RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
50
Latest Jan 31, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

Overview

Our database contains 50 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 137 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes2337.1%
  • Engine812.9%
  • Tires & wheels69.7%
  • Suspension58.1%
  • Visibility58.1%
  • Powertrain (other)23.2%
  • Steering11.6%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The 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.
The 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.
The 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).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

INTERIOR LIGHTING

Jun 26, 2001
38,863 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.
The 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.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 01050View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA04012ClosedEngineering Analysis

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES

Opened Apr 30, 2004
Closed Feb 28, 2005

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSISTLed to recall 05V005000
PE04004ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES

Opened Jan 8, 2004
Closed Apr 30, 2004

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesFuel system
Filed Jan 31, 2018

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES AND OEM UNCOATED CARBON STEEL BRAKE LINES. *M THE CONSUMER STATED GM WITHHELD MATERIAL FACTS CONCERNING DURAMAX LB7 DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES IN VIOLATION OF MISSOURI MERCHANDISING PRACTICES ACT AT THE TIME OF SALE AND DELIVERY. *JS

NHTSA ID
10855736
Incident
Sep 18, 2015
Brakes
Filed May 24, 2016

WHEN POSITIONING MY TRUCK TO HOOK UP MY 5TH WHEEL CAMPER I LOST MY BRAKES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND AND I WASN'T SURE UNTIL I GOT OUT AND SAW THE PUDDLE . EVEN AFTER MOVING THE TRUCK AN LOSING MORE FLUID THERE WAS STILL NO WARNING. I HATE TO THINK IF HAD HOOKED UP AND BEEN DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN CORRODED METAL LINES BLEW OUT!

NHTSA ID
10870694
Incident
May 24, 2016
Mileage
145,000 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+2 more
Filed Nov 17, 2014
Crash reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE JUST COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, I HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING & 1 YEAR LATER AND 25,000 MILES LATER & 5 ACCIDENTS THE VEHICLE STILL DOES IT NOW IT WONT EVEN START. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE SHOULD BE A RE-CALL ON THIS I'VE READ THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON IN THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE VARIOUS RECALLS ON THE WIRING HARNESS, TRANSMISSION, FUEL LINE, FILTER, HEADLIGHTS, TOWING PACKAGE, BRAKE SYSTEM, BRAKE LIGHTS, BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS. EVERYBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I ALMOST LOST MY LIFE MANY TIMES AND I LOST ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE GM SHOULD TAKE THIS TRUCK BACK THAT'S FOR SURE 2002 C3500 EXPRESS / CUTAWAY DURAMAX DIESEL *TR

NHTSA ID
10658664
Incident
Nov 11, 2013
Mileage
40,213 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET C/K 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TRAVELING INTO THE INTERSECTION UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10548464
Incident
Oct 16, 2003
Mileage
22,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 11, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA ID
10543046
Incident
Dec 5, 2001
Mileage
500 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 8, 2013

I HAVE HAD 2 OF THEM FAIL ON MY WORK TRUCK. BOTH HAD VERY LOW MILES. TIRES COMPLETELY BLEW OUT.

NHTSA ID
10523605
Incident
Jul 3, 2013
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2013

BRAKE LINE FAILURE. COMING TO STOP LIGHT, BRAKES WENT OUT CAUSING ME TO RUN THE LIGHT ALMOST CAUSING MAJOR ACCIDENT. THIS HAPPENED IN FEB 2013. HAD BRAKE LINE REPAIRED. IN JUNE 2013 SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN / DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE. NEED TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10522456
Incident
Feb 4, 2013
Mileage
160,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2012

WHILE STOPPING; BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN DIVING @ HIGHWAY SPEED I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP AND WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BAD ACCIDENT. AFTER GETTING OUT OF VEHICLE, FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE THAT WAS COMING FROM ABOVE LEFT FRAME MEMBER JUST TO REAR OF FIREWALL @ LOCATION WERE BRAKE LINES ALL COME TOGETHER. THERE WAS A LINE OF BRAKE FLUID ON PAVEMENT THE ENTIRE DISTANCE THAT I HAD BEEN TRYING TO STOP. BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE RUSTED THRU ALSO OBSERVED THAT FUEL LINES BADLY RUSTED ALSO. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET TRUCKS AND THAT GM HAS MADE A KIT TO REPAIR PROBLEM. THIS IS SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW THAT GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND FIX @ THEIR EXPENSE. THERE SHOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY RECALL TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10484060
Incident
Nov 10, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026230
2025121052.0
2024473055.2
2023151039.3
2022273059.6
2021385161.0
2020408160.2
2019217057.7
2018186049.1
2017136041.2
2016506052.8
2015527163.5
2014103156.1
2013264151.9
2012234157.5
2011295149.4
2010251
2009106158.4
2008314364.5
2007395361.9
2006520046.3
2005461033.7
2004411043.6
2003421034.7
2002Viewing502252.9
2001722356.9
2000802254.6
1999471037.4
1998671042.7
1997611147.3
1996100
1995000
1994100

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.