Owners have filed 352 complaints
about the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban with NHTSA between 2002 and 2023.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 9 of 32 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 56
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Suburban. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 95
18.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 48
28% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Chevrolet Suburban
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
62.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
156.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
2410.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
5422.5%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
4418.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
2610.8%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
4016.7%
150,000+ miles
3112.9%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2002peak 15Nov 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA11001Opened 5 Jan 2011Closed 8 Apr 2015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wis...
PE10010Opened 30 Mar 2010Closed 5 Jan 2011SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by General Motors Corporation (GM).On July 2, 2010, ODI received GM's response to an information request, which included GM's assessment of the frequency a...
PE06016Opened 4 May 2006Closed 14 Sep 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALL
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE06-016) ON MAY 4, 2006 BASED ON ELEVEN VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRES (VOQS) AND EARLY WARNING (EWR) DATA ALLEGING SUDDEN ENGINE SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING AS A RESULT OF CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURES IN MY 2001-2002 GENERAL MOTORS C/K PLATFORM VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 8.1L ENGINES.IN RESPONSE TO AN INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER SENT BY ODI, GENERAL MOTORS (GM) PROVIDED OWNER COMPLAINT INFORMATION, FIELD REPORTS AND WARRANTY CLAIM DATA BASED ON A POPULATION OF 108,338 VEHICLES. THE DATA WAS CATEGORIZED BY ENGINE STALLS WHILE DR...
DP05009Opened 20 Dec 2005Closed 31 May 2006PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, V...
EA04012Opened 30 Apr 2004Closed 28 Feb 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
PE03026Opened 12 Jun 2003Closed 3 Nov 2003WHEELS
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. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.TH...
EA02015Opened 1 Aug 2002Closed 12 Jan 2004VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED
THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN OPERATOR MAY APPLY ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE TO INCREASE ENGINE SPEED.THE APPLICATION OF ADDITIONAL ACCELERATOR PEDAL FORCE, TO OPEN A STUCK THROTTLE VALVE, MAY OPEN THE THROTTLE VALVE MORE THAN INTENDED AND, IN TURN, ACCELERATE THE ENGINE AND VEHICLE MORE THAN INTENDED AND R...
Recalls on the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2004395158,474 units in Canada
Brakes
Certain vehicles located in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador may experience unwanted Antilock Brake System (ABS) activation and increased stopping distances during low-speed brake application (less than 16 km/h and greater than 6 km/h). This condition does not set any ABS codes nor does it illuminate the ABS warning lamp. Correction: Dealers will remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply Zinc-X to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications.
Recall 200206863,049 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 209, seat belt assemblies. These vehicles have a condition where one or two sensors in the driver's and front seat passengers seat belt retractors may be inoperative. The seat belt retractors will lock when the belt webbing is extracted during a crash; however the mechanism that locks the seat belt retractor when the vehicle decelerates quickly, such as during heavy braking, may not restrain the occupant as intended during a crash, and could result in injury to the occupant. Correction update: None required as no effect on vehicle safety. See recall 04-158.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 260,000 milesArlington, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, there were cicadas flying towards the front driver side windshield that obstructed the contact's visibility which caused the contact to crash into a utility pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance for injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to a towing yard then towed to an auto body shop where the insurance company deemed it totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had sent out a field representative to inspect the vehicle and retrieved the event data recorder from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 260,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
WHEELS
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. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A GM DEALER TWO MONTHS EARLIER (IN JULY) WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE GM DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE RECALL BUT MADE EXTENSIVE (AND EXPENSIVE) REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN IT LED TO THE FIRE. THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR THE RIGHT SEASON FOR THE ABS TO DETERIORATE FROM SALT EXPOSURE SINCE THE JULY REPAIRS. MY CAR IS PROBABLY EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND. FAIRFAX COUNTY IS FURTHER NORTH THAN MANY PARTS OF MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE REGION HAS THE SAME WEATHER CONDITIONS, LENGTH OF WINTER SEASON, AND EXPOSURE TO SALT AS WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, AND MARYLAND, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN THESE STATES, PARTICULARLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND, WHERE MANY VIRGINIA RESIDENTS WORK, SHOP, AND SEEK ENTERTAINMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11256903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
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. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A GM DEALER TWO MONTHS EARLIER (IN JULY) WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE GM DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE RECALL BUT MADE EXTENSIVE (AND EXPENSIVE) REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN IT LED TO THE FIRE. THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR THE RIGHT SEASON FOR THE ABS TO DETERIORATE FROM SALT EXPOSURE SINCE THE JULY REPAIRS. MY CAR IS PROBABLY EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND. FAIRFAX COUNTY IS FURTHER NORTH THAN MANY PARTS OF MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE REGION HAS THE SAME WEATHER CONDITIONS, LENGTH OF WINTER SEASON, AND EXPOSURE TO SALT AS WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, AND MARYLAND, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN THESE STATES, PARTICULARLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND, WHERE MANY VIRGINIA RESIDENTS WORK, SHOP, AND SEEK ENTERTAINMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11256903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Reading, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
