2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 50 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“When positioning my truck to hook up my 5th wheel camper I lost my brakes. There was no warning of any kind and I wasn't sure until I got out and saw the puddle . Even after moving the truck an losing more fluid there was still no warning. I hate to think if had hooked up and been down the highway when corroded metal lines blew out!”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2016
“2002 chevrolet silverado. Consumer writes in regards to several fuel injector failures and oem uncoated carbon steel brake lines. *m the consumer stated gm withheld material facts concerning duramax lb7 diesel fuel injector failures in violation of missouri merchandising practices act at the time of sale and delivery. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2015
“Brake line failure. Coming to stop light, brakes went out causing me to run the light almost causing major accident. This happened in feb 2013. Had brake line repaired. In june 2013 same thing happened again / different brake line. Need to replace all brake lines. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2013
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brake failed coming into home's driveway which resulted in crash with minor damage. Inspection showed that the rear brake lines were completely rusted through. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
“On sunday may the 15th the walmart tle on bush river rd in columbia sc installed two front tires on a 2002 chevy 3500 van. They installed two p rated tires even though the vehicle calls for lt. They all so put 55psi in the tires when the tires are only rated for 44psi. The tires are not rated for this. Also there was no dot card given out. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2011
“S10 appropriate handling -copy of a letter to the president re the dangers of rupturing brake lines on a 2002 chevrolet silverado 3500. *tgw the consumer stated the vehicle needed front brake pads, rotors which were more rusted out than worn and one caliper. As the consumer was bleeding the air from the hydraulic circuit, he noticed brake fluid pouring out of three locations on the driver's side. The steel brake lines had ruptured on both hydraulic circuits due to the steel lines rusting out. The consumer replaced all of the steel lines, as some of the rust was hidden from view within plastic retainers. *jb”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · May 2011
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet c3500. The contact was driving approximatley 25 mph when the brakes were applied and the pedal went to the floorboard without the vehicle stopping. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road without a crash. The contact checked the master cylinder and found that the brake fluid was depleted and he could see brake fluid leaking from under the vehicle. The failure was caused by a rupture of one of the master cylinder brake lines. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 41,500.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Oct 2010
“Hydraulic:antilock during low-speed brake applications the brakes push back and don't not stop the truck the power steering also cuts out when this happens. *tr”Owner report · Steering · Feb 2010
“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet 3500 . The contact stated that the rear windows on both sides fell out on the road at different times. The dealer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the windows were manufactured by c. R. Laurence company in houston texas. The current mileage was 30,000.”Owner report · Visibility · Sep 2009
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 3500. The front brake sensor has failed because of corrosion. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and he was advised that since the warranty expired no assistance would be provided. The failure mileage was 135,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Sep 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
How other years compare
Check your exact Silverado 3500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 50 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 46,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.