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2002 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 134 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500, most often about the brakes (57% of complaints, typically around 89,000 miles). It is 4th of 27 Sierra 2500 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 problems
Brakes
76 complaints · 57%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, pedals and linkages.
I was plowing snow on the common driveway that I share with 3 other neighbors and came around a bend to meet my neighbor's son on his atv. I slammed on the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Fortunately the pile of snow in front of the plow helped stop my truck. The atv operator dodged in to the snow bank. There…
Backing up to my trailer when my brake lines blew out on my 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. Also underneath of truck is soo rusted and bottom of doors are also rusting through.
Transmission
14 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, axle assembly.
: the contact stated the vehicle stalled on three occasions. All incidents occurred during acceleration while traveling 25 to 35 MPH. There were no warnings prior to the incidents and the vehicle had no problems restarting. The dealer could not duplicate or resolve the problem. Updated 11/16/2006 - there were…
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated he noticed an unusual fluid on the ground under the vehicle. Upon further inspection, the contact found that the transmission fluid line cooler metal clip was corroded. The contact stated the corrosion penetrated the transmission line and caused the fluid…
Engine
13 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I have a 2002 GMC sierra 2500hd pickup with the vortec 8.1 engine. I am experiencing the same crank position sensor failure as experienced in the 2001 model year recall (safety recall # 06083). I am not alone, as many many others are having the same issues in their 2002-2004 pickup trucks. I believe the NHTSA should…
2002 GMC sierra stalls while at freeway speeds and normal driving. 2 near accidents, sometimes the engine will crank with a no start condition. Killed one of my AC delco batteries. Had to replace battery and crank position sensor.
Fuel system
12 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 94,500 miles. Parts named most often: fuel injection system, storage, delivery.
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…
Tl contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated that his fuel injectors have failed. The dealer confirmed that the injectors were bad and five out of eight are leaking fuel which have a high return fuel rate. There are no related recalls or warranties. The contact was denied the warranty coverage that is…
Steering
9 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: hydraulic power assist, rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar, hydraulic power assist system.
- the contact called about 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. He stated that while applying brakes, 7 out of 10 times the ABS system activate\d and pumped the brakes. This happened at any time of the day, and in all weather conditions. The contact stated that this happened when applying brakes at any speed. The brakes pushed…
Started my vehicle so could move it in front of my garage. When I tried to turn the steering wheel wouldn't move and I had very limited braking power. It took an exceptional amount of pressure on the brake pedal just to stop the vehicle at a very low speed. Thankfully no one was hurt and no property damage occurred.
Equipment
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: recreational vehicle/trailer.
Within 60 days of purchase (01/19/2002 I reported to the selling dealer (dennis dillon GMC, boise, id) that the hitch box was extremely loose allowing the towing hitch to move both vertically and horizontally when installed on the truck. Having over 12 years experience in the rv industry I knew it to be worry some. I…
Tl contact owns a 2003 fleetwood elkhorn. The vehicle has a dometic refrigerator, model rm3663. While allowing the vehicle to warm up, the contact heard the furnace and entered the trailer to turn it off. When he exited the trailer, he noticed flames coming from the access door and smoke underneath the refrigerator.…
Body and structure
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
I was parked in a friends driveway and was about to leave when I released the parking brake stepped on the brake pedal and put my 2002 GMC 2500hd truck into gear. I started driving down the street and approached a stop sign, when I applied the brakes the pedal went straight to the floor. I pulled off to the side of…
Backing up to my trailer when my brake lines blew out on my 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. Also underneath of truck is soo rusted and bottom of doors are also rusting through.
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt.
Firestone lt245/75-r16 steeltex radial a/t tread separated at 55 MPH. Two estimates of damage to vehicle, approximately $3,700. Sent tire to firestone who denied liability. Attributed tread separation to "over deflexion".
Firestone lt245/75-r16. Rear tire blew out at 70 MPH. Entire tread flew off tire. Managed to get vehicle to the shoulder and change the tire. Rear quarter of truck was pushed in by the tire. Tire marks all over the rear quarter and bumper. Another rear tire blew in june of 2002. No warranty offered by dealer or…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 GMC Sierra 2500 recalls
Lights: interior lighting
Risk: These conditions could result in reduced braking capability, which could lead to a crash.
Fix: Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began july 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Vehicle description: certain pickup trucks equipped with 6.6l diesel engines fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." these vehicles have a brake system warning light in the instrument cluster that may not illuminate when the brake fluid is low. In addition, when the brake fluid is low, the vehicle may not meet the partial system requirements of fmvss no. 105.
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
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Summary
Complaint reports allege poor weld quality and/or bending of the subject vehicle original equipment trailer hitch receiver.the agency's investigation included analysis of manufacturer and agency incident reports, review of police reports, analysis of the agency's fatal analysis reporting system, a vehicle owner survey, inspection of tow vehicles/hitches and analysis of failed parts.incidents of weld failure were rare and associated with very low-speed driving (turning, backing and sudden stopping).incidents of bending were associated with improper trailer hitch adjustment or overloading. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Summary
Gm provided additional data regarding allegations of failure of the trailer hitch.odi reviewed that as well as other data provided by peer manufacturers.based on our review, odi finds the need to further investigate this issue.this preliminary evaluation is upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-013) for further assessment and study of this issue.
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
Summary
The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury 2004.therefore,odi has expanded the scope to include the additional model years.odi's is concerned because thisisa sudden failure that affects two critical systems of the vehicle, brakes and steering, at the same time.the ability of the operator to handle the dual failures is a concern. F
Questions about the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (76 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles); transmission (14 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); engine (13 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 26, 2001 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the GMC Sierra 2500?
- It is 4th of 27 Sierra 2500 model years by number of complaints, with 134 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.