2002 Chevrolet Tahoe: wrong fuel gauge reading

Filed Jul 10, 2013 · Fuel system · 182,000 miles · FL

The fuel gauge will read the correct amount of fuel until it is about 3/4 to 1/2 a tank then start bouncing up and down then it will go all the way to empty and the fuel light comes on even though it has plenty of fuel. I have been driving down the road with my kids in the car and ran out of gas even though it registers fuel above the red mark and no low fuel light on. I know have ran out of gas several times and fear it might put myself or my family in a bad situation. I don't understand why this is happening and wish someone (gm) would help their loyal customer base. As it appears with more research I do this is a serious ongoing problem that spans different models and years.

Filed Mar 2, 2013 · Fuel system · 91,000 miles · MA

My 02 tahoe fuel gauge began to read empty just after filling the tank up. Since then the gauge had read empty.

Filed Aug 17, 2011 · Fuel system · 113,000 miles · FL

I own a 2002 chevy tahoe and about 8 months ago(december 2010) my fuel gauge began to start failing to read proper fuel levels. The problem continued for a couple more weeks until finally the fuel gauge simply wouldn't make a reading at all. I stayed optimistic that the situation would correct itself but no such correction arose. I tried using fuel injection cleaners to possibly resolve the issue but again nothing helped. For the past couple days I have been reading numerous forums and articles on this exact same problem in chevy vehicles ranging from 2000 to as recent as 08 models. I'm writing this in hopes that a recall can occur that will help solve this issue for the thousands of people that are experiencing the same problem I am. Chevy needs to be liable for the fraudulent manufacturing of vehicles that experience the same issue over and over again. Instead of letting americans shovel out 800 plus dollars in issues that shouldn't be occurring so early in a vehicles life. I have yet to correct this issue in hopes that the government will force chevy into recalling the vehicles for proper repairs.

Filed May 4, 2011 · Electrical, Fuel system · 95,000 miles · SC

Due to the error in the fuel gauge(indicating more fuel than the vehicle had) the vehicle ran out of fuel on the interstate with my entire familty on board. This could have been a serious accident as I was unable to exit the freeway and was not given a low fuel indicator light. This error in fuel level could have resulted in serious injury and I request a oem recall to correct gauge or sensor errors, our fuel gauge is still not displaying accurate readings, we do not trust the gaure anylonger. We have also seen "wild gauge swings/listings" at random intervals

Filed Jul 17, 2010 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 121,414 miles · CA

2002 chevy tahoe purchased used 11/2006 with 50,000 miles. Gas gauge never went to full. 4/2010 fuel pump was replaced $1000.00, now it's 7/2010 and gas gauge fluctuates while driving with full tank of gas to empty, car slows down and then suddenly picks back up with gas gauge showing full again. Very unsafe on freeways!! Was told by pepboys when they replaced fuel pump that something wasn't working with the computer, oh really, but of course we were told that 9 times out of 10 that it was more than likely the fuel pump and they didn't work on the computer. Cost of repair was probably the deciding factor. Now I feel unsafe while driving because I don't know if the vehicle is going to suddenly slow down while driving on the freeway or anywhere else for that matter. What's up chevy?, what's wrong with the computer??

Filed Oct 15, 2008 · Fuel system · 62,000 miles · AK

2002 chevrolet tahoe 5.3l engine-fuel gauge level erratic. Dealer fuel level sensor in tank is the problem, however this is a "normal wear and tear" replacement item at 62,000 miles combined with high sulfur in ak fuels causes it. However, 2001 vw passat had same issue with sulfur and sensor which did warrant a recall action at no cost to owner. Vehicle description: sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank may not in fact be full or could be empty. Consequence: running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems the federal safety agency campaign id number : 01v157000. Please look into 2002 chevrolet tahoe 5.3l fuel level sensor issues.

Filed Sep 11, 2004 · Fuel system · 12,000 miles · GA

We purchased a 2002 chev tahoe new in march 2002. This vehicle just rolled over the 30,000 mile mark. Within the 30 months that we have owned this vehicle, the fuel pump had to be replaced 3 times, the first one being replaced at 12,000 miles. In addition, the fuel gauge sensor and the air conditioner compressor have had to be replaced. Approximately 6 weeks ago, while on vacation, the tahoe died in the middle of the road. We were 3 hours from home, so we had to be towed to the nearest dealership and rent an automobile to continue on our trip. The next day we had to go back to this dealership to pick up the tahoe. We were told that the fuel pump connector wires had worked loose. Last weekend, while driving at 55 MPH, it died again in the middle of the road. We had it towed to our local dealership and have had to replace yet another fuel pump. Every time the fuel pump went out, the tahoe was being driven in traffic. To have a vehicle die suddenly at 55 MPH in traffic is a very dangerous situation. We contacted gm back in may after putting our vehicle in the shop for a new air conditioner compressor. After many lengthy discussions with a gm customer rep, we were given an extended warranty. While we appreciate the extended warranty, the problem has not been resolved. Apparently there is something wrong with our vehicle and/or the fuel pumps themselves that are causing this repeated failure. It has become a safety issue. Now we feel that we have no choice but to get rid of our vehicle. However, by trading it in, all we're doing is passing the problem on to the next unlucky soul. We can't, in good conscience, sell the car to someone without telling them all the problems we've experienced. Only a fool would buy it from us. So, what we're left with is an unsellable $635 per month potential death trap.

Filed Jul 6, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · MI

Problems with suspension, brakes, and gas gauge giving out an improper reading. *mr few days after vehicle was being serviced, consumer noticed a fuel smell coming from vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer which they found out that the gas cap wasn't tight. Also, whicle putting fuel, gas tank burst spilling fuel to the consumer. In addition, consumer experienced stalling, suspension squeaks, and fuel related problems.

Filed Mar 5, 2004 · Fuel system · 63,000 miles · LA

After fueling fuel gauge registered that the fuel tank was empty and then vehicle stalled. Consumer was able to restart the vehicle ten minutes later. Vehicle was taken to the dealer, who had to update the computer to remedy the problem.