh Chevrolet diagnose it but they couldn't identify the problem. Finally they installed a new ignition switch and charged me 425.oo and it…
Engine
26 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
Dt: the contact stated truck stalled at 60 MPH. No lights came on, it just cut out. It usually restarted after the second time. When parking the truck and letting it sit overnight with of tank of gas it will not start the next day until the contact put more gas into the tank. As long as vehicle did not sit overnight…
2002 Tahoe shuts down at highway speeds. Sit for fifteen minutes starts back up. Only happens in 90+ degree days. Someone is going to get hurt. I've seen numerous complaints in the complaint dbase.
Fuel system
25 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
After fueling fuel gauge registered that the fuel tank was empty and then vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle ten minutes later. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who had to update the computer to remedy the problem.
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3l engine-fuel gauge level erratic. Dealer fuel level sensor in tank is the problem, however this is a "normal wear and tear" replacement item at 62,000 miles combined with high sulfur in ak fuels causes it. However, 2001 vw passat had same issue with sulfur and sensor which did warrant a recall…
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 Tahoe 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.
Seats: head restraint
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
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
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 Tahoe
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (177 complaints, typically around 105,000 miles); wheels and tires (43 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles); steering (40 complaints, typically around 50,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- 3 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 Tahoe?
- It is 8th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints, with 449 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.