Most common 2002 GMC Savana problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Savana complaints by model year
Best Savana years: 2020, 2011, 2014. Years to avoid: 1999, 1997, 2000, 1996, 1998. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2002 GMC Savana:
Hydraulic pump failres
GM is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between May 1999 and October 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early October 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes.
What 2002 GMC Savana owners say
Body & structure
My complaint is of the passenger side portside door hinges on almost all GMC savanah 3500's that I have seen. It is a saftey concern for me because the door is almost completely detached from the vehicle and is inoperable. I have lubricated the hinges many time to no avail. The welds on the hinges are badly cracked with just a very small part of the weld(aprox. 1/4") holding the door on. The door will no longer close completely. I know of many other vans from the same model year have this same problem. One of my close friends and his son both have the same exact van; we bought them at the same time. They have identical problems with their hinges. I hope that you look into this further, I think it May be a rampant problem, and I definitely feel it is a major saftey concern. Lastly, I would very much appreciate a response email. Thank you. Sincerely, jim merkel
My complaint is of the passenger side portside door hinges on almost all GMC savanah 3500's that I have seen. It is a saftey concern for me because the door is almost completely detached from the vehicle and is inoperable. I have lubricated the hinges many time to no avail. The welds on the hinges are badly cracked with just a very small part of the weld(aprox. 1/4") holding the door on. The door will no longer close completely. I know of many other vans from the same model year have this same problem. One of my close friends and his son both have the same exact van; we bought them at the same time. They have identical problems with their hinges. I hope that you look into this further, I think it May be a rampant problem, and I definitely feel it is a major saftey concern. Lastly, I would very much appreciate a response email. Thank you. Sincerely, jim merkel
2002 GMC Savana engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Savana a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Savana rates average: 1.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Savana at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 GMC Savana?
The body & structure — 3 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body › door › hinge and attachments. Next are the brakes (2) and engine & cooling (2).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Savana have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 GMC Savana. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Savana?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2011 and 2014. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 1997, 2000, 1996 and 1998. See the full GMC Savana years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Savana problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 24,000 miles; 83% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.