The Lemon Index2002 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2002 Chevrolet Suburban is about average by owner complaints: 163 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 106, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 13 to 14 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 439 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 124K miles on the car (330 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 54K–112K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 65K–119K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 54K–125K miles
Recalls 5
- wheels 2007
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 DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 5 recalls
- brakes 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION.
- body structure 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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 575 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…
- Some customers may comment that the service engine soon lamp is illuminated, no 3rd and 4th gear
- Some vehicles will not move when 4-wheel drive is requested, noise, shudder, poor performance,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007–2008
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
2002 Chevrolet Suburban. Antilock braking system coming on often with low speed braking. Dealership confirmed same but said not to worry about it. Now problem is worse and car is out of warranty.
2002 Chevrolet Suburban owner · NHTSA complaint 10134743
More owner reports
Heard grinding noise when braking at 58k. Had it checked out and right rear pads worn through. Need new rotor. Left rear pads not as worn but very close to same scenario. Front pads were 50% good.
NHTSA complaint 10146515
Dt: problem with abs. In the past month while braking at low speeds the brakes did not activate but the abs activated. The consumer has had many near accidents due to this failure.
NHTSA complaint 10123828
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 106; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (26%), transmission & drivetrain (11%) and fuel system, gasoline (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,400 and 124,000 miles. The middle report was at 77,000 miles, from 330 complaints.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works