RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest May 10, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 509 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed May 10, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11588167
Incident
Apr 10, 2024
Mileage
250,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 18, 2022

rocker panels rusted out

NHTSA ID
11480031
Incident
May 29, 2020
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 30, 2017
Crash reported

I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 495 WHICH IS A CITY ROAD TOWARDS HWY 19 DRIVING APPROX 53 MPH IN CRYSTAL RIVER, FL. THE VECHILE AHEAD OF MY MINE WAS 3 CAR LENGTHS AHEAD WHEN I SAW THERE BRAKE LIGHTS ON, I APPLIED THE USUAL APPROPRIATE BRAKE PRESSURE WHICH IS NO HARDER OR SOFTER THEN ANY OTHER TIME. ONCE I SLOWED DOWN TO 40 MPH IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE FELT LIKE IT EXPLODED AND HEARD A HUGE EXPLOSIVE TYPE SOUND AND ACTUALLY FELT THE ENTIRE BACK END OF MY SILVERADO LIFT UP AND SHIFT LEFTWARDS INTO THE OPPOSITE LANE CAUSING MY TRUCK TO ALSO GET STRUCK BY ANOTHER TRUCK CAUSING WHAT WAS A EXTREMELY WELL MAINTAINED TRUCK WITHOUT A SINGLE DING OR MECHANICAL ISSUES UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. I AM A ENGINEER AND HAVE NEVER WITNESSED A TIRE THAT LOOKED THE WAY THIS DID , BY SIMPLY DRIVING . I HAVE ALL RECORDS FOR MAINTAINCE,ROTATIONS ETC.. OVERALL I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS AND HAVE SPENT 3500 ON TIRES AND REPAIRS AND STILL THE TRUCK NEEDS 4500 MORE . I ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE RIM THAT THE TIRE WERE ON AND THESE WERE THE RECOMMENDED TIRES FOR MY TRUCK.

NHTSA ID
11057511
Incident
Sep 20, 2017
Mileage
98,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 11, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE'S FRAME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000.

NHTSA ID
11004320
Incident
May 11, 2017
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Jul 6, 2016

THE FUEL LINES RUST AWAY AND START LEAKING FUEL BADLY. ALL LINES HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE RUST ON THIS TRUCK IS UNBELIEVABLE. GM WILL NOT STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT. THE ROCKER PANELS ALL RUSTED OUT AS WELL. THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT. THESE TRUCK ARE JUST RUST BUCKETS

NHTSA ID
10882888
Incident
Jul 1, 2016
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 7, 2016

CHEVY RUST. BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND FAILED - HAPPEN AT SLOW SPEED NO ONE INJURED. SHACKLED BROKE OFF AND HIT BOTTOM OF BED WITHOUT TOWING. FRAME IS RUSTED OUT. NEIGHBOR HAS SIMILAR VEHICLE WITH SAME PROBLEMS (PUT JACK ON FRAME AND IT WENT THROUGH THE FRAME.) MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE VERY ISSUES.

NHTSA ID
10818745
Incident
Dec 22, 2015
Mileage
84,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 18, 2015

FRAME IS ROTTING OUT

NHTSA ID
10811196
Incident
Dec 18, 2015
Body & structure
Filed Oct 19, 2015

WAS REPLACING BRAKE LINES AFTER A RUSTY LINE BROKE AND SEEN EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRAME IN THE FRONT 1/4 OF PICKUP. THE FRAME HAS A LONG HOLE ON BOTTOM OF FRAME SPANING ABOUT 10 INCHES AND ABOVE THE SAME SECTION OF FRAME HAS A LONG RUSTED CRACK RUNNING PARALLEL WITH THE FRAME SPANING ABOUT 8 INCHES. THE REST OF THE FRAME LOOKS IN GOOD CONDITION.

NHTSA ID
10783532
Incident
Oct 15, 2015
Mileage
103,200 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2014

