Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
My right side wheel feels like it's going to fall off and indicate the abs and emergency parking brake. I believe it's a wheel hub bearing that's coming loose or tie rods I'm not sure and One time the emergency parking brake engage on me and I had to pull over to the side and wasn't able to drive it. When I turn on the engine or driving , idling I smell gasoline really bad
I am a paramedic in st. Charles county missouri, a suburb of st. Louis. In the months of November and December 2002 I responded to three crashes involving full size GM trucks. All the vehicles caught fire in the left side of the engine compartment after a moderate to high speed impact. The vehicles were involved in driver side off set impacts that lead to intrusion into the engine compartment. The vehicles were a 2002 4x4 avalanche, 2001 ext. Cab 4x4 silverado, and a 2002 4x4 Tahoe. The fire started near the battery and the fuel lines that run along the fram on that side of the vehicle. They also, all had the 5.3l v-8. I was not able to look closely at the avalanche or silverado due to taking care of the injured occupants. I did look at the Tahoe engine and it appered that the battery cable had been severed in the crash. …
Leased 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe feb 2002. Serviced from oct 2003 thru feb 2004 after a sept 2003 oil change tire rotation service and conserns of fuel smell and suspension squeaks. Services were performed corrections were done new sending unit installed.October 27,2003 the gas tank on the Tahoe burst when fueling at a gas station requiring fire and police unit to be sent. Vehicle towed to dealership. Vehicle was in service for 3 weeks for safety reasons. I did not want the vehicle back and GM customer assistance gave me false hopes of a release on the lease. I did not recieve any help with these situations and still have the unsafe vehicle. Recently I thought my troubles would be over. I found a vehicle that I want to buy and can trade my lease in with GM's pull ahead program. …
I own a 2002 Chevy Tahoe and about 8 months ago(December 2010) my fuel gauge began to start failing to read proper fuel levels. The problem continued for a couple more weeks until finally the fuel gauge simply wouldn't make a reading at all. I stayed optimistic that the situation would correct itself but no such correction arose. I tried using fuel injection cleaners to possibly resolve the issue but again nothing helped. For the past couple days I have been reading numerous forums and articles on this exact same problem in Chevy vehicles ranging from 2000 to as recent as 08 models. I'm writing this in hopes that a recall can occur that will help solve this issue for the thousands of people that are experiencing the same problem I am. Chevy needs to be liable for the fraudulent manufacturing of vehicles that experience the same issue over and over again. …
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe 5.3l engine-fuel gauge level erratic. Dealer fuel level sensor in tank is the problem, however this is a "normal wear and tear" replacement item at 62,000 miles combined with high sulfur in ak fuels causes it. However, 2001 vw passat had same issue with sulfur and sensor which did warrant a recall action at no cost to owner. Vehicle description: sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank May not in fact be full or could be empty. Consequence: running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems NHTSA campaign id number : 01V157000. …
2002 Chevy Tahoe purchased used 11/2006 with 50,000 miles. Gas gauge never went to full. 4/2010 fuel pump was replaced $1000.00, now it's 7/2010 and gas gauge fluctuates while driving with full tank of gas to empty, car slows down and then suddenly picks back up with gas gauge showing full again. Very unsafe on freeways!! Was told by pepboys when they replaced fuel pump that something wasn't working with the computer, oh really, but of course we were told that 9 times out of 10 that it was more than likely the fuel pump and they didn't work on the computer. Cost of repair was probably the deciding factor. Now I feel unsafe while driving because I don't know if the vehicle is going to suddenly slow down while driving on the freeway or anywhere else for that matter. What's up Chevy?, what's wrong with the computer??
Was driving in the business district when pump failed. Engine shut down which also shut down power brakes and steering. Gas guage showed empty although tank was half full. Had to have the unit towed into dealership where pump was replaced at a cost of $1203.84. This was the second failure of the gas tank pump. First replacement was I believe in the fall of 2005 shortly after the warranty had expired at a cost of slightly less than $1000.00. Mileage would have been between 35 & 40,000. Don"t have the ticket for this but I believe I can get it. Have talked with others who have had the same problem. If you have pickup can be changed cheaper as they remove the pickup box. In both instances I was traveling at a low rate of speed so the loss of power steering and power brakes was not catistrophic.
The fuel gauge will read the correct amount of fuel until it is about 3/4 to 1/2 a tank then start bouncing up and down then it will go all the way to empty and the fuel light comes on even though it has plenty of fuel. I have been driving down the road with my kids in the car and ran out of gas even though it registers fuel above the red mark and no low fuel light on. I know have ran out of gas several times and fear it might put myself or my family in a bad situation. I don't understand why this is happening and wish someone (GM) would help their loyal customer base. As it appears with more research I do this is a serious ongoing problem that spans different models and years.
I have the same issue listed campaign id 05V155000 on a 2002 Tahoe. I spoke with chris lash, safety defects engineer with you last year in November. Today, I see GM has recalled several vehicles about this problem but I am not included on this list although I have had the exact same issue with the fuel pump failure. My VIN is [redacted]. Please let me know what I can do to assist in this effort. GM is non-responsive about this issue. Updated 07/19/2012
Due to the error in the fuel gauge(indicating more fuel than the vehicle had) the vehicle ran out of fuel on the interstate with my entire familty on board. This could have been a serious accident as I was unable to exit the freeway and was not given a low fuel indicator light. This error in fuel level could have resulted in serious injury and I request a OEM recall to correct gauge or sensor errors, our fuel gauge is still not displaying accurate readings, we do not trust the gaure anylonger. We have also seen "wild gauge swings/listings" at random intervals
Fuel System complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, 6% of the model year's 449 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, though it has 3 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 Tahoe fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.