VehicleVerdict

2002 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 291 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.3 times the median Sierra year — the 2002 model ranks #7 of 36 Sierra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 52% of all reports (152 of 291), far ahead of engine at 25.

291

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

8

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2002 compare to other Sierra years?

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2002 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes15252%
Engine259%
Transmission186%
Body & Structure186%
Tires & Wheels145%
Steering124%
Suspension124%
Visibility & Wipers62%
Electrical System62%
Seat Belts41%
Other41%
Speed Control41%
Latches & Locks31%
Airbags31%
Seats31%
Fuel System31%
Lighting21%
Trailer Hitch10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

Defect

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.

05V161000BrakesApril 22, 2005 · 90,242 units

Defect

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.

04E022000OtherMarch 23, 2004 · 8,000 units

Defect

AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.

Consequence

THE BEDLINER CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PICKUP WHILE IT IS MOTION, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS.

Remedy

DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.

04V129000Body & StructureMarch 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 units

Defect

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.

03V435000Fuel SystemNovember 3, 2003 · 395 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

LOW SPEED APPLICATION OF BRAKES ON MIXED TRACTION SURFACE ( BARE ROAD ON LEFT SIDE ICE AND SNOW ON RIGHT SIDE). LEAD TO UNWANTED ACTIVATION OF ANTI-LOCKS. RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF TRUCK AND SUBSEQUENT CRASH WITH PERSONAL INJURY AND SUBSTANTIAL PROPERTY DAMAGE. POLICE WERE NOTIFIED BUT NO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 5, 2003 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND FROM THE VENTS. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 19, 2004 · fire

THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT. AS I WAS TURNING AT THE END OF ROW OF PARKED VEHICLES ,A PICK-UP TRUCK WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE. I APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE ONLY A RATCHETING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF MY PICK-UP. I PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL BUT IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · December 6, 2013 · crash

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS WITH A STRONG JERK FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, PROBLEM BEGAN 7/30/02, DEALER REPLACED VALVE BODY, RETURN AGAIN 8/8/02 WITH SAME PROBLEM, REPLACED SAME PART, OCCURRED AGAIN LEAVING DEALER SAME DAY AS PICKUP RETURNED BACK TO DEALER AGAIN ON 8/13/02 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE CHANNEL PLATE AT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 30, 2002

I HAVE CARLISLE SURE TRAIL ST TIRES, SIZE ST 205/75D15, ON MY 2003 BIG TEX 60CH TRAILER. THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEWOUT FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND A LIGHT LOAD ON THE TRAILER. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE TIRES THAT WERE INSTALLE ON THIS TRAILER AT TIME OF PURCHASE, I HAVE REPLACE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 15, 2003 · fire

2002 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 291 complaints put the 2002 model at #7 of 36 Sierra years. It is one of the Sierra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2002 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (152 complaints), engine (25 complaints), transmission (18 complaints).

Does the 2002 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 GMC Sierra. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

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.