2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban 2002

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban repairs by problem area

Engine (30%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (13%)

Brakes and Traction Control (11%)

Suspension and Steering (18%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (22%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (4%)

Chart based on 149 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban.

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (14%)

$500 - $999 (19%)

$100 - $499 (45%)

< $100 (17%)

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Chart based on 126 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 4dr SUV

285-horsepower 5.3L V8 4-speed automatic RWD

Chevrolet Tahoe in California, United States
Aug 2013 - May 2017
Oct 2013

228200 mi

US $35500
Water pump leaking. Replaced pump hoses and thermostat 
Feb 2017

245 mi

US $125
Knock sensors went out giving a code. Ordered new sensors. Removed fuel injection system and intake manifold. Replaced knock sensors that were underneath intake manifold. Cleaned injectors and reassembled. Fixed 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Tennessee, United States
Dec 2013 - Oct 2014
Apr 2014

210800 mi

US $585
Electronic Fuel Pump went out. Replaced pump. 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 4dr SUV

285-horsepower 5.3L V8 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Chevrolet Tahoe in New Jersey, United States
Jun 2010 - May 2017
Jul 2010

154000 mi

US $140
Frame of drivers side front seat broke. Had to disassemble the seat and replace with new frame. 
Dec 2011

172000 mi

US $620
New regulator in both front windows Rear defroster not working 
Aug 2013

190000 mi

US $1870
Rear gear housing broken (inside) - gear assembly replaced. Radiator Leaking, need replaced. 
Feb 2015

200900 mi

US $1200
Locked calipers - rear brakes completely rebuilt 
Apr 2017

210000 mi

US $80
Most speakers were dry rotten and no longer worked - all were replaced. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Texas, United States
Aug 2010 - Jun 2011
Sep 2010

71000 mi

US $630
Broken lower left front ball joint boot and leaking front differential seals - all replaced by dealership service department. Both front axle seals and the front, lower, left ball-joint were replaced. The seals were leaking and the ball-joint boot had torn. 
Dec 2010

77000 mi
Front differential breather (vent) valve was bad, fluid was leaking everywhere. Replaced, fluid refilled. Front differential leaking again. Breather valve was replaced entirely instead of just tightened (as apparently they had done previously). Fluid refilled again. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Illinois, United States
Aug 2012 - Jul 2020
Nov 2012

76500 mi

US $100
rubbing/scraping noise while turning slow to the right. Shop said e-brake was rusted in hub at left rear. cleaned and lubed and fixed the problem. Also brake lines rusted, need to replace sometime in future. 
Feb 2013

78800 mi

US $925
Had to have ALL brake lines replaced due to corrosion. I did not have leaks yet, but it was suggested that they be replaced by 3 separate mechanics. I did not want to chance them going out. 
Oct 2013

88000 mi

US $345
Intake manifold gasket was leaking causing idle to be erratic in the morning when cold out until it warmed up and sealed properly. Had Mechanic replace gaskets and knock sensors while doing repair. This solved the issue. 
Feb 2014

90000 mi

US $300
Water pump leaking coolant. Water pump and new gasket put on vehicle. 
Mar 2014

92000 mi

US $521
rubbing noise, grinding at times. Was told the rear brakes and rotors needed repacing. They did but did not get rid of noise. E-brake assmebly came loose, stuck in wheel made noise. removed one side. Still hear noise, no fix yet. 
Dec 2014

101000 mi

US $285
Both wheel bearings replaced. Right hub loose, and left bearing noisy. Fairly straight forward repair and seems to be good now. Replaced with SKF hubs. 
Oct 2015

110300 mi

US $150
Leaking water pump. Replace water pump, thermostat, lower and upper radiator hoses. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in New Hampshire, United States
Mar 2008 - Sep 2016
Apr 2008

84000 mi

US $500
Front Shocks All Four front ball joints Both front wheel bearings/Wheel hubs Spark Plugs Spart Plug Wires 
Apr 2012

