RecallMyCar

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls, Complaints & Specs

3 safety recalls list the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, and owners have filed 449 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

3
safety recalls
449
owner complaints to NHTSA
42 / 8
complaints citing a crash / fire
14–15
MPG combined (EPA)

3 safety recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

    NHTSA 05V379000 Reported 1,353,718 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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,…

    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…

  2. Structure

    NHTSA 03V094000 Reported 3,674 vehicles potentially affected SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS

    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.

    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…

  3. Head restraint (seats)

    NHTSA 02V253000 Reported 558,904 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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 are folded rearward as the seatback is folded down.

    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 not receive the free…

449 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have filed 449 complaints with NHTSA; 42 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Reports cite 45 injuries and 4 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 89,350 miles. Complaints peaked in 2014 with 52 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH occupied with his sister-in-law and her children, the contact smelled smoke coming from the driver seat of the”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 13, 2026 · Electrical system

“My vehicle has been diagnosed as needing the exhaust manifold bolts replaced. I have read that this is an ongoing issue that poses a risk to drivers and passengers due to the fumes, but has not been r”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 29, 2025 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe (Tahoe 1500 2WD, Tahoe 1500 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined14–15 mpg
City / Highway12–13 / 16–18
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine8 cyl, 4.8/5.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Chevrolet Tahoe model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Tahoe model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1988 Chevrolet Tahoe01
1991 Chevrolet Tahoe03
1992 Chevrolet Tahoe06
1993 Chevrolet Tahoe08
1994 Chevrolet Tahoe219
1995 Chevrolet Tahoe6246
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe3283
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe0410
1998 Chevrolet Tahoe2263
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe1552
2000 Chevrolet Tahoe6282
2001 Chevrolet Tahoe5512
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe3449
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe4507
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe2467
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe5293
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe3114
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe41,177
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe4528
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe5284
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe3314
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe5447
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe3178
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe4232
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe390
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe14658
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe8256
2017 Chevrolet Tahoe4173
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe3104
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe2106
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe357
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe16455
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe4190
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe5225
2024 Chevrolet Tahoe367
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe149
2026 Chevrolet Tahoe327

Checking a specific 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

How do I know if my 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V253000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.