2002 GMC Sierra problems
NHTSA has received 291 complaints about the 2002 GMC Sierra, and 52% of them involve brakes. Next are engine (9%) and body & structure (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 291 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 52% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 26 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 40,000 miles 222 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 43 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 53 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 51 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 23 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 14 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 16 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 9 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 2 |
What the data shows
Of the 222 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 40,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 44,000 miles (136 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 26 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 6 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 26 model years of the GMC Sierra with enough data (201 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 4 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
While driving in the city while it was raining at 10 MPH, the vehicle in front of the consumer stopped and the consumers brakes failed and hit the vehicle in front. (4/24/05) while in the rain the consumer had come off of the interstate going 20 MPH and the brakes failed again. The vehicle was regularly serviced by the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 4/28/05.
Low speed application of brakes on mixed traction surface ( bare road on left side ice and snow on right side). Lead to unwanted activation of anti-locks. Resulting in loss of control of truck and subsequent crash with personal injury and substantial property damage. Police were notified but no report because it was in a subdivision.
Driving 30 MPH in traffic. Light turns red . Cars in front of me apply brakes .I applied my brakes. Brakes instantly felt spongy and abnormal. Applied more pressure with 2 feet and brake pedal went to the floor with no warning at all. No brake light on dash came on just went to floor. Was determined by my mechanic that the brake lines had rotted and I had a catastrophic brake failure loosing major brake fluid at the accident site.
Front steering tie rods folded in half on two occassions while climbing a hill off road. All steering was lost mid way up the hill, with no way to steer the vehicle. This was covered under manufacturer warranty. I am affraid to drive the vehicle. It is in the shop as we speak for the second time.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 GMC sierra. While applying the brakes at 10 MPH, the brake pedal extended all the way to the floor. The road conditions were dry. The vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall number 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock) at 33,725 miles. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer. The current mileage was 39,600 and failure mileage was 39,000. The consumer stated the front rotors were replaced by the dealer due to the fact the rotors were damaged while performing the recall.