Most common 2002 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 262 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2002 GMC Sierra recalls (4)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles May experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas.
Remedy: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel…
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings May wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position May corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through October 29, 2004.
Fuel system, other › Delivery
Some 2wd and 4wd pickup trucks, converted to either dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (cng) fuel usage, were assembled with a throttle cable that can contact and rub through the flexible pressurized fuel line creating a pinhole leak of natural gas to the atmosphere.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the throttle cable to eliminate the possibility of contact with the cng fuel line. The cng fuel line, throttle cable, and cruise control cable are also to be inspected and replaced if necessary.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 8 possible defects involving the 2002 GMC Sierra:
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
Crank position sensor failure - stall
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on May 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general…
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
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…
Tailgate cable breakage
General motors filed a defect notice 04v-129 on March 17, 2004, which outlines a program to replace the tailgate cables installed in affected model year 2000-2004 vehicles.refer to odi's closing report for ea04-005 for additional information.odi is aware of reports of tailgate cable breakage occurring in model year 1999 and earlier vehicles.these vehicles were equipped with similar tailgate cables as addressed by…
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
What 2002 GMC Sierra owners say
Brakes all 155 →
The accident happened in a parking lot. As I was turning at the end of row of parked vehicles ,a pick-up truck was backing out of a parking place. I applied the brakes but there was no response only a ratcheting noise coming from the front end of my pick-up. I put the truck in neutral but it continued to go forward until my truck ran into the other one. This happened at a very low speed but there was still quite a bit of damage to the trucks. It almost felt like the truck was being pulled forward on its own. I got my truck in to a mechanic and he replaced the left front wheel speed sensor. This accident was small but I could just as easily run into someone in a wheelchair or someone that could not get out of the way. I found out later that the truck was recalled before I owned it (at 43000 miles) for the same problem. …
While driving in the city while it was raining at 10 MPH, the vehicle in front of the consumer stopped and the consumers brakes failed and hit the vehicle in front. (4/24/05) while in the rain the consumer had come off of the interstate going 20 MPH and the brakes failed again. The vehicle was regularly serviced by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 4/28/05. The dealer reported that the vehicle needed front and rear pads, the front rotors need machining, the rear rotors needed replacing , and four wheel calipers needed to be serviced. The dealer stated that the pads were 70% worn. The consumer stated that the rear brakes have pad squeakers but they could not be heard. The consumer had taken the rear wheel off and saw the rear pad was completely metal to, and rear. The consumer made the repairs as well serviced the calipers.
Engine & cooling all 26 →
Tl*- the contact has a 2002 GMC Sierra and stated that the vehicle keeps shutting off completely. When the vehicle loses power it also loses steering and braking ability. This failure has happened to the contact 20 or more within the past year. The stalling had happened while driving anywhere between 5-65 MPH. The contact stated that they have replaced the fuel pump four times and replaced the sending unit twice within a year. The contact recently had vehicle at the dealer and they stated that they can't pinpoint the failure. On 03/01/07 while driving on the highway the vehicle completely shut off at highway speed between (50-65 MPH). The contact was able to pulled to the side of the road wait ten minute and to restart the vehicle. He looked up the history of the vehicle and stated that the previous owner also experience the same failure. …
GMC serria 2002. Our truck has rust on the bumper behind the painted cover. The dealer suggested this is normal and polished it, within one week the bumper showed rust again. The driver's side door is not lined up correctly, the dealer tried to adjust it, the result is the door must be slammed to close it. The motor makes knocking sounds at the start as if it has no oil. The oil has been changed every three thousand miles. The knock started after the truck turned four thousand miles. The dealer told us that GM reports the knock is normal. It is the first time I''ve heard of a gas motor having an intentional knock. We have had the truck this since it was new and have had the dealer do all the regular maintenance including tire rotations and oil changes.
Transmission & drivetrain
Vehicle has a strong jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd and sometimes has a slipping / delayed jerk when shifting from 1st to 2nd. Vehicle was taken to dealership. Valve body was replaced at 30,000 miles. Did not correct the problem. Vehicle taken back. Dealer replaced transmission fluid and added additives. Vehicle started making a popping noise when shifting at 30,100 miles. Dealer advised this was normal. Vehicle would not pull in reverse sometimes and would only shift at high RPM and no overdrive at 34,000 miles. Dealer rebuilt transmission and replaced broken sun shell gear. Vehicle still jerking hard / transmission slipping from 1st to 2nd. Dealer notified. Vehicle still under warrenty. Dealer advised they would have to contact GM for repair sugguestions. 3 months have went by and dealer will not schedule repair of transmission. …
Dt: caller complained about transmission failure. While pulling away from a stop sign heard a noise and could not get vehicle to move. Finally, got it off the road, but was unable to move forward or backward. Caller said the original owner had the same problem. Manufacturer wanted dealer to evaluate the problem and call them back, and for the caller to pay for repairs. . Dealer had not come seen the vehicle.
2002 GMC Sierra 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 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 11 / 14 / 12 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Sierra rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra at the same age. It is one of the Sierra 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?
The brakes — 155 complaints, 59% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (26) and transmission & drivetrain (18).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra, the most recent from August 29, 2005 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip). 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?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 42,000 miles; 56% 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.