The 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 has 4 safety recalls and 134 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (44 complaints).
Recalls4safety recalls
Complaints134filed by owners
Crashes · fires10 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths8 · 1reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Service brakes, air
NHTSA recall 06E050000 · Jun 6, 2006 · 6,800 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, gasoline
NHTSA recall 06E043000 · May 19, 2006 · 88,303 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).
Steering
NHTSA recall 06E010000 · Feb 1, 2006 · 1,360 vehicles
Problem: CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.
Interior lighting
NHTSA recall 01V220000 · Jun 26, 2001 · 38,863 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
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.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
44
3
0
1
67,500 mi
Service brakes
32
4
0
0
120,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Axle assembly
14
1
0
0
75,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine
11
0
0
0
53,500 mi
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump; Rack and pinion › Pinion shaft
9
0
0
0
47,150 mi
Structure Frame and members; Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
6
0
0
0
89,501 mi
Fuel system, gasoline Fuel injection system › Injectors; Storage › Tank assembly
6
0
0
0
81,000 mi
Tires Tread/belt
5
0
0
0
55,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5
0
0
0
106,000 mi
Suspension Front › Wheel bearing
4
0
0
0
82,000 mi
Air bags Frontal
4
3
0
6
—
Trailer hitches
3
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 26, 2022 · crash · 3 injuriesAir bags We were in a roll over accident going under 30mph. I was a passenger in the back seat. When I woke up I saw that the driver was hanging out the door window. The air bags did not deploy. The driver who was also the owner of the truck died of multiple blunt forces. The insurance company had the truck towed to COPART in Las Vegas.
Feb 25, 2019 · 247,500 miles · crash · 2 injuriesAir bags WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WE HIT BLACK ICE AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP WITH A FRONT IMPACT WHICH TURNED INTO A 2 TIME VEHICLE ROLLOVER. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS AND BUCKLED DURING THE ROLLOVER AND DID NOT LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS IN FRONT WHEN OFF AT ANY POINT DURING THE COLLISION
Nov 21, 2017 · 136,000 milesService brakes I PURCHASE THIS TRUCK 2/03/17 AND HAVE USED IT UNTIL 2 WEEKS AGE WHEN THE BRAKE LINES BROKE IN MY DRIVEWAY, I AM HAVING THE LINES REPLACED WITH STAINLESS LINES AT A COST OF ABOUT $1200 ( I AM NOT SURE OF THE TOTAL COST BECAUSE IT ALSO NEEDS A ANTILOCK BRAKING PUMP WHICH WAS BADLY CORRODED) THE FUEL LINGS ARE ALSO RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AND ALSO THE TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO BE DETERMINED LATER. I HAVE A 1953 CHEVY PICKUP THAT STILL HAS GOOD BRAKE LINES AND THE FRAME IS IN BETTER SHAPE THAN THE NEWER ONES, IF GM LOOKED TO THE PAST AT THE MATERIALS & METHODS THEY MIGHT BUILD A BETTER PRODUCT RATHER THAN THE GARBAGE THEY PRODUCE NOW! I AM GLAD I DIDN'T…
Mar 3, 2017 · 200,000 milesFuel/propulsion system THE TUBULAR FRAME THAT SUPPORTS BOTH THE GAS TANK AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER EXTREMELY RUSTS OUT CAUSING THE FRAME TO EVENTUALLY DISCONNECT FROM ITSELF AND ALLOW THE GAS TANK TO DROP AND/OR THE SHOCK TO DISCONNECT FROM THE AXLE, BOTH IN WHICH MAY CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT.
Dec 15, 2016 · 240,000 milesSteering WHILE DRIVING OF A CITY STREET, AT A SLOW RATE (10-15MPH) AND TAKING A SLOW, APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN, I HEARD A LOUD "POPPING/BREAKING SOUND". WHILE MAKING THE TURN, I INITIALLY HAD TURNING CAPABILITIES UNTIL I HEARD THE "POP" SOUND. UPON HEARING THE SOUND, I NO LONGER HAD THE ABILITY TO TURN THE WHEELS TO EITHER DIRECTION. UPON STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE TRUCK, I FOUND THE PITMAN ARM(CONNECTED TO STEERING BOX AND STEERING BAR) WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING BAR BUT STILL ATTACHED TO STEERING BOX. THE BOLT OF THE PITMAN ARM HAD BROKEN OFF CLEANLY FROM THE STEERING BAR, RENDERING MY STEERING CAPABILITIES INEFFECTUAL. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE PITMAN ARM SHEERED BOLT. I WOULD…
Nov 22, 2016 · 119,618 milesService brakes ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT JUST PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP.
Sep 20, 2014 · 16,000 milesService brakes I HAVE OWNED MANY GM TRUCKS, AND NEVER HAD ONE WITH SO MANY RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. WHY CAN'T THEY MAKE THEM WITH STAINLESS STEEL LINES. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THIS. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN FRONT AND BACK LINES GO AT THE SAME TIME, I WILL TELL YOU, NO BRAKES ! THIS IS THE WORST ONE WITH THE RUST THAT I HAVE HAD. 3 LINES RUST OUT ON THE GMC 2500 HD (2002) WITH MORE TO COME, I HAVE 25,000 MILES ON THIS TRUCK. THE FIRST LINE WENT ABOUT 15,000 MILES. ALSO I ONLY GOT ABOUT 5,000 MILES ON THOSE FIRESTONE TIRES, CHEAP TIRES COME WITH THIS TRUCK. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE FRAME IS RUSTING, HAD TO HAVE THE CABLE REPLACED THAT SHIFTS THE TRUCK INTO GEAR, IT RUSTED OUT. I GO TO THE CAR WASH AND ALWAYS…
May 6, 2015 · 305,000 milesService brakes REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE FAILURE WHILE IN PARKING LOT, COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY
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
EA07013 · opened Sep 14, 2007 · closed Sep 12, 2008TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGE POOR WELD QUALITY AND/OR BENDING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER.THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INCLUDED ANALYSIS OF MANUFACTURER AND AGENCY INCIDENT REPORTS, REVIEW OF POLICE REPORTS, ANALYSIS OF THE AGENCY'S FATAL ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM, A VEHICLE OWNER SURVEY, INSPECTION OF TOW VEHICLES/HITCHES AND ANALYSIS OF FAILED PARTS.INCIDENTS OF WELD FAILURE WERE RARE AND ASSOCIATED WITH VERY LOW-SPEED DRIVING (TURNING, BACKING AND SUDDEN STOPPING).INCIDENTS OF BENDING WERE ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROPER TRAILER HITCH ADJUSTMENT OR OVERLOADING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL…
PE07025 · opened May 14, 2007 · closed Sep 14, 2007TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE GM PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DATA REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE TRAILER HITCH.ODI REVIEWED THAT AS WELL AS OTHER DATA PROVIDED BY PEER MANUFACTURERS.BASED ON OUR REVIEW, ODI FINDS THE NEED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-013) FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND STUDY OF THIS ISSUE.
PE04004 · opened Jan 8, 2004 · closed Apr 30, 2004HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS…