2002 Gmc Sierra 1500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (62) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (31) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra 1500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
153 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (146)
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.
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
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.
Unknown Or Other 2024-09-12 · PIT5099H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the heater-vent-air conditioning blows warm air. before calling general motors technical assistance center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and ven
Showing the 6 most recent of 146 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-11-17 · Service Brakes · 196,000 mi“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.…”
2020-03-06 · Seats · 165,050 mi“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…”
2019-09-19 · Service Brakes · 120,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. while driving 30 mph, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. the abs and brake system warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the brake lines were replaced due to rust. the vehicle was not diagnosed o…”
2019-07-12 · Wheels · 177,000 mi“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 o…”
2019-04-17 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2018-09-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings · 75,000 mi“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 au…”
2018-07-02 · Service Brakes · 158,000 mi“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 manufac…”
2018-05-21 · Unknown Or Other · 50,000 mi“my emergency brake doesnt work...my head lights always burn out...my bed liner is wharped...…”
2018-04-10 · Wheels · 192,887 mi“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…”
2018-03-05 · Steering“2001 gmc sierra 1500. consumer writes in regards to steering component failure. *ld the consumer stated amonth after purchasing the vehicle the steering gear began leaking. *js…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.