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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,027 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Suburban electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 262015

Suburban

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The circuit board under the drivers seat shorted out and caught on fire while the car was occupied.

- Moss Point, MS, USA

problem #15

Mar 042016

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 141,946 miles
I have had several incidents in two weeks that nearly caused serious accidents. I would be driving at various speeds, slow and interstate driving, where the engine would suddenly lose all power and the battery light would come on. I would have to struggle to have the vehicle glide to the service lane without causing an accident. These happened all times of day and all weather conditions and caused hazardous close calls. The vehicle was through diagnostic testing by an independent mechanic found to have a defective crank position sensor. Attached for your information is a copy of the invoice which includes the diagnosis and repairs required. Reviewing NHTSA complaints this is a serious problem that appears to have happened many times in the past which needs to have a NHTSA investigation and recall. Please advise if it would help get this problem addressed if I seek legal, legislative or regulatory relief. I look forward to your response. Thank you.

- Robbinsville, NJ, USA

problem #14

Mar 312013

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
Last year the odometer and gear selection display on my 2002 Chevy Suburban would go out then a while later it would come back on. This went on for a couple of months with the display staying off for longer and longer times. Around December 2013, the display went out permanently. I took my 2002 Suburban for the required smog test on April 28,2014 and since there was no odometer mileage displayed ( even after pressing the odometer button with the engine off ), the technician had to put down "none" under mileage. The situation of not having a display for displaying what gear you are in is a safety issue! a person might accidentally put the vehicle in drive instead of reverse. Also without an odometer, it is going to be hard to estimate the mileage when selling the vehicle.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #13

Apr 012014

Suburban 8-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. I have had it for two years. I am having problems similar to what it's the GM recall. This doesn't happen everytime I drive. I can be driving down the street or on the expressway and my vehicle will just shut off and the battery light will come on. After sitting for a few minutes, the truck will start back up with no problem or without having any boost. I have been having this problem since I have had the vehicle and noone could ever tell me what the problem was. I think it is the ignition switch. Please assist me in finding out how I can get my truck fixed as I am a mother of 4 and that is my only means of transportation. I am blessed for having not being in a fatal accident or accident period due to this problem since I have had this vehicle. Thanks.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #12

Dec 292013

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 200,000 miles
We we were travelling at about 75 miles when the car shut down. All electrical status lights and the engine went off. We coasted to the side of the road, put the vehicle in park and it started right away.

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #11

Jun 112011

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 178,000 miles
2002 Suburban just stops while driving, no warning no lights on the dash or nothing it just stops. At different speeds. Changed injectors fuel filter pump and still the same problem even changed the flex fuel sensor. Some one will die because of this in the future if they haven't done so yet. I have researched this on the internet and a large number of people are having the same problem. Maybe its a commuter problem or something else but it needs to be looked at soon. Thank you

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #10

Oct 092009

Suburban

  • 67,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2002 Suburban 2500 8.1 faulty crankshaft position sensor. Vehicle died on highway at 65 mph. Almost crashed into other vehicles. This happened a few times. The vehicle could not be diagnosed. Due to the sensor fault never being stored in the fault codes. The 2001 8.1 has been recalled for this reason why hasn't the 2002 its the same part number? there are many complaints about this issue. I have the old part. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #9

Dec 202009

Suburban

  • 68,577 miles
Normal operation ABS cycling when inching to a stop, on hwy operation ABS cycles even when braking and there are no adverse conditions problem is sporadic at best for consequences it has not but could lead to accident. Had been taken to dealer for recall, sensors for ABS were replaced. Problem is still present.

- Desoto, WI, USA

problem #8

Jan 012008

Suburban

  • 85,000 miles
My 2002 Chevrolet 2500 Suburban 8.1L, has been stalling continuously. It stalls when driving, slow, fast or even at a red light, it doesn't matter. I have had the fuel pump, starter, alternator and batter all replaced. I have read on many sites that I am not the only one with the same vehicle with the same problem.

- Napa, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 072007

Suburban 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 2500. While driving, the vehicle stalled. A red warning light illuminated on the instrument control panel prior to the failure. Occasionally, the vehicle loses power steering and braking ability. The vehicle has been to numerous dealers, but no one could duplicate the failure. The manufacturer would not assist. The failure mileage was 92,000. Updated 6/9/08

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #6

Jan 142008

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,510 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car has had lights dimming when electric devices are operating. Car has new alternator, belts, idler pulley and battery. Car was making a right turn with turn signal on. Battery light came on and entire vehicle-engine and all lights shut down. Pulled to side of road and engine started again.

- Hermiston, OR, USA

problem #5

May 052006

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 77,000 miles
2002 Chevy Suburban with 8.1L motor randomly shuts down at highway speeds or in traffic without warning which causes loss of steering and braking. I have had 3 separate dealers look at it and the "codes" never reflect what happened. I even read the current NHTSA action PE06016 description to the service tech (as I write this my vehicle is in the shop for "engine losses all power and dies at highway speeds or no start and stalling conditions") and described these exact symptom and he said the codes don't reflect that.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 152006

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Started having problems with the indicators on the dash coming on when they shouldn't have been and also the tach quit working. Then everything would start working properly again. This happened 3 times and the last incident was the odometer reset to "0", so now we have no idea what our mileage is and also the clock on the radio jumps ahead a couple hours. I was told by the dealer that I would have to pay for a new gauge cluster at the cost of $200-$300 and also $60 for a software upgrade for the other dash problems. I also called GM and let them know about it and told them I shouldn't have to pay for a new gauge cluster since it seems there is a design flaw and also the seriousness of the odometer resetting.

- Mcminnville, OR, USA

problem #3

Feb 082005

Suburban 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,400 miles
Traveling 60 miles per hour at night, the consumer tried to put the fog lights on since it was foggy out and the head lights went off. The dome override button turns the headlights off. The consumer struck the barrier causing some damage to the vehicle. There is a design flaw with the vehicle deeming it unsafe.

- Darien, CT, USA

problem #2

Feb 032005

Suburban 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While starting the vehicle it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a garage for inspection. The cause has not been determined at this time.

- Dunkirk, MD, USA

problem #1

Aug 012002

Suburban

  • miles
The consumer stated that the vehicle had shut off while driving on the highway. The consumer was able to steer through the two lanes of traffic to get to the shoulder. The consumer was told that a fuse had blown, and couldn't give the consumers a reason why the fuse had blown, also there is a clicking noise in the dashboard as something is shortening out, the time clock is not keep proper time.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

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