2002 Chevrolet Z71 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Z71, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1139.3%
- Airbags414.3%
- Transmission310.7%
- Steering27.1%
- Engine27.1%
- Powertrain (other)13.6%
- Suspension13.6%
- Tires & wheels13.6%
- Driver assistance13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
- Fuel system13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 CHEVROLET 1/2 TON EXT.CAB. Z-71 TRUCK PARKING BRAKE PREMATURELY WORN OUT AND TRUCK SLIPPED FROM PARK AND ROLLED INTO STREET. NO INJURIES OR PROPERTY DAMAGE AT THAT TIME. I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK NEW AND IT STARTED FAILING WITHIN 2 YRS OF OWNERSHIP. TOTAL PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *TR
NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE A SQUEAKY DOOR ONLY LOWER FREQUENCY. TOOK TO DEALER ON MAY 22, 2008, WAS TOLD IT WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE. I HAD THIS UNIT CHANGED ON MAY 22,2008. ON JUNE 5, 2008, I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BRAKE WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING REAR BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, & EMERGENCY BRAKE LININGS. SINCE THE STEERING WAS STILL MAKING NOISE I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AGAIN, THEY DID AND LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT COVER. STILL MAKES NOISE DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT STEERING. ON EA04011 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS IS THIS NOW IN EFFECT FOR AUTO TRANSMISSIONS? ON SEPT. 3, 2008, THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS AND BROKEN BOLTS ON MANIFOLD AND ALSO FOR LEAKING WATER PUMP GASKETS ARE THESE NORMAL WEAR OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS? NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, REPAIR TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN CRASH WHEN SHE WENT TO SLEEP WHILE DRIVING HER 2002 Z71 TAHOE. SHE HIT AN OAK TREE DEAD CENTER OF THE FRONT GRILL AND BUMPER. THE DRIVERS AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED IN A MODERATE TO SEVERE ACCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED TOTALED. FOUR PEOPLE IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THREE OF THE FOUR WERE MODERATELY INJURED. WE WERE ALL WEARING OUR SEATBELTS. THANK GOD. THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WAS TOTALLY SHATTERED AS WELL A THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW. THE FRONT HOOD WAS SEVERELY BUCKLED THE ENGINE WAS COMING THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. THE WHOLE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS CRUSHED IN. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY OWNED THREE OTHER CHEVEROLETS. I WOULD LIKE ANSWERS ON WHY THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING TO LOOK FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE SINCE OURS WAS DECLARED TOTALED. WE ARE VERY HESITANT TO GO BACK WITH CHEVROLET. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET Z71. WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO MANUALLY PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. HE STATED THAT THE SHIFTING CABLE WAS FAULTY IN THE MANNER IT WAS BOLTED AND MOUNTED ONTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 130,000.
TRANSMISSION CHATTERING, FEELS LOOSE, FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S TRYING TO FALL OUT ON TAKE OFF. REAR DIFFERENTIAL / DRIVE SHAFT. REAR END IS BEING DAMAGED BY TRANSMISSION NOT PROPER. MISSED THE LEMON LAW BY LESS THAN 6000 MILES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE A SQUEAKY DOOR ONLY LOWER FREQUENCY. TOOK TO DEALER ON MAY 22, 2008, WAS TOLD IT WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE. I HAD THIS UNIT CHANGED ON MAY 22,2008. ON JUNE 5, 2008, I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BRAKE WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING REAR BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, & EMERGENCY BRAKE LININGS. SINCE THE STEERING WAS STILL MAKING NOISE I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AGAIN, THEY DID AND LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT COVER. STILL MAKES NOISE DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT STEERING. ON EA04011 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS IS THIS NOW IN EFFECT FOR AUTO TRANSMISSIONS? ON SEPT. 3, 2008, THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS AND BROKEN BOLTS ON MANIFOLD AND ALSO FOR LEAKING WATER PUMP GASKETS ARE THESE NORMAL WEAR OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS? NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, REPAIR TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
THE CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING. WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE FELT LIKE THE FRONT END WAS GOING TO COME OFF. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BE INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
NOISE WHEN TURNING STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT, SOUNDS LIKE A SQUEAKY DOOR ONLY LOWER FREQUENCY. TOOK TO DEALER ON MAY 22, 2008, WAS TOLD IT WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WAS LOOSE. I HAD THIS UNIT CHANGED ON MAY 22,2008. ON JUNE 5, 2008, I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BRAKE WORK WHICH CONSISTED OF REPLACING REAR BRAKE PADS,ROTORS, & EMERGENCY BRAKE LININGS. SINCE THE STEERING WAS STILL MAKING NOISE I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT AGAIN, THEY DID AND LUBED THE STEERING SHAFT COVER. STILL MAKES NOISE DOES NOT APPEAR TO AFFECT STEERING. ON EA04011 THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS IS THIS NOW IN EFFECT FOR AUTO TRANSMISSIONS? ON SEPT. 3, 2008, THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS AND BROKEN BOLTS ON MANIFOLD AND ALSO FOR LEAKING WATER PUMP GASKETS ARE THESE NORMAL WEAR OR MANUFACTURING DEFECTS? NO OLD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION, REPAIR TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
BRAKES WERE SERVICED, HOWEVER THEY DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. ANOTHER DEALER STATED NO DEFECTS WERE FOUND. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, AFTER CHANGING THE OIL THERE WAS METAL FOUND IN THE OIL. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT METAL IN THE OIL WAS NORMAL THE BRAKES FELT SPONGY. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT METAL IN THE OIL MEANS THE ENGINE WILL NOT LAST. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION CHATTERING, FEELS LOOSE, FEELS AS THOUGH IT'S TRYING TO FALL OUT ON TAKE OFF. REAR DIFFERENTIAL / DRIVE SHAFT. REAR END IS BEING DAMAGED BY TRANSMISSION NOT PROPER. MISSED THE LEMON LAW BY LESS THAN 6000 MILES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING ENTIRE VEHICLE SHAKES. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MASTERCRAFT COURSER TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE UNDER NORMAL HIGHWAY CONDITIONS. SIZE 265/70/17 DOT # UT1Y FWB 4306 WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD. THE SEPARATION CAUSED VEHICLE DAMAGE BUT LUCKILY NO INJURIES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN VEHICLE IS IN IDLE/ PARK OR AT A COMPLETE STOP VEHICLE HAS A ROUGH IDLE.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 4-19-04 WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND INTO MY STREET, MY TAILGATE ON MY 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO FELL FROM THE VERTICAL (LATCHED POSITION). I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE VEHICLE, AND UPON WALKING TO THE REAR OF TRUCK, I NOTICED THAT BOTH TAILGATE SUPPORT STRAPS HAD SNAPPED (BROKEN) APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES FROM THE END. THE TAIGATE ENDED UP RESTING ON REAR BUMPER AT A DOWNWARD ANGLE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE'S GAS TANK BLEW OUT WHEN REFUELING AT GAS STATION, CAUSING A LARGE GAS SPILL BY THE GAS PUMP AND STATION. FIRE DEPT AND POLICE RESPONDED AS THEY WERE CALLED TO THIS INCIDENT. THE PERSON PUMPING THE GAS WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT AFTER INHALING THE FUEL, CAUSING A HEADACHE, DIZZINESS AND VOMITING. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .