GMC · Savana · 2002
0
Recalls
19
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 GMC Savana has no recalls and 19 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: structure (3 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAVANA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS FURTHER INSPECTED AND IT WAS NOTICED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION PREMATURELY AND THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKE FLUID RUPTURED EXCESSIVELY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.
S10 DIRECT REPLY- LETTER TO THE SECRETARY FROM CONSTITUENT RE REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE RECALL OF A 2012 GENERAL MOTORS VEHICLE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED IN MARCH 2015, HE RECEIVED AN INFORMATION LETTER, NOT A RECALL THAT THE BRAKE LINE MAY FAIL DUE TO INADEQUATE CLEARANCE. AFTER VISITING THE GMC DEALER, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WERE NO PROBLEM INDICATORS AT THAT TIME AND THE PART WOULD NOT BE REPLACED UNTIL IT FAILED. ON AUGUST 19, 2015, WHILE DRIVING ON A STEEP MOUNTAIN ROAD WITH AN 8% GRADE, THE BRAKES FAILED. BY USING THE TRANSMISSION TO ASSIST IN BRAKING, THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VAN TO A FLAT AREA BEFORE AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE RESERVOIR AND FLUID SPLASHED ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE DUE TO BRAKE LINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD TAKE 6-8 DAYS TO GET THE REDESIGNED PART. THE BRAKE LINE HAD A HOLE IN IT BECAUSE IT WAS INSTALLED IN A KNOWN AREA OF INADEQUATE CLEARANCE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAVANNA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS ON ENGINE POWER AS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT AN OIL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
B F GOODRICH TIRES HAVE DEEP CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS AND THE TIRE DEALER SAYS THEY ARE UNSAFE AND COULD FAIL. BFG OFFERED TO PAY 30% FOR NEW ONES. *TR
2002 GMC SAVANA, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BECAME DISABLED. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0281-89)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON 2001 CHEVY SILVERADOS WITH 8.1L ENGINES DUE A INTERMITTENT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. (SEE RECALL ID# 53021). I OWN A 2002 GMC SAVANNA 3500 VAN WITH A 8.1L ENGINE (THE VAN WAS FACTORY ORDERED BY US IN AUG 2001) THAT HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME STALLING FAILURES FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. THE VAN HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS IN EXCEEDS OF 40 MPH. AFTER BRINGING THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 3/26/08 (AND THEY FINDING NOTHING WRONG WITH IT), I HAVE LOGGED THE FAILURE EVENTS SINCE THEN. THE VAN IS NOT HEAVILY USED (IT HAS JUST OVER 42000 MILES -- WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 500 MILES/MO.): 5/22/08 STALLED WHILE DECELERATING TO STOPLIGHT 5/23/08 DIFFICULTY STARTING 5/25/08 STALLED WHILE COASTING @ 30 MPH 6/4/08 STALLED WHILE DRIVING (MY WIFE DID NOT RECORD THE MPH) 6/22/08 STALLED AT 35 MPH 6/29/08 STALLED AT STOPLIGHT 7/9/08 STALLED TURNING INTO PARKING LOT 7/13/08 STALLED AT 5 MPH (JUST PRIOR TO A TURN) 7/20/08 STALLED AT 45 MPH 8/8/08 STALLED AT 40 MPH 8/23/08 TROUBLE STARTING I BROUGHT THE VAN INTO THE DEALER ON 8/26/08 AND HAD THEM PERFORM THE SAME WORK AS INDICATED BY THE SILVERADO RECALL. I HAVE PURPOSELY DRIVEN OVER 200 MILES AFTER THIS AND NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. MY QUESTION (AND COMPLAINT) IS WHY WAS THE RECALL FOR THE 8.1L ENGINES NOT EXTENDED TO GMC SAVANNAS EQUIPPED WITH 8.1L ENGINES? HAVING A VAN LOSE ALL POWER AT SPEED IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND I BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO ALL 8.1L ENGINES BUILT IN THE 2001 TIMEFRAME (EVEN IN 2002 MODELS). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION *TR
PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT LOCKED IN RETRACTED POSITION, WILL NOT RELEASE. PART NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. REPLACEMENT PART TO COST $75 PLUS 3 DAYS OF NONE USE, WHILE WAITING FOR IT TO SHIP. VEHICLE 2002 GMC SAVANNA VAN WITH 68K MILES. *TR
BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO BURNED GROUND CONNECTION IN SOCKETS. SINGS OF PLASTIC MELTING IN EACH BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET
MY COMPLAINT IS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE PORTSIDE DOOR HINGES ON ALMOST ALL GMC SAVANAH 3500'S THAT I HAVE SEEN. IT IS A SAFTEY CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE THE DOOR IS ALMOST COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE LUBRICATED THE HINGES MANY TIME TO NO AVAIL. THE WELDS ON THE HINGES ARE BADLY CRACKED WITH JUST A VERY SMALL PART OF THE WELD(APROX. 1/4") HOLDING THE DOOR ON. THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER CLOSE COMPLETELY. I KNOW OF MANY OTHER VANS FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ONE OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS AND HIS SON BOTH HAVE THE SAME EXACT VAN; WE BOUGHT THEM AT THE SAME TIME. THEY HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HINGES. I HOPE THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER, I THINK IT MAY BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM, AND I DEFINITELY FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFTEY CONCERN. LASTLY, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE A RESPONSE EMAIL. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, JIM MERKEL
MY COMPLAINT IS OF THE PASSENGER SIDE PORTSIDE DOOR HINGES ON ALMOST ALL GMC SAVANAH 3500'S THAT I HAVE SEEN. IT IS A SAFTEY CONCERN FOR ME BECAUSE THE DOOR IS ALMOST COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND IS INOPERABLE. I HAVE LUBRICATED THE HINGES MANY TIME TO NO AVAIL. THE WELDS ON THE HINGES ARE BADLY CRACKED WITH JUST A VERY SMALL PART OF THE WELD(APROX. 1/4") HOLDING THE DOOR ON. THE DOOR WILL NO LONGER CLOSE COMPLETELY. I KNOW OF MANY OTHER VANS FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. ONE OF MY CLOSE FRIENDS AND HIS SON BOTH HAVE THE SAME EXACT VAN; WE BOUGHT THEM AT THE SAME TIME. THEY HAVE IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THEIR HINGES. I HOPE THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS FURTHER, I THINK IT MAY BE A RAMPANT PROBLEM, AND I DEFINITELY FEEL IT IS A MAJOR SAFTEY CONCERN. LASTLY, I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE A RESPONSE EMAIL. THANK YOU. SINCERELY, JIM MERKEL
THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE POWERED BY THE DURAS SEAT MECHANISMS. THE DRIVER SEAT STEEL BRACKET BROKE OFF AT ONE OF THE PIVOT POINTS WHICH LOWERS AND RAISES THE SEAT. I WOULD NEVER EXPECT THE METAL BRACKET TO BREAK (ESPECIALLY, ON SOMETHING IMPORTANT AS OF FRONT SEAT). I SPOKE WITH A WELDER ABOUT THE MECHANISM, HE FELT THE STEEL USED FOR THE BRACKET WAS TOO THIN. CURRENTLY, I REMOVED THE FRONT PASSENGERS SEAT AND INSTALLED THE PASSENGERS GOOD SEATS MECHANISM IN PLACE ON THE BROKEN ONE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP ON WET PAVEMENT AT 2-3 MPH. THE VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE; THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE. THE ABS DID NOT ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN SEEN BY A MECHANIC. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V379000, REGARDING THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.
WE OWN SEVERAL GMC SAVANA 3500 15 PASSENGER VANS. WE SEEM TO BE HAVING REPEAT ISSUES WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BRAKING AND THE MANIFOLDS CRACKING. OUR 2002 HAS BEEN IN 2-3 TIMES AND OUR 2005 HAS IS NOW IN FOR IT'S SECOND MANIFOLD AND BOLTS. THE BOLTS ARE BREAKING AND THE MANIFOLDS ARE CRACKING. PLEASE ENCOURAGE A RECALL FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. AFTER CHECKING THE INTERNET, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS GM MOTOR. IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THIS IS A PROBLEM FROM ALL GMC VEHICLES WITH THE VORTEC 6.0L MOTOR. *TR
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT SHUT. HE HAD TO DRIVE TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE DOOR OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP FOUND THE HINGE SNAPPED. HE STATES IT WAS BECAUSE THE PIN WAS PUT IN THE HINGE AND THEN CAPPED ON THE BOTTOM. THIS DID NOT ALLOW MOISTURE TO ESCAPE, CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND SNAP THE HINGE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID GET THE DOOR SHUT. GENERAL MOTORS OFFERED $150 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH DRIVER HEARD A TIRE BLOWING OUT. DRIVER PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD AND STOPPED VEHICLE. DRIVER CHECKED THE TIRES, AND NOTICED RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED. *AK
FUEL INJECTORS CLOGGING VERY OFTEN CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN ROUGH AND SHAKE. DEALER REPAIRED FIRST TIME WITH ONLY 11,000 ON VEHICLE. BUT STATED THAT IT WAS NOT WARRANTY. INJECTORS ARE CONTINUING TO CLOG EVERY 6,000-7,000 MILES EVEN WHEN CHANGING FUEL FILTER AND HAVING INJECTORS SERVICED. AND USING QUALITY FUEL AND INJECTOR CLEANER EVERY 3,000 MILES. *AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THAT THE REAR SIDE WINDOW BROKE OUT LAND ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. MR *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS COMPUTER SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE EIGHT TIMES, BUT HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
The 2002 GMC Savana has 0 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 19 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Savana.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 GMC Savana.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 GMC Savana are structure (3 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (2 reports), tires (2 reports).
NHTSA does not currently list any recalls on record for the 2002 GMC Savana. To verify the status of your specific vehicle, check nhtsa.gov/recalls with your VIN.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.