2002 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
44,844 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 38 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 50 complaints (14.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 48.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 8.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 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 | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 7 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 6 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors | 3 |
| Tires | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
Service Brakes: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 7; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 6; Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors: 3; Tires: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel System, Diesel: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 10 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 10; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 2
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 12 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 | 3 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 4; 2004: 5; 2005: 6; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 4; 2010: 4; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 10001913 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HAS A BUMPY VIBRATION AND TENDS TO RUN OFF THE ROAD. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR VEHICLE BUT DID NOT SUCCEED AND NOW STATING THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001913 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006442 · 2003-02-04 (February 4, 2003)
VEHICLE WILL BOUNCES AND JIGGLE DUE TO A FAULTY REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006442 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009506 · 2003-03-10 (March 10, 2003)
LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO AN UNKNOWN JIGGLE/BOUNCE, OUT OF BALANCE CONDITION. CONSUMER FELT DEALERSHIP LACKED TECHNICAL ABILITIES TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. TO DATE VEHICLE HAD 14 DIFFERENT NEW TIRES ON THE REAR AXLE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED 10 TIMES. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS ADJUSTED, THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION CHECKED. REAR SWAY BAR WAS UNHOOKED. TIRES WERE BALANCED. HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THERE WAS ALSO POOR FUEL MILEAGE AND AN EXHAUST ODOR. DUE TO SAFETY ISSUES CONSUMER IS RELUCTANT TO DRIVE VEHICLE. *TT *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,352 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018330 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
MY TRUCK HAS THE NEW "DURAMAX" ENGINE IN IT. AND IT HAS HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS GO OUT 4 TIMES. I FEEL LIKE I LIVE AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AT TIMES. THE BAD THING ABOUT THIS ENGINE IS WHEN THE MOTOR HAS A PROBLEM IT SHUTS DOWN. AND IF YOUR ON A FREEWAY YOUR GOING TO BE RAN OVER. IT SHUTS DOWN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND YOU CANNOT START IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018330 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056615 · 2004-02-05 (February 5, 2004)
WHILE LOADING A ATV INTO THE BACK OF MY 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO THE CABLES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TAILGATE BROKE SENDING ME AND THE ATV OVER BACKWARDS, LUCKILY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO ME OR THE ATV. THE TAILGATE WAS DAMAGED , IT IS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER! *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 19,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10056615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10059341 · 2004-04-01 (April 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO MOTORIST DRIVING BEHIND HIS VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS NOW ON IT'S FOURTH REPAIR. *NM THE FUEL LEAK COULD CAUSE TO PUSHED PAST THE PISTON RINGS INTO THE CRANKCASE, AND A HAIRLINE CRACK IN THE FUEL RAIL ALSO CAUSED FUEL INTO THE CRANKCASE. ALSO, THE LEAK OF FUEL AND OIL HAS CAUSED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO TURN ON. GENERAL MOTORS WON'T REPLACE FUEL INJECTOR OR FUEL RAIL …
Owner-reported narrative. 43,688 miles reported. Look up ODI 10059341 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073176 · 2004-05-26 (May 26, 2004)
ON OUR 2002 CHEVROLET C3500 LIGHT TRUCK I NOTICED A DETERIORATION IN BRAKE PERFORMANCE OVER TIME. WE PULLED THE REAR WHEELS AT 37,000 MILES AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS HAVE NOT BEEN ENGAGING THE BRAKE PADS WITH THE REAR ROTORS. THE REAR ROTORS HAVE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NOW THE CORROSION IS TEARING THE PADS APART. WE HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH GM VEHICLES OF THIS TYPE AND POSES A SERIOUS THREAT TO LIFE AND SAFETY.
Owner-reported narrative. 37,290 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079144 · 2004-07-01 (July 1, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500, WITH APPROX 41000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM UNDER THE TRUCK BED AND WENT SKIDDING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE STEEL CABLE THAT WAS HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE WAS OBSERVED TO BE SHREDDED. I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MILES AN HOUR ON A FLAT HIGHWAY, UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE SPARE TIRE HAS NEVER BEEN SERVICED OR MOVED AND WAS PUT IN PLACE AT THE FACTORY. THIS FAILURE OF THE STEEL CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE ALMOST RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I CONTACTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 40,639 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079144 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 ↗