the brake lines rust and they burst this occurred on my main brake line going to the abs controller I had no brakes from mechanics they say this is a common problem on usa made cars brake lines should never ever rust and burst
NHTSA complaint #11556008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Park, IL
WHEELS
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
NHTSA complaint #11507298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Park, IL
STEERING
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
NHTSA complaint #11507298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Park, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Component SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NHTSA complaint #11497715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Maple Park, IL
SERVICE BRAKES
Component SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
NHTSA complaint #11497715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ellisville, MO
TIRES
275/75 r16 tires coming apart on the side walls
NHTSA complaint #11446004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ft Carson, CO
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11425149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ft Carson, CO
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #11425149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 260,000 milesArlington, VACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, there were cicadas flying towards the front driver side windshield that obstructed the contact's visibility which caused the contact to crash into a utility pole. The air bags did not deploy. The contact was transported to the hospital by ambulance for injuries sustained. A police report was filed. The vehicle was first towed to a towing yard then towed to an auto body shop where the insurance company deemed it totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and had sent out a field representative to inspect the vehicle and retrieved the event data recorder from the vehicle. The failure mileage was 260,000.
NHTSA complaint #11423984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Francisco, CA
WHEELS
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.
NHTSA complaint #11419663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
San Francisco, CA
STEERING
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.
NHTSA complaint #11419663 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 216,234 milesRiverside, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS ON THE FREEWAY THERE WAS TRAFFIC I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP ON ME MY CAR FISH TAILED I RELEASED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE STILL STILL LOCKED. CAUSED ME TO SLID AT LEAST 30 FEET I WAS ONLY GOING 35. WHICH CAUSED ME SLAM INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER
NHTSA complaint #11389161 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesCanal Fulton, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN YOU PUSH ON THE HORN NOTHING HAPPENS, BUT THE PANIC BUTTON ON THE REMOTE MAKES THE HORN GO OFF. IT'S NOT THE HORN UNDER THE HOOD, THAT IS FAULTY, IT IS THE SWITCH INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL BURNED UP. I HAVE ASKED MULTIPLE MECHANICS TO FIX THIS AND THEY SAID IT WOULD TAKE A WHOLE DAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIRBAG WOULD HAVE TO BE REMOVED. THEY SAID THAT THEY SEE THIS SWITCH BURN UP ALL THE TIME IN GM STEERING WHEELS. IT WILL COST A LOT IN LABOR AND ALSO PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #11323523 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 1,000 milesFries, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE AND WAS LIKE THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW. UNABLE TO REPAIR IT TO MAKE IT HOLD THE CAR. PROBLEMS GETTING CAR INSPECTED.
NHTSA complaint #11277978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
WHEELS
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. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A GM DEALER TWO MONTHS EARLIER (IN JULY) WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE GM DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE RECALL BUT MADE EXTENSIVE (AND EXPENSIVE) REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN IT LED TO THE FIRE. THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR THE RIGHT SEASON FOR THE ABS TO DETERIORATE FROM SALT EXPOSURE SINCE THE JULY REPAIRS. MY CAR IS PROBABLY EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND. FAIRFAX COUNTY IS FURTHER NORTH THAN MANY PARTS OF MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE REGION HAS THE SAME WEATHER CONDITIONS, LENGTH OF WINTER SEASON, AND EXPOSURE TO SALT AS WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, AND MARYLAND, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN THESE STATES, PARTICULARLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND, WHERE MANY VIRGINIA RESIDENTS WORK, SHOP, AND SEEK ENTERTAINMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11256903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesFairfax, VAFire
SERVICE BRAKES
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. THE CAR HAD BEEN TAKEN TO A GM DEALER TWO MONTHS EARLIER (IN JULY) WITH A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. THE GM DEALER DID NOT MENTION THE RECALL BUT MADE EXTENSIVE (AND EXPENSIVE) REPAIRS TO THE CAR. THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER, WHEN IT LED TO THE FIRE. THIS WAS NOT ENOUGH TIME OR THE RIGHT SEASON FOR THE ABS TO DETERIORATE FROM SALT EXPOSURE SINCE THE JULY REPAIRS. MY CAR IS PROBABLY EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL BECAUSE IT IS REGISTERED IN VIRGINIA. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED BECAUSE THE CAR IS REGISTERED IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, LESS THAN 15 MILES FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND. FAIRFAX COUNTY IS FURTHER NORTH THAN MANY PARTS OF MARYLAND AND WEST VIRGINIA. THE REGION HAS THE SAME WEATHER CONDITIONS, LENGTH OF WINTER SEASON, AND EXPOSURE TO SALT AS WASHINGTON, D.C., WEST VIRGINIA, AND MARYLAND, WHICH ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. RESIDENTS OF THE AREA FREQUENTLY DRIVE IN THESE STATES, PARTICULARLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C. AND MARYLAND, WHERE MANY VIRGINIA RESIDENTS WORK, SHOP, AND SEEK ENTERTAINMENT.
