2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 130,794miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 3% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 130,794 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2002 suburban that since I purchased it in 2002 I have been complaining about the transmission not shifting right. Every time I brought it in it would be in the dealership for less than a day and I would be told that everything is okay. Now my warranty is up and my transmission is broke. I have no reverse, and it does not want to down shift on any forward gear. …”
NHTSA complaint #10227990, filed 2008-05, 68,000 miles“Sat. 2/16/13 I started my 02 suburban up by turning the key through an open drivers side window. The car lurched forward about 6 inches. This has happened intermittently for years, but really noticed it this time because my arm get hit by steering wheel since I was outside vehicle. Normally when it happens I am seated in car and notice it seems to jump forward. It happens probably once every 100-150 starts. Any idea why and what I can do about it. Afraid someone may be in front of car someday and might get hurt if it lurched. Also could have done damage to my garage door if it had been down.”
NHTSA complaint #10498521, filed 2013-02, 213,000 miles“Have 2002 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500 4wd 5.3 engine a/t. Was driving 45 MPH when vehicle suddenly stalled out & lost all steering/brakes. 131,589 miles on odometer at time. Managed to coast vehicle onto shoulder, waited 2 minutes, started vehicle again, pulled out into busy traffic just to make it 2 blocks before stall out again. Repeated this process several more times before I found a gas station. Suspecting water in gas, added 1 bottle of gas line anti-freeze. Drove rest of way home without incident. …”
NHTSA complaint #10505113, filed 2013-03, 131,589 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet SUBURBAN 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10653898, filed 2014-11, 130,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 6 | 19% |
| 2023 | 4 | 24% |
| 2011 | 5 | 6% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 17 | 9% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 12% |
| 2004 | 10 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 4 | 3% |
| 2001 | 5 | 5% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
| 1995 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
66 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology