Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The steering pump has plenty of fluid in the reservoir and has been changed regularly. All of the sudden all power assisted steering disappeared when turning to the left making parking nearly impossible causing a great safety concern as this is my only vehicle and now my wife cannot take the truck anywhere. According to other owners, it's a common issue caused by the booster valve sticking shut and when I inquired about repair, I was quoted a part cost of 300 bucks which I don't have at all. Hopefully enough folks report this issue resulting in action taken by NHTSA even though the vehicle is almost 20 years old.
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
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.
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. After driving for a few days, I once again felt the same sensation and noise-not as bad as before but still there. Steering has a lot of play in it-I can rock it back and forth and it doesn't move the vehicle. If you go over any bump in the road you feel the clinking in the steering. …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact heard a knocking sound coming from the wheels when the front wheels were turned. She stated that the cause of failure May be the upper intermediate steering shaft. The dealer and manufacturer stated that she would have to pay $275 for the repair. The dealer did not have any recalls for the failure. The contact feels that there should be a recall due to the many repairs related to the wheel failure. She stated that a running board light is dim on the front left side of her vehicle, which she has noticed on many suburbans. The current mileage is 65,000 and failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 02-01-08.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. While backing out of the driveway at less than 5 MPH, the steering wheel locked. The contact called the dealer and was advised to have the vehicle towed to the shop. He stated that the failure was not the power steering because he could not turn the wheel at all to drive the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 74,000. Updated 07/08/11 the consumer stated the power steering pump. Updated 07/18/11
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.
The steering column is off center to the right, which means if the air bag is needed it will not protect the body in the center. Petition sent to exec sect.... Consumer purchased a 2002 Chevy tahoe and a 2002 Chevy Suburban. Both vehicles steering column was off center. The consumer's mother drove the Suburban and when she took it back to the dealership, she sat in four other Suburban's. Three out of the four were worse than her vehicle. The fourth one was off center to the left. Another family member leased a trailblazer and that vehicle is fine. The consumer leased three other Chevy express vans and they are fine. All vehicles were leased at the same place. Consumer was told no defect when the vehicles were first returned to the dealership.
While driving vehicle completely shut down. Consumer had to wait for about 15 minutes before starting it again. Consumer stated that he had this problem since purchasing the vehicle. It stalled intermittently. Consumer had the fuel pump replaced a total of five times. Also, fuel filter had to be replaced several times. The consumer stated that OnStar called the problem code red. Consumer was told not to drive the vehicle. At 70 MPH the vehicle would surge and lurch. The consumer stated that a clunking noise is heard when turning tight corners.
Steering complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Suburban steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 42,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.