152300 mi

US $65
replaced all 4 drive shaft u joints 
May 2012

155700 mi

US $1500
Replaced all soft brake lines, rotors, calipers, pads Replaced both front wheel bearings Replaced ball joints Replaced driver and pass CV shaft 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Arizona, United States
Nov 2011 - Dec 2014
Dec 2011

72000 mi

US $385
when it is over 90 degrees out and i start the car the ac would not somethimes blow cold for up to 4 minutes, had dealer install ac inline filter and new diagram and recharge and it fixed it after the dealer twice just tried to swap out com. 
May 2014

96000 mi

US $320
Both inner tie-rods were worn out. 
Sep 2014

98000 mi

US $90
Ac not blowing cold. Brought the car to autoshop and turned out it was the rear ac unit is leaking $1200 to fix, no ac for a while. 
Dec 2014

98000 mi
Rear AC leak not fixed. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in California, United States
Apr 2010 - Feb 2013
May 2010

99871 mi

US $1500
Fuel pump when out replace fuel pump 
Feb 2013

130000 mi
Rear master oil seal leak (where they need to remove engine to repair) 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Colorado, United States
Oct 2008 - Jan 2016
Dec 2008

135000 mi
Water pump leak. 
Apr 2010

150000 mi

US $200
Replace fuel pump. replaced fuel pump 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Maryland, United States
Jan 2016 - Jan 2018
Oct 2016

230000 mi

US $875
2 different lines had blown, so I had all lines replaced 
Mar 2017

235000 mi

US $160
Alternator quit on me 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Florida, United States
Nov 2008 - Jun 2017
Jun 2009

140000 mi

US $425
Replaced alternator 
Mar 2010

153000 mi

US $1000
left front bearing 
Jun 2010

159000 mi

US $165
Passenger front window was inoperative after a period of intermittent operation 
Sep 2010

164000 mi

US $9000
Replaced AC compressor. Unit locked up, broke serpentine belt, 
Oct 2010

165000 mi

US $1000
Replaced pinion bearings 
Mar 2013

209000 mi

US $1800
Front end seals leaking, main engine seal leaking, replacement of valve cover gaskets. 
Jun 2013

212000 mi

US $225
Replaced passenger front door window up/down mechanism 
May 2014

226300 mi

US $225
I personally Replaced alternator 
May 2016

260000 mi

US $600
Clunking noise from front end. Replace steering box. Clunking returned the same day. 
Sep 2016

265000 mi

US $320
Replaced tie rods, hub. Still experience clunking in front end after previous steering box replacement 
Dec 2016

268000 mi

US $600
Upper shaft in steering 
Feb 2017

271000 mi

US $1500
Grinding sound in rear end turned out to be differential. Chose to replace with salvaged rear end at Firestone. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Massachusetts, United States
Oct 2015 - Oct 2015
Oct 2015

190000 mi
Transmission slipping and leaking 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Missouri, United States
Dec 2013 - Aug 2015
Feb 2015

153000 mi

US $1500
Replaced with heavy duty tie rods Idler/Pitman arm replacement Plugs/Wires/Fuel Filter Replaced Shocks 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Missouri, United States
Feb 2015 - Mar 2017
Jan 2016

200800 mi

US $60
Driver's window regulator motor worn out. Aftermarket replacement included regulator and motor. Straightforward replacement. 
Apr 2016

205000 mi

US $275
Solenoid pack needed replacement. Check engine light was only symptom, caught it early before further damage. 
May 2016

206200 mi

US $175
Oil pan gasket replaced due to leaking. After one month, leaking resumed at a slower pace. Unknown if same problem or leaking from different location. Mechanic visit pending. Alternator causing intermittent battery warning light. Replaced with Napa part-the higher option. Sits right on top of the engine, easiest repair I've ever made. 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Connecticut, United States
Jan 2012 - Feb 2012
Feb 2012

