Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
I purchased a used 2002 Chevy Tahoe from grand auto, northglenn co, at the end of May 2005. I drove the car for 4 months, putting on ~11,000 miles. On oct 16, 2005 I was headed to dinner with two other people in the car. I turned right on to 95th st heading south. There were cars coming behind me, but there was plenty of room for a proper acceleration to cruising speed without in-convincing the other drivers. As I accelerated through first gear, all was fine, then the car tried to shift into second gear. As it tried, there was a popping sound, the motor rpms increased to red-line, and there was a squealing sound. I let off the accelerator, and tried to get over out of traffic to see what happened. Luckily there was enough shoulder and enough time to get out of traffic and try to figure out what the problem was. …
I was driving home & while accelerating I noticed my truck begin to rev & no longer accelerate,my check engine light came on. I took my foot off the accelerator & put it back on it, I was in an 50 MPH area, & my truck just continued to rev. I started to lose speed. I repeated to put my foot on the accelerator then I picked up speed but on to about 35 MPH. My truck wouldn't shift to 3rd gear. I made it home. The next day I had it towed to the repair shop. I order a new transmission off ebay, had it installed & got my truck back in about 3wks. In June 2012 the exact same thing happened, my truck wouldn't shift into 3rd gear & my check engine light came on. I had the transmission replaced with another new transmission & in July 2013 the exact same thing happened again. This time I did not go get another new transmission. …
Transmission went out oct-02 @ 21,000 miles, would only replace 1 part, transmission went out again May 13,2003 @ 31,000 miles, this time I was told all parts in transmission were destroyed and dealer wanted to fix broken parts and put back in. It got very frustrating at this point....called toll free number at Chevrolet and got no where, they think I'm stupid, I pay more than $40,000 for a brand new vehicle and have this happen twice in 5 months....I am very concerned about the safety issue here for my family and myself. I should have known I was doomed when I purchased my vehicle, it took almost 6 weeks to get and they kept giving me the run around about where it was, they kept telling it had left the factory and was on its way, but always found an excuse, then they said it got pulled off the line for inspection...what's wrong here? …
I have a 2002 Tahoe that just turned 41K miles. I experienced on a few occasions while accelerating from a stop that the vehicle seemed to lose acceleration for a second or so before re-engaging and resuming normal acceleration. Problem was definitely transmission related. This same incident happened to me but this time the engine revved, acceleration diminished, and loud banging tumbling metal noise was heard. Ends up the transmission mechanism that causes the transmission to shift failed and broke apart breaking other internal components. Transmission has to be rebuilt. GM customer service was helpful but still have to pay for 50% of repair cost for rebuilt transmission. The vehicle has a tow package and has never towed a thing yet. …
Transmission shifting hard,only 26,000 miles. Ttook to dealership and was told second and third gear was gone. They rebuilt those gears. Pick Tahoe up and within a hr it was doing the same thing. Return to dealership next day, was told it was pump sticking. Replace that. Pick back up and within a hr did the same thing. Return vehicle and they decided to replace for new transmission. A week later it has now starting to have a problem with the power sterring. There appears to be a leak in the lines. This 2002 Tahoe has had problems starting within months of purchase. Sterring colum making clunking nose, required lube twice. Headlights filling with water. Nose in the front drivers side around shock area. They had different repairs such as replacing shocks, greasing. After over a year the dealership added bushings to the shocks, so far OK. …
Dt*: the contact stated that in 2005 the front end was replaced due to a lock up while making a turn. The dealer determined it was due to catastrophic failure. On 06/01/06, there were problems with the front ABS sensor. The brakes would not work properly at a very low speed. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer on 06/16/2006 where the dealer determined this ABS sensor failure was recalled and the remedy repair was already process on the vehicle. The hub was referenced as the cause of the ABS failure but was not included in the recall. The vehicle can not be driven because it is unsafe. The manufacturer alerted the contact the vehicle would not be repair under the recall or warranty until a manufacturer investigator inspects the vehicle in a month. The rear differential was replaced. The driver side windshield wiper arm was replaced. Updated 07/25/06.
Transmission fails to function appropriately when going from a stopped position to forward or reverse. In reverse position, loud grinding noise is heard. In forward, vehicle hesitates before finally moving forward. This has been to dealer for repair 3 times. First repair revealed front thrust shim with too much end play; transmission assembly was rebuilt (manufacturer refused to replace), thrust washer replaced and transmission overhauled. Two return visits for same problem and dealer says they cannot recreate and have found no problems.
I have had my Chevy Tahoe for just over 2-1/2 years. During this time, my transmission has failed twice. The same part also broke prior to my owning the vehicle. Three times the same part has failed yet my vehicle has little over 55,000 miles on it. It had approximately 40,000 the last time it was repaired. I have sought assistance from GM to get the transmission fixed but was flat denied any type of support. I feel this is a problem with their transmission that should be addressed by GM, not the unsuspecting owner.
Transmission failure on 2002 Tahoe.first failure around 17,000 miles. Fixed under warranty. Second failure little over a year later. Fixed under warranty. Third failure little over a year later. Dealer fixed, but said they paid for it. Fourth failure little over 2 years later. I have read about defective sun gear in transmission and that they were never taken out of service. GM would not replace the transmission and would only rebuild I have had 4 failure's in about 75,000 miles. I don't think this is normal service.
When vehicle was in over-drive between speeds of 40 - 43 MPH, there was a vibration in the front end. Although the dealership has serviced the truck several times the cause of the noise is still undetermined. There was a loud vibration when the vehicle was in 2 wheel auto drive and at speed of 40-45 MPH/1200 to 1400 rpms shifting into over-drive going uphill and or pull on engine. May be a torque converter problem. This was an ongoing problem which had not been resolved.
Transmission complaints in other Tahoe years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe?
NHTSA has 37 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe, 8% of the model year's 449 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
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.