2002 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra years
- Far more complaints than other years 5th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Sierra. That ranks 5th out of 23 Sierra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (93 complaints, 37%), typically at around 40,000 miles. Complaints mention 23 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 8 defect investigations involving it.
- 249owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 8NHTSA investigations
- 23complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 GMC Sierra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 93 | 37% | 40,000 | “anti lock brakes” (15%) | — |
| Service Brakes | 31 | 12% | 117,143 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 9% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 18 | 7% | 39,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 17 | 7% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 17 | 7% | 40,650 | — | — |
| Steering | 12 | 5% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 12 | 5% | 35,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 10 | 4% | 32,650 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 6 | 2% | 64,000 | — | — |
| Visibility | 6 | 2% | 33,500 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2% | 99,800 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 4 | 2% | 42,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 4 | 2% | 30,625 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 1% | 16,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 1% | 78,600 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 3 | 1% | 10,741 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 87,400 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 1% | 73,300 | — | — |
| Wheels | 3 | 1% | 69,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 1,500 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 | 1% | 21,871 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 1% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 0% | 42,674 | — | — |
| Trailer Hitches | 1 | 0% | 67,400 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 GMC Sierra recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Parking brake
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Fuel system, other:delivery
Problem: Some 2wd and 4wd pickup trucks, converted to either dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (cng) fuel usage, were assembled with a throttle cable that can contact and rub through the flexible pressurized fuel line creating a pinhole leak of natural gas to the atmosphere.
Risk: A strong odor of natural gas may be detected from inside the vehicle, possibly accompanied by a hissing noise. If the natural gas were accidentally ignited, serious injury could result.
Fix: Dealers will secure the throttle cable to eliminate the possibility of contact with the cng fuel line. The cng fuel line, throttle cable, and cruise control cable are also to be inspected and replaced if necessary. Owner notification began on december 11, 2003. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Brake line corrosion failure (PE10010) — opened Mar 30, 2010, closed Jan 5, 2011.
- Crank position sensor failure - stall (PE06016) — opened May 4, 2006, closed Sep 14, 2006.
- Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
- Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
- Parking brake failure (EA04011) — opened Apr 9, 2004, closed May 10, 2005, led to recall 05V161000.
- Tailgate cable breakage (EA04005) — opened Feb 19, 2004, closed Sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04E067000.
- Parking brake failure (PE03057) — opened Dec 8, 2003, closed Apr 9, 2004.
- Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra. While driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact veered into a ditch to avoid a collision. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierria. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v201000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
On two separate occasions over the past few years, this truck has had frame damage caused by rust / corrosion to the extent that it either would not pass inspection or it compromised the operation of the vehicle. More specifically, the frame cross-members have had holes rotted through them and the…
On the morning of friday august 21, 2015, my wife went to move my 2002 gmc sierra. She pulled out of our driveway and proceeded up-hill about 300-400 feet, and then turned around in a neighbor's driveway, when coming back down the hill she tried to brake to stop in front of our house, but the…
Left house and abs brake light came on, shut the truck off and abs brake pump under truck would not stop running even with key off. So had to take fuse out. At that time i drove back home, but if you push down on brake it will go to the floor. June 2014 had truck in shop to have all brake lines…
Other GMC Sierra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 61 | 0 |
| 2016 Sierra | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 Sierra | 53 | 6 |
| 2014 Sierra | 101 | 11 |
| 2013 Sierra | 39 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra | 29 | 2 |
| 2011 Sierra | 43 | 2 |
| 2010 Sierra | 34 | 0 |
| 2009 Sierra | 37 | 1 |
| 2008 Sierra | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra | 59 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra | 53 | 4 |
| 2005 Sierra | 117 | 9 |
| 2004 Sierra | 188 | 7 |
| 2003 Sierra | 206 | 6 |
| 2002 | 249 | 4 |
| 2001 Sierra | 264 | 4 |
| 2000 Sierra | 443 | 8 |
| 1999 Sierra | 600 | 5 |
| 1998 Sierra | 190 | 0 |
| 1997 Sierra | 238 | 0 |
| 1996 Sierra | 246 | 2 |
| 1995 Sierra | 261 | 6 |
See all GMC Sierra problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
Embed this 2002 GMC Sierra badge on your site
Copy this code into your blog or forum post. It shows live complaint and recall counts and links back here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 93 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 GMC Sierra?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 GMC Sierra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.