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2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,497 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments

problem #15

Feb 192011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 174,000 miles

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

While driving vehicle losses power, reduced engine power light comes on. I have taken the Suburban to the mechanic. Change the maf, tps, air filters other sensors that the diagnostic test has pointed out as problems and have had a vehicle tune up done (new spark plugs, wires, oil changed, etc.) the cost of these repairs has been over $1000 and seem I will be spending more. The problem continues to happen. Reduced engine power while driving. I am afraid this could cause an accident and cause injuries or even death since it happens while driving.

- Logan, UT, USA

problem #14

Mar 102010

Suburban

  • 114,346 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 lt. While driving 35 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was driven onto the side of the road. He waited a few minutes and was able to restart the vehicle. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified. The failure mileage was 114,346.

- Apo , AE, USA

problem #13

Aug 132010

Suburban

  • 117,000 miles
While driving on the freeway my 2002 Suburban with a 5.3L flex fuel equipped vehicle just would stall with out warning and cause me to lose all power steering and other item related to the engine running. I have to wait for the vehicle to cool down before being able to restart it. No code would show on the on board computer and after looking at other recalls it pointed to the crankshaft position sensor going bad. I am going to change it out in the morning. I have read others having this same issue in this year model and think Chevy should do something about it.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

problem #12

Jul 242010

Suburban

  • 98,000 miles

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

While driving Suburban on a long trip over 2 hot days, engine quit without warning once each day after many hours of driving (5 people with luggage, no trailer). First day occurrence was after driving in city traffic with many stoplights but speed was about 60 mph at the time and quickly lost power and died. Second day was at sustained 70+mph and quit suddenly. Both times needed to pull over and turned off for a minute after failures and restarted on 2nd try and continued on for another 20+ miles before stopping for the day (first day) and stopping for dinner (2nd day). Fuel in gas tank was half full on first day and 3/4 on second day. This vehicle exhibited same failure numerous times 2 years previously on hot day pulling trailer.

- Keller, TX, USA

problem #11

Jun 232010

Suburban

  • 167,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. While traveling at 65 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. Two weeks later, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The current and failure mileages were 167,000.

- Trumansburg, NY, USA

problem #10

Aug 292009

Suburban

  • 78,000 miles
While driving 60 mph under normal conditions on the interstate, I experienced full power loss. Without warning, the engine shut down and could not be restarted in neutral. Engine turned, just didn't fire. No sputter, no dash lights, just an instant shut down. I pulled the vehicle to the side of the roadway, put it in park and it started right up. Fortunately, this experience was on an not so crowded and straight section of the highway. I fear this could happen in a turn, in an intersection, or any situation where the lack of power steering could lead to an accident. This issue is the latest in a few related. What started a couple months ago as intermittent failed engine starts, has progressed into intermittent engine stalls. Initial problems were start related. The vehicle would make a normal starting sound, but just not fire. It would then start normally on the second or third attempt. I see a recall for the 2001 version of my specific vehicle/engine type, and an investigation opened on the 2002 model. This has to be related. The Chevrolet dealer failed to replicate the issue this week and did not receive any codes pointing to the issue. They will not blindly replace parts on a hunch, even with the car being under a full extended warranty. This is a safety issue. Fortunately, the vehicle has not yet stalled in a critical situation.

- Commerce City, CO, USA

problem #9

Feb 082009

Suburban

  • 83,000 miles

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

Engine stalls while driving at random times, approximately every 80 miles. Engine will start back after a wait of more than 30 seconds. The engine will stall while hot or cold, idling or driving at any speed.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #8

