2002 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
286 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
64,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 194 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 286 complaints (14.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 131 | 45.8% |
| Steering behavior | 23 | 8.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 21 | 7.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 15 | 5.2% |
| Engine operation | 13 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 1.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 42 |
| Service Brakes | 41 |
| Parking Brake | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 |
| Tires | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 42; Service Brakes: 41; Parking Brake: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 18; Tires: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10; Steering: 10; Electrical System: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 36 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 21 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 24 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 36; 75,000 to 99,999: 21; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 24
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 92 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 26 |
| 2003 | 47 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 60 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 8 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 9 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2002: 26; 2003: 47; 2004: 28; 2005: 60; 2006: 24; 2007: 6; 2008: 8; 2009: 3; 2010: 10; 2011: 8; 2012: 18; 2013: 9; 2014: 9; 2015: 9; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 1; 2021: 4; 2022: 2; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 131 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000345 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)
THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO A DEALER FOR THE 2ND TIME NOW TO REBUILD THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL AND IT HAS ONLY 22000 MILES ON IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000345 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000857 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW EXPLODED OUT. IT SENT GLASS 25' TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. IT WAS ABOUT 39DEG F OUTSIDE. NO TAMPERING OR FORCED ENTRY VISIBLE. THE LIFT ARMS WERE LOCKED IN THE OPEN POSITION. THE DRIVER SIDE ARM WOULD NOT COMPRESS. THE WINDOW ASSEMBLY WAS STILL LATCHED CLOSED TO THE LIFTGATE. PICS AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 20,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000857 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002322 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
THERE IS NO DOOR AJAR WARNING SIGN DOOR WAS AJARED WHILE DRIVING, AND DOOR FLEW OPEN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002322 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002759 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
I HAVE A NEW 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN THAT I BOUGHT IN NOV, 2002. I HAVE DRIVEN IT APPROX 3000 MILES. THE HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY , I HAVEN'T WRECKED YET OR KILLED ANYONE BUT NOBODY WILL RIDE WITH ME NOW. I'D LIKE THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF BY ME GETTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SAME STYLE AND MODEL. IT HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE , THIS TIME FOR 9 DAYS AND THEY STILL GOT IT. I NEED A VEHICLE ! I WAS HOPING FOR THIS MUCH MONEY IT WOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002759 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003980 · 2003-01-15 (January 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND ON EVERY TEN MINUTES WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003980 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005130 · 2003-02-02 (February 2, 2003)
VEHICLE SHUTS ITSELF DOWN WHILE IN MOTION, IT DOES NOT MATTER IF I AM ACCELERATING, MAINTAINING SPEED, OR COMING TO A STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN I LOOSE MY POWER BRAKES AND STEERING. I AM IN CONSTANT FEAR THAT IT MAY SHUTDOWN ON ME WHEN I AM TRYING TO CROSS BUSY TRAFFIC. THIS PROBLEM IS A DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD......... *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007100 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
THE FRONT SEATS WERE NOT CENTERED CORRECTLY, THEY WERE POSITIONED TO THE RIGHT OF THE CENTER. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED IF THE AIR BAGS SHOULD DEPLOY, THE DRIVER WOULD NOT BE PROTECTED. (THE OTHER VEHICLE IS A CHEVROLET TAHOE 2002. VIN: [XXX]) *JG *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007884 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)
ALL PASSENGER SEAT BELTS GET TIGHTER WHILE VEHICLE IS MOVING- IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE BEING SUCKED INTO THE SEATS- IT ALSO MAKES TAKING A BREATH DIFFULCULT- THE TIGHTER THE SEAT BELTS GET THE HARDER THEY ARE TO UNLATCH- THE MAKE DO CORRECTION OFFERED BY CHEVROLET OF USING A SEATBELT EXTENSION IS UNACCEPTABLE AS IT PLACES THE BUCKLE AND CONNECTIONS OVER THE CENTER OF THE ABDOMEN/CHEST AREA
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007884 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V094000 · Structure
Reported: 2003-03-07 (March 7, 2003)
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.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V379000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)
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.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
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, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA campaign record ↗