RoadVitals

2002 GMC Sierra 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
20
Latest Apr 22, 2016
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes934.6%
  • Fuel system623.1%
  • Suspension311.5%
  • Airbags27.7%
  • Engine27.7%
  • Tires & wheels27.7%
  • Visibility13.8%
  • Driver assistance13.8%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2007 MODEL. THE IGNITION SWITCH, PARKING BRAKE, AND FUEL LINES ALL HAVE ISSUES AS SIMILARLY DESCRIBED FOR THE 2007 MODEL. THE FUEL LINES ACTUALLY BROKE THROUGH CAUSING A LEAK OF THE DIESEL FUEL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE OF 15 MILES.

NHTSA ID 10787186 · filed Oct 30, 2015

SLOWING DOWN TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRIED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO GET MORE PRESSURE BUT DID NOT WORK. DROVE OFF ONTO SHOULDER AND GOT IT SLOWED DOWN . DRIVE VERY SLOW WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I WAS ONLY ABOUT A MILE AWAY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER LEFT REAR WHEELS, FUEL TANK, LEFT REAR SHOCK AND DRIVE AXLE. CONTINUED TO LOOK AT ALL BRAKE LINES AND ALL OF THEM WERE CORRODED BAD. GETTING PRICES ON HAVING ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10526003 · filed Jul 21, 2013
All 9 reports naming brakes

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THIS TRUCK HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2007 MODEL. THE IGNITION SWITCH, PARKING BRAKE, AND FUEL LINES ALL HAVE ISSUES AS SIMILARLY DESCRIBED FOR THE 2007 MODEL. THE FUEL LINES ACTUALLY BROKE THROUGH CAUSING A LEAK OF THE DIESEL FUEL. THIS HAPPENED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE OF 15 MILES.

NHTSA ID 10787186 · filed Oct 30, 2015

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY STREET, THE ENGINE DIED. I LOST ALL MY POWER STEERING AND BRAKE. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I HAD IT TOWED TO HEDRICK'S CHEVROLET IN CLOVIS CA. IT TOOK 2 DAYS FOR THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. THEY SAID WHEN THEY WENT TO BRING IT IN TO THE SHOP IT STARTED UP AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I PICKED THE TRUCK UP AND THE NEXT DAY IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO PRESS THE PUMP ON THE TOP OF THE FILTER HOUSING UNTIL I COULD NO LONGER PRESS IT. I DID THAT AND IT STARTED UP. BE CAME VERY OBVIOUS THAT THEY WERE AWARE THAT THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING WAS CAUSING THE INJECTION SYSTEM TO LOSE SUCTION I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING. I HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT THIS FAILURE IS A COMMON FAILURE. EVIDENTLY THERE IS AN O RING IN THE HOUSING AND IT FAILS AND BASED ON FACT THAT THEIR SERVICE PERSON WAS ABLE TO TELL ME HOW TO START THE TRUCK, THEY NEW OF THESE FAILURES AND NEVER TOLD OWNERS ABOUT THIS. ...UPDATED 09/22/15 *BF UPDATED 12/9/2015 *JS

NHTSA ID 10731304 · filed Jun 30, 2015

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SLOWING DOWN TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRIED TO PUMP BRAKE PEDAL TO GET MORE PRESSURE BUT DID NOT WORK. DROVE OFF ONTO SHOULDER AND GOT IT SLOWED DOWN . DRIVE VERY SLOW WITH HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO GET IT BACK TO MY HOUSE. I WAS ONLY ABOUT A MILE AWAY. GOT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER LEFT REAR WHEELS, FUEL TANK, LEFT REAR SHOCK AND DRIVE AXLE. CONTINUED TO LOOK AT ALL BRAKE LINES AND ALL OF THEM WERE CORRODED BAD. GETTING PRICES ON HAVING ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10526003 · filed Jul 21, 2013

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE VEHICLE PULLS VIOLENTLY TO THE RIGHT. *NLM *DT

NHTSA ID 10002465 · filed Jan 9, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC 3500. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT SWERVED TO AVOID A DEER AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MINOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,000.

NHTSA ID 10205813 · filed Oct 16, 2007

AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN VEHICLE WENT OFF ROAD AND RASHED; ON-STAR DID NOT FUNCTION EITHER MANUALLY OR UPON IMPACT.*AK

NHTSA ID 10065803 · filed Apr 8, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 3500. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICEABLE INSIDE THE CABIN. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL HAD LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10860980 · filed Apr 22, 2016

WHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER SMELLED FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10017162 · filed Apr 18, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE WAS NO EVENT THAT WAS NOTED THAT WOULD CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD FROM THE SIDEWALL. A MAJOR LEAK WAS NOTED. THE SPLIT WAS LOCATED AT THE POINT OF SIDEWALL TO TREAD JOINT. THE TIRE HAS >9/32 OF TREAD LEFT ON THE TIRE. I AM AT A LOSS TO REPLACE THE TIRE. NO TRAUMA WAS INFLICTED ON THE TIRE. *NM

NHTSA ID 10171471 · filed Oct 20, 2006

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH REAR RIGHT TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL VEHICLE OVER, AND STOPPED TO CHECK THE TIRE. NOTICED THAT TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. BRIDGESTONE TIRE, SIZE 285/75R16. *AK

NHTSA ID 10040375 · filed Sep 23, 2003

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE BOUNCES ALL OVER THE ROAD, BOTH OUTSIDE MIRRORS VIBRATE DUE TO THIS. DEALER HAS BALANCED TIRES, DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID 8016110 · filed Aug 13, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I FIRST NOTICED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES WERE ACTIVATING AT SLOW SPEEDS ( 5-10 MPH ) UNDER DRY ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS WAS PRIOR TO BRAKE LINE INCIDENT ON 4-14-2012 BUT I AM NOT SURE OF EXACT DATE. I RESEARCHED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND FOUND NHTSA ID CAMPAIGN #05V379000 ACTION # PE05020 BUT THIS DID NOT INCLUDE MY HOME STATE OF KENTUCKY. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN OHIO SINCE THE PURCHASE OF SAID VEHICLE 10-17-2001 TO CURRENT DATE 2-11-2013. ON 4-14-2012 I WAS PREPARING TO TAKE MY BOAT TO FUEL IT . WHILE CHECKING THE TRAILER LIGHTS I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR WHEELS HAD BURST IN HALF AND WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT ALL THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED SIGNS OF SEVERE CORROISION. ON 2-8-2013 I DISCOVERED THAT DIESEL FUEL WAS LEAKING NEAR THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL COOLER. IT WAS FOUND TO BE A CORRODED RETURN FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE COOLER AND THE FUEL TANK .AGAIN UPON CLOSER INSPECTION ALL FUEL LINES SHOW MODERATE TO SEVERE CORROISION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10497825 · filed Feb 11, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .