2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
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 |
|---|---|
| 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 | 466 |
| 2005 | 293 |
| 2006 | 114 |
| 2007 | 1176 |
| 2008 | 528 |
| 2009 | 284 |
| 2010 | 314 |
| 2011 | 446 |
| 2012 | 178 |
| 2013 | 232 |
| 2014 | 90 |
| 2015 | 657 |
| 2016 | 256 |
| 2017 | 173 |
| 2018 | 103 |
| 2019 | 104 |
| 2020 | 55 |
| 2021 | 440 |
| 2022 | 182 |
| 2023 | 209 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 20 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
38% of complaints: service brakes — 171 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20171228
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, 20121009
9% of complaints: steering — 42 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column and shaft sector.
CRASH FIRE8% of complaints: tires — 38 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing sidewall and tread/belt.
CRASH FIRE INJURY8% of complaints: power train — 37 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and differential unit.
7% of complaints: air bags — 31 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
CRASH FIRE INJURY DEATHShow 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. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20130217
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. *JS
NHTSA ODI report, 20120514
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, 20021115
SAFETY TIMELINE
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
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 AR
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
Campaign 02V253000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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
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
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
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.
Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed
Brake line corrosion failure
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes issues (171 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for steering issues (42 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for tires issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V253000 (seats) has been completed.
- 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.
- Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.