2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hd Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hd, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1450.0%
- Engine517.9%
- Fuel system310.7%
- Powertrain (other)27.1%
- Steering13.6%
- Driver assistance13.6%
- Electrical13.6%
- Body & structure13.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION TO THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE LAST WEEK I WENT TO BRAKE FOR AN EXIT ONLY TO FIND THAT I HAD NO BRAKES. IT TURNS OUT MY BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND MY BRAKE FLUID HAD BEEN DRAINING MY WHOLE TRIP DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO MANAGE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND PARK MY VEHICLE AND CALL AAA TO HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED. I AM NOW FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH GMC OLDER TRUCKS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. LIVES ARE AT RISK. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
3 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BROKE OFF MANIFOLD. *TR
STARTED TO HEAR ENGINE EXHAUST GETTING LOUD, STARTED TO LOOK FOR EXHAUST LEAK AND FOUND THAT # 8 AND #7 PISTON LEAKING AT EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS AND THEN ENGINE ERROR CODE O2 SENSOR BANK 1 WILL NOT TURN OFF, CAN NOT GET TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION HAVE FOUND OUT OTHERS TRUCK OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION TO THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
STARTED TO HEAR ENGINE EXHAUST GETTING LOUD, STARTED TO LOOK FOR EXHAUST LEAK AND FOUND THAT # 8 AND #7 PISTON LEAKING AT EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS AND THEN ENGINE ERROR CODE O2 SENSOR BANK 1 WILL NOT TURN OFF, CAN NOT GET TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION HAVE FOUND OUT OTHERS TRUCK OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO MY PREVIOUS COMPLAINT. FIRST THERE IS A CORRECTION WITH THE DATE OF INCIDENT. THE CORRECT DATE SHOULD READ 06/01/2011 NOT 2010. AFTER TALKING FURTHER WITH GM CUSTOMER SERVICE AND NEVER GETTING A REASSURANCE THAT THEY ARE CONSIDERING HELPING COVER THE COST OF REPAIR, I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO A LOCAL INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SPECIALIST THAT REPAIRS VEHICLES FOR THE MUNICIPALITY I WORK FOR. THEY GAVE THE SAME DIAGNOSIS WITH THE SAME MALFUNCTION CODE. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME OF A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THIS CODE BY GM, WHICH THE DEALER AND THE GM CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. NEGLECTED TO DIVULGE. I HAVE READ THE BULLETIN AND IT CLEARLY STATES THAT TRANSMISSIONS SHOWING THIS CODE AND FALLING WITHIN A SPECIFIED BUILD DATE WHICH IS STATED ON THE BULLETIN ARE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT NO FURTHER DIAGNOSIS BE PERFORMED. THAT BEING SAID, GM STATED THAT BY TAKING THE TRUCK TO A NON GM CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION REPAIR SPECIALIST THEY ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO HELP ME. I DID HAVE THE REPAIR SHOP TEAR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN TO DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS THE PLASTIC PISTONS IN THE ACCUMULATOR HOUSING THAT FAILED CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO OVER HEAT WHICH IN TURN DAMAGED OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. I TALKED TO GM THIS MORNING TRYING ONCE AGAIN TO GET SOME RESOLVE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SAME PERSON THAT I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FROM THE GET GO THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HELP ME BUT NOW CAN'T. THIS IS THE SAME PERSON THAT SAID "GM COULD NOT GUARANTEE ANY HELP", IN EVERY CONVERSATION WE HAD TIL TODAY. IN CONCLUSION, THE DEALER WAS THE FIRST TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND RECOMMEND A SOLUTION OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT ANY FURTHER BREAKDOWN OF THE TRANSMISSION (THEY ALREADY KNEW OF A PROB. GM CUSTOMER SERVICE KNEW THIS AND WAS UNWILLING TO COMMIT TO HELPING ME. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ABRUPTLY CAUSING THE TRUCK TO JUMP FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION WILL CONTINUE TO SHIFT HARD THROUGH ALL GEARS UNTIL TRUCK HAS BEEN STOPPED AND SHUT OFF FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT OCCURRENCE. IT HAS HAPPENED APPROX. 