Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes, hydraulic68
- Service brakes41
- Fuel system, gasoline23
- Power train23
- Steering22
- Parking brake19
- Tires18
- Engine and engine cooling16
- Seat belts13
- Air bags12
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 24 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 108 2002 Suburban vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 72 people died inside them, and 46 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban failed the safety check 1.56% of the time — 22% less often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 192,662 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
8 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 75% arrived as used imports, 25% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban.
| 2004395 5 Nov 2004 | Brakes Certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador may experience unwanted Antilock Brak… |
| 2002068 11 Apr 2002 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 209, seat belt assemblies. These vehicles have a condition where one or two sensors in the driver's and front seat pas… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Chevrolet told its dealers about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 636575 | SUBJECT REGARDING KINKED TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINES. *TT |
| 636537 | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN THAT THE FUEL GAUGE IS READING INACCURATE. *TT |
| 634999 | DIAGNOSIS OF CRACKED OR BROKEN TRANSMISSION CASE. *TT 2006 AND PRIOR CARS AND LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS. *TT |
| 634905 | SOME VEHICLES WILL NOT MOVE WHEN 4-WHEEL DRIVE IS REQUESTED, NOISE, SHUDDER, POOR PERFORMANCE, TRANSMISSION / TRANSFER CASE SLIPS, TRANSMISSION WILL NOT UPSHIFT, SLIPS IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE. *TT |
| 634899 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON THE SERVICE 4WD INDICATOR ILLUMINATING WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B2725 SET. *TT |
| 634821 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE MANUAL LOCK LEVER COMES LOOSE FROM THE DOOR TRIM PANEL. *TT |
| 634805 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON HIGHER THAN EXPECTED ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. *TT |
| 634788 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A MILD TO SEVERE ENGINE PING (COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS SPARK KNOCK) USUALLY WORSE DURING ACCELERATION AND / OR AN ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP. *TT |
| 634723 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT ON A MILD TO SEVERE ENGINE PING (SPARK KNOCK) DURING ACCELERATION AND / OR ILLUMINATED MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0332 SET. *TT |
| 634587 | REAR WIPER JUMPS WHEN THE FOG LAMPS ARE TURNED ON. *TT |
| 632304 | SUBJECT REGARDING VEHICLES SHIPPED WITH 2 ANTENNA MASTS. *TT |
| 631670 | SUBJECT REGARDING, 2001-2002 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K PICKUP AND UTILITY MODELS, DIAGNOSTICS FOR POSSIBLE GEAR INDICATOR CONCERNS. *JG |
| 631259 | SUBJECT REGARDING, 2001-2002 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K PICKUP AND UTILITY MODELS, DIAGNOSTICS FOR POSSIBLE GEAR INDICATOR CONCERNS. *SLC |
| 631241 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE FUEL TANK ON 2002 CHEVROLET AND GMC C/K SERIES IS DIFFICULT TO FILL FROM APPROXIMATELY 3/4 TO FULL . *SLC |
| 629714 | CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO COMPLETELY FILL THE FUEL TANK. *TT |
| 629394 | INFORMATION CONCERNING THE SPARE TIRE HAVING A DIFFERENT SIZE THAN OTHER TIRES. *TT |
| 628934 | SOME CUSTOMERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LAMP IS ILLUMINATED, NO 3RD AND 4TH GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY, THE TRANSMISSION FEELS LIKE IT SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL OR A LOSS OF DRIVE OCCURS. *TT |
| 628884 | CONCERNS THAT CLUNK NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ALSO FELT IN THE STEERING WHEEL. *TT UPDATED *EH GM ADMINISTRATIVE MESSAGE. *TT |
| 628858 | SUBJECT REGARDING LOSS OF HVAC SYSTEM MODE AND/OR TEMPERATURE CONTROL. *TT |
| 628815 | SUBJECT REGARDING DIAGNOSTIC TIPS FOR SLIPPING OR MISSING SECOND, THIRD AND/OR FOURTH GEAR. *TT |
| 628508 | SUBJECT REGARDING DOOR MANUAL LOCK LEVER DISENGAGES FROM DOOR TRIM PANEL (REPAIR LOCK LEVER) *JG |
| 628505 | SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT AND REAR SIDE DOOR ACCESS DOOR NOISE (REPLACE DOOR CHECK LINK). *JG |
| 628142 | SUBJECT REGARDING CORROSION CONCERNS WITH THE REAR LICENSE PLATE CHROME COVERS. *TT |
| 628140 | INFORMATION ON FULL SIZE 3/4 TON UITILITY TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FUEL TANKS. *TT |
| 628096 | CONCERNS WITH FLAPPING NOISE EMANATING FROM THE DASH AREA, USUALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING AND THE RADIO IS OFF. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Brake line corrosion failure
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation