2002 GMC Sierra 2500: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 134 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“We were in a roll over accident going under 30mph. I was a passenger in the back seat. When I woke up I saw that the driver was hanging out the door window. The air bags did not deploy. The driver who was also the owner of the truck died of multiple blunt forces. The insurance company had the truck towed to COPART in Las Vegas.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2022
“While traveling on the highway we hit black ice and ultimately ended up with a front impact which turned into a 2 time vehicle rollover. Both front seat belts and buckled during the rollover and did not lock and neither of the airbags in front when off at any point during the collision”Owner report · Seat Belts · Feb 2019
“The tubular frame that supports both the gas tank and rear passenger side shock absorber extremely rusts out causing the frame to eventually disconnect from itself and allow the gas tank to drop and/or the shock to disconnect from the axle, both in which may cause a fatal accident.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driving into driveway applied brakes , pedal went right to the floor no warning light or any indication of a problem got out of truck and found fluid dripping off frame by fuel tank. Ruptured line above tank on frame, other brake lines also look corroded. After some research I found this to be a common problem on gm trucks . Owners need to be made aware of this problem before someone is seriously hurt. I believe gm should be forced to repair the defective lines. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, when the brake pedal was depressed and the brakes failed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Feb 2015
“Driving down rural road at 55mph, a deer jumps into my path. I quickly brake, ABS activates and pedal drops to near floor. Truck does stop, but braking much more different than normal. Deer moves on and I start moving again. Next stop sign I notice that brake pedal drops to floor, still braking, but much more difficult to brake. I made it home and noticed my brake line directly under the driver position was spraying fluid now. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2014
“Pulling out of my driveway onto the street. Applied the brakes when reaching the end of the driveway and brake pedal when completely to the floor. Was able to stop, being that I was only going around 2 mph at the time. When I got out of the truck, I saw a large amount of brake fluid on the driveway from a burst brake line. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“Brakes failed while driving down road. All brake lines are severely rusted. Is their a galvanic reaction between lines and truck that is causing this? Have never had brake lines rust as badly on other vehicles that were older than this one. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2014
“Air bag sensor went out. 4th alternator was replaced on 6 jan 14; three others were replaced between 9 mar2012 and 6 jan 14. Resistor for air conditioning replaced on 9 jul 13. Front hubs failed twice requiring their replacement within six months. Front brake pads replaced twice in 16 months and 10,718 miles. Check engine light has stayed on continuously during this time, even after reset on four occasions. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2014
“Steel brake line ruptured with no warning under the drivers side floor panel. It was the line from the master cylinder to the anti-lock brake actuator. Read dozens of online postings about this being a huge problem and was encouraged to report it. Safely stopping the truck (empty) was very hard and I couldn't imaging what would have happened if I had been pulling a trailer, which is very common on this truck. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 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).
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.
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.
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 2500 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 2500 reliable?
NHTSA has 134 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (29% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 88,000 miles or less.
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 have open recalls?
4 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.