2002 GMC Sierra 1500

Routine

Owners filed 166 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
80,000 milesMedian miles at failure

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

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes64
600
Service Brakes, Hydraulic35
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip8
300
Parking Brake8
100
Steering5
000
Air Bags5
508
Structure › Body3
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings3
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service Brakes, Air06E050000
Filed Jun 6, 20066,800 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. 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. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.

Risk. IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

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).

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility04V562000
Filed Nov 26, 20041,660 vehiclesMobility Works

Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2020196,000 milesLA

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR COMING DOWN AN OVERPASS. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND I NARROWLY AVOIDED A CRASH. I TOOK TO MY MECHANIC. THEY SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I AM NOT GETTING THIS FIXED AS IT IS AN OLDER TRUCK BUT I DO THINK THAT SOMEONE COULD DIE FROM THIS DEFECT.

Seats
Filed Mar 6, 2020165,050 milesCA

VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN GARAGE. METAL SUPPORT BAR IN THE BACK UPPER PORTION OF DRIVER SEAT BROKE. SEAT WAS BEING USED AS ORDINARY AND SNAPPED WHEN I WENT TO RETRIEVE ITEM FROM BACK SEAT BY REACH OVER CENTER CONSOLE AND TO BACK SEAT TO GRAB PURSE. I WEIGHT 135 POUNDS AND AM SMALL PERSON. NO EXTRAORDINARY PRESSURE OR WEIGHT SHIFT. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE SEEKING SOLUTIONS ON HOW TO REPAIR THIS EXTREMELY COMMON ISSUE AS TO LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THESE SEATS ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS .REFUSE TO DRIVE TRUCK AS NOT CERTAIN THAT SAFETY BELT WILL BE OF ANY USE IN AN ACCIDENT AS SEAT FLOPS AROUND NOW AND HAS AWKWARD TILT BACK TO ONE SIDE ON THE CONSOLE SIDE AND LAYS BACK TO FAR TO CLEARLY SEE OVER DASH EVEN WHEN FULLY POSTURING ERECT.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 19, 2019120,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS AND BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE WHERE THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. *BF BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED TWICE SAME LOCATION ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER IS NOW HAVING PROBLEMS WITH ABS BRAKE LIGHTING ON DASH ( WHEEL SPEED SENSORS ON FRONT TONE RINGS).*JB

Suspension
Filed Jul 12, 2019177,000 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND WOBBLED SO VIOLENTLY THAT IT LEFT THE CONTACT DISORIENTED. THE CONTACT HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE AND HAD TO PULL OVER FOR A WHILE. WHEN THE CONTACT RETUNED TO THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED BETWEEN THE SPEEDS OF 30-45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTALLED NEW BEARINGS, WHICH MADE THE FAILURE WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO OTHER MECHANICS, BUT EACH REPAIR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 17, 2019MI

161131 MILES FRAME RUSTED REAL BAD BODY LOOKS GREAT FOR THE YEAR I JUST BOUGHT THE TRUCK LOOKED REAL CLEAN INSIDE AND OUT FROM ORIGANAL OWNER PUT IT ON A LIFT AND THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED OUT DID SOME GOOGLEING AND FOUND THAT MOST ALL THESE TRUCKS WERE BUILT TO ROT OUT IN 3 YEARS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Sep 4, 201875,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE REVERSING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED, WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BOWSER AUTOMOTIVE (132-168 NORTH LEWIS RUN ROAD, WEST MIFFLIN, PA 15236, (412) 469-2100) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2018158,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKING ABILITY WAS LOST AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 201850,000 milesCA

MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DOESNT WORK...MY HEAD LIGHTS ALWAYS BURN OUT...MY BED LINER IS WHARPED...

