Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

◆ Worse than typical

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
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: 449
Recalls: 6
Investigations: 5
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

2002: 449 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1988	1
1991	3
1992	6
1993	8
1994	19
1995	246
1996	283
1997	410
1998	263
1999	552
2000	282
2001	512
2002	449
2003	507
2004	467
2005	293
2006	114
2007	1,176
2008	528
2009	284
2010	314
2011	447
2012	178
2013	232
2014	90
2015	658
2016	256
2017	174
2018	103
2019	105
2020	57
2021	452
2022	189
2023	222
2024	67
2025	49
2026	25

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

38% · 171 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-28

Brakes stopped working with no warning!!! Unbelievable, thank god I was in a parking lot and able to very gently come to a stop by mashing on the brakes and hitting a parking curb.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-10-09

Steering

9% · 42 reports

Most commonly citing column and shaft sector.

CRASHFIRE

Tires

8% · 38 reports

Most commonly citing sidewall and tread/belt.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

8% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.

Air bags

7% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH

Show complaint excerpts

Traffic stopped in front of me unexpectedly, I swerved to avoid car in front of me and hit concrete wall. Air bags did not work. My face hit steering wheel, causing injury to nose and mouth.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-02-17

Rear ended a vehicle going approx. 70 MPH and had extensive front end damage however the air bags failed to deploy. Driver hit head on steering wheel and passenger suffered sever head injury.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-14

The truck hit a wall head on between 33-35 MPH. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact allowing the driver to hit the windshield with his head shattering it.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-11-15

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

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

▮
2002Complaint volume 449 complaints filed for this model year.
I
2002-08-01Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Throttle sticking closed
R

2002-11-08Seats02V253000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
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 →
I
2003-06-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-11-03 Steel wheel rim fracture
I
2005-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
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 →
I
2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
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 →
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 →
R

2008-02-07Wheels07E106000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2011-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2015-04-08 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 171 reports on file for this year.
Steering: 42 reports on file for this year.
Tires: 38 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 02V253000 · Seats
Recall 03V094000 · Structure
Recall 05V379000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Recall 07E106000 · Wheels

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?: Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe?: The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 38% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have?: 6 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.