VehicleVerdict

2002 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 29 complaints on file for the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

29

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sierra 3500 years?

Sierra 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted72 complaints1996: 2 complaints1997: 15 complaints1998: 12 complaints1999: 25 complaints2000: 30 complaints2001: 44 complaints2002: 29 complaints2003: 9 complaints2004: 29 complaints2005: 29 complaints2006: 14 complaints2007: 19 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 8 complaints2010: 2 complaints2011: 24 complaints2012: 15 complaints2013: 15 complaints2014: 10 complaints2015: 40 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 18 complaints2018: 20 complaints2019: 19 complaints2020: 72 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 39 complaints2023: 41 complaints2024: 62 complaints2025: 25 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Sierra 3500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2002 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 3500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes1034%
Fuel System724%
Suspension310%
Tires & Wheels27%
Airbags27%
Engine27%
Visibility & Wipers13%
Other13%
Speed Control13%

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

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

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.

01V220000LightingJune 26, 2001 · 38,863 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWN THE STREET AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE PARKING BRAKES DUE TO WEAR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 23, 2005 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LOSE POWER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 1, 2010 · fire

“VEHICLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD, BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS VIBRATE DUE TO THIS. DEALER HAS BALANCED TIRES, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · May 1, 2002

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICEABLE INSIDE THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 15, 2016

“THERE WAS NO EVENT THAT WAS NOTED THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD FROM THE SIDEWALL. A MAJOR LEAK WAS NOTED. THE SPLIT WAS LOCATED AT THE POINT OF SIDEWALL TO TREAD JOINT. THE TIRE HAS >9/32 OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. I AM AT A LOSS TO REPLACE THE TIRE. NO TRAUMA WAS INFLICTED ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · October 20, 2006

2002 GMC Sierra 3500 — common questions

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?

The record is thin — 29 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2002 Sierra 3500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (10 complaints), fuel system (7 complaints), suspension (3 complaints).

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500. 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 3500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 3500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 3500 years to avoid are 2020, 2024, 2001, 2023, 2015, 2022, 2008, 2011, 2007, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 3500 years belongs to 1996.

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.