2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (6) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (5)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Silverado 3500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
38 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (137)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Engine 2024-12-18 · 03-06-01-023I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Engine 2024-10-07 · 03-06-01-023H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Electrical System 2024-08-26 · General Communication · Service Campaign
vehicle wide programming (vwp) is a new process to update software on gm vehicles. it provides the ability via a single selection within techline connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). the updating of modules is com
Power Train 2024-07-24 · 24-NA-141 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
gm is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. the damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. this bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions durin
Showing the 6 most recent of 137 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-01-31 · Service Brakes“2002 chevrolet silverado. consumer writes in regards to several fuel injector failures and oem uncoated carbon steel brake lines. *m the consumer stated gm withheld material facts concerning duramax lb7 diesel fuel injector failures in violation of missouri merchandising practices act at the time of sale and delivery. *js…”
2016-05-24 · Service Brakes · 145,000 mi“when positioning my truck to hook up my 5th wheel camper i lost my brakes. there was no warning of any kind and i wasn't sure until i got out and saw the puddle . even after moving the truck an losing more fluid there was still no warning. i hate to think if had hooked up and been down the highway when corroded metal lines blew out!…”
2014-11-17 · Service Brakes · 40,213 mi · 💥 crash“while driving the vehicle just completely shuts off, i have replaced everything & 1 year later and 25,000 miles later & 5 accidents the vehicle still does it now it wont even start. this is very dangerous and there should be a re-call on this i've read that this is very common in this vehicle and there are various recalls on the wiring harness, tr…”
2013-10-18 · Service Brakes · 22,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet c/k 3500. the contact stated that while driving 15 mph, he depressed the brake pedal but the vehicle continued traveling into the intersection until the vehicle stopped. the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the front brakes needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired bu…”
2013-09-11 · Engine · 500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 3500. the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed. the vehicle was being repaired. the manufacturer was contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was 500. …”
2013-07-08 · Tires“i have had 2 of them fail on my work truck. both had very low miles. tires completely blew out.…”
2013-06-30 · Service Brakes · 160,000 mi“brake line failure. coming to stop light, brakes went out causing me to run the light almost causing major accident. this happened in feb 2013. had brake line repaired. in june 2013 same thing happened again / different brake line. need to replace all brake lines. *tr…”
2012-11-12 · Service Brakes · 65,000 mi“while stopping; brake pedal went to the floor and was barely able to stop vehicle. if i had been diving @ highway speed i would not have been able to stop and would have been in a bad accident. after getting out of vehicle, found brake fluid leaking on ground under vehicle that was coming from above left frame member just to rear of firewall @ loc…”
2012-10-07 · Service Brakes · 62,000 mi · 💥 crash“brake failed coming into home's driveway which resulted in crash with minor damage. inspection showed that the rear brake lines were completely rusted through. *tr…”
2011-08-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 41,500 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet c3500. the contact was driving approximatley 25 mph when the brakes were applied and the pedal went to the floorboard without the vehicle stopping. the contact was able to coast to the side of the road without a crash. the contact checked the master cylinder and found that the brake fluid was depleted and he co…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.