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 10, 2018192,887 milesMI

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF FROM THE CABLE, UNKNOWN, I ALSO HAD A 2001 GMC YUKON AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED, THIS IS UNSAFE AS IT COULD BECOME DETACHED WHILE MOVING AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED

Steering
Filed Mar 5, 2018TX

2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO STEERING COMPONENT FAILURE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED AMONTH AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING GEAR BEGAN LEAKING. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 2017165,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 3-8 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGED, INCREASING THE BRAKING DISTANCE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS RUST BETWEEN AN ABS SENSOR AND THE HUB IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEELS. THE HUB AND SENSOR NEEDED REPLACEMENT, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE GMC DEALER (JEFF WYLER FLORENCE BUICK GMC, 1154 BURLINGTON PIKE, FLORENCE, KY 41042 (859) 279-4590) INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.

Suspension
Filed Oct 6, 2017141,000 milesCA

BROKEN WELD HOLDING RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO REAR AXLE. GM IS DENYING THAT THIS WELD WAS DEFECTIVE. THIS RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER BROKE LOOSE FROM THE REAR AXLE WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 101.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 201760,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE BOWSER DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. SEVEN YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR AT A DISCOUNT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 201760,000 milesME

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ZINC ALUMINUM ALLOY ON THE BRAKE LINES CAUSED SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. UPDATED 07/18/17*LJ *CN

Service Brakes
Filed May 1, 2017108,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATED WHEN APPLIED, BUT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SENSORS NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 06/29/17*LJ *CN

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 31, 2016124,000 milesCT

ABS SYSTEM IS KICKING IN AT SLOW SPEEDS, AS IN A CRAWL LIKE YOU WERE DRIVING NEXT TO A WALKING PERSON. LIKE I AM PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT IS PUSHING BACK AND NOT ALLOWING ME TO STOP TRUCK. VERY SCARY

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 20, 2016118,000 milesOH

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH PREMATURELY AND WITHOUT WARNING PEDAL GOES TO FLOOR WITH NO STOPPING POWER

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 27, 2016200,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S SON CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, A NECK INJURY, NOSE BRUISING, AND BACK INJURIES DUE TO THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENING. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Tires
Filed Jun 9, 201672,552 milesTX

DRIVING 73 MPH DOWN HIGHWAY WITHOUT WARNING TREAD BLOWS OFF TIRE. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. TIRES WERE PURCHASED NEW AND MAINTAINED AND HAD PLENTLY TIRE LEFT. UNIROYAL ADVISED THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR TIRE THAT WAS 7 YEARS OLD.

Service Brakes
Filed May 23, 2016157,468 milesNH

THANKFULLY I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, I WAS BACKING UP AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. THE BRAKE LINE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BURST. I HAVE MY TRUCK AT A LOCAL SHOP AND ITS GOING TO COST AROUND $1500 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES. THE COST IS MOSTLY LABOR. IF LOOSE THE FRONT BRAKES, I WOULD EXPECT THE REAR BRAKES TO WORK BUT THAT IS NOT THE CASE. I AM THANKFUL I WAS NOT ON THE HIGHWAY OR PULLING A TRAILER. I COULD OF GOT HURT OR HURT SOMEONE ELSE. GM NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THE QUALITY OF PARTS USED IN THEIR VEHICLE ESPECIALLY SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS BRAKES.

20 of 166 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2026111200Do not drive
2025115100Routine
2024354100Above average
2023468320Above average
2022583650Above average
2021564760Above average
20204641250Above average
20196381030Above average
2018300710Above average
2017353540Above average
20163417130Do not drive
2015717990Above average
2014738971Fatalities reported
2013115310Routine
2012107300Routine
2011284530Above average
2010168420Routine
2009234440Above average
2008381250Above average
2007262320Above average
2006145251Fatalities reported
2005177390Routine
2004212510Above average
2003180440Routine
2002 — this page166400Routine
2001140500Routine
2000181300Routine
1999158400Routine
199859420Routine
199783500Routine
19965010Routine
19953010Routine
199413000Routine

Compare every Sierra 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.