Most common 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of the 20 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 3500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
2002 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls (2)
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.
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 a possible defect involving the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500:
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…
What 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Brakes
This truck has the same problems as the 2007 model. The ignition switch, parking brake, and fuel lines all have issues as similarly described for the 2007 model. The fuel lines actually broke through causing a leak of the diesel fuel. This happened after the vehicle was driven a short distance of 15 miles.
I first noticed that the anti-lock brakes were activating at slow speeds ( 5-10 MPH ) under dry road conditions. This was prior to brake line incident on 4-14-2012 but I am not sure of exact date. I researched the anti-lock brakes and found NHTSA id campaign #05V379000 action # pe05020 but this did not include my home state of kentucky. However, I have been working in ohio since the purchase of said vehicle 10-17-2001 to current date 2-11-2013. On 4-14-2012 I was preparing to take my boat to fuel it . While checking the trailer lights I stepped on the brake pedal and it went straight to the floor. I found that the brake line to the rear wheels had burst in half and was severely corroded. Upon closer inspection I found that all the brake lines showed signs of severe corroision. On 2-8-2013 I discovered that diesel fuel was leaking near the fuel tank and fuel cooler. …
Fuel & propulsion system
While driving down a very busy street, the engine died. I lost all my power steering and brake. I was very lucky that I was not on a very busy highway. I had it towed to hedrick's Chevrolet in clovis ca. It took 2 days for them to check it out. They said when they went to bring it in to the shop it started up and they could not find anything wrong with it. I picked the truck up and the next day it did the same thing again. I called the dealer and they told me to press the pump on the top of the filter housing until I could no longer press it. I did that and it started up. Be came very obvious that they were aware that the fuel filter housing was causing the injection system to lose suction I took it back to the dealer and they replaced the fuel filter housing. I have since found out that this failure is a common failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 3500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke and lose power abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the fuel filter was replaced. The failure recurred in less than one year. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was advised that there were three defective fuel injectors that would need replacing. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 06e043000 (fuel system, gasoline) yet the repair did not remedy the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 82,828.
Suspension
Slowing down to a red traffic light and brake pedal went to the floor. Tried to pump brake pedal to get more pressure but did not work. Drove off onto shoulder and got it slowed down . Drive very slow with hazard lights on to get it back to my house. I was only about a mile away. Got home and looked underneath to find brake fluid all over left rear wheels, fuel tank, left rear shock and drive axle. Continued to look at all brake lines and all of them were corroded bad. Getting prices on having all brake lines replaced.
Vehicle bounces all over the road, both outside mirrors vibrate due to this. Dealer has balanced tires, did not remedy the problem. Please provide additional information.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 a good car?
Based on 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sierra 3500 rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra 3500 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 3500?
The brakes — 9 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about driveline › hydraulic › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (6) and suspension (3).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500, 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 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 36% 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.