2002 GMC Sierra 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2002 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T09:18:43.631Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2002: 134 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1994	1
1997	14
1998	15
1999	36
2000	47
2001	134
2002	134
2003	160
2004	143
2005	115
2006	66
2007	83
2008	63
2009	31
2010	10
2011	63
2012	30
2013	46
2014	30
2015	89
2016	59
2017	37
2018	35
2019	31
2020	73
2021	49
2022	42
2023	28
2024	96
2025	24
2026	6

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 24%

24% of complaints: service brakes — 32 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS EXITING MY DRIVEWAY, WHICH IS VERY STEEP,THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING,LAMPS OR OTHERWISE. MY VEHICLE SURGED ACROSS BOTH LANES AND WOUND UP IN THE WOODS. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20121213

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD ON I95 WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AT WHICH POINT THE ABS SYSTEM STARTED PULSING THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO FURTHER BRAKE RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121001

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 20%

20% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 27 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 11 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 5%

5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 7 distinct reports on file.

POWER TRAIN 4%

4% of complaints: power train — 5 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL DOWN SHIFT ABRUPTLY AND VEHICLE MAY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SITTING AT LIGHT. DRIVER MUST KEEP FOOT PRESSED HARD AGAINST BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP FROM MOVING WHEN SITTING STILL. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020814

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20010709 — interior lighting

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 S

Remedy: 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

Campaign 01V220000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 134

I 20040108 — PE (closed 20040430)

HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20070514 — PE (closed 20070914)

TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE

I 20070914 — EA (closed 20080912)

TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE

R Date not on file — steering

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.

Campaign 06E010000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — service brakes, air

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

Campaign 06E050000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (32 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (27 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (11 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 06E010000 (steering) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E050000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
Verify recall 01V220000 (interior lighting) has been completed.
Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2003 ■ 2004 ■ 2001

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.