2002 Chevrolet Tahoe Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 449 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,492miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, 3% of the 449 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,492 miles. 3 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 driving my 2002 chevy Tahoe, a gentleman ran a stop sign, I hit him at 39 MPH, head on in my Tahoe, t-boned his truck. Neither airbag deployed, nor did my seatbelt keep me from hitting the steering wheel and my head knocking me out. Gm sent someone to look at my car which has been deemed a total loss. I have yet to hear back from GM on this incident. I purchased this car brand new thinking it was safe. The one time I needed my seatbelt to work, it failed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10353935, filed 2010-09, 118,000 miles“Front passenger seat belt occasionally locks up during normal driving. This forces the passenger to undo seat belt, fully retract the belt to its normal unused position before putting it back on. Other times, the same belt will not lock. Front passenger will lunge forward during normal to hard braking. No pattern to failure, but one or the other occurs at least 50% of the time the front passenger belt is used.”
NHTSA complaint #10032531, filed 2003-08, 9,000 miles“The passenger side seat belt will lock and not allow the passenger to move. The problem occurs at rest or in motion. The seat belt ratchet mechanism continues to tighten causing discomfort for the passenger who has to release the seat belt. The dealer inspected and assured that it functions as designed , if that is so why does the driver side not function as designed if it did I think it might cause a fatality.”
NHTSA complaint #10016946, filed 2003-05, 21,717 miles“12-09-02 front/.side impact. No airbags deployed. 05-24-03 side impact preceeding rollover. No airbags deployed. Seat belt did not restrain driver. Onstar was not notified of accident for safety. Major injuries incurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10097929, filed 2004-10, 2,000 miles“Front passenger seat belt locks up and tightens, restricting (eliminating!)any passenger movement. It is like a snake and just keeps tightening down. In addition, pressure becomes so great on seat belt release, my wife and child are unable to release the seat-belt. This happens at all speeds, standing still, forward or reverse, etc... Dealer has attempted to repair problem, retractor has been replaced and same condition was present after replacement,third retractor is scheduled for install. Firmly believe this is a design fault and dealer has done all to repair problem at their level. …”
NHTSA complaint #10048875, filed 2003-11, 34,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113787Aug 3, 2015This informational bulletin provides information to advise dealers about seat belt buckles not operating and/or seat belt warning light illumination, as well as difficulty…
Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 0% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 13 | 3% |
| 2019 | 3 | 3% |
| 2018 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 4 | 2% |
| 2015 | 15 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 1 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% |
| 2007 | 14 | 1% |
| 2006 | 2 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 2% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 15 | 3% |
| 2001 | 29 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 2% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 7 | 2% |
| 1996 | 4 | 1% |
| 1995 | 13 | 5% |
| 1993 | 1 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
182 complaintsSteering
40 complaintsTires
37 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
37 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsElectrical system
30 complaintsFuel system
25 complaintsEngine cooling
19 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaintsEquipment
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe
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