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2002 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 249 owner complaints about the 2002 GMC Sierra, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2002 GMC Sierra
29
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.4× the Sierra median · #6 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints24930 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage40kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 22, 2016. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 GMC Sierra has problems

249 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, hydraulic9313
Service brakes314
Engine and engine cooling221
Power train180
Parking brake170
Structure173
Suspension121
Steering122
Tires101
15 other systems475

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

4 recalls

2002 GMC Sierra 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.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 05V-379 · Aug 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Parking brake

Recall 05V-161 · Apr 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles

Risk. IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tailgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Fuel system, other: delivery

Recall 03V-435 · Nov 3, 2003 · 395 vehicles

Risk. A STRONG ODOR OF NATURAL GAS MAY BE DETECTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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?

40kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 80 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 86% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
22under 30k miles69under 100k miles11100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Sierra 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 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 GMC Sierra safety ratings

2002 GMC Sierra Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKING CLOSEDEA02015 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  3. TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGEEA04005 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04E-067
  4. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREEA04011 · closed May 10, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-161
  5. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREPE03057 · closed Apr 9, 2004
    No recall
  6. UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATIONPE05020 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-379
  7. CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALLPE06016 · closed Sep 14, 2006
    No recall
  8. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED AND THE REAR LINES WERE VERY CLOSE TO FAILING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 108,000. THE VIN WAS NOT…
Complaint 10455743 · Apr 19, 2012 · 108,000 miles
THE METALLIC BRAKE LINE TUBING RUPTURED CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING 50 MPH ON A DOWNGRADE. THE METAL LINE ABOVE THE REAR AXLE, PASSENGER SIDE, CORRODED THROUGH AND SPEWED BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER. THE CORROSION POINT IS ABOUT 7-10 INCHES FORWARD OF THE JUNCTION WHERE THE BRAKE LINE…
Complaint 10441157 · Dec 24, 2011 · 154,000 miles
BOTH THE DRIVER SIDE AND REAR BRAKE LINES, BECAUSE OF RUST, BURST AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS LUCKY THE CAR WAS NOT ON THE ROAD.I HAVE REPLACED ALL THE LINES AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT CALIPERS BECAUSE THE BLEEDING NIPPLED WERE COMPLETELY GONE DUE TO RUST. THE REAR CALIPERS WERE IN GOOD SHAPE.OVER…
Complaint 10439288 · Dec 11, 2011 · 147,000 miles

Own a 2002 Sierra?

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