Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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
When driving my 2002 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 at speeds under 10 MPH in bumper-to-bumper traffic, the ABS independently activated. This happened in dry weather on a freeway. When the ABS independently activated, the car vibrated and accelerated with difficulty and jerked. The brakes locked up, causing a tire to blow out. The car caught fire where the brakes had locked up the front right wheel. The fire commander who examined the car after putting out the fire and the mechanic who is repairing the car both explained that improper ABS activation LED to a rupture in the brake line, exposing the leaking brake fluid to the heat generated by the locked brakes. This vehicle is experiencing the same problems as indicated in NHTSA recall 05V379000 concerning the ABS system but is not included in the recall due to the VIN. …
I purchase a 2002 Chevy Suburban on 7/2/05 in delaware county from a dealership. We drove the car to our house in montgomery county and the car didn't move from the house until 7/4/05. On 7/4/05 my fiance drove the car to work and the tire exploded from the left front of the car on the way. The car hit the barrier on the right side and bounced off and then proceeded to hit the left side barrier were it came to a stop. The tire was not recoverable. Also the air bag never deployed. The accident happen going north on 309 in bucks county on a straight uphill gradient. The conditions of the road and weather were dry. There is a police report on the incident stating accident happen due to tire failure. According to the inspection sticker the tire was removed and inspected by the dealership. …
Spare tire hoist wire broke and spare tire was released from vehicle on the highway. Vehicle was doing speed limit of 75mph and spare tire barely missed traffic behind vehicle.
My husband and I bought a 2002 Suburban from carmax less than 1 yr ago. We paid an extra $2500 for a bumper to bumper warranty on their "certified used car" program. I noticed that there are tiny rust spots on the hood. Carmax said I need to approach Chevy and there is nothing they can do. But that's not the worst of it: here I am 8 months owning the car and less than 8,000 miles put on it and I had to take the car in to a tire shop because one of the tires had a slow leak. When they inspected the tires they said take it back to carmax immediately - your tires are separating from the treads and it's very dangerous to drive as is. We took it back to carmax who then said it wasn't their problem, we had to take it to a Firestone dealer. …
While driving home from work, my rear passenger Firestone wilderness le tire blew out on my 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The entire side that identifies the make of the tire blew out. The blowout area travels in a perfect circle around the manufacturer identified area. The tread is still in great condition. I was not traveling fast on March 16, 2004, if I was this could have caused a very bad accident or even fatality. I travel with this vehicle to florida twice a year at speeds of up to 80 MPH. I am very concerned about the spare and remaining three tires. Please let me know if there have been any other reported cases regarding this make of tire. Also, is there contact information to contact Firestone tire?
Tl*-the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at 55 MPH the contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front passenger wheel. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic. The wheel hub assembly had to be replaced. When she attempts to apply the brakes, the vehicle slides at first and eventually stops. She has experienced this failure numerous times. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer again as of this date. The current mileage was 79,200. The failure mileage was 79,007. Updated 4/23/08
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The vehicle has Firestone wilderness, size p26570r16 tires. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a clicking sound coming from the front tires. He inspected the tires and noticed that the tread was separating. The tire shop stated that the tires were defective. As of July 25, 2007, the tires have not been replaced. The dot number was unknown. The current mileage was 31,163 and failure mileage was 30,000.
Purchased new 2002 Suburban with Firestone wilderness le tires. Tires were rotated and properly maintained however with less than 15,000 miles on them all 4 have large hunks of thread missing. Dealer blew it off by saying that it is caused by the 1 mile a day of gravel road that I travel. Tires on other vehicle that I've had including another Suburban, traveling the same road never had this issue.
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban, 9% of the model year's 286 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to wheels & tires 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.