2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 509 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
87,990 milesMedian miles at failure

443 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes175
1318
Service Brakes, Hydraulic98
900
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip40
501
Steering17
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission15
100
Parking Brake13
000
Electrical System12
010
Air Bags10
9110
Structure › Body8
100
Power Train8
100

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2025TX

The emergency brake does not work properly. It automatically comes on while I am driving almost causing me to have a accident. Please, fix!!!!

Power Train
Filed Dec 3, 2025TX

I was driving today and my truck started making a strange noise(like something was loose). I stop the truck to see what was loose, I found nothing. I got back in the truck driving about 20 mph the truck started making the noise again and the truck started dragging( like it wouldn't go faster). I then stop and pulled in a church parking lot where the truck was not drivable. I was told by a concern passerby( mechanic, which happen to be) it's has something to do with the rest axle. The truck gave me no warning whatever. I was told I could have had a major accident and I had NO!!! warning. Please, fix. I have nothing but, issues with this truck.

Power Train
Filed Dec 3, 2025TX

My truck won't pick up speed when trying to accelerate. I don't know what it is. I know it's a problem and it's a hazard and accident waiting to happen!!!! Please, fix. I have had nothing but, issues with this Chevy Silverado.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2024NJ

ABS kicks in constantly at low speeds in dry conditions. This causes longer stopping distances. The ABS grinds or vibrates interfering with normal braking situations. Many near miss collisions at low speeds. The manufacturer should be responsible and replace all the ABS sensors. I purchased this truck brand new in 2002.

Structure
Filed May 10, 2024250,000 milesMD

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud cracking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the loud cracking sound while driving over a pothole in the road. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The contact completed a thorough inspection of the vehicle and noticed a fracture behind the cab of the vehicle. In addition, the contact noticed corrosion of the undercarriage of the vehicle. The contact stated that the corrosion extended from the front passenger’s side to the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Dec 2, 2023MN

Had a front end collision going 65 miles per hour. Air bag never deployed

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 19, 2023NJ

ABS sensors I think are bad cuz my brake pedal fluctuates and hasn't done that in a long time it went away no dash lights for the ABS but it's definitely coming from the brake pedal?

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 18, 2022KY

Rocker panels rusted out

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Dec 23, 2021CA

THE THROTTLE CABLE MAKES CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS. I SMELL GAS INSiDE CAB. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON

Air Bags
Filed Oct 18, 2021143,725 milesAZ

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH, the airbag warning light illuminated. The independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 143,725.

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Nov 16, 2020TX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS MAKING A LEFT, THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER PROCEEDED TO HIT A THIRD VEHICLE THAT WAS AT A STOP SIGN. THE OTHER DRIVER WAS FOUND AT FAULT BY THE POLICE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO RESTRAIN AND CAUSED THE FRONT PASSENGER INJURIES AT THE FACE, ARM, AND LEFT WRIST. THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG FAILED TO FULLY DEPLOY AND CAUSED THE PASSENGERS HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE STOMACH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED TO BOTH INJURED. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS PRESENT AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO WANTED TO ADD THAT TSB SEAT 10-08-50-003B DESCRIBES THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DRIVER'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes, Air › Antilock
Filed Mar 23, 202082,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 19, 2020200,000 milesCA

ABS SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES WITHOUT CAUSE SUCH AS A WET SURFACE

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 13, 201965,000 milesCA

HARD BREAK LINES ARE FULLY CORRODED AND NEED FULL REPLACEMENT AFTER A BREAK LINE FAILURE. LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE, CURRENTLY 65K, VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MILD CLIMATE OF NC AND SC SINCE 2002 WHERE SNOW AND SALT IS INFREQUENT. NEVER DRIVEN IN COASTAL AREA. ONLY RECENTLY DRIVEN ACROSS COUNTRY, WHERE FAILURE OCCURRED. THANKFULLY AT SLOW SPEEDS.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 18, 201999,000 milesIL

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.

Air BagsCrashFire1 killed
Filed Aug 7, 2019OK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS LOOSE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HER DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, SHE RAN OFF THE ROAD AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BURNS AND INJURIES TO HER RIBS, STERNUM, AND PELVIC. THE INJURIES WERE FATAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR *BF*JB*DT MEDICAL RECORD XXXXXXXXXXXX CERTIFICATION OF TITLE NO XXXXXXXXXXXX ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2019116,060 milesKS

BRAKE LINES STARTED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID OUT OF NOWHERE. BECAUSE OF THIS, THE BRAKE PETAL SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN DEATH. I WAS DRIVING AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON A CITY STREET WHEN I DISCOVERED THIS ISSUE. HAD I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED I MAY NOT BE HERE TO COMPLAIN. RUSTED BRAKE LINES IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 14, 201975,000 milesOH

ABS KICKS IN AT LOW SPEED

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 16, 2019205,000 milesVA

WHEN WE BOUGHT TRUCK I CHECKED VIN AND ONLY THE TAILGATE RECALL CAME UP BUT LISTED MY TRUCK BEING A CHEVY 800 MODEL, WELL COUPLE WEEKS AGO OUR TRUCK WOULDN'T BRAKE WHILE PARKING MAKING A LEFT INTO A RESTAURANT AND THE TRUCK WOULDN'T STOP AND HIT THE RESTAURANT WINDOW!!! WHEN I CHECKED JUST OUR EXACT VEHICLE 15 PLUS RECALLS CAME UP WITH THIS PARTICULAR DEFECT LISTED, PLEASE HELP ADVISE. THANK THE PARKERD

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 29, 201897,000 milesNJ

WHILE SLOWING DOWN COMING TO A STOP - NO BRAKES. CHECKED EVERYTHING. SUSPECT POWER BOOSTER. THIS STARTED SLOWLY ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO. TODAY IT ACTUALLY WOULD NOT STOP AND I ALMOST HIT THE FIRE HYDRANT.

20 of 509 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202693310Do not drive
202598040Routine
2024306200Above average
2023373360Above average
2022619660Above average
20218178110Above average
20207281290Above average
20191,0781080Above average
2018516741Fatalities reported
20177116120Do not drive
201679311101Do not drive
20151,10411141Fatalities reported
20141,4346184Fatalities reported
2013301200Above average
2012216210Above average
2011563441Fatalities reported
2010362310Above average
2009444360Above average
2008914391Fatalities reported
20078492142Fatalities reported
20063590150Above average
20055250342Fatalities reported
2004797081Fatalities reported
2003805070Above average
2002 — this page509051Fatalities reported
2001468053Fatalities reported
2000614053Fatalities reported
1999587252Fatalities reported
19983612110Above average
19975552131Fatalities reported
19967001Fatalities reported
19953000Routine
199410010Routine

Compare every Silverado 1500 year →

Reading this record

1 death reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.