MYRModel Year Report

2002 GMC Sierra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 GMC Sierra
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
249
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
8

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

54% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2002 249 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2002 249 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2002 249 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017

2002: 249 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19832
19871
19886
198916
199018
199112
199230
199372
1994190
1995261
1996246
1997238
1998190
1999600
2000443
2001264
2002249
2003206
2004188
2005117
200653
200759
200868
200937
201034
201143
201229
201339
2014101
201553
20166
201761

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

54% · 135 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The accident happened in a parking lot. As I was turning at the end of row of parked vehicles ,a pick-up truck was backing out of a parking place.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-12-31

Also filed under Structure

Applied brakes at 35MPH and pedal went to floor, causing vehicle to rear end another vehicle stopped at traffic light. Drivers side rear break line had ruptured due to rust. No warning light or backup system activated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-02

Engine and engine cooling

9% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE

Power train

7% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

Structure

7% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing hinge and attachments and body.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Doors not mounted correctly, hinges need to be pulled out with framing machine to correct the problem. Common problem with GMC trucks is what the autobody shop states.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-10-12

Parking brake

7% · 17 reports

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 249 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2002-08-01Engineering analysisClosed 2004-01-12 Throttle sticking closed
  3. R
    2003-12-03Fuel system, other03V435000 Some 2WD and 4WD pickup trucks, converted to either dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (Cng) fuel usage, were assembled with a throttle cable that can contact and rub through the flexible…

    Remedy: Dealers will secure the throttle cable to eliminate the possibility of contact with the cng fuel line. The cng fuel line, throttle cable, and cruise control cable are also to be inspected and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2003-12-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-04-09 Parking brake failure
  5. I
    2004-02-19Engineering analysisClosed 2004-09-28 Tailgate cable breakage
  6. R
    2004-03-31Equipment04E022000 Aftermarket pickup truck over-the-rail bedliners manufactured for installation on 1999-2004 Chevrolet silverado and GMC Sierra Pickup trucks. The toggle wing assembly used to attach the bedliner to…

    Remedy: Durakon will issue a press release in attempt to notify customers that could have purchased the defective bedliner. If you purchased either a durakon allstar of patriot overrail bedliner since…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2004-04-09Engineering analysisClosed 2005-05-10 Parking brake failure
  8. R
    2004-09-18Structure04V129000 On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (Horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2005-04-28Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-09-13 Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
  10. R
    2005-07-29Parking brake05V161000 On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2005-09-22Service brakes, hydraulic05V379000 Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This…

    Remedy: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
  13. I
    2006-05-04Preliminary evaluationClosed 2006-09-14 Crank position sensor failure - stall
  14. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5TH wheel rv travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 Dope, inc. Is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Dope, inc. Will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009. Owners may contact dope, inc. At 1-626-272-1798.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  16. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2002 GMC Sierra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 135 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 22 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 18 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V435000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 04E022000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V129000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V161000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 05V379000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 GMC Sierra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 GMC Sierra is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 54% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.