RecallRepo

2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,916,296 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 543 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 05V379000 2005-08-29 1,353,718 affected
Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND,…

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN…

STRUCTURE 03V094000 2003-03-07 3,674 affected
Defect

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. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE…

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

SEATS 02V253000 2002-09-17 558,904 affected
Defect

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 THE SEATBACK IS FOLDED DOWN.

Consequence

IF A PERSON WERE TO INSERT THEIR FINGER(S) INTO THE PINCH POINT WHEN THE HEAD RESTRAINT FOLDS, IT COULD TRAP AND PINCH THE FINGER(S) CAUSING INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL PROTECTIVE COVERS OVER THE PINCH POINTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT…

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES
90
8crashes3injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
32
3crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
29
1crashes
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
27
PARKING BRAKE
24
STEERING
24
1crashes1fires
AIR BAGS
23
19crashes1fires20injuries4deaths
TIRES
23
2crashes1fires3injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
22
3fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
12
1crashes1fires2injuries
Total complaints543

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owned a 2002 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph occupied with his sister-in-law and her children, the contact smelled smoke coming from the driver seat of the vehicle the contact mention he pulled to the right side of the road, exiting everyone out the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2026-05-11

“The contact owned a 2002 chevrolet tahoe. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph occupied with his sister-in-law and her children, the contact smelled smoke coming from the driver seat of the vehicle the contact mention he pulled to the right side of the road, exiting everyone out the…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:WIRING HARNESS · reported 2026-05-11

“My vehicle has been diagnosed as needing the exhaust manifold bolts replaced. I have read that this is an ongoing issue that poses a risk to drivers and passengers due to the fumes, but has not been recalled by the manufacturer.”

ENGINE · reported 2025-05-12

“We were sitting in car with it idling, the right-side air bag just deployed without collision. We turned the ignition off waited a few moments and turned it back on and the right-side dash airbag deployed without any warning. The vehicle has not been in any collisions.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2023-12-15

“My right side wheel feels like it’s going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it’s a wheel hub bearing that’s coming loose or tie rods i’m not sure and one time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn’t able…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · reported 2022-09-12

“My right side wheel feels like it’s going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it’s a wheel hub bearing that’s coming loose or tie rods i’m not sure and one time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn’t able…”

WHEELS · reported 2022-09-12

“My right side wheel feels like it’s going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it’s a wheel hub bearing that’s coming loose or tie rods i’m not sure and one time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn’t able…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2022-09-12

“I have an 02 tahoe z71 that recently I've been having brake problems at slow speeds when trying to stop like the abs is trying to kick in randomly between about 5 to 15 mph when slowing for red-lights or stop signs there's times I have to let off and reapply brake 2 to 3 times at least before it…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2021-02-11

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Investigation EA02015 Opened 2002-08-01 · closed 2004-01-12

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN…

Investigation EA11001 Opened 2011-01-05 · closed 2015-04-08

Brake line corrosion failure

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states…

Investigation EA11001 Opened 2011-01-05 · closed 2015-04-08

Brake line corrosion failure

On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states…

Investigation PE03026 Opened 2003-06-12 · closed 2003-11-03

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN…

Investigation PE03026 Opened 2003-06-12 · closed 2003-11-03

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN…

Investigation PE03026 Opened 2003-06-12 · closed 2003-11-03

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN…

Investigation PE05020 Opened 2005-04-28 · closed 2005-09-13

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES…

Investigation PE05020 Opened 2005-04-28 · closed 2005-09-13

UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATION

IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.