Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
While driving on the highway, the truck, for an unknown reason, shut down causing me to loose power steering and brake capability. I was able to shift into neutral and turn the key off and then back on again to re-start the truck. It has now happened several times and I have done the same thing each time to correct the problem. It happened once in 2009 and twice in 2010. Since then it has happened a few times per year at random times. GM has told me in the past that they don't know what would cause that issue. I could not get my local Chevrolet shop manager to give me a straight yes or no answer regarding whether my problem is consistent with the issues being experienced by effected GM models with ignition problems. …
I too have the piston slap problem with my 2002 Silverado hd 6.0l engine. I took it to the dealer at about 2400 miles and was handed a technical bulletin that was dated from 1999 (problem has been known since then) telling me that GM is working on a "fix". They did want to look at the truck to make sure nothing else was wrong. There is no "fix", just an extended warranty on the engine alone even though I already paid for the extended warranty for the entire vehicle. You cannot get the warranty agreement mailed to you to look it over, they will only send it if you agree to accept it over the phone. Bought the truck in good faith and was sold a lemon. Maybe if their profits were affected by a recall they might think twice about stealing and lying to consumers.
The engine keep crashing down, the indicator say low engine pressure, check engine pressure, then the hole truck will shut down in the middle of producing. This happen three time already. Im on the highway driving 80mil and the truck will shut down, cant move the wheel, cant change lines, cant restart the truck or anything. This has almost coast me life three time. What kind of safety shut down is that. I think it is very unsafe and needs to change or fix. I spent over 2,500.00 on my truck thinking the problem is fix, but it keep recurring. The Chevy engineers guys just say that the prob cant be fix and my best bet is to get a new truck, or engine. I don't have money for that.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving various speeds, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle would stall. An independent mechanic could not duplicate the failures; therefore, the issues continued to persist. The GM dealer discovered that the crankshaft sensor was faulty. There were no repairs made to the vehicle. An investigation was opened in regards to the crankshaft sensor failures (NHTSA action number pe06016), but there were no recalls. The failure and current mileages were less than 77,000. Updated 6/22/09 the consumer stated the engine shut down on him whild driving on the highway. Updated 06/25/09.
Dt*: the contact stated the ABS engages at low speeds of 20 MPH and below. As a result, the stopping distance was increased. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05V379000, regarding the ABS. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall because of the VIN. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer cleaned the wheel speed sensor, replaced the pads and rotors. However, those replacements did not correct the problem. Additionally, a knocking noise was heard in the engine. The dealer inspected the engine although, no repairs were made. The passenger sie window was inoperative. Updated 03/28/06.
Engine will cut-off while driving without warning at both high and low speeds. Immediate engine restart May or May not be possible. Problem has occurred for approximately one year w/o permanent failure and w/o useful diagnostic codes. Frequency of failure has increased to 2-3 times per week. Several accidents have been narrowly avoided while in heavy, high-speed traffic. No discernible failure pattern has been identified, to date. Engine cut-off can occur at any time. This vehicle is a Silverado 2500hd truck w/8100 Vortec engine and allison automatic transmission.
2002 Chevy Silverado with a 4.8l engine knock, from what GM said is piston slap. They said they will not fix this problem at this time. They said they send out a letter of warranty for six years or 100,000 miles, if engine fails due to the piston slap/knock. I think that something needs to be done about this. There could be a safety issue with this, such as engine failure on the interstate. We the consumer should not be told to deal with it, when paying up to 30,000 dollars for a new vehicle, that has a piston knock. This needs to be fixed, not covered up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving, the engine began making a clicking noise. The contact noticed that one exhaust manifold bolt was broken. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who advised that two exhaust manifold bolts were fractured. The contact stated that if the vehicle continued to be driven, the catalytic converter would be damaged. The failure recurred because the bolts were defective. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current and failure mileage was 69,000.
While driving a "pinging" noise could be heard coming from the engine. The dealer determined that carbon build-up on top of the pistons was the cause of the problem. Please provide any additional information. The oil pump was replaced but the noise was still present. Consumer concerned that the engine will fail if this is a lubrication problem. He brother has the same make, model and experienced the same defect. Vehicle was repaired by the same dealership and problem ceased.
The consumer stated water seeped into the engine distributor without warning. As a result the engine failed. The consumer wrote about two vehicles, the second VIN #[redacted] same make and model. The consumer felt that the problem was with the A/C conditioner hose (metal) was routed over the distributor and condensation was forming on the hose and running onto the distributor causing failure.
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on May 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general…
Engine complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado, 9% of the model year's 710 complaints. The component named most often is engine (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Chevrolet Silverado engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 34,000 miles, and 41% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.