GMC · Sierra · 2002
7
Recalls
595
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2002 GMC Sierra has 7 recalls and 595 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes, hydraulic (172 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.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy Status
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
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 Status
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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
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 Status
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 ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
Remedy Status
DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.
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 Status
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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
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. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
Remedy Status
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 SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy Status
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
We were in a roll over accident going under 30mph. I was a passenger in the back seat. When I woke up I saw that the driver was hanging out the door window. The air bags did not deploy. The driver who was also the owner of the truck died of multiple blunt forces. The insurance company had the truck towed to COPART in Las Vegas.
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR COMING DOWN AN OVERPASS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC. THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I AM NOT GETTING THIS FIXED AS IT IS AN OLDER TRUCK BUT I DO THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD DIE FROM THIS DEFECT.
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. METAL SUPPORT BAR IN THE BACK UPPER PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT WAS BEING USED AS ORDINARY AND SNAPPED WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE ITEM FROM BACK SEAT BY REACH OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND TO BACK SEAT TO GRAB PURSE. I WEIGHT 135 POUNDS AND AM SMALL PERSON. NO EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURE OR WEIGHT SHIFT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE SEEKING SOLUTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THIS EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE AS TO LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS .REFUSE TO DRIVE TRUCK AS NOT CERTAIN THAT SAFETY BELT WILL BE OF ANY USE IN AN ACCIDENT AS SEAT FLOPS AROUND NOW AND HAS AWKWARD TILT BACK TO ONE SIDE ON THE CONSOLE SIDE AND LAYS BACK TO FAR TO CLEARLY SEE OVER DASH EVEN WHEN FULLY POSTURING ERECT.
161131 MILES FRAME RUSTED REAL BAD BODY LOOKS GREAT FOR THE YEAR I JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK LOOKED REAL CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT FROM ORIGANAL OWNER PUT IT ON A LIFT AND THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT DID SOME GOOGLEING AND FOUND THAT MOST ALL THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT TO ROT OUT IN 3 YEARS
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WE HIT BLACK ICE AND ULTIMATELY ENDED UP WITH A FRONT IMPACT WHICH TURNED INTO A 2 TIME VEHICLE ROLLOVER. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS AND BUCKLED DURING THE ROLLOVER AND DID NOT LOCK AND NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS IN FRONT WHEN OFF AT ANY POINT DURING THE COLLISION
THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAVE CORRODED BADLY AND NOW FAILED. VERY UNSAFE, CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOWSER AUTOMOTIVE (132-168 NORTH LEWIS RUN ROAD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15236, (412) 469-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY WAS LOST AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM THE CABLE, UNKNOWN, I ALSO HAD A 2001 GMC YUKON AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THIS IS UNSAFE AS IT COULD BECOME DETACHED WHILE MOVING AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 3-8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED, INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS RUST BETWEEN AN ABS SENSOR AND THE HUB IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE HUB AND SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE GMC DEALER (JEFF WYLER FLORENCE BUICK GMC, 1154 BURLINGTON PIKE, FLORENCE, KY 41042 (859) 279-4590) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE BOWSER DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SEVEN YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT A DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ZINC ALUMINUM ALLOY ON THE BRAKE LINES CAUSED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *CN
THE TUBULAR FRAME THAT SUPPORTS BOTH THE GAS TANK AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER EXTREMELY RUSTS OUT CAUSING THE FRAME TO EVENTUALLY DISCONNECT FROM ITSELF AND ALLOW THE GAS TANK TO DROP AND/OR THE SHOCK TO DISCONNECT FROM THE AXLE, BOTH IN WHICH MAY CAUSE A FATAL ACCIDENT.
WHILE DRIVING OF A CITY STREET, AT A SLOW RATE (10-15MPH) AND TAKING A SLOW, APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN, I HEARD A LOUD "POPPING/BREAKING SOUND". WHILE MAKING THE TURN, I INITIALLY HAD TURNING CAPABILITIES UNTIL I HEARD THE "POP" SOUND. UPON HEARING THE SOUND, I NO LONGER HAD THE ABILITY TO TURN THE WHEELS TO EITHER DIRECTION. UPON STOPPING AND TURNING OFF THE TRUCK, I FOUND THE PITMAN ARM(CONNECTED TO STEERING BOX AND STEERING BAR) WAS DETACHED FROM THE STEERING BAR BUT STILL ATTACHED TO STEERING BOX. THE BOLT OF THE PITMAN ARM HAD BROKEN OFF CLEANLY FROM THE STEERING BAR, RENDERING MY STEERING CAPABILITIES INEFFECTUAL. ATTACHED IS A PICTURE OF THE PITMAN ARM SHEERED BOLT. I WOULD LIKE TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT THIS DEFECTIVE PIECE OF MATERIAL COULD HAVE COST DAMAGE TO LIFE, PROPERTY AND POTENTIALLY DEATH OF MYSELF OR OTHERS ON THE ROAD. I WOULD LIKE SOME FORM OF RESTITUTION ON PART OF THE MANUFACTURE. THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS APPROXIMATELY $225 USD. I CAN PROVIDE THE BILL FOR TOWING, MECHANICAL REPAIRS AND COST OF REPLACEMENT PART. *TR
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ENGAGE ON DRY PAVEMENT JUST PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED WHEN APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 06/29/17*LJ *CN
BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY AND WITHOUT WARNING PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR WITH NO STOPPING POWER
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
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2002 GMC Sierra has 7 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 595 owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2002 GMC Sierra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2002 GMC Sierra are service brakes, hydraulic (172 reports), service brakes (122 reports), engine and engine cooling (29 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 7 recalls on record for the 2002 GMC Sierra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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.