Model year record

2002 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & problems

The 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 has 4 safety recalls and 166 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (64 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints166filed by owners

Crashes · fires17 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

WheelsDec 17, 2007

Hub

Recall 07E106000130,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service brakes, airJun 6, 2006

Service brakes, air

Recall 06E0500006,800 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Risk: IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Equipment adaptive/mobilityNov 26, 2004

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V5620001,660 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	64	6	0	100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	55	6	0	66,212 mi
SuspensionFront › Wheel bearing; Front › Hub	9	0	0	72,041 mi
StructureBody; Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments	8	0	0	75,500 mi
SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Gear box › Shaft pitman	8	0	0	56,822 mi
Parking brake	8	1	0	33,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	5	0	0	76,286 mi
Air bags	5	5	8	130,000 mi
WheelsHub	5	0	0	70,000 mi
Unknown or other	4	0	0	—
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	3	0	0	—
Exterior lightingHeadlights	3	0	0	52,577 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Service brakes
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR COMING DOWN AN OVERPASS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC. THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I AM NOT GETTING THIS FIXED AS IT IS AN OLDER TRUCK BUT I DO THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD DIE FROM THIS DEFECT.
Nov 16, 2020 · 196,000 miles
Seats
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. METAL SUPPORT BAR IN THE BACK UPPER PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT WAS BEING USED AS ORDINARY AND SNAPPED WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE ITEM FROM BACK SEAT BY REACH OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND TO BACK SEAT TO GRAB PURSE. I WEIGHT 135 POUNDS AND AM SMALL PERSON. NO EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURE OR WEIGHT SHIFT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE SEEKING SOLUTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THIS EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE AS TO LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS .REFUSE TO DRIVE TRUCK AS NOT CERTAIN THAT SAFETY BELT WILL BE OF ANY USE IN AN ACCIDENT AS SEAT FLOPS AROUND NOW AND HAS AWKWARD TILT BACK TO ONE SIDE ON THE CONSOLE SIDE AND LAYS BACK TO…
Mar 1, 2020 · 165,050 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED TWICE SAME LOCATION ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKE LIGHTING ON DASH ( WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ON FRONT TONE RINGS).*JB
Dec 1, 2008 · 120,000 miles
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WOBBLED SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT LEFT THE CONTACT DISORIENTED. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A WHILE. WHEN THE CONTACT RETUNED TO THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 30-45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED NEW BEARINGS, WHICH MADE THE FAILURE WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS, BUT EACH REPAIR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.
Jul 17, 2017 · 177,000 miles
Structure › Body
161131 MILES FRAME RUSTED REAL BAD BODY LOOKS GREAT FOR THE YEAR I JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK LOOKED REAL CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT FROM ORIGANAL OWNER PUT IT ON A LIFT AND THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT DID SOME GOOGLEING AND FOUND THAT MOST ALL THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT TO ROT OUT IN 3 YEARS
Apr 17, 2019
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOWSER AUTOMOTIVE (132-168 NORTH LEWIS RUN ROAD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15236, (412) 469-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Aug 1, 2018 · 75,000 miles
Service brakes
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY WAS LOST AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
Jun 26, 2018 · 158,000 miles
Service brakes
MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESNT WORK...MY HEAD LIGHTS ALWAYS BURN OUT...MY BED LINER IS WHARPED...
May 6, 2008 · 50,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

PARKING BRAKE FAILUREClosedLed to recall 05V161000
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002…
EA04011 · opened Apr 9, 2004 · closed May 10, 2005
PARKING BRAKE FAILUREClosed
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING…
PE03057 · opened Dec 8, 2003 · closed Apr 9, 2004