2002 Gmc SIERRA 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
134 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
85,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 114 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 134 complaints (23.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 82 | 61.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 13 | 9.7% |
| Steering behavior | 12 | 9.0% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 6.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 6.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 1.5% |
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 | 32 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Power Train | 4 |
Service Brakes: 32; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 11; Engine And Engine Cooling: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Power Train: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 24 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 19 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 30 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 19; 100,000 to 149,999: 30; 150,000 and above: 15
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (30). 20 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 | 9 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 8 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 14 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2002: 3; 2003: 9; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 11; 2007: 8; 2008: 9; 2009: 10; 2010: 17; 2011: 13; 2012: 14; 2013: 8; 2014: 14; 2015: 4; 2016: 2; 2017: 2; 2019: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 82 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 12 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 10000518 · 2003-01-04 (January 4, 2003)
WIPER BROKE INTERNALLY (MECHANISM) 2002 GMC TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 2500 MILES. HAPPENED IN A BLINDING SNOWSTORM!!! NO SNOW ON WINDSHIELD, JUST FLUFF!!! TURNED ON WIPER WHILE DRIVING AND AFTER 4 MIN WIPER STOPPED, MADE GRINDING NOISE, IT WAS DARK, SNOWSTORM AND FAR FROM HOME AND LATE, DEALER NOWHERE. FOUND OUT FROM FIVE LOCAL DEALERS THIS IS COMMON!!!! I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS DAY.. HOW MANY MORE OUT THERE?? HOW ABOUT A RECALL?? ANSWER ME THIS?? BTW UPDATE YOUR SITE THIS HAPPENED IN 2003 NOT 2002...... TS
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000518 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002579 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN 40-60MPH. DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT A DEFECTIVE FRAME FLEX WAS CAUSING VIBRATION AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002579 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003767 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT 20/35 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THERE WAS NO POWER STEERING. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS AS A RESULT OF THE STEERING SHAFT SPLITTING IN HALF. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003767 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10012245 · 2003-03-21 (March 21, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE BETWEEN 40 OR 45 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10012245 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018445 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT ALL THE TIMES. HAVE HAD IT SERVICED 8 TIMES AT PURCHASING DEALER, THEY SAY THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THE STEERING WHEEL IS ALSO OFF AT 1:00 POSITION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019805 · 2003-06-26 (June 26, 2003)
THE BRAKE LINE FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO EXPERIENCE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. *JB THE BRAKE LINE CONTAINED A BEND, WHICH WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING SNAGGED. THE CONSUMER REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE HIMSELF. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019805 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031948 · 2003-09-04 (September 4, 2003)
DIESEL ENGINE QUIT AND IT WAS ONLY EQUIPPED WITH ONE FUSE, AND THE FUSE BLEW. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. *AK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND WHEN THAT FAILED IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HAVE NO BRAKES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 36,403 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031948 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10049828 · 2003-12-01 (December 1, 2003)
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM: INJECTOR FAILED WHILE ACCELERATING. THE GAS PEDAL WENT DOWN TO FLOOR. DRIVER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR NEEDED CLEANING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049828 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 ↗