MYRModel Year Report

2002 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
286
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

41% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 286 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 286 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2014 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2002 286 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

2002: 286 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

41% · 117 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show 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, 2019-09-20

Also filed under Wheels

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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-11-20

Fuel system, gasoline

9% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and tank assembly.

Power train

8% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that a toddler was able to insert and turn the key in the ignition to the accessory position.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-21

Also filed under Electrical system

Steering

8% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic power assist system and pump.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Consumer states that has been on front collision. Please add more details. Dealer was not contacted. Ts

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-10-22

Parking brake

7% · 19 reports

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 286 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-08-01Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Throttle sticking closed
  3. R
    2003-03-07Structure03V094000 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.…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-06-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-11-03 Steel wheel rim fracture
  5. I
    2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
  6. I
    2005-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
  7. R
    2005-09-22Service brakes, hydraulic05V379000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
  9. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2006-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-09-14 Crank position sensor failure - stall
  11. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 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…

    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).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure
  13. I
    2011-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2015-04-08 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 117 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V094000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V379000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 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, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.