2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 351 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
84,235 milesMedian miles at failure

306 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes87
702
Service Brakes, Hydraulic75
611
Engine and Engine Cooling24
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip19
204
Engine13
020
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings9
100
Fuel System, Diesel9
000
Tires6
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine6
000
Tires › Tread/Belt5
100

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

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).

Steering06E010000
Filed Feb 1, 20061,360 vehiclesFabtech Motorsports

Defect. 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. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Risk. LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Interior Lighting01V220000
Filed Jun 26, 200138,863 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. 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.

Risk. THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

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 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 9, 2025IL

I pulled the truck out of the garage in working condition, left it running while parked in the driveway. It emptied the entire brake fluid reservoir through a leak in the distribution junction on the rear axle, leaving the truck with no brake function whatsoever. Had I not parked the truck in the driveway, I would have been involved in a serious collision due to sudden complete brake failure.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 20, 2021KY

While driving on US60 East of Lexington Kentucky I was preparing to turn left using the left turn lane. There was another car in front of mine and as I approached it I began to lightly apply the brakes. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no decrease in speed. Fortunately I was able to switch back to the through lane and avoid an accident. While I was able to avoid an accident there was definitely a risk of injury to myself and the occupants of the other vehicle. When I was able to inspect the vehicle I found that the brakeline adjacent to the fuel tank was rusted through which caused a complete brake failure. I do the vehicle maintenance personally and have since made necessary repairs to the brake system. I was aware of problems with the brakelines on this vintage truck being prone to failure due to rusting. As I was making repairs it was obvious the routing of the brakelines was such as to making the rusting more likely to happen.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2021182,000 milesWA

HARD BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION FROM POOR QUALITY PARTS WITHOUT PROPER CORROSION PROTECTION OR CORRECT MATERIALS (I.E. STAINLESS STEEL VS MILD STEEL) WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN AREAS WHERE DE-ICER IS USED ON THE ROADS.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2021265,000 milesOK

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE POWER STEERING IS BAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN I BRAKE, I GOT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED

Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2021143,000 milesOR

KNOWN TO GM INJECTOR PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY SILVERADO VEHICLES. MY INJECTOR CRACKED OR FAILED AND DIESEL WENT IN TO MY ENGINE OIL, CAUSING AN OVER FILL OF 2 GALLONS. OIL WAS LEAKING OUT ALL OVER FROM MY TRUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE ARE MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND GM IS AWARE BUT HASN'T ISSUED A RECALL.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 8, 2020267,000 milesME

MY ABS SPEED SENSOR GOT SHEARED BY BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IN WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON MULTIPLE SIGHTS A DEFECT THAT WAS DEEMED A RECALL FOR BEING POORLY SET UP ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. SECONDLY, IVE SPENT THOUSANDS AND LOOKING ONLINE FOR A VARY SERIOUS ISSUE IVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE DUE TO INTERMEDIATE STALLING, BACKFIRING, AND VEHICLE DIEING DUE TO WHAT HAS FINALLY BEEN FOUND TO BE THE INFAMOUS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. REPLACED MY COMPUTER, ALL 02 SENSORS, EGR VALVE EXC... THAN UPON LOOKING AND RESEARCHING, I FIND IT WAS A MAJOR ONE ON RECALL AS WELL FOR FAILING ALL THE TIME. I JUST FEEL IF THESE ARE FACTORY ERRORS AND BEEN ON THE RECALL, AND MY WOMAN WHO TRAVELS WITH ME THAT IS PARALYZED DUE TO AN ACCIDENT, I SHOULD BE ENTITILED TO THE RECALLS GIVING THEY WERE KNOWN FLAWS ON THE ASSSEMBLY LINE AND A DANGER TO OTHERS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLS OUT, IT STARTS CHOKING, BACKFIRING, AND BUCKING AND WANTS TO LOCK UP AND LOOSE CONTROL. NOT COOL. IVE BEEN CHASING THIS PROBLEM SPENDING THOUSANDS IN PARTS AND REPAIRS TO MAKE THIS TRUCK SAFE FOR WORK AND FEEL IF THERE HAS BEEN RECALLS FOR ALL THIS, WOULD BE NICE TO REAP SOMETHING OUT OF MY INVESTMENT IN THIS TRUCK

Wheels
Filed Sep 15, 2020109,000 milesCA

VIBRATION IN VEHICLE PRIOR TO TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH.. APPEARS TO BE A TREAD SEPARATION TYPE FAILURE. TIRES ARE BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN TA KO BAZ WITH APPROXIMATELY 27000 MILES ON THEM. SIZE IS LT265/75R16. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND CHECKED FOR PROPER INFLATION BY PROFESSIONAL TIRE SHOP APPROXIMATELY 4 DAYS PRIOR TO FAILURE.

Service BrakesCrash2 injured1 killed
Filed Aug 4, 2020143,000 milesFL

DRIVING UP TO CITY INTERSECTION WAS APPLING BRAKES, CAR IN FRONT APPLIED HIS QUICKER CAUSING HIS REAR TO RAISE UP, INDICATING PANIC STOP, I FOLLOWED AND APPLIED HARD PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES, PEDAL THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL BRAKE ACTION, THIS LEAD TO MY TRUCK REAR END OF OTHER CARS

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 17, 201875,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM THE BRAKE LINE AND RUST. THE CONTACT DID NOT ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE IF ANY WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 18, 201848,500 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN AND WITHOUT WARNING STOP.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 28, 2018TX

THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE ROCKER ARMS THE BRAKE LINES ARE AND HAVE BEEN RUSTED OUT. ITS A RUSTED OUT FRAME. THIS NEEDS TO BE HANDLED AND RECALLED TO ALL GM OWNERS . THIS IS A COSTLY TIME CONSUMING MATTER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO HANDLE. GM SHOULD STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND HANDLE THESE ISSUES. KARMA HOPE U DONT NEED BAILING OUT AGAIN I BET THIS ISSUE ALONE AND GM NOT HELPING BY DOING RIGHT THING WILL CAUSE TREMENDOUS HURT TO U IM SURE YOUVE LIST AKOT OF BUSUNESS FROM THIS.

Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2018MD

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE FUEL INJECTORS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED HAVING THE FUEL INJECTORS REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWICE UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED FOR THE MANUFACTURER CONTINUE TO REPAIR THE INJECTORS UNDER THE WARRANTY. *JS

Engine
Filed Aug 30, 201750,000 milesCA

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING AND BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKING EVRY 50000 MILES. OCCURS WHILE DRIVING.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2017170,000 milesIL

BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOOSE BRAKING ABILITY AND AN ACCIDENT WITH MINOR VEHICLE DAMAGE..

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 15, 2016200,000 milesIL

EXCESSIVE METAL BRAKE LINE CORROSION ON THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE LINES CORRODED THROUGH CAUSING AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND RESULTED IN ZERO BRAKING ABILITY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A BUSY CITY STREET. EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. INFERIOR MATERIALS HAVE BEEN USED TO PRODUCE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE. BRAKE LINE PLACEMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH INFERIOR METAL THAT IS PRONE TO CORROSION IS AT FAULT. COST TO REPAIR THIS FLAW IN MANUFACTURING WILL BE NEARLY $2000.00

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 201690,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY ROLL FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BEFORE THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STOPPED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 5, 201684,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND MADE IT VERY HARD TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES LINES FAILED DUE TO CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 24, 2016VA

TRAILER RELIEVER HITCH BENT AFTER NORMAL USE TOWING TRAVEL TRAILER. PROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING HITCH WAS BEING USED ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WINDS MAY HAVE BEEN CONTRIBUTING FACTOR. HITCH MUST BE REPLACED.

Engine
Filed Apr 17, 2016157,000 milesCA

THE GLOW PLUGS AND FUEL INJECTORS FAIL PREMATURELY I WAS TOLD BY THE LOCOL SERVACE MANAGER THAT THERE WAS PLENTY OF TIME TO GET THE REPAIRS BUT A FEW WEEKS LATER WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN FOR THE SUPPOSED FREE REPAIRS THEY TELL ME THE TIME FOR MINE IS OVER ITS TOO OLD. WHEN NO ONE HAD SHOWED ME A PRINT OUT AND THE COMPANY I BOUT IT FROM NEVER DISCLOSED THE ISSUE. IF THE VEHICLE STALLS IN TRAFFIC IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

Tires
Filed Feb 3, 2016198,000 milesFL

DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON HWY 528 ABOUT 20 MILES EAST OF ORLANDO, THE TRUCK BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THEN WE SUFFERED A CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION OF OUR REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WE WERE TRAILERING A CAMPER AT THE TIME. BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY WE HAD SUSTAINED CLOSE TO $3000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER AND WHEEL WELL. THIS WAS THE 2ND KUMHO LT 245/75 R16 OF THE SET THAT HAD A SEPARATION. THE FIRST ONE WE WERE ABLE TO SLOW DONE IN TIME TO PREVENT ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 18000 MILES ON THEM AND INFLATION PRESSURES HAD BEEN CHECKED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF THE INCIDENT EACH TIME. AFTER CALLING KUMHO SEVERAL TIMES AFTER THE 1ST INCIDENT, THEY GAVE A 67 DOLLAR CREDIT ON THE TIRE. THE SECOND TIME THEY HAVE NOT RETURNED MY MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS. I HAVE NOW REPLACED AND KEPT THE REMAINING TIRES OF THE SET. I KEPT THEM HOPING THAT NHTSA WOULD TAKE THEM FOR TESTING. I FILED A COMPLAINT BY PHONE WITH NHTSA ON 11/3015 AND MEKO TOLD ME I WOULD BE RECEIVING FORMS IN THE MAIL TO COMPLETE THE COMPLAINT. IT HAS NOW BEEN OVER 2 MONTHS, AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM YOU! MY COMPLAINT # WAS 10807471. THESE ARE DANGEROUS FAULTY TIRES AND NEED TO BE RECALLED. SOMEONE NEEDS TO HOLD KUMHO RESPONSIBLE FRO THESE TIRES BEFORE MORE LIVES ARE LOST SECONDARY TO CATASTROPHIC SEPARATIONS.

20 of 351 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20266200Routine
202528100Routine
2024139410Routine
202347120Routine
202294320Routine
202184610Routine
20201051030Routine
201974760Routine
201852520Routine
201754550Routine
2016123520Routine
2015176660Routine
201440220Routine
201351310Routine
201253300Routine
2011104420Routine
201021510Routine
200961530Routine
2008191440Routine
2007204390Above average
2006177180Routine
20052691150Above average
20043682102Fatalities reported
2003449280Above average
2002 — this page351361Fatalities reported
2001300130Above average
2000132340Routine
199981221Fatalities reported
199873230Routine
199764213Fatalities reported
19962000Routine
19953000Routine
19943000Routine

Compare every Silverado 2500 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.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 19, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.