2002 Chevrolet Suburban Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 8%of 286 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,046miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the 286 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,046 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was hit on the head inside my 2002 Suburban, wearing my seat belt at 48 MPH by an oncoming mazda miata. My steering column collapsed, I went into oncoming 3 lanes of traffic, went up a curb, went through a brick retaining wall, and hit a telephone pole. My airbag did not deploy on any of the 3 impacts. Why? Also, my driver?s seat came off the track.”
NHTSA complaint #10041031, filed 2003-10, 20,000 miles“Popping noise and clinking felt in steering and excessive play. It is harder to turn to the right-literally you feel the wheel going around much further than if turning to the left, although it does not need an alignment. I took the vehicle to the dealer where they replaced the bushings and fixed lower clearance arms (which had excessive clearance). Picked it up and felt the same clinking and heard the noise again!! I returned it and the service manager took a test drive-he only had to turn out of the parking lot and he knew something was wrong. They replaced the steering shaft. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013998, filed 2003-04, 9,800 miles“2002 Chevrolet Suburban had power steering failure. When then power steering failed the consumer was not able to steer the vehicle. The consumer feels that the design of the system should allow the driver to have full control of the steering even in the event of failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10083390, filed 2004-07, 42,091 miles“The truck had an ongoing problem with a clanging noise in the steering column, mostly when the steering wheel was turned. Consumer was afraid that it may cause a steering component to break, resulting in loss of steering, and could cause an accident. A service representative was contacted by phone and informed of the noise, to which he replied that there wasn't any recalls, and the noise was not dangerous/serious. The dealers tech indicated that the intermediate shaft was the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10109448, filed 2005-03, 40,000 miles“When driving at highway speeds or even around town the vehicle randomly jerks to one side or another alignment was just done and was told all was good tires are new Pitman armor place ball joints replaced still having the issue of it darting specially when going around curves it wants to pull vehicle to the ditch and I look like I am driving drunk which I'm not I've had my mechanic try to inspect the issue he couldn't find it I heard they're made possibly be a TSB out for it but it's hidden”
NHTSA complaint #11507298, filed 2023-02Related service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 9% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 10% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 23 | 10% |
| 2015 | 60 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 8% |
| 2001 | 29 | 7% |
| 2000 | 20 | 7% |
| 1999 | 52 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 105 | 25% |
| 1996 | 15 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 1% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
127 complaintsFuel system
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsTires
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsAir bags
12 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsWheels
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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