I HAD REPLACED ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE LAST YEAR AND HAD BRAKES WORKED ON THIS YEAR AND LAST AND REPLACED BRAKE PADS. THE ROTORS HAD BEEN TURNED BEFORE, ON A TRIP TO MY DAUGHTERS MY BRAKES STARTED TO GO OUT. THEY WERE COMPLETELY OUT BY THE TIME I REACHED HER CORNER. I HAD TO HAVE ALL NEW BRAKE LINES AND ROTORS AND PADS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE ONLY 6,000 MILES ON THE PADS. I ALSO HAD RUSTPROOFED THE TRUCK INCLUDING THE UNDERBODY AND CARRIAGE WHEN I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2002. IT'S A RUST BUCKET DESPITE THE EXTRA PROTECTION. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE WAS RUSTED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. AND NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS OUT AND THEY FUEL LINES ARE RUSTED AS WELL. WHAT GETS ME IS I PAID SO MUCH EXTRA FOR EXTRA RUST PROOFING. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THROUGH THIS BAD AT ONLY 125000 MILES. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE MODULE IS PLACED WHERE THE RUST CAN GET AT IT RIGHT UNDER THE CHASSIS PART UNPROTECTED. SO MUCH FOR SAFETY. THAT WENT OUT AT ABOUT 75000 MILES BUT JUST GOT IT REPLACED AT 100000 MILES OR SO. THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FUEL LINES ARE A JOKE ON THIS VEHICLE. I USED TO MAKE AND INSPECT AND TEST THEM AT A FACTORY AND THESE WOULD HAVE NEVER PASSED INSPECTION FOR CORROSION TEST. BUT THEY WEREN'T MADE THERE. THE FACTORY IS CLOSED. NO UNION WAGES EITHER, BUT WE DID GOOD WORK NOT THIS GARBAGE. IT COST OVER $500 FOR MODULE AND IT COST 2500 FOR THE REST OF BRAKE JOB. AND NOW THE FUEL LINES AND PUMP AND FILTER WILL COST OVER $1000. PLUS MY TRUCK BODY IS RUSTING THROUGH ON THE ROCKER PANELS. I BOUGHT A SILVERADO BECAUSE THEY HOLD THEIR VALUE AND ARE DEPENDABLE. NOW MY VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH ABOUT HALF OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE AND I'M PAYING THOUGH THE NOSE ON TOP OF IT! WE HAVE A 98 CHEVY BLAZER WITH 195000 AND NO RUST ON THE ROCKER PANELS AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE JUST NOW GETTING REPLACED. THERE WAS NO EXTRA RUST PROTECTION ON IT EITHER! WHEN IS GM GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10662848
Incident
Aug 1, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 20, 2014
Crash reported

WHERE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTS IN CLUTCH PEDAL ASSY BROKE. WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF GEAR CAUSING ME TO HIT A POLE. DAMAGING BUMPER HOOD FENDER HEADLIGHT TURN SIGNAL AND GRILL. CALLED THE DEALER THEY TOLD ME THAT CLUTCH BRAKING ISSUES WHILE DRIVING IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE DONE SOME CHECKING AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE BUT BECAUSE GM SAYS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE THEY JUST WANT TO SELL US PARTS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637702
Incident
Sep 20, 2014
Mileage
222,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jun 12, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE BRAKE LINE FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,685. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/12/14*LJ UPDATED 07/06/2017 *CT

NHTSA ID
10597911
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Mileage
104,685 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 3, 2013

MY REAR BUMPER ON MY CHEVY 1500 4X4 SILVERADO TRUCK IS ROTTING OFF THE TRUCK, YES ROTTING NEVER IN MY LIFE I SEEN POOR QUALITY IN PARTS GM IS USING, REAR BUMPERS ARE SUPPOSE TO PROTECT YOU FROM A CRASH THIS BUMPER IS ROTTING OFF MY TRUCK THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10550691
Incident
Dec 28, 2011
Mileage
83,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Sep 13, 2013

WANT 1600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE EVERY LINE ON THE TRUCK DUE TO RUST...INCLUDING FLEXIBLE HOSE TO WHEELS. DON'T HAVE VIN NO TRUCK AT SHOP UNTIL I DECIDE WHAT TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10543558
Incident
Sep 11, 2013
Mileage
45,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Apr 12, 2013

RIGHT SIDE SPRING SHACKLE FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION RIGHT SIDE OF REAR BUMPER CORRODED TO THE POINT THE MOUNT FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508054
Incident
Apr 6, 2013
Mileage
81,000 mi
Body & structureTires & wheels
Filed Mar 7, 2013

TWICE I HAVE HAD THE SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE BREAK ON ME,IF THIS WAS TO HAPPEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC OR HIGH SPEEDS IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH,AND I WAS NEVER AWARE IT WAS GONE UNTIL I NEEDED THE SPARE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10501967
Incident
Mar 1, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSteering
Filed Dec 14, 2012

TOOK TRUCK IN FOR STATE INSPECTION, TRUCK FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES, POWER STEERING PUMP LEAKING , DEALER SAID IT WOULD BE $1228.43 TO $1420.99 TO JUST FIXED THE BRAKE LINES ALL LINES NEEDED REPLACED AND CALIPERS SCREWS. POWER STEERING PUMP COST 535.00 TO REPLACE. POOR QUALITY ,HIGH COST TO FIX AND LACK OF SAFETY ON GM PART FOR NOT COVERING RUBBER COATING OR USING STAINLESS STEEL LINES TO PROTECT OUR FAMILY VERY DISCOURAGED WITH SERVICE TECH SAID THESE ARE THE PRICES. WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR SAFETY. BRAKE LINES AND GAS LINES SHOULD NOT BE MADE OF STEEL THAT CAN CORRODE AND RUST OUT AND BREAK. POWER STEERING PUMP WITH THESE FEW MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OUT. MY 1988 CHEVY TRUCK NEVER HAD THESE PROBLEMS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10488844
Incident
Dec 7, 2012
Mileage
82,457 mi
Body & structureEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 21, 2012

THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE GAS TANK AND CONNECTS TO THE SHOCK HAS ROTTED AWAY. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES DO TO RUST AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE. THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AWAY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, THERE IS A KNOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT I HAVE HAD FIXED ONCE ALREADY, THE ENGINE HAS TICKING SOUND WHEN IDLING, AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10476723
Incident
Sep 21, 2012
Mileage
85,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Sep 16, 2012

MOST RECENT(9/15/12),BRAKE LINE RUPTURES DO TO TONS OF RUST... . BODY MOUNTS TOTALLY RUSTED OFF , REAR BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELDS RUSTED OFF, LEAF SPRING SHACKLES RUSTED THRU AND FELL OFF..REAR BUMPER RUSTED THRU,TOTAL UNDER CARRIAGE RUSTED THRU, RAILSUNDER DOORS TOTALLY RUSTED THRU AND HAVE BIG HOLES IN THEM.. *TR *JS

NHTSA ID
10475524
Incident
Sep 15, 2012
Mileage
121,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Aug 12, 2012

I WAS DRIVING WHEN I WENT TO STOP AND THE PEDAL WAS SOFT. THE TRUCK STILL STOPPED BUT THE PEDAL DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY IN-LAWS HOUSE,ABOUT 2 MILES. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THEY ARE THE LINES THAT GO TO THE ABS MODULE. WHEN I INSPECTED FURTHER, ALL 4 LINES WERE EITHER LEAKING OR ABOUT TO. THAT IS WHEN I NOTICED BOTH ROCKER PANELS, JUST UNDER THE DOORS, WERE RUSTED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED THROUGH. THE DOORS ARE NOT RUSTED AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE RUST ON THE TRUCK EVEN WHERE THE PAINT HAS FLAKED OFF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10470310
Incident
Jul 29, 2012
Mileage
82,472 mi
Body & structureBrakesVisibility
Filed Jul 14, 2012

I WAS DRIVING DOWN LOCAL ROAD, WHEN THERE WAS A THREE CAR ACCIDENT WAY AHEAD. I SOWED RIGHT DOWN, MAY 25-30 MPH AS WE CAME UP ON IT, REALIZING AS I WENT TO SLOW DOWN MORE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I MADE IT HOME AND PARKED. MY BOYFRIEND LOOKED AT IT NEXT MORNING, I HAD NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT, ONE OF THE LINES WAS SO CORRODED THE FLUID LEAKED ALL OVER THE DRIVEWAY. I HAD RECENTLY HAD MY BRAKES DONE AND INSPECTION WITHIN THE PAST MONTH. I BOUGHT THE TRUCK BRAND NEW, AND HAVE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES WITH IT. INCLUDING ABS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECALLED, AND NEVER WORKED AFTER IT WAS REPLACED, WHICH I DID COMPLAIN ABOUT, HE INTERIOR SET MATERIAL NEEDED REPLACING, THE TAIL GATE CABLES AND HINGES ARE BROKE, THE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO RECALL ON THEM. A SENSOR WENT IN GAS TANK, THE DRIVERS SIDE MIRROR FELL OFF, THE WINDOW CABLE ON DRIVERS SIDE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, PASSENGER SIDE ONCE, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. LIKE I SAID, I BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, TRADED IN OLDER CHEVY SILVERADO, PAID CASH WITH GM DISCOUNT. I LOVE MY TRUCK, BUT THINK IT HAS HAD WAY TOO MANY PROBLEMS. I HAVE DEFINITELY READ A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE CORRODED GAS LINES AMONG OTHER ISSUES AND WOULD HOPE CHEVY WOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10465646
Incident
Jul 11, 2012
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HEARD A RATTLING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE THEN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT HIM NOTICING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE CABLE WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000. ..UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11

NHTSA ID
10426479
Incident
Sep 20, 2011
Mileage
176,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesFuel system
Filed Sep 8, 2011

BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES MUST BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. BLEW A BRAKE LINE AND HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD TO BE WELDED. LOOKING AT REPAIR COSTS BETWEEN $1500 - $3000 DEPENDING UPON HOW THIS GOES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10424268
Incident
Sep 5, 2011
Body & structure
Filed Mar 21, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVARADO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RUST COVERED HOLE UNDERNEATH THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR. NONE OF THE OTHER DOORS HAD ANY RUST UNDERNEATH THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/16/11

NHTSA ID
10392303
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
61,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Jan 28, 2011

BRAKE LINES RUSTING ON MY 02 SILVERADO 1500. *TR

NHTSA ID
10379498
Incident
Jan 21, 2011
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Apr 9, 2010

RUSTED BRAKE LINES POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324767
Incident
Jan 12, 2008

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .