Complaints
291
Crashes
26
Fires
3
Injuries
6
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#145 complaints
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Avg mileage:45,414 mi
Crash-related:8
#231 complaints
Brakes
Avg mileage:111,882 mi
Crash-related:4
#326 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:75,831 mi
Crash-related:3
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 45 | 8 | — | 45,414 mi | |
| Brakes | 31 | 4 | — | 111,882 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 26 | 3 | — | 75,831 mi | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 17 | — | — | 29,647 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 16 | — | — | 31,426 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 9 | — | 1 | 25,500 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | — | — | 31,326 mi | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 7 | — | — | 33,649 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 6 | — | — | 2,006 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | — | 1 | 15,440 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 40,460 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Body Structure | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Rear | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 2 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic | 2 | — | — | — |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
45
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
45,414
Brakes
31
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
111,882
Hydraulic Brakes
26
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,831
Parking-Brake Issues
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,647
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,426
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
25,500
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
31,326
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
33,649
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,006
Tire Defects
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
15,440
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,460
Structural Problems
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Body Structure
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Rear
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seats:Front Assembly:Recliner
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Hydraulic
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
2002 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2002 GMC Sierra has 291 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (45 complaints, avg 45,414 mi); Brakes (31 complaints, avg 111,882 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (26 complaints, avg 75,831 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?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 54,051 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?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra include 26 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 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 have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 GMC Sierra 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?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 GMC Sierra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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