Most common 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Share of the 166 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 1500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 1500 years: 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2019. Compare all years →
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls (1)
Equipment adaptive/mobility
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500:
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake…
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
What 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 owners say
Brakes all 127 →
Pulling into my driveway truck started to slow then the pedal went to the floor. Tried pumping the brakes but did not stop untill I hit two garbage cans and pushed them into my garage door. I now have a truck I cant drive and a garage door that will have to be replaced. There was no warning I am just fortinate that no one was infront of this truck. One of the lines to the rear of the truck blew out and lost its fluid all over my driveway. I thought if you lost 1 line the truck could still stop with the front brakes but I had nothing. Please warn people before this problem kills people.
ABS system is kicking in at slow speeds, as in a crawl like you were driving next to a walking person. Like I am pushing on the brake pedal and it is pushing back and not allowing me to stop truck. Very scary
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving at various speeds, the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the passenger side front hub assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Shortly afterwards, the vehicle was taken in for inspection and the contact was notified by the service technician that the driver side front hub assembly failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07e106000 (wheels). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 169,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the front of the vehicle shook and wobbled so violently that it left the contact disoriented. The contact had no control over the vehicle and had to pull over for a while. When the contact retuned to the road, the vehicle continued to shake. The failure occurred between the speeds of 30-45 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who installed new bearings, which made the failure worse. The vehicle was taken to two other mechanics, but each repair failed. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.
Body & structure
I have a 2002 GMC Sierra z71 4x4 truck, regular cab with an 8 foot bed. It has 75000 miles. The problem I'm having is both of the outside door handles stick open a little after you pull the handle to open the door and get in. Now when you put the truck in gear, or start moving the doors lock automatically. When you stop and put the truck in park the doors automatically unlock. Now since the outside door handle is stuck slightly open the door won't unlock or open with the inside handle, you have to reach outside push the handle in then you can unlock and open the door. I have electric windows, and have to put them down to reset the outside handle. My concern is, if I was in an accident, and my windows were up, and my battery was damaged, and the truck lost electrical power I can't open the windows to reset the handle, so that I can get out? Now I'm trapped in the truck!!
Dear sir, I have a 2002 GMC pickup that has had the spare tire fall out of its mount due to severe rust of the frame. Upon further investigation my frame has severe rust in several other areas. I have contacted GMC and was basically told to have a nice day! I purchased this vehicle new and it has 57,000 miles total. My body shop tells me that the only way to repair this frame is to replace it! I find it appalling that GMC sells a $40,000.00 vehicle that has a life cycle of 8 years. I cannot sell this vehicle to anyone and tradein would be a joke. Is there any way you could make GMC face this problem and resolve it? Either replace the pickup or frame? Any help would be greatly appreciated! [redacted]
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 16 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 a good car?
Based on 166 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sierra 1500 rates average: 37% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 1500 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 Sierra 1500?
The brakes — 127 complaints, 77% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the suspension (9) and body & structure (8).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500, the most recent from November 26, 2004 (equipment adaptive/mobility). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 1500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021 and 2019. See the full GMC Sierra 1500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 21% 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.