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Chevrolet Suburban 1500Model year report

2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Problems

Complaints
120filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
98,000miles, 105 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
14 mpgcombined, 5.3L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes, and the complaints split into two distinct patterns: corroded steel brake lines that leak fluid and let the pedal fall to the floor, and an anti-lock system that engages at low speed on dry pavement and lengthens stopping distance. A separate, smaller cluster describes the engine shutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speed and usually restarting after a short wait. Most reports come in between roughly 60,000 and 180,000 miles.

  1. Brakes

    Brake pedal goes to the floor (rusted brake lines)

    • 45 complaints (38%)
    • median 98,000 mi at 11.0 yrs old (43 state mileage)
    • owner-quoted repair $1,130 (median of 5 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2018

    Owners describe pressing the brake pedal and having it sink all the way down with little or no braking, often without warning. On inspection, a steel brake line or fitting is found rusted through and leaking fluid, typically along the frame rail or near the rear axle. In several cases a shop replaced one line and other lines failed later, and some owners ended up replacing the whole set. Complaints note the underside corrosion is widespread rather than limited to one spot. Reported across a wide mileage range, most often between about 60,000 and 180,000 miles, and frequently on vehicles used for towing or in wet, road-salt conditions.

    What to check: Have the steel brake lines and fittings inspected end to end for rust and fluid seepage, especially along the frame rails and above the rear axle. Ask whether any lines have already been replaced, and check the fluid level and pedal feel before and after a test drive.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I was driving down road approaching a stop sign and as I attempted to stop I applied brakes which without any warning went to floor and vehicle kept moving. I was lucky there were no other vehicles at stop sign and I was able to put the suburban in neutral and coast to stop. Vehicle had to be towed.”

    NHTSA complaint #10498006, filed 2013-02, 69,789 miles

    “My wife owns two GM suburbans, 2002 and 2004. Both experienced brake failure due to rotting brake lines within a week of each other. I have paid over $2,000.00 to have them both repaired. The 2002 failure sent me out into the street in front of my home unable to stop. The second failure of the 2004 occurred while on a cross country trip with most of my family in the car. This is the one that spurs my efforts to complain. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10335126, filed 2010-06, 90,000 miles
  2. Brakes

    ABS activates at low speed on dry pavement

    • 14 complaints (12%)
    • median 92,100 mi at 8.2 yrs old (14 state mileage)
    • filed 2006–2017

    Owners report the anti-lock system kicking in while braking at walking-to-parking-lot speeds on dry pavement, producing a grinding or growling noise, a pedal that pushes back, and a vehicle that takes much longer to stop. Several say pumping the pedal or releasing and reapplying restores braking. Some had wheel speed sensors cleaned or replaced and the symptom returned later; others were told the dealer could not reproduce it or that further work would be at their expense. Usually described at speeds under about 10 mph, and reported across a broad mileage range from roughly 30,000 to over 150,000 miles.

    1 related service bulletin

    What to check: Drive slowly in a parking lot and brake firmly from a few mph to see whether the ABS chatters; ask whether the wheel speed sensors and hub mounting surfaces have been cleaned or replaced, and whether any prior ABS-related campaign work was done.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “The anti lock braking system activates when coming to a stop on dry pavement. Typically 10 miles per hour and less. This happens almost 40% of the time when stopping. We almost ran in to the back of a parked vehicle. A recall was performed in january of 2007 but I am wondering if this was actually fixed or just replaced with the same parts that went bad.”

    NHTSA complaint #10313811, filed 2010-02, 125,000 miles

    “When I apply the brakes at low speed I feel a chattering like the anti-lock brakes are activated and the car won't stop until I let up and re-apply pressure to the pedal. I've come close to an accident more than once.”

    NHTSA complaint #10945106, filed 2017-01, 263,000 miles
  3. Fuel system

    Engine stalls while driving, restarts after a wait

    • 18 complaints (15%)
    • median 115,673 mi at 8.5 yrs old (16 state mileage)
    • filed 2006–2018

    Complaints describe the engine cutting out without warning at cruising speed, at intersections, or on the freeway, leaving reduced power steering and braking until the vehicle can be pulled over. Owners say it typically restarts after a few minutes and may run fine until the next episode. Several had the fuel pump replaced, sometimes more than once, without a lasting fix, and some dealers reported they could not duplicate the condition or found no stored code. Reported from about 45,000 miles upward, often on longer drives or after extended highway running, with no clear weather pattern in the complaints.

    2 related service bulletins

    What to check: Ask for service records on the fuel pump, filter, and relay, and whether any stored codes or intermittent crank/no-start history have been diagnosed. Test drive long enough to include sustained highway speeds, and note any extended cranking when starting.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I have aj 2002 chevy suburban w/144k miles on it. The fuel pump was replaced while still under warranty because if the fuel level got too low it would not start. In the last 3 months have had the intermittent shut off problem listed on other complaints. I have had it do it on rough roads and interstate highways. Same thing, engine stops, wait 3-5 minutes engine starts, seems less prevalent when tank is full. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10221005, filed 2008-03, 143,870 miles

    “My 2002 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500 has began to stall unexpectedly. It stalls when fuel tank is low and when tank is full. Lately, its been difficult to crank. I have a new battery, the alternator tested fine, I've had the fuel pump replaced twice and it still stalls.”

