2002 Gmc Sierra 2500 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (30) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (23) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip (10)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Gmc Sierra 2500 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
114 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.
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
Fuel/Propulsion System 2024-06-28 · 16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, crank no start, extended crank or misfire, mil with dtcs, and explains how top tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.
Showing the 6 most recent of 146 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-01-15 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“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. …”
2019-02-28 · Seat Belts · 247,500 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2017-12-04 · Service Brakes · 136,000 mi“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 …”
2017-03-09 · Suspension · 200,000 mi“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.…”
2016-12-19 · Steering · 240,000 mi“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 …”
2016-11-22 · Service Brakes · 119,618 mi“anti-lock brakes engage on dry pavement just prior to coming to a complete stop.…”
2015-05-29 · Service Brakes · 16,000 mi“i have owned many gm trucks, and never had one with so many rusted out brake lines. why can't they make them with stainless steel lines. they should have a recall for this. what happens when front and back lines go at the same time, i will tell you, no brakes ! this is the worst one with the rust that i have had. 3 lines rust out on the gmc 2500 hd…”
2015-05-09 · Service Brakes · 305,000 mi“rear steel brake line failure while in parking lot, complete loss of braking ability…”
2015-04-24 · Service Brakes · 60,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 2500 hd. the contact stated that while driving 5 mph, when the brake pedal was depressed and the brakes failed. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure mileage was 60,000. …”
2015-02-28 · Service Brakes · 94,650 mi“driving into driveway applied brakes , pedal went right to the floor no warning light or any indication of a problem got out of truck and found fluid dripping off frame by fuel tank. ruptured line above tank on frame, other brake lines also look corroded. after some research i found this to be a common problem on gm trucks . owners need to be ma…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.