2002 Chevrolet Tahoe: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 449 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (19% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 449 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My vehicle has been diagnosed as needing the exhaust manifold bolts replaced. I have read that this is an ongoing issue that poses a risk to drivers and passengers due to the fumes, but has not been recalled by the manufacturer.”Owner report · Engine · May 2025
“We were sitting in car with it idling, the right-side air bag just deployed without collision. We turned the ignition off waited a few moments and turned it back on and the right-side dash airbag deployed without any warning. The vehicle has not been in any collisions.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“My right side wheel feels like it's going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it's a wheel hub bearing that's coming loose or tie rods I'm not sure and One time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn't able to drive it. When I turn on the engine or driving , idling I smell gasoline really bad”Owner report · Wheels · Sep 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have an 02 tahoe z71 that recently I've been having brake problems at slow speeds when trying to stop like the ABS is trying to kick in randomly between about 5 to 15 mph when slowing for red-lights or stop signs there's times I have to let off and reapply brake 2 to 3 times at least before it will actually stop without the ABS kicking in. I read about some recalls on this on 02 tahoes but my VIN said I had 0 unfixed recalls”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2021
“This vehicle was leaking oil from the engine, front and back brakes were faulty, the starter was going bad, the electrical system for the back windows were not in working condition. The vehicle would display sensor lights to have the vehicle engine checked but then after about 2 days it would not show a displaying message it would also effect the audio fuse that allows the audio system to function. The tires were bald on the front driver side and left back passenger side. The seat belts were difficult to enter into latch in order to secure seatbelt.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2019
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2018
“Wife came home and said the brake pedal went to floor when attempting to stop. With engine running, brake fluid is seen pumping out of right front brake line. Mechanic reports line burst and all other lines are severely rusted and must be replaced. $1500 repair estimate.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2018
“Cable that operates the rear seat mechanism broke so rear seat cannot be folded down which impedes the ability to access the 3rd row seating. Passengers in 3rd row seat cannot exit the vehicle through this door.”Owner report · Seats · Apr 2018
“The brakes on my truck are engaging the ABS at low speed stops. This is causing a loss of breaking at the critical last few feet of stopping. This problem is occurring on smooth dry pavement. Your 2008 action number pe05020 was a recall specific to my problem. Checking for a recall on my truck showed no specific recall for my VIN. Both my local dealership and the gm representative at 800-222-1020 tell me that I have to pay for any repairs out of my own pocket because there is no "recall" on my vehicle. I am concerned for my safety and the safety of my family every time we drive the vehicle. Is there anything you can do to have this problem fixed?”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2018
“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 faith. Dealerships have the ability to help but there hands are tied by gm. Sad!!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 42 of these complaints and injuries in 45 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Tahoe by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
NHTSA has 449 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most complained-about area is service brakes (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 83,500 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:front assembly:head restraint. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.