Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado k-1500 with 64,000 miles. Last week I was pulling into a parking space at 2-3 MPH, and all of a sudden my brakes failed ( pedal to the floor) and it felt like the truck accelerated (my foot was off the gas pedal. I ran into a brick wall, cracking some plastic on the front bumper, and denting the bumper itself. Luckily, I hit the brick wall with the front tow hook. The next day I took my truck to stanley Chevrolet and had them look for any problems. The truck was taken there earlier in the fall, to correct the ABS recall. Stanley, could not find any problem. I would also like to submit that my emergency brake system is completely worn out. Which is odd since I have never used them.
I have a 2002 Silverado Chevrolet 1500 short bed (~50K mi) with a sticking throttle body. I have approached eldorado Chevrolet twice about having the problem remedied. They have told me that cleaning the throttle body is a routine maintenance issue- and that it is my responsibility to take care of this. The thing is, the owner's manual does not give a mileage or time frame in which this item should be inspected and/ or cleaned!! I've read numerous consumer reports and testimonials from other Chevy owners complaining of the same problem. GM customer service tells me that additives in the gasoline in my area (north texas) cause carbon to build up in the throttle body causing the gas pedal to stick. I have several friends who live in my area and who own Chevrolet pickups. None of them have a problem with their gas pedal sticking!! …
I had just driven 15 miles to on the expressway, I stopped at a store for a couple of minutes. When I went back to the truck, I didn't see the fluid under it, but got in and started the truck. At that time I was accelerating slowly to pull out of a parking spot. About that time a pedestrian stepped off the curb in front of me. I hit the break and it went to the floor! I missed the pedestrian and coasted to the end of the parking lot where I tried to apply the emergency break, that also failed! A concrete curb allowed me to stop the vehicle without incident. I had the vehicle towed to 2 garages before I could find one to repair it at a cost of just under $900.00.
I received a recall in 2005 for the speed sensor at which time I had it fixed. Around 2008 it started to happen again and the dealership on good faith fixed it for nothing. 2009 it started again and we had to pay around 500 to fix it. Now it is 2011 and the problem is starting again. During this time we have had problems coming to a complete halt and almost crashing into another vehicle. I don't make a lot of money and need this vehicle to get to and from work. I do not drive this vehicle off road or long distance just around town. For how old it is I have low mileage and I feel ifsomething is recalled it should be fixed the first time.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the accelerator pedal becomes stuck. The contact has to pump the pedal to release it, which causes the vehicle to jerk forward. The contact also heard a loud grinding and screeching sound when she started the vehicle and placed it in reverse. The vehicle failed to move. The dealer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 128,000. Updated 02/01/08. The consumer stated the vehicle hasn't been repaired as of yet and problem still persists. Updated 02/01/08
While driving at low speeds, the consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed. In addition the brake pedal vibrated uncontrollably. The consumer was not able to maintain control of the vehicle and it crashed into a garage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and the mechanic determined that the anti lock brake sensors were corroded, and needed to be replaced or cleaned. The problem recurred.
Problems with throttle body sticking. The idle was rough, therefore the throttle body was adjusted. The vehicle knocked loud on cold start. The consumer was unsure if the problem was the throttle body or the piston slap. The throttle body was cleaned and did not stick at that point. The consumer requested an extended warranty free of charge until the problem was resolved. Scc
While exiting the parking lot vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was not able to control the vehicle, resulting in a collision. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was not able to determine the cause of the problem.
ABS stopped brake pedal from going down. By the time I lifted and pumped again vehicle struck young girl. Travel was about six feet. There is a recall in other states but not ky.
While traveling on a highway at 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly accelarated at speed of 90 MPH. RPM 6000. I did all possible to slow down the vehicle an bring it to a stop by putting the truck in neutral and shutting off the engine. First incident occurred on 7-4-02, after the vehicle came to a stop I restarted the engine and it was back to normal. The next morning I had the truck inspected by wheeler motors , cheboygan mich. I was told they could not find anything wrong. I also had the truck inspected by james Chevrolet clinton twp. Mi. They also said they could not find any problem. On 8-21-02 while traveling at 70mph on I-75 the vehicle again accelareted on its own to a speed close to 90mph. I applied the brakes and it took all the braking power available to slow down the truck and bring it to the side of the highway safely. …
NHTSA investigations
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
Acceleration complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the model year's 710 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Silverado acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Silverado acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.