2002 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 166 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes (38% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving about 45 miles an hour coming down an overpass. The brake pedal went completely to the floor and I narrowly avoided a crash. I took to my mechanic. They said that the brake lines were completely rusted out. I am not getting this fixed as it is an older truck but I do think that someone could die from this defect.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2020
“161131 miles frame rusted real bad body looks great for the year I just bought the truck looked real clean inside and out from origanal owner put it on a lift and the frame is so rusted out did some googleing and found that most all these trucks were built to rot out in 3 years”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While reversing the vehicle, the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The contact was able to engage the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that all the brake lines were corroded, which caused the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was towed to bowser automotive (132-168 north lewis run road, west mifflin, pa 15236, (412) 469-2100) where it was diagnosed that all the brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle's braking ability was lost and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2018
“Spare tire fell off from the cable, unknown, I also had a 2001 gmc yukon and the same thing happened, this is unsafe as it could become detached while moving and needs to be recalled”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving 30 mph, the front of the vehicle shook and wobbled so violently that it left the contact disoriented. The contact had no control over the vehicle and had to pull over for a while. When the contact retuned to the road, the vehicle continued to shake. The failure occurred between the speeds of 30-45 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who installed new bearings, which made the failure worse. The vehicle was taken to two other mechanics, but each repair failed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.”Owner report · Wheels · Jul 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the brakes failed to operate without warning. The bowser dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the brake line experienced severe corrosion and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Seven years prior to the failure, the brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to perform the repair at a discount. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving 25 mph, the brakes failed without warning. The contact stated that the zinc aluminum alloy on the brake lines caused severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that all the brake lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 07/18/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the brake pedal pulsated when applied, but failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake sensors needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. Updated 06/29/17*lj *cn”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2016
“ABS system is kicking in at slow speeds, as in a crawl like you were driving next to a walking person. Like I am pushing on the brake pedal and it is pushing back and not allowing me to stop truck. Very scary”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 17 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
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).
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 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 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 166 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 80,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. 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.