160000 mi

US $500
rotted brake line- had ruptured- lost brake fluid 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 4dr SUV

275-horsepower 4.8L V8 4-speed automatic RWD

Chevrolet Tahoe in Missouri, United States
Jan 2012 - Sep 2014
Mar 2012

155000 mi

US $100
The dealership "fixed" a rear differential leak and less than 3 weeks later in rush hour traffic suddenly lost the ability to control my rear wheels! Scary...had to be towed to the dealership where they fixed again. 
Jan 2014

179000 mi
Water pump was leaking 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 4dr SUV

275-horsepower 4.8L V8 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Chevrolet Tahoe in Florida, United States
Sep 2013 - Jul 2022
Sep 2014

150000 mi
Needed a new starter....was a bitch to replace 
Chevrolet Tahoe in Texas, United States
Sep 2017 - Jun 2018
Mar 2018

214000 mi

US $250
Replaced brake pads, rotors and calipers on all four wheels. Having some issues when braking. Vibration. 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban

Engine not specified

Chevrolet Tahoe in Arkansas, United States
Aug 2014 - Dec 2014
Oct 2014

231000 mi

US $80
Fan belt replaced 
Nov 2014

231300 mi

US $300
Oxygen sensor replaced 
Chevrolet Tahoe in California, United States
Nov 2008 - Apr 2010
Dec 2008

132000 mi
There was a hairline crack in the head (probably due to overheating which was found out later).The dealer had the engine replaced at no charge. 
Jul 2009

145000 mi

US $200
The engine was overheating badly and my dad replaced the radiator himself. 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban 4-door

8-cylinder hybrid automatic 4WD

Chevrolet Tahoe in Virginia, United States
Nov 2007 - Dec 2008
Dec 2007

60000 mi

US $800
4 wheel drive unit failed. 

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban 4dr SUV, ext.

285-horsepower 5.3L V8 4-speed automatic RWD

Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, United States
Dec 2011 - Jun 2018
Feb 2012

185000 mi

US $750
Oil Leaks Replaced Shocks 
Apr 2012

187000 mi

US $280
Replaced U Joints. 
Mar 2013

204000 mi

US $800
Rear axle seals Oil Leaks Power Steering Pump Sway bar end replaced 
Dec 2013

216000 mi

US $700
Oil leaks Main seal leaking Axle damaged; axle and seal replaced 
Aug 2014

226000 mi

US $2000
Replaced compressor, evaporator core (dash removal), freon and oil 
Jan 2015

218800 mi

US $50
Oil leak; Replaced gasket at oil filter housing 
Feb 2016

250300 mi
Oil Leak 
Feb 2017

264000 mi

US $1000
Replaced fuel pump 
Chevrolet Suburban in California, United States
Oct 2009 - Sep 2012
Feb 2011

151000 mi

US $115
Water Pump leaking. Replaced water pump and thermostat. Also replaced all anti-freeze as it was at the recommended interval 
Dec 2011

158000 mi

US $538
Replaced air compressor and rear air shocks for factory AutoRide system 
Chevrolet Suburban in Virginia, United States
Mar 2016 - Jan 2017
Mar 2016

159000 mi

US $750
A/C compressor broken after 150,000, replaced entire system. 
Chevrolet Suburban in California, United States
Feb 2012 - Jun 2018
Dec 2012

135000 mi

US $262
Oxygen sensor failure 
Mar 2014

137000 mi

US $2500
replace oil pan gasket replace tie rods install pitman and idler saver kit replace power steering pump 
Apr 2015

142200 mi
replace broken parking brake cable replace warped exhaust manifolds 
May 2017

146000 mi

US $155
AC wasn't cooling properly. 
Jun 2017

147000 mi

US $220
replace leaking radiator hose 
Jan 2018

151000 mi

US $1116
Replace oxygen sensors 
Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, United States
Nov 2016 - Jan 2017
Nov 2016