    NHTSA complaint #10394249, filed 2011-04, 202,000 miles
  4. Brakes

    Parking brake will not hold the vehicle

    • 9 complaints (8%)
    • median 90,171 mi at 6.5 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
    • filed 2006–2015

    Owners report the parking brake pedal traveling to the floor or the vehicle rolling while the brake is set, sometimes from the first weeks of ownership. Some describe the rear shoes dragging and wearing out even though the pedal was rarely used, and others mention a loud squeal before the brake releases or a brake that locks and must be reset. Dealers reportedly adjusted or replaced components, with the problem returning in several cases. Mostly described between roughly 50,000 and 140,000 miles, and noted by some owners as present from early in the vehicle's life.

    What to check: On a slope, set the parking brake and confirm the vehicle holds before releasing the service brake; ask whether the rear parking brake shoes have been inspected or replaced.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2002 suburban parking brake has failed for the second time at 77k mile. Now they have begun lock and have to be reset a couple times to get them to release. A loud squeal accompanies before it releases. Parking brake pedal is to the floor. Truck still has original disk brakes all around.”

    NHTSA complaint #10225242, filed 2008-04, 77,000 miles

    “Non working emergency brake. (recently purchased vehicle used.) appears to be a very common problem on this class of vehicle by Chevrolet and gmc. Repair is difficult, costly, and generally ineffective. Very dangerous. Not only will the e-brake typically not hold the vehicle from a stand-still. It was never designed to slow the vehicle while it is moving if the hydraulic system fails. Most drivers expect an e-brake to do both. Chevrolet should devise a fix and issue a recall.”

    NHTSA complaint #10366300, filed 2010-11, 141,000 miles

Buying note. The brake system deserves the most attention on this model year: have the steel lines inspected for rust and confirm how the ABS behaves at low speed during a test drive. Also budget for possible fuel pump or stalling diagnostics, and check that the parking brake actually holds the truck.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 120 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. 105 of the complaints include a mileage, and 9% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 98,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 6 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 72 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (3), Electrical system (2), Air bags (1), Electronic stability control (1), Exterior lighting (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “While driving home, on a highway, I approached a traffic light that changed and I had to hit the brakes to stop. The brake pedal went to the floor. After getting it home I checked the brakes and they looked as thought they should work (note it was inspected in dec 2015 and passed). After more checking I found that the brake lines on the drivers side frame rail were rusted and had failed as that area was covered in brake fluid. I purchased my 2002 z71 suburban new that year and it has less than 66,000 miles on it now.”

NHTSA complaint #10883148, filed 2016-07, 65,883 miles

Fuel system: “On two separate occasions, my family and I were coming home from two different trips. The first trip was to new orleans from south texas. On our way home, while driving on the expressway, our suburban suddenly turned off. We were driving about 70 MPH. The driver immediately put the vehicle in neutral and started the vehicle again. It turned on. We pulled over to a resting area and opened the hood, but we were unable to determine what caused the malfunction. It happened once more when we got home. This trip was during the week of july 20th, 2015. …”

NHTSA complaint #10850667, filed 2016-03, 220,000 miles

Engine cooling: “#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.”

NHTSA complaint #10162080, filed 2006-07, 65,414 miles

Steering: “Sudden loss of power steering and very heaving steering requiring great effort. I made a hard u-turn and then found the steering was extremely heavy. It took both hands and a lot of force to steer the car. I pulled over, popped hood, and saw nothing wrong. No dash malfunction lights were on. At repair, the steering pump shaft had sheared where it necks down from about 3/4 to 3/8 diameter. An internet search provides many instances of the same failure. The dealer replaced the pump with a different part number which does not have the variable effort steering feature. …”

NHTSA complaint #10242899, filed 2008-09, 84,500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

9% of the 105 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 68,000 and 146,000 miles.

1%0–101%10–257%25–5024%50–7519%75–10025%100–15024%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (105 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 98,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’04’07’0922’11’13’15’17’19
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Suburban 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Suburban 1500 4WD5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121513$5,150
Suburban 1500 2WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic131714$4,800
Suburban 1500 4WD5.3L 8-cyl · flex-fuel4-speed automatic121614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 72 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 72 bulletins →

Other model years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2026188,2503517—Too new
20253217,0001517Too new to compareToo new
202317—1———Too new
20118080,0002—1767 · MoreFalling
20105367,5000—1751 · TypicalStable
20095577,5000—1635 · FewerStable
200810169,0000—1649 · TypicalStable
200719072,5000—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20063168,0001—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20059460,0000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200418283,9990—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200317590,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200212098,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200192108,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200067118,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199974100,0000—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199814136,0000—14—Not enough data
199716130,0000—14—Stable
19969149,5000—14—Not enough data
19958159,5000—13—Not enough data
19949155,0050—13—Not enough data

All Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?

Owners of this model year most often write about the brakes, and the complaints split into two distinct patterns: corroded steel brake lines that leak fluid and let the pedal fall to the floor, and an anti-lock system that engages at low speed on dry pavement and lengthens stopping distance. The issues reported most often: Brake pedal goes to the floor (rusted brake lines); ABS activates at low speed on dry pavement; Engine stalls while driving, restarts after a wait.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have?

NHTSA recorded 120 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 66 complaints (55% of the total), followed by fuel system with 16.

Has the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 (Suburban 1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl) at 14 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 reported?

Among the 105 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 98,000 miles and the middle half falls between 68,000 and 146,000 miles; 9% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.