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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

The most common problem on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 is brakes, typically around 84,425 miles. It has 3.4 times the complaints of a typical Silverado 2500 model year.

Year to avoid3.4x the typical complaints
Year score
31/100
Owner complaints
351
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
339
Worst area
Brakes
Typical repair
$1,150

The worst 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Brake failure 63ABS 36Stalling 27Tire blowout 11Loss of power 7Check engine light 6Power steering loss 6Fire or smoke 5Spongy pedal 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 mention

P0335 2

Recalls 1

Interior lightingReported June 26, 2001 · 38,863 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: certain pickup trucks equipped with 6.6l diesel engines fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." these vehicles have a brake system warning light in the instrument cluster that may not illuminate when the brake fluid is low. In addition, when the brake fluid is low, the vehicle may not meet the partial system requirements of fmvss no. 105.
Risk
These conditions could result in reduced braking capability, which could lead to a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began july 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.

Recall number 01V220000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Defect investigations

Trailer hitch receiver failureOpened September 14, 2007, closed September 12, 2008

Complaint reports allege poor weld quality and/or bending of the subject vehicle original equipment trailer hitch receiver.the agency's investigation included analysis of manufacturer and agency incident reports, review of police reports, analysis of the agency's fatal analysis reporting system, a vehicle owner survey, inspection of tow vehicles/hitches and analysis of failed parts.incidents of weld failure were rare and associated with very low-speed driving (turning, backing and sudden stopping).incidents of bending were associated with improper trailer hitch adjustment or overloading. A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.see document search file for addition information.

EA07013

Trailer hitch receiver failureOpened May 14, 2007, closed September 14, 2007

Gm provided additional data regarding allegations of failure of the trailer hitch.odi reviewed that as well as other data provided by peer manufacturers.based on our review, odi finds the need to further investigate this issue.this preliminary evaluation is upgraded to an engineering analysis (ea07-013) for further assessment and study of this issue.

PE07025

Hydraulic pump failresOpened April 30, 2004, closed February 28, 2005

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.

EA04012

Hydraulic pump shaft failuresOpened January 8, 2004, closed April 30, 2004

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.

PE04004

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 339

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 339 bulletins for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

What 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 9, 2025 · Brakes · IL

I pulled the truck out of the garage in working condition, left it running while parked in the driveway. It emptied the entire brake fluid reservoir through a leak in the distribution junction on the rear axle, leaving the truck with no brake function whatsoever. Had I not parked the truck in the driveway, I would have been involved in a serious collision due to sudden complete brake failure.

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Brakes · KY

While driving on US60 East of Lexington Kentucky I was preparing to turn left using the left turn lane. There was another car in front of mine and as I approached it I began to lightly apply the brakes. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no decrease in speed. Fortunately I was able to switch back to the through lane and avoid an accident. While I was able to avoid an accident there was definitely a risk of injury to myself and the occupants of the other vehicle. When I was able to inspect the vehicle I found that the brakeline adjacent to the fuel tank was rusted through which caused a complete brake failure. I do the vehicle maintenance personally and have since made necessary repairs to the brake system. I was aware of problems with the brakelines on this vintage truck being prone to failure due to rusting. As I was making repairs it was obvious the routing of the brakelines was such as to making the rusting more likely to happen.

Filed Apr 26, 2021 · Brakes · 182,000 miles · WA

Hard brake line failure due to corrosion from poor quality parts without proper corrosion protection or correct materials (I.e. Stainless steel vs mild steel) when vehicle is used in areas where de-icer is used on the roads.

Filed Mar 19, 2021 · Brakes, Steering · 265,000 miles · OK

The ABS light came on and the brake light. The power steering is bad and the steering wheel shakes when I brake, I got the brakes and rotors changed and the problem persisted

Filed Feb 11, 2021 · Engine · 143,000 miles · OR

Known to gm injector problems with chevy silverado vehicles. My injector cracked or failed and diesel went in to my engine oil, causing an over fill of 2 gallons. Oil was leaking out all over from my truck while I was driving. There are many other post about this problem and gm is aware but hasn't issued a recall.

Filed Nov 8, 2020 · Brakes, Fuel system · 267,000 miles · ME

My ABS speed sensor got sheared by back of my front drivers side tire in which I have seen on multiple sights a defect that was deemed a recall for being poorly set up on the assembly line. Secondly, ive spent thousands and looking online for a vary serious issue ive been having with my vehicle due to intermediate stalling, backfiring, and vehicle dieing due to what has finally been found to be the infamous crankshaft sensor. Replaced my computer, all 02 sensors, egr valve exc... Than upon looking and researching, I find it was a major one on recall as well for failing all the time. I just feel if these are factory errors and been on the recall, and my woman who travels with me that is paralyzed due to an accident, I should be entitiled to the recalls giving they were known flaws on the asssembly line and a danger to others. When the vehicle stalls out, it starts choking, backfiring, and bucking and wants to lock up and loose control. Not cool. Ive been chasing this problem spending thousands in parts and repairs to make this truck safe for work and feel if there has been recalls for all this, would be nice to reap something out of my investment in this truck

Filed Sep 15, 2020 · Wheels · 109,000 miles · CA

Vibration in vehicle prior to tire blow out on freeway traveling approximately 70 MPH.. Appears to be a tread separation type failure. Tires are bf goodrich all terrain ta ko baz with approximately 27000 miles on them. Size is lt265/75r16. Tires were rotated and checked for proper inflation by professional tire shop approximately 4 days prior to failure.

Filed Aug 4, 2020 · Brakes · 143,000 miles · FL · crash · 2 injuries

Driving up to city intersection was appling brakes, car in front applied his quicker causing his rear to raise up, indicating panic stop, I followed and applied hard pressure to my brakes, pedal then went to the floor and lost all brake action, this lead to my truck rear end of other cars

Filed Aug 17, 2018 · Brakes · 75,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 chevrolet silverado 2500. While driving 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact noticed a leak coming from the brake line and rust. The contact did not engage the emergency brake. The contact was unsure if any warning indicators were illuminated. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure recurred, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2018 · Engine · 48,500 miles · PA

While driving, the engine will suddenly shut down and without warning stop.

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Compare the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

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Questions about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 reliable?

Owners have filed 351 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3.4 times a typical Silverado 2500 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.

What is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 year score?

The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 scores 31 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?

Brakes, with 212 complaints, typically around 84,425 miles. Next is engine (56).

How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?

1 recall, covering interior lighting.

What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have bad brakes?

The Chevrolet Silverado 2500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (247 complaints), 2002 (212 complaints) and 2001 (181 complaints).

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