vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2002 Gmc SIERRA: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported patterns

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.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior14457.8%
Steering behavior176.8%
Transmission and shifting166.4%
Engine operation104.0%
Electrical and battery issues52.0%
Fuel system concerns52.0%

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.

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
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip45
Service Brakes31
Service Brakes, Hydraulic26
Parking Brake17
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor16
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine9
Power Train:Automatic Transmission8
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments7

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.

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
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00042
25,000 to 49,99968
50,000 to 74,99932
75,000 to 99,99913
100,000 to 149,99927
150,000 and above7

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.

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
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20011
200220
200333
200439
200568
200616
20076
20085
20094
20105
201111
201212
201310
201410
20157
20162

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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10000767 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)

REAR AXLE UNSTABLE WHEN CORNERING OVER MODERATE BUMPS. LOSES LATERAL TRACTION. DEALER FAILED TO MAKE A GENUINE EFFORT TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I REPLACED REAR SHOCKS AT MY OWN EXPENSE, PROBLEM WAS REDUCED BUT NOT ELIMINATED.

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000767 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 10001611 · 2002-12-27 (December 27, 2002)

WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. DUE TO A MOOSE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER WAS TRYING TO AVOID THE MOOSE AND HIT AND ENBANKMENT. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001611 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003806 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)

THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP, AND DID NOT RELEASE WHEN THE SEAT WAS RECLINED. *JB. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003806 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 10007861 · 2003-02-20 (February 20, 2003)

GMC SERRIA 2002. OUR TRUCK HAS RUST ON THE BUMPER BEHIND THE PAINTED COVER. THE DEALER SUGGESTED THIS IS NORMAL AND POLISHED IT, WITHIN ONE WEEK THE BUMPER SHOWED RUST AGAIN. THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IS NOT LINED UP CORRECTLY, THE DEALER TRIED TO ADJUST IT, THE RESULT IS THE DOOR MUST BE SLAMMED TO CLOSE IT. THE MOTOR MAKES KNOCKING SOUNDS AT THE START AS IF IT HAS NO OIL. THE OIL HAS BEEN CHANGED EVERY THREE THOUSAND MILES. THE KNOCK STARTED AFTER THE TRUCK TURNED FOUR THOUSAND MILES. THE DEALER TOLD US THAT GM REPORTS THE KNOCK IS NORMAL. …

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007861 at NHTSA ↗

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 10009556 · 2003-02-27 (February 27, 2003)

THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED HESITATION WHEN IDLING AND DRIVING ANY SPEED. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009556 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V435000 · Fuel System, Other:Delivery

Reported: 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)

SOME 2WD AND 4WD PICKUP TRUCKS, CONVERTED TO EITHER DEDICATED OR BI-FUEL COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FUEL USAGE, WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A THROTTLE CABLE THAT CAN CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS TO THE ATMOSPHERE.

Consequence: A STRONG ODOR OF NATURAL GAS MAY BE DETECTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE. IF THE NATURAL GAS WERE ACCIDENTALLY IGNITED, SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH THE CNG FUEL LINE. THE CNG FUEL LINE, THROTTLE CABLE, AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ARE ALSO TO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V129000 · Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments

Reported: 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V161000 · Parking Brake

Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
05V379000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Reported: 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

NHTSA campaign record ↗