120000 mi

US $150
Washer fluid pump and hose leaking. Discovered corroded battery tray. Replaced tray, washer pumps and hoses. 
Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, United States
Nov 2009 - Dec 2012
Mar 2010

105000 mi

US $550
Chevy has a design problem w/ the parking brake on these & 2002 Avalache which I also own. The parking brakes sag, wearing them out w/o ever using them & ruining the disk. It would not pass inspection. Reported to Chevy and they said not our problem. 
May 2011

122300 mi
Several plastic trim parts are breaking, but not yet repaired: plastic housing around seat belt receiver, plastic covers for 2nd seat mounting brackets. Also finish starting to wear off the front edges of the dashboard. 
Jul 2011

126000 mi

US $600
Car was making rattling noise caused by AC belt tensioner banging against stops. Broke 2 belts and 1 tensioner. Finally replaced AC compressor twice. The first one leaked from the parts store. New Comp, new belt, new tensioner.  
Sep 2011

128000 mi

US $400
Check engine light Fuel Pressure Sensor failure 
Mar 2012

136000 mi

US $1200
Oil leak from back of engine. Replace cam sensor, rear main seal, and many gaskets. 
May 2012

139000 mi

US $225
Check Engine Light came on. Knock sensor error. Knock sensor replaced. 
Jul 2012

140700 mi

US $1500
Planetary gear in transmission replaced. 
Nov 2012

144000 mi

US $1500
Planetary gear in transmission replaced second time within 4 months. 
Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, United States
Jul 2013 - Nov 2014
Sep 2013

162000 mi

US $20
Dash lights went out while driving on a dark highway at night. Research indicated likely the dimmer switch. Found one like new at a salvage yard for $20 and replace it myself. Problem solved! 
Jan 2014

US $440
Failed safety inspection due to emergency brake. Pads were completely worn down and rotors damaged. Apparently common problem with Chevy SUV's and trucks and repair is expensive. 

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban 4dr SUV, ext.

285-horsepower 5.3L V8 4-speed automatic 4WD w/low range

Chevrolet Suburban in Maryland, United States
Sep 2009 - Sep 2018
Mar 2010

84000 mi

US $200
Driver window motor died. Motor replaced. 
Sep 2010

89000 mi

US $200
Needed new starter motor 
Mar 2011

97000 mi

US $59
Driver window motor stopped working. Parts still under warranty. Installed new replacement part. 
Jul 2011

102000 mi

US $660
Needed new rear calipers and pads 
Mar 2012

106000 mi

US $100
Driver window not working. Power window regulator needed to be replaced 
Dec 2012

109000 mi

US $650
Anti-lock brakes were activating on sharp left turns and wheels were making a lot of noise above 30 mph. Wheel hub assembly needed replacing. 
Jan 2015

118000 mi

US $100
Driver window froze shut, then fell down - regulator broke, window cracked. 
Jul 2015

120000 mi
Had speed sensor removed, de-rusted and replaced 
Sep 2016

123000 mi

US $180
Thought it was the alternator, but it was a dead battery 
Sep 2018

135000 mi

US $850
Needed new fuel pump. Complete assembly replaced 
Chevrolet Suburban in Washington, United States
Mar 2011 - Jun 2018
Jun 2013

138000 mi

US $120
Driver's side power window switch 
Nov 2016

188000 mi

US $400
Tail pipe rusted through at the exhaust. Replace entire cat-back portion of system. 
Chevrolet Suburban in Wisconsin, United States
Apr 2015 - Jun 2018
Jun 2015

97000 mi

US $2500
Inappropriate ABS activation AC wasn't working well. Replaced rear compressor, and air filters Rear brakes bad, replaced rotors and pads and calipers 
Nov 2015

106900 mi

US $400
Chirping/ squealing from sharp turns at low to moderate speed. They suggested that the fluids in the 4wd system needed to be changed 
Mar 2016

