VehicleVerdict

2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 1500 years: 192 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 218, with 4 recalls and 2 closed investigations.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 68% of all reports (130 of 192), far ahead of suspension at 9.

192

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

20

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes13068%
Suspension95%
Steering84%
Body & Structure84%
Tires & Wheels63%
Transmission53%
Other53%
Airbags53%
Electrical System32%
Lighting32%
Engine21%
Latches & Locks21%
Seat Belts21%
Fuel System11%
Seats11%
Speed Control11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E050000BrakesJune 6, 2006 · 6,800 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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).

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 GMC SIERRA WITH 10,900 FAILURE MILEAGE AT 15 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY HE PUT THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED , NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 18, 2007 · crash

THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED SO BADLY IT WILL NOT PASS IT'S NEXT VA STATE INSPECTION. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 74000 MILES. CAN THIS BE NORMAL? I AM A DISABLED VET WITH LIMITED INCOME AND CAN NOT AFFORD THE COST OF REPLACEMENT. THERE IS ALSO MORE THAN NORMAL RUST OF THE SUSPENSION AND OTHER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · February 1, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. AFTER COMPLETING THE TURN, SHE WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK THE STEERING COLUMN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND SHE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 2, 2009

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

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS WERE JAMMED IN A POSITION THAT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 12, 2015

2002 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 1500: 192 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2002 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (130 complaints), suspension (9 complaints), steering (8 complaints).

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.