2002 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

High Complaint Volume

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500.

20012003
Complaints
164
Crashes
13
Fires
2
Injuries
12
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0

Worst 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#132 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:125,775 mi
Crash-related:4
#227 complaints

Hydraulic Brakes

Avg mileage:85,758 mi
Crash-related:2
#311 complaints

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Avg mileage:55,170 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500.

Brakes
32
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
Avg Miles
125,775
Hydraulic Brakes
27
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
85,758
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
11
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,170
Engine & Cooling
7
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
57,071
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
124,330
Automatic Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
55,944
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Injectors
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structure:Frame And Members
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Trailer Hitches
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Engine Problems
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Other Equipment
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Diesel Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Parking-Brake Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Electric
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Tread/Belt
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Air Bags:Frontal
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Equipment:Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Gasoline Fuel System
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other GMC Sierra 2500 Years

2002 GMC Sierra 2500 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?
Verdict: High Complaint Volume. The 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 has 164 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
Top reported problems: Brakes (32 complaints, avg 125,775 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (27 complaints, avg 85,758 mi); Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (11 complaints, avg 55,170 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 94,805 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 include 13 crash-related reports, 2 fire reports, 12 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
This year has a higher-than-normal complaint volume. It's not an automatic no, but focus inspection on the top reported issue (brakes) and verify open recalls have been addressed.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra 2500 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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