RoadVitals

2002 GMC Savana 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.
3
Latest Jul 3, 2013
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 Oct 24, 2007
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.
0
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 GMC Savana 3500, most frequently naming the engine and tires & wheels categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 69 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

  • Engine150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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
07E088000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 24, 2007
121,680 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS ARE MARKED WITH A DATE CODE A61451 THROUGH A72571 SEQUENTIALLY. THE DATE CODE AND PART NUMBER APPEAR ON THE FILTER HOUSING. FRAM RACING HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS NOT BEARING A DATE CODE IN THIS RANGE ARE NOT AFFECTED BY THIS RECALL. THE GASKET OF THE OIL FILTER BECOMES MORE PLIABLE UNDER HIGH TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE INADEQUATE SEALING AND LOSS OF ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 3, 2013

B F GOODRICH TIRES HAVE DEEP CRACKS IN THE SIDEWALLS AND THE TIRE DEALER SAYS THEY ARE UNSAFE AND COULD FAIL. BFG OFFERED TO PAY 30% FOR NEW ONES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10523079
Incident
Jul 3, 2013
Mileage
54,459 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 1, 2008

THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON 2001 CHEVY SILVERADOS WITH 8.1L ENGINES DUE A INTERMITTENT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. (SEE RECALL ID# 53021). I OWN A 2002 GMC SAVANNA 3500 VAN WITH A 8.1L ENGINE (THE VAN WAS FACTORY ORDERED BY US IN AUG 2001) THAT HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME STALLING FAILURES FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. THE VAN HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS IN EXCEEDS OF 40 MPH. AFTER BRINGING THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 3/26/08 (AND THEY FINDING NOTHING WRONG WITH IT), I HAVE LOGGED THE FAILURE EVENTS SINCE THEN. THE VAN IS NOT HEAVILY USED (IT HAS JUST OVER 42000 MILES -- WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 500 MILES/MO.): 5/22/08 STALLED WHILE DECELERATING TO STOPLIGHT 5/23/08 DIFFICULTY STARTING 5/25/08 STALLED WHILE COASTING @ 30 MPH 6/4/08 STALLED WHILE DRIVING (MY WIFE DID NOT RECORD THE MPH) 6/22/08 STALLED AT 35 MPH 6/29/08 STALLED AT STOPLIGHT 7/9/08 STALLED TURNING INTO PARKING LOT 7/13/08 STALLED AT 5 MPH (JUST PRIOR TO A TURN) 7/20/08 STALLED AT 45 MPH 8/8/08 STALLED AT 40 MPH 8/23/08 TROUBLE STARTING I BROUGHT THE VAN INTO THE DEALER ON 8/26/08 AND HAD THEM PERFORM THE SAME WORK AS INDICATED BY THE SILVERADO RECALL. I HAVE PURPOSELY DRIVEN OVER 200 MILES AFTER THIS AND NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. MY QUESTION (AND COMPLAINT) IS WHY WAS THE RECALL FOR THE 8.1L ENGINES NOT EXTENDED TO GMC SAVANNAS EQUIPPED WITH 8.1L ENGINES? HAVING A VAN LOSE ALL POWER AT SPEED IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND I BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO ALL 8.1L ENGINES BUILT IN THE 2001 TIMEFRAME (EVEN IN 2002 MODELS). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION *TR

NHTSA ID
10240503
Incident
May 22, 2008
Mileage
42,000 mi
Filed Dec 29, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS FAIL DUE TO BURNED GROUND CONNECTION IN SOCKETS. SINGS OF PLASTIC MELTING IN EACH BRAKE LIGHT SOCKET

NHTSA ID
10177357
Incident
Oct 8, 2006
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.

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.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

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

GMC Savana 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025000—
2023000—
2018000—
2017000—
2016000—
2015100—
2014100—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010100—
2009300—
2008000—
2007200—
2006130—
2005310—
2004010—
2003310—
2002Viewing320—
2001220—
2000120—
1999120—
1998000—
1997200—
1996000—

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.