Menu

2002 GMC Sierra 2500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 134 owner complaints about the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2002 GMC Sierra 2500
34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the Sierra 2500 median · #4 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13416 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage68kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 15, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 has problems

134 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic443
Service brakes324
Power train141
Engine and engine cooling110
Steering90
Fuel system, gasoline60
Structure50
Fuel/propulsion system50
Tires50
14 other systems306

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2002 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

68kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 40 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles29under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Sierra 2500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra 2500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILUREEA07013 · closed Sep 12, 2008
    No recall
  2. HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURESPE04004 · closed Apr 30, 2004
    No recall
  3. TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILUREPE07025 · closed Sep 14, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra 2500 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD ON I95 WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT WHICH POINT THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED PULSING THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO FURTHER BRAKE RESPONSE. THANKFULLY, THE BRAKES SLOWED THE TRUCK ENOUGH PRIOR…
Complaint 10478215 · Oct 1, 2012 · 143,000 miles
GMC SIERRA 2500 HD 2002 ROTTED BRAKE LINES FAILURE CAUSED $4500 IN DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK. WRIST INJURY TO MY WIFE. OIL AND TRANNY FLUID ALL OVER DRIVEWAY STAINED. $5000 IN DAMAGE TO MY VW BEETLE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS TO THIS VEHICLE!!!! *TR
Complaint 10444734 · Jan 21, 2012
BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND LOOK READY TO FAIL, AND I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AND ALL THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD AND MUST BE REPLACED BY GENERAL MOTORS. THE GMC AND CHEVROLET 2500HD MODELS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS MALADY, AND THE NTSB SHOULD DO THEIR JOB AND FORCE GM TO REPLACE…
Complaint 10438768 · Dec 6, 2011 · 155,000 miles

Own a 2002 Sierra 2500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.