2002 Gmc SIERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
249 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
40,490 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 189 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 45 of 249 complaints (18.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 144 | 57.8% |
| Steering behavior | 17 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 2.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 2.0% |
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, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 45 |
| Service Brakes | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 |
| Parking Brake | 17 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 7 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 45; Service Brakes: 31; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 26; Parking Brake: 17; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 8; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 42 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 68 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 32 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 42; 25,000 to 49,999: 68; 50,000 to 74,999: 32; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 7
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (68). 60 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 |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 20 |
| 2003 | 33 |
| 2004 | 39 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 16 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 5 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2001: 1; 2002: 20; 2003: 33; 2004: 39; 2005: 68; 2006: 16; 2007: 6; 2008: 5; 2009: 4; 2010: 5; 2011: 11; 2012: 12; 2013: 10; 2014: 10; 2015: 7; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 144 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 17 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 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 10009555 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE BRAKES SQUEAKED WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES AND CLIPS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009555 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017296 · 2003-04-21 (April 21, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED THE CONSUMERS FOOT ALSO PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017296 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064389 · 2004-04-02 (April 2, 2004)
I HAVE A 2002 3/4 TON CREW CAB SIERRA WITH DURAMAX DIESEL AND ALLISON TRANSMISSION. THE TRUCK HAS 17000 MILES. OVER THE LAST TWO WEEKS, I HAVE HAD TWO SHOCK ABSORBERS FAIL CATASTROPHICALLY DUE TO A WELD AT THE BOTTOM ATTACHMENT POINT. IN THE FIRST CASE, THE SHOCK WAS LODGED IN THE BOTTOM A ARM ASSEMBLY. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING TO BEHAVE STRANGELY. UPON SERVICING THE OTHER SHOCK, A CRACK IN THE WELD WAS FOUND. MY DEALER SAYS THAT SHOCKS ARE A MAINTENANCE ITEM AND REFUSES DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS THE CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE IS ALSO NOT CONCERNED…
Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10064389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066906 · 2004-04-09 (April 9, 2004)
WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN CONSUMER LOST STEERING CONTROL. THIS CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO HIT A WALL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066906 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001480 · 2003-01-08 (January 8, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINS OF PREMATURE STALLING AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE LACKS SUFFICIENT POWER, IT SURGES AND AT TIMES REFUSES TO ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT DOWN PROPERLY OUT OF 4TH GEAR AND THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT DOES NOT COOL PROPERLY AND MAKES WHISTLING NOISES. *JG *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006172 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)
THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIFTING MECHANISM ON THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006172 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009569 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009569 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009727 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
INTERMITTENT SURGES, LOSS OF POWER WHILE IN MOTION, TRANSMISSION, LACK OF ACCELERATION. *MR AT PURCHASE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THREE TIMES BEFORE LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP LOT. DEALER ADVISED THAT THE DEALER INSTALLED REMOTE STARTER OR ALARM SYSTEM WAS INTERFERING WITH FAULT SENSOR AND WAS NOT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, INTERMITTENT SURGES AND STALL OUTS AT FREEWAY SPEED/85 MPH STILL EXISTED. ON ONE OCCASION CONSUMER WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THE TRANSMISSION CLANGED BETWEEN GEARS AND THERE WAS POOR ACCEL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011631 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
THE VEHICLE SURGED, THE REMOTE STARTER INTERFERED WITH THE FAULT SENSOR WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLED, THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED. *TS. THE TRANSMISSION CHANGED BETWEEN GEARS, AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE PCM. THE PROBLEM WAS DISCOVERED TO BE INCORRECT WIRING WHICH WAS ROUTED WRONG WITHIN THE IGNITION WHICH CAUSED THE PROBLEMS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011631 at NHTSA ↗