2002 Chevrolet Z71
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Chevrolet › Z71 › 2002
These records cover every 2002 Chevrolet Z71. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Owner complaints
24 complaints3 involved a crash5 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
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
- Parking brake
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
- Air bags › Frontal
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system · Parking brake · Steering
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…
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
- Parking brake
Parking brake (e-brakes) failure of chevy silverado 1500 Z71 with 4-wheel disc ABS brakes. truck purchased new from family chevrolet in shingle springs ca. e-brakes never worked from day one, however, I was told this was how they functioned due to 4-wheel disc system (from dealership)-wrong.…
Parking brake (e-brakes) failure of chevy silverado 1500 Z71 with 4-wheel disc ABS brakes. truck purchased new from family chevrolet in shingle springs ca. e-brakes never worked from day one, however, I was told this was how they functioned due to 4-wheel disc system (from dealership)-wrong. After asking other chevy truck owners with the same e-brake system, they too experience the same problems. I am very surprised that gm did not send a recall notice out for this problem. though gm did send out a recall on the tail gate support cables, I find this problem much more of a safety problem since the e-brakes are suppose to hold back a 2 ton vehicle of which it does not. a mechanic from les schwab tires (and brakes) told me after he inspected my e-brake system that he has seen this problem continuously occurs with this type of e-brake system with gm trucks. *nm
- Service brakes, air › Antilock › Wheel speed sensor
2002 Z71 silverado chevrolet truck pertaining to anti-lock brake failure: one month after warranty expired the failure occurred. the problem resulted in unwanted ABS activation and increased stopping distance during low-speed brake application. gm indicated that the condition can occur if…
2002 Z71 silverado chevrolet truck pertaining to anti-lock brake failure: one month after warranty expired the failure occurred. the problem resulted in unwanted ABS activation and increased stopping distance during low-speed brake application. gm indicated that the condition can occur if corrision forms under the wheel speed sensor and moves the sensor away from the intergral speed sensor toothed ring. the condition does not set any ABS codes nor does it illuminate the ABS warning lamp. it IS obviously a manufacturer's malfunction making it very dangerous to drive. I personally know of several people who have had the same problem.
- Parking brake
Premature total parking/emergency brake failure. failed texas vehicle safety inspection. Vehicle inspector informed me the same failure was common among 2002 trucks like mine and warned of a costly repair. parking brake was very seldom engaged yet became totally worn out at some point prior to…
Premature total parking/emergency brake failure. failed texas vehicle safety inspection. Vehicle inspector informed me the same failure was common among 2002 trucks like mine and warned of a costly repair. parking brake was very seldom engaged yet became totally worn out at some point prior to vehicle reaching 50,000 miles. Dealer admitted to a poor design but said there was no recall. He said a bulletin was issued to replace the junk part with a beefed up version. My repair cost exceeded $400.*jb
- Parking brake
Parking brake failed without warning. Took vechicle to dealer and they stated it was a design problem. Dealer replaced parking brake pads. Very costly to repair. Asked service advisor what will keep the parking brake from failing again? Unable to answer! Have not recieved any response from gm. *ak
- Steering › Column
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
- Parking brake › Conventional › Mechanical
Parking brake failure. applying the parking brake will not keep the vehicle from moving.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
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
- Parking brake
The parking brake clip failed and it cost a lot of money to replace it every time that it broke. Three dealerships indicated it was a manufacturer's design defect. *ak the clip which allowed the parking brake shoes to fall inside the drum rotor giving no warning. they wore metal to metal…
The parking brake clip failed and it cost a lot of money to replace it every time that it broke. Three dealerships indicated it was a manufacturer's design defect. *ak the clip which allowed the parking brake shoes to fall inside the drum rotor giving no warning. they wore metal to metal with still no sign of failure, until the consumer attempted to use the parking brake and it did not hold. three dealerships informed the consumer that they were experiencing the same problem. gm failed to acknowledge the problem. *sc jb
- Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
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.
- Fuel system, other
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
- Air bags › Frontal
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…
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
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Power train › Driveline › Differential unit · Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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
- Power train › Manual transmission
Rear end of vehicle IS loose due to the transmission shifting roughly.*mr by the second visit to the dealer, the vehicle was making a severe clunkng noise and the transmission was actually chattering. The consumer was told the clunking noise was caused by the rear driveshaft. The vehicle was…
Rear end of vehicle IS loose due to the transmission shifting roughly.*mr by the second visit to the dealer, the vehicle was making a severe clunkng noise and the transmission was actually chattering. The consumer was told the clunking noise was caused by the rear driveshaft. The vehicle was taken to another dealership. F0060 slip joint, propeller shaft (between trans and rear differential) was replaced. Still no repair or problem detected with transmission. Consumer was told the vehicle would reset itself to the consumer's driving style and everything would be fine. This wasn't true. the problem continued to exist. the consumer started the process of the lemon law. *ph *jb *jb
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
While driving and no warning ABS control module failed. Consumer contacted the dealership. *Ak
- Air bags › Frontal
Vehicle was in a frontal collision while driving at an undetermined speed. Driver side nor the passenger side air bag deployed upon impact. Driver sustained injuries.*ak
- Air bags
Consumer staes of having problems with the air bags on the vehicle. please add more information. mr
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Pads
Consumer states of having problems with the brake pads. mr
- Suspension
While driving entire vehicle shakes. *Ak
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
When vehicle IS in idle/ park or at a complete stop vehicle has a rough idle.*ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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.
- Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out…
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake system's torque below that needed to immobilize the vehicle.gm has attributed this accelerated wear to foreign material intrusion and a failure of the brake shoe to properly self-center within its brake drum.effective with the start of my 2003 production, a newer reduced force hold-down clip was introduced to facilitate brake shoe disengagement from the drum surface.this part IS also available at the service level for the my 1999-2002 vehicles.gm has indicated that the paking brake IS intended to operate in conjunction with the transmission to immobilze parked vehicles, and that in many cases, accelerated parking brake lining wear IS caused by rough use, vehicle modifications, and driving with the parking engaged. Odi has upgraded the preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis to gather further information concerning parking brake usage factors and the circumstances surrounding the seventeen reported vehicle crashes.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10042986General motors: information provided by bulletin for all 2012 and prior general motor trucks and passenger vehicles regarding the adjustable comfort and custom upholstery of the driver and the passenger head restraint.
- 10019186Ipc, interior lights and/or headlamps flicker. FB2
Every Chevrolet Z71 model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.