2002 Chevrolet Z71 Problems
- Complaints
- 24filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 35,423miles, 15 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.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Z71. The part named most often is brakes, with 11 complaints (46% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 15 of the complaints include a mileage, and 73% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 35,423 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 5 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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.
- Brakes11 46%
- Air bags4 17%
- Engine cooling2 8.3%
- Steering2 8.3%
- Fuel system1 4.2%
- Body and structure1 4.2%
- Suspension1 4.2%
- Tires1 4.2%
- Vehicle speed control1 4.2%
Example complaints
Brakes: “Premature total parking/emergency brake failure. Failed texas vehicle safety inspection. Vehicle inspector informed me the same failure was common among 2002 trucks like mine and warned of a costly repair. Parking brake was very seldom engaged yet became totally worn out at some point prior to vehicle reaching 50,000 miles. Dealer admitted to a poor design but said there was no recall. He said a bulletin was issued to replace the junk part with a beefed up version. My repair cost exceeded $400.”
NHTSA complaint #10109917, filed 2005-02, 45,000 milesAir bags: “My wife was involved in an crash when she went to sleep while driving her 2002 Z71 tahoe. She hit an oak tree dead center of the front grill and bumper. The drivers air bag did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10310760, filed 2010-02, 22,000 milesTransmission and drivetrain: “The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Z71. While pulling out of a parking spot, the gear shifter would not move. The contact had to manually place the vehicle into gear from underneath the vehicle. He stated that the shifting cable was faulty in the manner it was bolted and mounted onto the vehicle. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were less than 130,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10275828, filed 2009-07, 130,000 milesEngine cooling: “Noise when turning steering wheel to the right, sounds like a squeaky door only lower frequency. Took to dealer on may 22, 2008, was told it was that the intermediate steering shaft was loose. I had this unit changed on may 22,2008. On june 5, 2008, I took the vehicle back to the dealer for brake work which consisted of replacing rear brake pads,rotors, & emergency brake linings. Since the steering was still making noise I had the dealer check it again, they did and lubed the steering shaft cover. Still makes noise does not appear to affect steering. …”
NHTSA complaint #10246526, filed 2008-10, 75,498 milesMileage when problems were reported
73% of the 15 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,105 and 49,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 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. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10042986Nov 1, 2011Seats. General motors: information provided by bulletin for all 2012 and prior general motor trucks and passenger vehicles regarding the adjustable comfort and custom upholstery of the driver and the…
- 10019186Feb 16, 2006Exterior lighting, Interior lighting. Ipc, interior lights and/or headlamps flicker. *ak fb2
Other model years of the Chevrolet Z71
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 24 | 35,423 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1998 | 45 | 78,500 | 0 | — | — | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 15 | 70,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 15 | 185,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 have?
NHTSA recorded 24 consumer complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 11 complaints (46% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.
Has the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 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.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Z71 reported?
Among the 15 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 35,423 miles and the middle half falls between 28,105 and 49,000 miles; 73% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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.
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.