2002 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
351 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
84,235 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 307 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 88 of 351 complaints (25.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 223 | 63.5% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 7.7% |
| Steering behavior | 25 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 18 | 5.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 2.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 2.6% |
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 | 88 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 81 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 26 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 20 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 11 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 9 |
| Steering | 9 |
Service Brakes: 88; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 81; Engine And Engine Cooling: 26; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 20; Engine: 13; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 11; Fuel System, Diesel: 9; Steering: 9
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 43 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 74 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 61 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 72 |
| 150,000 and above | 42 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 43; 50,000 to 74,999: 74; 75,000 to 99,999: 61; 100,000 to 149,999: 72; 150,000 and above: 42
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (74). 44 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 | 10 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 13 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 28 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 43 |
| 2011 | 56 |
| 2012 | 30 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 24 |
| 2015 | 21 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2001: 1; 2002: 10; 2003: 10; 2004: 8; 2005: 15; 2006: 13; 2007: 15; 2008: 28; 2009: 19; 2010: 43; 2011: 56; 2012: 30; 2013: 37; 2014: 24; 2015: 21; 2016: 7; 2017: 2; 2018: 4; 2020: 3; 2021: 4; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 223 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 25 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10013942 · 2003-04-03 (April 3, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET HD2500 WITH A 8100 LITER ENGINE. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THIS ENGINE WILL USE 1 QUART OF OIL FOR EACH 1,000 MILES DRIVEN. I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL TO BE USED IN A NEW VEHICLE. HAS CHEVROLET DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT THIS MISTAKE. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013942 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017549 · 2003-04-24 (April 24, 2003)
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. *JB *TS
Owner-reported narrative. 3,948 miles reported. Look up ODI 10017549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029699 · 2003-07-21 (July 21, 2003)
THE TIE ROD HAS BROKEN TWICE IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. THE MOST RECENT WAS ON 7/19/2003. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029699 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039676 · 2003-09-10 (September 10, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH AND UPON COMING TO A THREE WAY STOP SIGN BRAKES FAILED, AND CONSUMER COLLIDED HEAD ON INTO AN EMBANKMENT. THE IMPACT CAUSED SEAT BELTS TO BECOME UNDONE, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BROKEN STERNUM AND FACIAL FRACTURES. MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10039676 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10041689 · 2003-10-13 (October 13, 2003)
MY TRUCK 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD HAS AN ENGINE LEAK. I HAVE HEARD RUMMERS OF A BAD VALVE IN THE ENGINE THAT LETS TO MUCH OIL GO THROUGH. I HAVE MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE ASSOCIATE AT THE DEALER AND HE HAS NOT MENTIONED OF ANY SUCH DEFECT. I HAVE TALK TO SEVERAL OTHER GM TRUCK OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT FROM THEIR 8.1L ENGINE.
Owner-reported narrative. 32,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10041689 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042621 · 2003-10-08 (October 8, 2003)
PROBLEMS WITH FUEL TANK ON 2002 K2500 SUBURBAN.*MR THE FUEL TANK SEAL SEPARATED FROM THE TANK WHICH CAUSED THE TANK TO LEAK. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042621 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042807 · 2003-12-02 (December 2, 2003)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN NEIGHBOR NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE AREA. CONSUMER USED FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. *AK *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 13,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10042807 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045812 · 2003-11-09 (November 9, 2003)
MY DAUGHTER CLIMBED UP ON THE TAILGATE OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET PICK UP AND WAS STANDING UP WHEN THE CABLES BROKE. THE TAILGATE DROPPED AND SHE FELL TO THE GROUND LANDING ON HER TAIL BONE.SHE WAS NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED BUT WAS VERY STIFF AND SORE AND COULDNT HARDLY WALK FOR 3 DAYS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045812 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V220000 · Interior Lighting
Reported: 2001-06-26 (June 26, 2001)
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.
Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