Home › Chevrolet › Silverado 1500 › 2002

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 509 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, most often about the brakes (71% of complaints, typically around 90,500 miles). It is 17th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints.

Complaints509
Recalls0
Crashes reported45
Fires reported5
Injuries reported241 death reported

Most common 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

  1. Brakes

    360 complaints · 71%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, driveline, pedals and linkages.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 30 MPH the vehicle lost the ability to stop when he attempted to make a turn. The road conditions were normal. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the brake lines rusted which caused brake fluid to leak. The dealer replaced two brake…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 90,000 miles
    The tailgate fell off at 70 MPH and the consumer almost had a collision. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the safety cable deteriorated and the brakes would be replaced.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 92,000 miles

  2. Body and structure

    30 complaints · 6%

    Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.

    Stopping the vehicle, the anti-lock brakes would kick in at around 3 to 5 miles per hour and the vehicle would not stop, would roll a few more feet. Almost hit a woman and child in cross walk, had to stand up on brakes. This not stopping happened 5 or 6 times, this was the came reaction as in 2005 recall, called gm.…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 90,000 miles
    The tailgate fell off at 70 MPH and the consumer almost had a collision. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that the safety cable deteriorated and the brakes would be replaced.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 92,000 miles

  3. Transmission

    26 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly.

    I purchased a 2002 z71 Chevrolet crewcab 4 w/d pickup truck from hendrick Chevrolet in september of 2004, and have had my transmission (1st, 3rd and reverse) go out twice in less than a year. I contacted gm, but there was no recall at that time, but there were a lot of complaints on the NHTSA site about this same…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2006, at 75,000 miles
    Heard several things coming from under the car while the automatic transmission was shifting, then a constant whinning sound with no power. Had to have the truck towed. Dealer looked at it and determined it was a transmission failure and the sun gear assembly had to be replaced. Costs were around $1600. The truck only…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 66,200 miles

  4. Steering

    25 complaints · 5%

    Half of these problems showed up before 38,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion, gear box.

    After striking a bump while driving vehicle shook uncontrollably. Dealer inspected the vehicle, and the steering shaft was found to be defective. Replace intermediate steering shaft.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 38,000 miles
    The consumer stated the steering wheel was difficult to turn to the right. The dealer found an internal failure with the power steering rack.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 37,200 miles

  5. Engine

    21 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.

    The part of the frame that holds up the gas tank and connects to the shock has rotted away. I had to replace both rear leaf spring shackles do to rust as well as the left rear brake line. The rear of the truck is rusting away. I have had to replace the fuel pump, there is a knock in the steering column that I have had…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2012, at 85,000 miles
    I have an exhaust leak, due to a broken exhaust manifold bolt. Gm used the wrong bolts on my 5.3liter engine. My chevy dealer says it's going to cost me $1200 to $1400 to repair my engine. My truck only has 87000 miles on it.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 87,000 miles

  6. Electrical

    20 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly.

    Using the key the ignition turns on and truck starts as it should, anytime the key then could be taken out of the ignition at anytime. Ignition can be clicked back to accessory and the key can fall out when driving. Note changing from run to accessory it easily done.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2019, at 99,000 miles
    Ignition switch won't start engine. Replaced switch and had no improvement. Turning key several times may result in starting or not. There seems to be a delay in ignition when it does start. An on-line review shows I'm not the only one with this problem. I have safety concerns when I or my wife uses vehicle to shop…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 100,000 miles

  7. Fuel system

    20 complaints · 4%

    Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system.

    State inspection my truck failed due to gasoline rusted and leaking gas,rear shackles rusted thru, parking break won't hold corrosion. I have never had so many rusted out parts on my truck before, the gas line should not rust thru this is a safety issue. Shackles rusted thru what gives my old 88 never had any of these…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 92,388 miles
    Brake lines and fuel lines are very rusted also the drive shaft and ABS bracket 2 brake lines have rusted through while driving the truck has only about 100,000 miles it is very dangerous
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2016, at 100,000 miles

  8. Air bags

    14 complaints · 3%

    Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.

    My son's 2002 Chevrolet extended cab pu truck was struck in the drivers side door, forced off the road, went head first through an iron 6' fence, down a 7' embankment and struck a stone pillar head on and his air bad did not deploy.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 91,000 miles
    The contact owned a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that the brakes failed while driving downhill. As a result, the vehicle was crashed into a tree. The air bags failed to deploy. The driver was injured and the vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The speed was unknown. The…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2014, at 100,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 recalls

NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (360 complaints, typically around 90,500 miles); body and structure (30 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles); transmission (26 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
It is 17th of 27 Silverado 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 509 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Chevrolet Silverado 1500 years

Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems by year