5 TIMES FROM 24000 MILES TIL NOW AT 31000 MILES OVER A PERIOD OF 6 MONTHS. DEALER CHECKED TRANSMISSION AND STATES THAT FLUID IS BURNT, SLIPS IN SECOND GEAR AND RECOMMENDS A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTEAD OF REPAIR. THERE ARE SEVERAL FACTORS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION. THE FIRST BEING THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE WHICH IS 9Y/O. SECOND IS THE MILEAGE WHICH IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WAS 17000 MILES. THIRD FACTOR WOULD BE THE CONDITION OF THIS VEHICLE, DRIVEN BY AN ELDERLY MAN, ALWAYS GARAGED, KEPT IN TEXAS AND NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. THIS VEHICLES CONDITION FOR IT'S AGE IS "LIKE NEW" WITH ALL MAINTENANCE BEING DONE BY THE DEALER FROM WHICH IT WAS PURCHASED. THE LOCAL DEALER WHICH DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WILL VOUCH FOR THE CONDITION OF THE TRUCK. THIS WAS REPORTED TO GM CUSTOMER SERVICE ON FRI. NOV. 11, 2011. I AM WAITING FOR A SATISFACTORY OUTCOME TO THIS BAD TRANSMISSION. GM HAS YET TO COMMIT TO HELPING COVER THE COST OF ANY REPAIRS. THEY WANT ME TO PAY THE $1100 TO TEAR THE TRANSMISSION DOWN TO FIND THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY WILL DECIDE ANYTHING. I BELIEVE THIS IS NOT MY RESPONSIBILITY SINCE THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY "RECOMMEND THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED". *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED TO 60 MPH OR TRYING TO PARK WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL MADE COMPLETE CONTACT WITH THE FLOOR. HE HAD TO CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES UNTIL THE PEDAL EXTENDED NORMALLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED A MONTH AGO AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR ON A DAILY BASIS. DURING COLD TEMPERATURES THE FAILURE DIDN'T OCCUR. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF RECALL CAMPAIGN# 05V379000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES: ANTI LOCK. THE DEALER INFORMED HIM THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. ALSO, HE STATED THAT ODI# 10158205 DUPLICATEDE THE FAILURE. HE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GM AND AND WAS GIVEN CASE# 71-506187062. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,900. THE DEALER RECENTLY STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,200. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH COOLANT LOSS FROM A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD SENT A SIGNAL TO THE ECM TO SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WHICH CAUSED THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL. WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE SNOW AND WIND AND I WAS FOLLOWING TWO DRY TRACKS IN THE ROAD, UPON LOSS OF POWER THE TRUCK DRIFTED ONTO AN AREA OF ROAD COVERED IN SNOW WHICH NEARLY CARRIED ME OFF INTO A DITCH. ON A DRY DAY IF THIS HAD OCCURRED INERTIA WOULD HAVE TAKEN ME ON TO A SOFT SHOULDER SO IN THIS INSTANCE THE COLD WEATHER AND SNOW ACTUALLY HELPED THE TRUCK FROM DRIFTING TOO FAR OFF THE ROAD. ONCE DISABLED ALONG SIDE THE ROAD THE WEATHER BEGAN TO DETERIORATE TO NEAR WHITE OUT CONDITIONS, THANKFULLY ANOTHER DRIVER PULLED UP BEHIND ME ABOUT 50 YARDS BACK AND USED HIS FLASHERS TO WARN ON COMING DRIVERS. AFTER THE TRUCK COOLED A BIT IT RE-STARTED AND I TOOK FOR SERVICE. A MECHANIC NOTICED A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD AS THE CULPRIT. I HAVE COME TO LEARN THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. MY WIFE WILL OCCASIONALLY DRIVE THIS TRUCK AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DIFFERENT SITUATION IF SHE COULD NOT HAVE MUSCLED THE UNASSISTED STEERING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT IS MY BELIEF THAT ANY CONDITION THAT WILL SHUT DOWN AN ENGINE UNDER FULL POWER SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE MANUFACTURER TO FIX. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
STARTED TO HEAR ENGINE EXHAUST GETTING LOUD, STARTED TO LOOK FOR EXHAUST LEAK AND FOUND THAT # 8 AND #7 PISTON LEAKING AT EXHAUST MANIFOLD DUE TO BROKEN BOLTS AND THEN ENGINE ERROR CODE O2 SENSOR BANK 1 WILL NOT TURN OFF, CAN NOT GET TRUCK TO PASS INSPECTION HAVE FOUND OUT OTHERS TRUCK OWNERS HAVE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES AND THE REAR AXLE WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,088. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/26/11
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .