2002 GMC Sierra 2500 problems & reliability
134 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
5 complaints report injuries (8 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 44 | 33% |
| Service Brakes | 32 | 24% |
| Power Train | 14 | 10% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 11 | 8% |
| Steering | 9 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 4% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 4% |
| Structure | 5 | 4% |
| Tires | 5 | 4% |
| Air Bags | 4 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 88,000 miles (middle 50% between 53,500 and 119,809 miles), based on 111 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“We were in a roll over accident going under 30mph. I was a passenger in the back seat. When I woke up I saw that the driver was hanging out the door window. The air bags did not deploy. The driver who was also the owner of the truck died of multiple blunt forces. The insurance company had the truck towed to COPART in…”
Air Bags · filed Jan 15, 2023
“While traveling on the highway we hit black ice and ultimately ended up with a front impact which turned into a 2 time vehicle rollover. Both front seat belts and buckled during the rollover and did not lock and neither of the airbags in front when off at any point during the collision”
Seat Belts · filed Feb 28, 2019
“I purchase this truck 2/03/17 and have used it until 2 weeks age when the brake lines broke in my driveway, I am having the lines replaced with stainless lines at a cost of about $1200 ( I am not sure of the total cost because it also needs a antilock braking pump which was badly corroded) the fuel lings are also…”
Service Brakes · filed Dec 4, 2017
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
Engineering Analysis EA07013 · opened Sep 14, 2007 · closed Sep 12, 2008
- TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE07025 · opened May 14, 2007 · closed Sep 14, 2007
- HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURES
Preliminary Evaluation PE04004 · opened Jan 8, 2004 · closed Apr 30, 2004
Technical service bulletins
146 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500. The 10 most recent:
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 18, 2025
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
03-06-01-023I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 18, 2024
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
03-06-01-023H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 7, 2024
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…
General Communication · Service Campaign · issued Aug 26, 2024
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…
24-NA-141 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jul 24, 2024
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…
16-NA-383 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 28, 2024
This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
18-NA-099 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 17, 2024
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492, or E6961 and…
24-NA-098 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 6, 2024
This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
10-08-45-001H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 28, 2024
This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
06-06-01-019C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 14, 2024
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2002 GMC Sierra 2500?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 88,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.