Model year record

2002 GMC Suburban recalls & problems

The 2002 GMC Suburban has 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is tires (3 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

StructureMar 7, 2003

Structure

Recall 03V0940003,674 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Risk: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
TiresTread/belt; Temporary/emergency spare tire	3	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump	2	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	1	1	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	1	0	0	—
Electrical systemIgnition	1	0	0	—
Service brakes	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
THE BRAKES FAILED AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN. THE BRAKE LINES WERE BADLY RUSTED, MUCH WORSE THAN WOULD BE EXPECTED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS HAD IT HAPPENED AT A GREATER SPEED! *TR
Sep 14, 2014 · 145,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A POWER FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS AN IGNITION PROBLEM. ON THE SECOND VISIT, THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEALER.
Aug 22, 2006 · 69,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FUEL GAUGE WORKED IMPROPERLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE STALLING PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 05/23/06. *JB
Mar 1, 2005 · 75,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
DT: CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AND CHANGING GEARS, AND WHEN PUTTING IT IN REVERSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS FALLING OUT. WHILE CHANGING GEARS ITS LIKE A BIG THUD. WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO REVERSE IT SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING APART. WHEN TURNING THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL RED LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THAT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE CHECKED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. *AK
Oct 15, 2005
Air bags › FrontalCrash1 injury
THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE CONSUMERS WIFE HIT A BUS AT 40 MPH. THIS RESULTED IN A CONCUSSION. *AK *SC *JB
Nov 13, 2004
Tires › Tread/belt
WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED FRONT END VIBRATED. CONSUMER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED FRONT TIRES WERE UNEVENLY WORN. *AK
Jan 28, 2004
Tires › Tread/belt
WITH LESS THAN 24,000 MILES ON 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, THERE IS EXTREMELY ABNORMAL WEAR ON TREADS OF FRONT TIRES IN PARTICULAR. LARGE, DEEP AND UNEVEN INDENTATIONS ON THE TREAD, ESPECIALLY FRONT INSIDE OF TIRES. *AK
Aug 15, 2003 · 24,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

PARKING BRAKE FAILUREClosed
ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.
DP05009 · opened Dec 20, 2005 · closed May 31, 2006