FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2002 | 1 | 1 |
| Sep 2002 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2002 | 1 | 3 |
| Jan 2003 | 1 | 4 |
| Feb 2003 | 1 | 5 |
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 6 |
| May 2003 | 1 | 7 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 8 |
| Apr 2004 | 1 | 9 |
| May 2004 | 1 | 10 |
| Jul 2004 | 1 | 11 |
| Sep 2004 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2005 | 1 | 13 |
| Jun 2005 | 1 | 14 |
| Aug 2005 | 1 | 15 |
| Oct 2005 | 1 | 16 |
| Nov 2005 | 2 | 18 |
| Jul 2006 | 1 | 19 |
| Sep 2006 | 1 | 20 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 21 |
| Mar 2007 | 2 | 23 |
| Aug 2007 | 2 | 25 |
| Jan 2008 | 2 | 27 |
| Dec 2008 | 1 | 28 |
| Feb 2009 | 1 | 29 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 30 |
| Dec 2009 | 2 | 32 |
| Feb 2010 | 1 | 33 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 34 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 35 |
| Oct 2010 | 1 | 36 |
| May 2011 | 3 | 39 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 40 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 41 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 42 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 43 |
| Jun 2013 | 1 | 44 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 46 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 47 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 48 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 49 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 50 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes2337.1%
- Engine812.9%
- Fuel system812.9%
- 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.govINTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
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.
HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
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.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
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.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 52.0 |
| 2024 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 55.2 |
| 2023 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 39.3 |
| 2022 | 27 | 3 | 0 | 59.6 |
| 2021 | 38 | 5 | 1 | 61.0 |
| 2020 | 40 | 8 | 1 | 60.2 |
| 2019 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 57.7 |
| 2018 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2017 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 41.2 |
| 2016 | 50 | 6 | 0 | 52.8 |
| 2015 | 52 | 7 | 1 | 63.5 |
| 2014 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 56.1 |
| 2013 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 51.9 |
| 2012 | 23 | 4 | 1 | 57.5 |
| 2011 | 29 | 5 | 1 | 49.4 |
| 2010 | 2 | 5 | 1 | — |
| 2009 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 58.4 |
| 2008 | 31 | 4 | 3 | 64.5 |
| 2007 | 39 | 5 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 2006 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2005 | 46 | 1 | 0 | 33.7 |
| 2004 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 43.6 |
| 2003 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 34.7 |
| 2002Viewing | 50 | 2 | 2 | 52.9 |
| 2001 | 72 | 2 | 3 | 56.9 |
| 2000 | 80 | 2 | 2 | 54.6 |
| 1999 | 47 | 1 | 0 | 37.4 |
| 1998 | 67 | 1 | 0 | 42.7 |
| 1997 | 61 | 1 | 1 | 47.3 |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
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.