Most common 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Share of the 134 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 2500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 2500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021, 2022. Compare all years →
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls (1)
Interior lighting
Vehicle description: certain pickup trucks equipped with 6.6l diesel engines fail to comply with requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." these vehicles have a brake system warning light in the instrument cluster that May not illuminate when the brake fluid is low.
Remedy: Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began July 9, 2001.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500:
Trailer hitch receiver failure
GM provided additional data regarding allegations of failure of the trailer hitch.odi reviewed that as well as other data provided by peer manufacturers.based on our review, odi finds the need to further investigate this issue.this preliminary evaluation is upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-013) for further assessment and study of this issue.
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury…
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Complaint reports allege poor weld quality and/or bending of the subject vehicle original equipment trailer hitch receiver.the agency's investigation included analysis of manufacturer and agency incident reports, review of police reports, analysis of the agency's fatal analysis reporting system, a vehicle owner survey, inspection of tow vehicles/hitches and analysis of failed parts.incidents of weld failure were…
What 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 owners say
Brakes all 78 →
I was driving my 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 hd on i95 when traffic came to a sudden stop. I slammed on the brakes at which point the ABS system started pulsing the brakes, but the brake pedal suddenly went to the floor with no further brake response. Thankfully, the brakes slowed the truck enough prior to failure to prevent a collision at 65 MPH. I hit the car in front of me at ~5-10 MPH, causing bumper damage to my truck and the car in front of me. I was able to get the car to the side of the road and to my horror I had no brakes. The vehicle was towed to a local authorized GMC dealer who has maintained the truck for me. They confirmed that the brake lines catastrophically failed when I slammed on the brakes. The rusted brake lines burst when I slammed on the brakes. They indicated that all of the brake lines had to be replaced do to rust throughout. …
I have owned many GM trucks, and never had one with so many rusted out brake lines. Why can't they make them with stainless steel lines. They should have a recall for this. What happens when front and back lines go at the same time, I will tell you, no brakes ! This is the worst one with the rust that I have had. 3 lines rust out on the GMC 2500 hd (2002) with more to come, I have 25,000 miles on this truck. The first line went about 15,000 miles. Also I only got about 5,000 miles on those Firestone tires, cheap tires come with this truck. I have also noticed the frame is rusting, had to have the cable replaced that shifts the truck into gear, it rusted out. I go to the car wash and always wash the underside of the truck to get all the dirt and salt off every chance I get. …
Transmission & drivetrain
Limited slip differential causing loss of control on icy roads. I recently lost control of my truck while driving about 45mph on an icy highway in boulder, co. Because the loss was so instantaneous resulting in the truck spinning 90 degrees to the direction of travel, I question if the limited slip function would cause power to transfer to a wheel if it suddenly hit dry pavement, while the other wheel was spinning on ice, resulting in a spin out. This is only my theory but with 57 years of driving experience and the fact that I have had weird experiences with limited slip differentials in the past I thought my theory May have some validity. My concern is that there are millions vehicles with limited slip differentials on the road and if my theory is valid, perhaps many accidents are being caused by this option (which came as part of a package when I purchased my truck).
I purchase this truck 2/03/17 and have used it until 2 weeks age when the brake lines broke in my driveway, I am having the lines replaced with stainless lines at a cost of about $1200 ( I am not sure of the total cost because it also needs a antilock braking pump which was badly corroded) the fuel lings are also rusted and need to be replaced and also the transmission cooling lines need to be replaced at a cost to be determined later. I have a 1953 Chevy pickup that still has good brake lines and the frame is in better shape than the newer ones, if GM looked to the past at the materials & methods they might build a better product rather than the garbage they produce now! I am glad I didn't pay $30-$60,000 for this truck.
Engine & cooling
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled on three occasions. All incidents occurred during acceleration while traveling 25 to 35 MPH. There were no warnings prior to the incidents and the vehicle had no problems restarting. The dealer could not duplicate or resolve the problem. Updated 11/16/2006 - there were subsequent problem restarting the vehicle, and as many as 3 to 5 stalling episodes per week. Not all incidents occurred while traveling. Some incidents occurred while at idle, and at a stop. Complete loss of power steering and brakes occurred when the vehicle stalled. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty crankshaft sensor and replaced it. Recently the check engine light has illuminated. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty transmission selector position sensor and replaced it. The ABS activated while driving on dry pavement. …
I have a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500hd with the 8.1l engine that is exhibiting the exact same symptoms that LED to the recall of the 2001 model. (NHTSA # 07V521000). One minute I'll be driving down the freeway and the next minute the engine will stop running. This has happened numerous times. Sometimes it'll restart before it comes to a stop. Sometimes it will take several minutes after it's come to a stop. I've researched it on-line, and it would appear that this problem is not restricted to the 2001 models. The date I've listed is when I first remember it happening. It's very intermittent. It's getting worse.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 a good car?
Based on 134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sierra 2500 rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years we suggest avoiding. 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 2500?
The brakes — 78 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (14) and engine & cooling (13).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
There is 1 recall for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500, the most recent from June 26, 2001 (interior lighting). 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 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025, 2020, 2021 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 86,000 miles; 23% 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.