2002 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
509 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
87,990 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 443 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 184 of 509 complaints (36.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 364 | 71.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 7.5% |
| Steering behavior | 26 | 5.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 2.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 1.6% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 1.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 184 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 108 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 41 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Parking Brake | 16 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Structure:Body | 13 |
Service Brakes: 184; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 108; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 41; Steering: 21; Electrical System: 17; Parking Brake: 16; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Structure:Body: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 34 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 49 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 79 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 102 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 124 |
| 150,000 and above | 55 |
Under 25,000: 34; 25,000 to 49,999: 49; 50,000 to 74,999: 79; 75,000 to 99,999: 102; 100,000 to 149,999: 124; 150,000 and above: 55
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (124). 66 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 16 |
| 2006 | 36 |
| 2007 | 27 |
| 2008 | 27 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 57 |
| 2011 | 41 |
| 2012 | 42 |
| 2013 | 46 |
| 2014 | 60 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 25 |
| 2017 | 15 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2002: 7; 2003: 11; 2004: 8; 2005: 16; 2006: 36; 2007: 27; 2008: 27; 2009: 24; 2010: 57; 2011: 41; 2012: 42; 2013: 46; 2014: 60; 2015: 35; 2016: 25; 2017: 15; 2018: 13; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 364 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007497 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007497 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028977 · 2003-07-23 (July 23, 2003)
ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK IS RATED TO TOW 9000 LBS THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD MY 7000 POUND TRAILER FROM ROLLING DOWN THE HILL FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. MY 3000 LB BOAT ROLLS BACKWARDS INTO THE WATER AT A BOAT LAUNCH. THE PBRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESISTANCE. TWO DIFFERENT CHEVY DEALERS HAVE SEEN THE TRUCK. THE FIRST DEALER ADJUSTED THE BRAKE AND IT WAS BETTER, THE SECOND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING MORE THAT THEY COULD DO. IT STILL ROLLS WITH A TRAILER ON IT. THE DEALERS SAID THAT THE LOW RESISTANCE PBRAKE IS A DESIGN FEATURE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080019 · 2004-06-28 (June 28, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION MADE A NOISE, SLIPPED,AND THEN LOCKED. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP, WHO REPLACED THE SUN SEAL AND PINS THAT SHEARED OFF. THE FAILURE RECURRED 3 TIMES IN WHICH THE SAME PARTS WERE REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080019 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10098351 · 2004-11-05 (November 5, 2004)
1. NORMAL USE OF THE VEHICLE. 2.TRANSMISSION FAILED, LEAVING ME STRANDED. 3. TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT AT MY COST. THERE ARE MANY PARTS JUST LIKE MINE AT THE AAMCO TRANSMISSION SHOP IN LAKE CHARLES, LA. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 46,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10098351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027220 · 2003-08-22 (August 22, 2003)
THE CONSUMER STATED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN TO THE RIGHT. *AK THE DEALER FOUND AN INTERNAL FAILURE WITH THE POWER STEERING RACK. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 37,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027220 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10115910 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
AFTER STRIKING A BUMP WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND THE STEERING SHAFT WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. *BF *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10115910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205406 · 2007-10-11 (October 11, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, SECOND, AND FOURTH GEARS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION REACTION SHELL CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WAS REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,728. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 57,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ THE FUEL PUMP AND U-JOINTS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 57,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205406 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240146 · 2008-08-28 (August 28, 2008)
THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 SILVERADO 1500. THE FRAME CROSS MEMBER THAT IS LOCATED JUST IN FRONT OF THE GAS TANK HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE BASE OF THE MOUNTS ON EACH SIDE WHERE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE LOWER PART OF THE FRAME. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE INSPECTED IN THE STATE OF VERMONT. THE REGIONAL CHEVY REP SAID IT ISN'T A COMMON PROBLEM WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE UNDERCOATING DONE ON MY TRUCK THAT ALLOWED THIS DETERIORATION TO HAPPEN. THE TRUCK IS WELL CARED FOR AND SHOULD NOT RUST IN SUCH A BASIC STRUCTURAL COMPONE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10240146 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10328570 · 2010-05-03 (May 3, 2010)
POSITIVE SIDE POST ON AC DELCO BATTERY CORRODED OFF AND LEAKED SULFURIC ACID ALL OVER TRUCK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,010 miles reported. Look up ODI 10328570 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10354979 · 2010-09-11 (September 11, 2010)
I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY FIRE. LATER I NOTICED THE 5 SP AC FAN SWITCH ON MY 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO WAS ONLY WORKING FOR SPEEDS 3-5. WHEN I WENT TO THE CHEVY DEALER THEY SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE WIRING AND BLOWER RESISTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10354979 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106236 · 2005-01-12 (January 12, 2005)
VEHICLE HAD GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR WHEELS AND LOSS OF POWER. REAR BRAKES FAILED WITH 9, 975 MILES ON VEHICLE. DEALER FOUND RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER RUSTED SOLID AND NOT OPERATING, CAUSING INNER RIGHT DISK BRAKE PAD TO WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. WAS ADVISED THAT THIS WAS A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE NOT BEING USED ENOUGH, ALLOWING COMPONENTS INSIDE THE CALIPER TO RUST. DEALER REBUILT RIGHT REAR CALIPERS, TURNED DOWN BOTH EXCESSIVELY RUSTED REAR ROTORS AND REPLACED REAR DISC BRAKE PADS.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,976 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10315133 · 2010-03-01 (March 1, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING 10-15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WAS A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,500. UPDATED 04/20/2010. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10
Owner-reported narrative. 131,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10315133 at NHTSA ↗