Most common 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD problems
Share of the 9 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 1500 HD complaints by model year
Best Sierra 1500 HD years: 2001, 2002. Compare all years →
What 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD owners say
Brakes
I was moving my 1500hd GMC Sierra which has 29K mile & the front brake line under the radiator, blew out due to rust this is a nightmare for any GMC owner , upon an inspection of all brake lines I find they are just steel with no anti corrosion on any of them. I also own a 2002 yukon & now it has the same problem, all lines are badly rusted & just recently the lines on the rear axle burst. This is life threatening situation the very this you rely on the most is brakes.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the brakes were leaking fluid. Also, the brake lines were found to be corroded. The vehicle was not taken for diagnosis or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
Fuel & propulsion system
I have a 2001 Chevrolet truck with a 4.3 liter v6 engine and a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD with a 6.0 liter v8 engine and both of them have fuel gauge problems. The fuel gauge is very erratic and hardly ever accurate. I was going about 70 MPH and showed 1/2 tank of gas and all of a sudden ran out of gas in the 2002 model. The 2001 model is never accurate. I have to carry spare gas with me everywhere. On the internet, there are thousand and thousands of other people complaining about the same problems in numerous chat logs. GM should recall these vehicles and do something about this major defect.
The gas gauge is not dependable. Sometimes accurate, but more often, not accurate. It is a continuous problem. You May run out of gas at any moment, in traffic, on the interstate at high speeds, then you have no steering or brakes, engine is dead. It has happened many times, once when it showed 3/4 tank full. I have a 2001 Chevy regular cab pickup truck that does the same thing. I have talked to many other owners that have the same problem. It is definitely a factory defect.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD a good car?
Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sierra 1500 HD rates average: 56% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 1500 HD at the same age. It is one of the best Sierra 1500 HD years by this measure. 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 Sierra 1500 HD?
The brakes — 6 complaints, 67% of all complaints for this model year. Next is the fuel & propulsion system (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 1500 HD?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2001 and 2002. See the full GMC Sierra 1500 HD years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 HD problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 104,000 miles; 22% 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.