The Lemon Index2002 Chevrolet Tahoe.
The 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe is better than average by owner complaints: 164 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 77, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 14 to 15 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Tahoe year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 448 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Tahoe 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 44K to 131K miles on the car (338 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 103K–165K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 26K–90K miles
- tires complaints mostly came at 20K–116K miles
Recalls 6
- 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 6 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.
- seats 2002
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…
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 546 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
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
- ClosedUnwanted low-speed abs activation2005
- ClosedSteel wheel rim fracture2003
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 $4300–4600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When vehicle was in over-drive between speeds of 40 - 43 mph, there was a vibration in the front end. Although the dealership has serviced the truck several times the cause of the noise is still undetermined.
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe owner · NHTSA complaint 10052082
More owner reports
Inappropriate tires on suv's could be the cause of rollovers.
NHTSA complaint 10011454
The spare tire does not come off the back of the truck.
NHTSA complaint 764829
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 77; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Tahoe year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (16%), tires (15%) and brakes (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
6 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 Tahoe get?
14 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 44,000 and 131,000 miles. The middle report was at 80,500 miles, from 338 complaints.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Tahoe year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 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