Chevrolet / Suburban 1500 / 2002
2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems
Owners have filed 144 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 with NHTSA. Service brakes account for 22.9% of them, narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 22.9%.
Complaints144
Crashes3
Fires1
Injuries6
Deaths1
What owners report breaking
Service brakes 22.9% · 33
Service brakes, hydraulic 22.9% · 33
Engine and engine cooling 6.9% · 10
Parking brake 6.3% · 9
Fuel/propulsion system 5.6% · 8
Steering 5.6% · 8
Fuel system, gasoline 4.2% · 6
Structure 4.2% · 6
Severity
Of those complaints, 3 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire, 6 report an injury and 1 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 in this data, 2002 sits 4th by complaint volume. 2007 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 10 in the last three years against 24 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 111,653 miles.
In owners' own words
The brakes went out due to a corroded fitting, while backing a boat trailer/boat into the water. So no brakes, used emergency brake to stop. Vehicle was towed to a garage and the brake line fitting was repaired. On november 10, 2014 the brakes went out again while driving it. Again a corroded fitting. No accidents but resulted in vehicle being towed and now an expensive fix to replace all brake lines. Service brakes · reported at 180,000 miles
The vehicle was being driven on a public road and when approaching a stop sign there were no brakes or pressure on the pedal. Vehicle was put in neutral and coasted to a stop after some evasive driving to avoid other vehicles. The brakes failed again due to corrosion of the fittings. This is the second time with this vehicle. Now replacing all break lines to avoid taking any chances. Service brakes · reported at 190,000 miles
Wife was driving the truck with her mother, went to stop and the brake pedal went to the floor - limped the truck home - checked master cylinder, added fluid and when we pushed the pedal, fluid came pouring out the corroded rear brake line - while no one was hurt this time, it is easy to imagine how it could otherwise been a disaster. Service brakes · reported at 180,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…