Jul 102008

Suburban

  • 45,000 miles
While driving at highway speeds with my 2002 Chevrolet Suburban ls with 45,000 miles on it, I encountered a complete engine failure. The vehicle would coast until I reached a speed of 30mph., I would place the vehicle in neutral and attempt to re-start the engine. After several attempts, the vehicle would re-start, accelerate to 70 mps. This would occur intermittent over and over through my two driving trip. The actual number of time the engine failed was 14. This caused a very serious situation, because without engine power, I had no power brakes, steering or the ability to maintain speed, which resulted in me locating the road shoulder immediately! I contacted the dealer I use regularly and they informed me this is the first time they have ever heard of this. However, after researching the internet I discovered through forums this is a problem that many people are experiencing. I contacted the local dealership at my destination at 1000 us highway 1 ph: (772) 567-8371, vero beach, fl 32960 made an appointment for Monday July 14, 2008 at 8:30am. Again I was told by the service writer they have never heard of this problem. I also located a document called, "NHTSA defect investigation # PE06016 closed. I am the original owner of the 2002 vehicle and have not moved from 1997-2008. How do I get this resolved and at no cost to me? just maybe the dealership will fix the problem without any problems, however from my many past experiences with dealerships, the last is not the usual. Please feel free to contact me to help assist me in fixing the vehicle and the cost terms if need. Thank you. Mark deehl

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #7

Feb 132008

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 with 8100 engine stalls unexpectedly at any speed. Vehicle starts back after a few minutes.

- Sevierville, TN, USA

problem #6

Jan 042008

Suburban 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,620 miles
Since purchasing an 02 Chevrolet surburban, 8.1L and 81K miles, I have experienced multiple random engine shut offs while highway driving, creating dangerous safety situations. The motor will restart after a 5 minute rest period and run fine, until the next failure which occurs without warning. The dealership has so far been unable to diagnose the problem, cleaned maf sensor, replaced thermostat and fan clutch, changed oil, checked fuel pump pressure. No engine failure codes reported. Researching internet information, I have discovered a recurring symptom related to an intermittent crankshaft position sensor (ckp) failure, that causes the engine to shut off. There is a a timed reset which allows the engine to restart.

- Moreno Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

May 272007

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

Vehicle would stall while driving without warning at all different speeds including highway speeds. Vehicle would sometimes stall 3 times per day, and sometimes not at all in a day. Loss of power steering and power brakes resulted which sometimes presented a challenge to safely get the vehicle off the highway or roadway while coasting to a stop. Stalls occured several times while towing a 5000 pound boat and also occured while towing a 9000 pound camper trailer. Two dealers looked at the vehicle and reported finding no cause for the stalling. I found an automotive internet discussion forum where many other people reported the same problem with the 8.1L engine. Many of these people reported that the crankshaft position sensor was the cause, and that replacing the crankshaft position sensor would fix the problem. I took the vehicle back to the dealer to have the sensor replaced, and the vehicle has not stalled at all since the sensor was replaced.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #4

Jul 072006

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,414 miles
#5 cylinder 1164 misfires. Collapsed lifter, broken rings. The dealership went on fishing Expedition, charging me $271.82 for unnecessary work (new spark plug and wires). Went for second diagnoses, correctly diagnosed this time indicating the above. Mechanic contacted gmpp (extended warranty),told gmpp that the engine should be replaced. The mechanic was advised to tell me to return to dealership for service.

- Livonia, MI, USA

problem #3

Mar 122003

Suburban

  • miles
Road side assistance complaint. Mr the consumer stated the vehicle would not start, there was a problem with the transmission and the box for the 4-wheel drive.

- Glenside, PA, USA

problem #2

Apr 182002

Suburban 4WD

  • 2,075 miles
Oil leaks! ist oil leak greenish fluid leaking from under engine skid plate. Had that repaired at billings Chevrolet, and it is still leaking. Technician said axle seal was leaking. 2nd leak, engine oil leaking onto exhaust pipe which is giving off burning smell in cabin. Repaired once, and it is still leaking. Service was done at anderson Chevrolet, menlo ca. ****dims 11 IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****761300.

- Haywards, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 132003

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
Vehicle shuts itself down while in motion, it does not matter if I am accelerating, maintaining speed, or coming to a stop. When the vehicle shuts down I loose my power brakes and steering. I am in constant fear that it may shutdown on me when I am trying to cross busy traffic. This problem is a definite safety hazard.........

- Lehi, UT, USA

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