RoadVitals

2002 Chevrolet Silverado Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical 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.
25
Latest Jan 9, 2016
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.
4%
of 710 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.
3
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 electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 25 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 electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2016

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRUCK, FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, SHUT DOWN CAUSING ME TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CAPABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN TO RE-START THE TRUCK. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE DONE THE SAME THING EACH TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN 2002 THEN CONSTANTLY 4-5 TIMES A YEAR AND AGAIN TODAY. GM HAS TOLD ME IN THE PAST THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD CAUSE THAT ISSUE. I COULD NOT GET MY LOCAL CHEVROLET SHOP MANAGER TO GIVE ME A STRAIGHT YES OR NO ANSWER REGARDING WHETHER MY PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ISSUES BEING EXPERIENCED BY EFFECTED GM MODELS WITH IGNITION PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE DUE TO THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCHES AS I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOOKED AT AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND AN ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN TURN RIGHT BACK OVER AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL!! I BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT COVER ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT ARE TRULY AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD MY FAMILY IN THE TRUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT TO THIS POINT.

NHTSA ID
10819155
Incident
Jan 9, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 30, 2014

WHEN TO USE THE HORN IN A TRAFFIC SITUATION AND NOTHING. NO POWER AT FUSE BOX FOR HORN STATED BY MY MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640324
Incident
Sep 3, 2014
Mileage
94,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 8, 2014

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRUCK, FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON, SHUT DOWN CAUSING ME TO LOOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CAPABILITY. I WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN TO RE-START THE TRUCK. IT HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND I HAVE DONE THE SAME THING EACH TIME TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. IT HAPPENED ONCE IN 2009 AND TWICE IN 2010. SINCE THEN IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES PER YEAR AT RANDOM TIMES. GM HAS TOLD ME IN THE PAST THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD CAUSE THAT ISSUE. I COULD NOT GET MY LOCAL CHEVROLET SHOP MANAGER TO GIVE ME A STRAIGHT YES OR NO ANSWER REGARDING WHETHER MY PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ISSUES BEING EXPERIENCED BY EFFECTED GM MODELS WITH IGNITION PROBLEMS. I BELIEVE IT MAY BE DUE TO THE RECALLED IGNITION SWITCHES AS I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM LOOKED AT AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND AN ISSUE THAT WOULD CAUSE THE TRUCK TO SHUT OFF RANDOMLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THEN TURN RIGHT BACK OVER AFTER SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL!! I BELIEVE THAT THE CURRENT RECALL DOES NOT COVER ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT ARE TRULY AFFECTED. I HAVE HAD MY FAMILY IN THE TRUCK ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED AND HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO NOT HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT TO THIS POINT. *JS

NHTSA ID
10609087
Incident
Jun 8, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSeat belts
Filed Jun 27, 2014

ENGINE STALLS OCCASIONALLY WHILE DRIVING, AND PUT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. FORTUNATELY I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN HAS LITTLE FREEWAYS. ALSO THE DRIVER SIDE SEATBELT IS STUCK AND I CAN NOT PULL IT OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10606554
Incident
Jun 1, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 3, 2014

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT COMPLETELY DEAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595839
Incident
May 28, 2014
Mileage
54,500 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 3, 2014

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH, FROM THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. THE SWITCH DID NOT MALFUNCTION ALL THE TIME, AND THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF BRIEFLY AND THEN COME BACK ON. THERE WERE TIMES, WHEN HE TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T START.

NHTSA ID
10575606
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
Electrical
Filed Feb 19, 2008

I HAD PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT THAT HAD THE WRONG INCIDENT DATE. THE ODI NUMBER IS 10218455. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218506
Incident
Mar 10, 2007
Mileage
195,294 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2008
Fire reported

I WENT TO MY RESIDENCE TO GET MY GOLF CLUBS & CLOTHES AT AROUND 8:00 PM ON MARCH 10, 2007, WHILE DRIVING BACK INTO TOWN TO STAY AT SOMEONE ELSE'S HOUSE SO WE COULD LEAVE ON A TRIP EARLY THE NEXT MORNING MY TRUCK CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED BUT TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218455
Incident
Mar 10, 2007
Mileage
195,294 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 10, 2007

DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE A CONSTANT PROBLEM FOR US, AND IF YOU CHECK OUT OTHER VEHICLES APPROCHING YOU AND A LIGHT IS OUT NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN IT'S A GM PRODUCT. IF GM USES THEM TO SELL THEIR PRODUCT THEY SHOULD WORK, JUST ASK A SERVICE DESK AT ANY DEALERSHIP AND YOU WILL GET THE SAME ANSWERE. ALL YEARS NOT JUST ONE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10187517
Incident
Aug 10, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jun 7, 2006

2002 SILVERADO BATTERY FAILED. *TS THE POSITIVE TERMINAL BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE BATTERY MAKING IT UNSTABLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160512
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE GLOWPLUGS. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PLUGS WERE BURNED OUT, AND THEY DID NOT HOLD A CHARGE LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND EACH TIME MORE OF THE PLUGS WERE BURNED OUT.