NHTSA complaint #11256903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesSoap Lake, WA
SERVICE BRAKES
ANTI LOCK BRAKES ARE ACTIVATING ON THERE OWN WHEN TRYING TO STOP AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO CRASH 4 TIMES. I FINALLY PULLED THE ABS FUSE OUT THIS STOPPED IT BUT NOW I HAVE NO ABS IAM IN SOAP LAKE WASHINGTON IT SHOWS A RECALL BUT ONLY FOR A FEW STATES I BOUGHT MY SUBURBAN NEW IN BOISE IDAHO AND NOW RESIDE IN WASHINGTON STATE MY VEHACLE IS EFFECTED EXTREMELY BAD WITH THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11255845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Jervis, NY
AIR BAGS
CHRYSLER CANNOT FIND THE FUEL RAIL IN US OR CANADA. I CANT WALK AND HAD I NOT GOTTEN DISABLED AND HAD TO GO TO CANADA, AT FAMILIES DUE TO CHILD AND I BEING ASSAULTED AND INJURED. HAVE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS SHOWING WE ENTERED COUNTRY DUE TO STATEMENT ABOVE. CAR NOT USED, GARAGED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT TURNED ON PERIODICALLY SO CAR WOULD NOT DIE AND FLUIDS CHANGED. WOULD HAVE FILED THE LEMON LAW BACK THEN! I AM LOOKING INTO ARBITRATION ,FTC OR MEDIA. I HAVE CONTACTED MECHANICS FOR RECEIPTS AND TESTIMONY. DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOING OFF , AIR BAG LIGHT,AND GEARS WOULD SWITCH THEMSELVES AND ALL DIALS WOULD GO CRAZY ALL THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE: NEW COMPUTER STARTER CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVAP LEAKS, CHANGED PARTS NO BREAKS WHILE DRIVING, BREAKLINE BROKE GAS CAP, SENSORS MUFFLER TIRES 4 NEW BATTERY PLUS, PLUS, PLUS NOW NO PART, FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED. CAR CAN GO ON FIRE IF DRIVEN. CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 ORIGINAL MILED CHRYSLER CUST. SVC, TOLD ME TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED , SO THEY WILL GO ON FIRE?? OR SELL FOR SCRAP? CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST MORE THAN 65,000.THIS IS NEGLIGENCE AND U HAVE ENDANGERED MY FAMILY MORE THAN ONCE. MECHANIC SAID LUCKY , CANT DRIVE AT ALL. IN PKG LOT. CANT WALK, NEED CAR. TRADE IT FOR ONE OF SIMILAR VALUE AND MILEAGE. SPENT NEARLY 7,000. FIXING. NOW DISABLED AND DONT HAVE MONEY. ALSO EXPECT REFUND FOR RADIO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11124142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Jervis, NY
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CHRYSLER CANNOT FIND THE FUEL RAIL IN US OR CANADA. I CANT WALK AND HAD I NOT GOTTEN DISABLED AND HAD TO GO TO CANADA, AT FAMILIES DUE TO CHILD AND I BEING ASSAULTED AND INJURED. HAVE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS SHOWING WE ENTERED COUNTRY DUE TO STATEMENT ABOVE. CAR NOT USED, GARAGED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT TURNED ON PERIODICALLY SO CAR WOULD NOT DIE AND FLUIDS CHANGED. WOULD HAVE FILED THE LEMON LAW BACK THEN! I AM LOOKING INTO ARBITRATION ,FTC OR MEDIA. I HAVE CONTACTED MECHANICS FOR RECEIPTS AND TESTIMONY. DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOING OFF , AIR BAG LIGHT,AND GEARS WOULD SWITCH THEMSELVES AND ALL DIALS WOULD GO CRAZY ALL THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE: NEW COMPUTER STARTER CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVAP LEAKS, CHANGED PARTS NO BREAKS WHILE DRIVING, BREAKLINE BROKE GAS CAP, SENSORS MUFFLER TIRES 4 NEW BATTERY PLUS, PLUS, PLUS NOW NO PART, FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED. CAR CAN GO ON FIRE IF DRIVEN. CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 ORIGINAL MILED CHRYSLER CUST. SVC, TOLD ME TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED , SO THEY WILL GO ON FIRE?? OR SELL FOR SCRAP? CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST MORE THAN 65,000.THIS IS NEGLIGENCE AND U HAVE ENDANGERED MY FAMILY MORE THAN ONCE. MECHANIC SAID LUCKY , CANT DRIVE AT ALL. IN PKG LOT. CANT WALK, NEED CAR. TRADE IT FOR ONE OF SIMILAR VALUE AND MILEAGE. SPENT NEARLY 7,000. FIXING. NOW DISABLED AND DONT HAVE MONEY. ALSO EXPECT REFUND FOR RADIO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11124142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesPort Jervis, NY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CHRYSLER CANNOT FIND THE FUEL RAIL IN US OR CANADA. I CANT WALK AND HAD I NOT GOTTEN DISABLED AND HAD TO GO TO CANADA, AT FAMILIES DUE TO CHILD AND I BEING ASSAULTED AND INJURED. HAVE GOVERNMENT DOCUMENTS SHOWING WE ENTERED COUNTRY DUE TO STATEMENT ABOVE. CAR NOT USED, GARAGED FOR SEVERAL YEARS BUT TURNED ON PERIODICALLY SO CAR WOULD NOT DIE AND FLUIDS CHANGED. WOULD HAVE FILED THE LEMON LAW BACK THEN! I AM LOOKING INTO ARBITRATION ,FTC OR MEDIA. I HAVE CONTACTED MECHANICS FOR RECEIPTS AND TESTIMONY. DUE TO ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOING OFF , AIR BAG LIGHT,AND GEARS WOULD SWITCH THEMSELVES AND ALL DIALS WOULD GO CRAZY ALL THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE: NEW COMPUTER STARTER CATALYTIC CONVERTER EVAP LEAKS, CHANGED PARTS NO BREAKS WHILE DRIVING, BREAKLINE BROKE GAS CAP, SENSORS MUFFLER TIRES 4 NEW BATTERY PLUS, PLUS, PLUS NOW NO PART, FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED. CAR CAN GO ON FIRE IF DRIVEN. CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 ORIGINAL MILED CHRYSLER CUST. SVC, TOLD ME TO SELL IT TO SOMEONE ELSE. FUEL RAIL DISCONTINUED , SO THEY WILL GO ON FIRE?? OR SELL FOR SCRAP? CARS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST MORE THAN 65,000.THIS IS NEGLIGENCE AND U HAVE ENDANGERED MY FAMILY MORE THAN ONCE. MECHANIC SAID LUCKY , CANT DRIVE AT ALL. IN PKG LOT. CANT WALK, NEED CAR. TRADE IT FOR ONE OF SIMILAR VALUE AND MILEAGE. SPENT NEARLY 7,000. FIXING. NOW DISABLED AND DONT HAVE MONEY. ALSO EXPECT REFUND FOR RADIO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #11124142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 215,000 milesLakeland, MN
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND BRAKES FAILED TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS. FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE REAR BRAKE LINE BURST. I REPLACED THE RUSTED BRAKE LINE. FRONT BRAKE LINE BURST 6 MONTHS AFTER REAR BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. ALL FRONT BRAKE LINES WERE SO RUSTED, I REMOVED AND REPLACED ALL OF THEM AS A PRECAUTION. THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED IN AREAS WHERE THEY WERE CLAMPED, SO THAT SALT AND DIRT COULD NOT BE CLEANED OUT. BRAKE LINES WERE UNPAINTED BARE STEEL.
NHTSA complaint #11066863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesNorristown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON HIGHWAY I-476 (PHILADELPHIA PA) WITH THE FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE. UPON BRAKING TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DIRECTLY TO THE FLOOR AND PUMPING THE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES DID NOT RESULT IN ANY BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER MANAGING TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL MORE TIMES, BRAKE FLUID COULD BE SEEN COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AT BOTH THE AREA AROUND THE REAR AXLE AND THE AREA UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT. LATER, INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES FOUND THEM ALL TO BE SEVERELY RUSTED. AFTER READING THAT THIS IS AN EXISTING PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES, IT IS GREATLY DISAPPOINTING, TO SAY THE LEAST, THAT NO NOTIFICATION OR RECALL WAS GIVEN. SUCH A SEVERE AND SCARY SAFETY PROBLEM SHOULD REQUIRE AT LEAST NOTIFICATION OF CUSTOMERS AND BETTER QUALITY DESIGN/CONTROL OF BRAKING COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #11022450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesWausaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE DID NOT RECUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220,000.
NHTSA complaint #10968028 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.