114000 mi

US $350
Brake line rusted through and failed. Lost fluid and rear brakes. Line was replaced and lines purged. 
Aug 2016

124000 mi

US $1000
Didn't st on first crank when cold. Diagnosed as fuel pump. 
Jun 2017

139000 mi

US $250
front brakes, rotors, pads replaced 
Jul 2017

141000 mi

US $150
AC weak, had a leak that was found and fixed 
Jun 2018

148000 mi

US $450
Rear window hinge failed, separated from glass. Needed to be replaced. Done at home by glass shop. 
Chevrolet Suburban in Minnesota, United States
Dec 2012 - Sep 2014
Oct 2013

202200 mi

US $250
Replaced both front wheel hub assemblies 
Feb 2014

208600 mi

US $200
Water pump and lower heater hose replacement 
May 2014

210000 mi

US $300
Replaced front wheel hub assemblies and ABS sensors 
Sep 2014

215000 mi

US $4000
Replaced engine with a re-manufactured 5.3L. Rebuilt the transmission - Put a shift kit in for towing. 
Chevrolet Suburban in British Columbia, Canada
Dec 2010 - Jun 2018
Jul 2012

101680 mi

C $283
Air ride compressor stopped working. Two hours to find fault, broken ground wire. Pump now turns on, but is too weak to produce enough pressure. Needs new pump motor. $967.00 to replace including installation. 
Aug 2012

102180 mi

C $294
air conditioning not blowing very cold. Found air condensor is leaking, plugged small leak with "stop leak" and system recharged. working for now, but replacement of condensor approx.700.00. Not fully repaired,only partial fix. 
Dec 2012

104780 mi

C $175
two rear door support struts failed, replaced c/w labor. 
Aug 2013

109120 mi

C $470
Rear air ride pump failed again. Replaced with part from Arnott Inc in the USA. Less than half price including freight, compared to GM product installed. Working well and much quieter. 
Jun 2014

113460 mi

C $265
A/C needed a recharge again due to a small leak, which was found and previously sealed in Aug2012. Dollar value is only for that repair, not regular maintenance. 
Sep 2016

132060 mi

C $880
Fuel pump failed, most likely to lack of changing fuel filters. Assumed repair shop had changed them according to the schedule in the manual, never happened. Something owners should watch for! Needs to go back due to fuel gauge not right. 
Nov 2016

134320 mi

C $185
Re & re fuel pump/gauge unit as new one was reading incorrect. Installed fuel gauge harness connector assembly. Cost shown is only for connector and labour. Full tank still does not register full, gave up! Battery had been tested and shown ok. Could not start truck after leaving inside light on for ten minutes. Replaced battery at a cost of $189. All good now. replacement of air ride suspension pump. New 3 years ago, replaced under warranty by Arnott Industries (fantastic to deal with)-zero cost. Only cost was labour to install. 
Jan 2017

134840 mi

C $735
Replaced both rear air shocks. New passive air shocks from Arnott Industries, overrides electric control but still works air auto leveller. Shocks run $151.us each, but way less than $880. cdn from GM. Cost is total of parts and labour. 
Mar 2017

136400 mi
Anti knock sensor came on, reset. Fine for a couple of days, came on again. Needs to be replaced. Engine has never knocked. No cost entered as reset was free. 
Jun 2017

137640 mi
Anti knock sensor was on for a few weeks, told that it would need to be replaced. Went off two days before going in to service. Watching for it, and if need be, will replace. 
Apr 2018

144363 mi

C $546
Replaced drivers side window regulator. 

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban 4dr SUV, ext.

275-horsepower 4.8L V8 4-speed automatic RWD

Chevrolet Suburban in Texas, United States
May 2012 - Apr 2013
May 2012

122000 mi

US $350
Water pump went out 
Apr 2013

126000 mi
Driver side wheel bearings Broken washer fluid container 

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2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe / Suburban problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.