2002 Chevrolet Suburban: common problems and reliability
· GMT800One of the weaker Suburban years.
456 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Suburban?The 2002 Chevrolet Suburban has 456 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and hydraulic. Owners most often flag power steering pump and system leaks or failures: owners describe the power steering as a fast way to kill the engine if neglected, note hydroboost as an additional leak point, and say the pump is a common failure.
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Suburban years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Suburban?
Across the 31 Suburban model years we track, complaint volume runs from 44 (2020) to 757 (1999). With 456 complaints, the 2002 Suburban sits above the model's median of 229.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Suburban
fuel system, gasoline
Campaign 06E043000CERTAIN 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
exterior lighting
Campaign 06E026000CERTAIN 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 SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Campaign 05V379000CERTAIN 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.
structure
Campaign 03V094000CERTAIN 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.
What owners report on the GMT800 Suburban
Owners of the 2000-2006 GMT800 Suburban consistently describe it as a very reliable, cheap-to-own, and easy-to-work-on full-size SUV, with several owners reporting examples running near or past 300,000 miles.
- RecurrentPower steering pump and system leaks or failures
Owners describe the power steering as a fast way to kill the engine if neglected, note Hydroboost as an additional leak point, and say the pump is a common failure.
- Recurrent4L60E transmission weakness and need for regular fluid service
Owners call the 4L60E "made of glass" and stress fresh fluid regardless of appearance.
- RecurrentOil pressure sending unit failure causing false low readings
Multiple owners point to the sending unit as the cause of low oil pressure gauge readings and note it is cheap and easy to replace.
- IsolatedIntake manifold gasket coolant leaks on the 5.3L
One owner identifies this as a known issue for 5.3s of this era and recommends checking it first.
- IsolatedTransfer case "pump rub" wearing a hole in the case
One owner describes it as a 200-300k mile concern with a roughly $100-200 DIY fix.
Owner insights for the GMT800 Suburban. Read the full GMT800 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Suburban listings typically run $17,061–$41,246.
Other Suburban model years
Compare every Suburban year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Suburban against its rivals
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