2002 Chevrolet Suburban
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 30 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 54 |
| 1991 | 52 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 499 |
| 1994 | 858 |
| 1995 | 457 |
| 1996 | 360 |
| 1997 | 414 |
| 1998 | 201 |
| 1999 | 634 |
| 2000 | 282 |
| 2001 | 440 |
| 2002 | 286 |
| 2003 | 301 |
| 2004 | 204 |
| 2005 | 129 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 291 |
| 2008 | 213 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 117 |
| 2011 | 148 |
| 2012 | 101 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 427 |
| 2016 | 216 |
| 2017 | 139 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 177 |
| 2022 | 104 |
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 36 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
15% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
BRAKE FAILURE ON 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN. RESULTING IN A CRASH. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030406
WHEN CAR WAS 2 MONTHS OLD, WE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DIDN'T SEEM TO WORK PROPERLY IN THAT THEY LOCKED UP AND MADE THE CAR JOLT TO A STOP. DEALER SAID OVER PHONE THAT THIS WAS FINE AND DID NOT NEED TO LOOK AT CAR.
NHTSA ODI report, 20020815
WHILE TURNING INTO A DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 7 M.P.H. BRAKES FAILED AND CAR MADE LOUD NOISE. THE SUBURBAN FINALLY STOPPED ON THE 3RD TIME OF HITTING THE BRAKES. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20020109
14% of complaints: service brakes — 41 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 AT SPEEDS UNDER 10 MPH IN BUMPER-TO-BUMPER TRAFFIC, THE ABS INDEPENDENTLY ACTIVATED. THIS HAPPENED IN DRY WEATHER ON A FREEWAY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190920
the brake lines rust and they burst this occurred on my main brake line going to the abs controller I had no brakes from mechanics they say this is a common problem on usa made cars brake lines should never ever rust and burst
NHTSA ODI report, 20231120
7% of complaints: parking brake — 19 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
BEGAN EMERGENCY BREAKING AND EVASIVE MANEUVERS. SHORTLY AFTER BEGINNING TO TURN, THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND ALL 4 WHEELS LOCKED. THE RESULT WAS A 180 DEGREE SPIN ACROSS 5 LANES OF I30 JUST SOUTH OF DOWNTOWN DALLAS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120502
4% of complaints: tires — 11 distinct reports on file.
CRASHSAFETY TIMELINE
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
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
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
Campaign 03V094000 — check if this car was fixed
STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION
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 RECA
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, REIN
Campaign 05V379000 — check if this car was fixed
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
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 MANUFACTURE
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).
Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed
Brake line corrosion failure
Brake line corrosion failure
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (41 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for parking brake issues (19 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 03V094000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 15% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.