NHTSA ID
10150911
Incident
Mar 5, 2005
Mileage
68,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+2 more
Filed Feb 1, 2006

2002 SILVERADO PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, REAR AXLE SEALS WERE LEAKING. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL REGARDING THE PARKING BRAKE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS OF TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SPEED SENSOR. THE CD PLAYER FAILED. THE COMPLAINED ABOUT A RATTLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE SHOCKS. THE TAILGATE LATCH WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10150810
Incident
Jun 29, 2004
Electrical
Filed Jun 23, 2005

DT:CONSUMER PURCHASED VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS AN ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM AS A FEATURE AND THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE THIS FEATURE. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN SKOKIE A SUBURB OF CHICAGO, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO STEERING NO BRAKES NO CONTROL OF ANY KIND. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FLASH. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FORCE ENOUGH STEERING SO THAT SHE COULD MERGE OFF THE ROAD INTO A DRIVEWAY AND BUSHES THAT HELPED CONSUMER BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP. CONSUMER NOTICED A MESSAGE THAT CAME UP ON MESSAGE PANEL OF INSTRUMENT PANEL. MESSAGE READ SECURITY, AND CONSUMER FOUND LATER THAT OWNERS MANUAL SAID THAT THIS MESSAGE WAS INFORMING VEHICLE DRIVER OF A SECURITY LOCK, WHICH MEANS THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN TO KEEP FROM BEING STOLEN. WHEN CONSUMER WAS TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THAT FUEL PUMP WENT OUT AND THIS ENGAGED THE PASS LOCK FEATURE. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE HAD SEVERE CONSEQUENCES. DEALER SAID THE PASS LOCK SYSTEM COULD BE ENGAGED BY OTHER SIMPLE WAYS, LIKE PUTTING THE WRONG KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THERE IS NO WAY TO DISABLE SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10126363
Incident
Jun 13, 2005
Mileage
50,241 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 6, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT STATES IT HAS BEEN TO 2 DIFFERENT LOCAL SERVICE DEALERS ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THERE HAS BEEN A DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL COMPONENT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED. THE MANUFACTURER WILL WARRANTY THE PARTS THAT HAVE BEEN REPLACED.*AK

NHTSA ID
10124323
Incident
Jun 6, 2005
Electrical
Filed Jul 13, 2004

VEHICLE LOW ON POWER AND WOULD SHUT DOWN AFTER A FULL STOP. TAKEN TO A AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP. FOUND THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP AND ROTOR WERE A MESS. A TUNE UP WAS DONE, (AT MY COST $482.00). BECAUSE THIS IS CONSIDERED A TUNE UP NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. (?) MY TRUCK ONLY HAS JUST OVER 27,000 MILES ON IT. THE REPAIR SHOP THINKS IT WAS CAUSE BY THE A/C LINE RUNNING FROM ABOVE THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10080930
Incident
Jul 5, 2004
Mileage
27,640 mi
Electrical
Filed May 13, 2004

DISTRIBUTOR CAP WAS REPLACED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. MOISTURE FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER HOSE CAUSED IT TO MISFIRE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10073615
Mileage
19,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Apr 20, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS BECAME DIM WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *NM PROBLEM WAS REFERRED TO TSB RELATING TO NORMAL FUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, RATTLE FROM REAR END. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE AND FOUND LEAF SPRING PADS WORN OUT. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAS OI LEAK FROM FRONT IF VEHICLE. AS THE DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, IT WAS FOUND THAT FRONT SHOCKS WERE LEAKING FLUID. DEALER REPLACED BOTH SHOCKS. *LA

NHTSA ID
10064849
Incident
Mar 17, 2004
Mileage
35,094 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 4, 2004

MOISTURE DRIPPING FROM AN AIR CONDITIONER HOSE CORRODED THE DISTRIBUTOR CAP TO THE POINT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD RUN VERY ROUGHLY AND WITH NO POWER. DEALER REPLACED THE CAP, SPARK PLUG WIRES AND COVERED THE A/C HOSE AT 22800 MILES BUT THE SAME SYMPTOMS STARTED AGAIN AT 43880 MILES.

NHTSA ID
10060450
Incident
Jun 8, 2003
Mileage
22,800 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 26, 2004

VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLED WHILE DRIVING,AND WOULD NOT RESTART FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10055441
Mileage
33,800 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Nov 14, 2003

CONDENSATION DRIPPING ON MY DISTRIBUTOR, CAUSED THE IGNITION TO FAIL (DISTRIBUTOR CAP) WAS FIXED BY APPLYING PLASTIC HOSE TO AC LINE THAT WAS DRIPPING ON THE DIST. CAP. (FIXED BY DEALER) BUT: THE HOSE NOW ROUTES THE WATER TO A SPARK PLUG!!! *LA

NHTSA ID
10046924
Incident
Aug 1, 2002
Electrical
Filed Jul 22, 2003

VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, IN PARTICULAR WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED THREE TIMES THE CAP AND ROTOR.*AK

NHTSA ID
10029873
Incident
Jul 22, 2003
Electrical
Filed Jul 8, 2003
Fire reported

CONSUMER STATES WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY CONSUMER NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026784
Mileage
20,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Jan 28, 2002

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH FRONT END ON PASSENGER'S SIDE COLLAPSED TO GROUND WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
8003017
Electrical
Filed Jan 24, 2002

WHEN DRIVING IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND OPERATE HORN AT THE SAME TIME.*AK

NHTSA ID
8002777
Incident
Jan 10, 2002
Electrical
Filed Nov 30, 2001
Fire reported

AFTER VEHICLE WAS PARKED CAONSUME R SAW A LIGHT IN DASHBOARD. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE . PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
899773
Incident
Nov 26, 2001

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .