Three problems related to automatic transmission have been reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I have a 2002 Suburban that since I purchased it in 2002 I have been complaining about the transmission not shifting right. Every time I brought it in it would be in the dealership for less than a day and I would be told that everything is okay. Now my warranty is up and my transmission is broke. I have no reverse, and it does not want to down shift on any forward gear. I called a trans shop in my area and they stated that with chevy Suburbans of my year (give and take 3years both ways) there is a very common problem with the seal in the trans that it wears too soon and trans oil leaks while driving down the road - the owner does not even notice it - because it gets blown away while driving. This to me seems like something that should be fixed by the manufacturer. The fact that when I called the trans shop (atomic transmissions) they new right away what happened.
Transmission does not shift properly in 1st and 2nd gears.
At 24,000 miles the transmission on our 2002 Suburban failed without warning while driving. It had to be towed to the dealer for a transmission replacement.