Check a VIN

2002 GMC C Series problems

The most common problem on the 2002 GMC C Series is electrical system. Its complaint count is close to a typical C Series model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
2
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
103
Worst area
Electrical

The worst 2002 GMC C Series problems

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

  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1

Problems by type

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

  • Electrical
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Steering
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Defect investigations

Parking brake failureOpened April 9, 2004, closed May 10, 2005

In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified the federal safety agency that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly on vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system. A total of 58 non-duplicative complaints were received by odi and gm concerning the approximately 59,000 my 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series pickup trucks with the pbr parking brake system.these included 22 alleged rollaway incidents, resulting in a rate of 38.5 rollaway incidents per 100,000 vehicles.odi is aware of 24 complaints regarding the my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series manual transmission trucks recalled by gm, including 5 alleging rollaway incidents.though the conditions described in gm's letter are also present in the c/k trucks with automatic transmissions, the rollaway rate in those vehicles was similar to those observed in peer vehicles studied by odi in this investigation.this engineering analysis is closed. For additional information, see the attached closing report.

EA04011

Parking brake failureOpened December 8, 2003, closed April 9, 2004

Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake system's torque below that needed to immobilize the vehicle.gm has attributed this accelerated wear to foreign material intrusion and a failure of the brake shoe to properly self-center within its brake drum.effective with the start of my 2003 production, a newer reduced force hold-down clip was introduced to facilitate brake shoe disengagement from the drum surface.this part is also available at the service level for the my 1999-2002 vehicles.gm has indicated that the paking brake is intended to operate in conjunction with the transmission to immobilze parked vehicles, and that in many cases, accelerated parking brake lining wear is caused by rough use, vehicle modifications, and driving with the parking engaged. Odi has upgraded the preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis to gather further information concerning parking brake usage factors and the circumstances surrounding the seventeen reported vehicle crashes.

PE03057

Technical service bulletins for the 2002 GMC C Series 103

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

See all 103 bulletins for the 2002 GMC C Series

What 2002 GMC C Series owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 24, 2011 · Steering · 1,200 miles · MP

2002 sierra pickup has a clunking noise in the steering column. Worse while turning at low speeds. Dealer lubed it at 12,000 miles. It only last a short time the noise is back again. Vehicle has now has only 32,200 miles. Appreciate any help or ideals on what to do to fix this problem.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · 30,000 miles · TX

A new distributor cap and rotor has been replaced 2 times within a 6 month period. The vehicle tries to start but it doesn't catch and then sounds like it's trying to back fire. The AC coil is leaking on to the cap and producing moisture which is why it will not start or stalls and will not start back up. Gmc says they have had no problems with other vehicles and my mechanic said that they can't do anything until it happens again. This is my 3rd gmc van and have never had these kind of problems or I wouldn't have purchased the 2nd one. I'm very disappointed!

Used buying checklistWhat to check on a 2002 GMC C Series before you buy

Compare the 2002 GMC C Series

Other model years

1990199219931995199619982000200120022005200720082009

Questions about the 2002 GMC C Series

Is the 2002 GMC C Series reliable?

Owners have filed 2 complaints about the 2002 GMC C Series, close to a typical C Series model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2002 GMC C Series?

Electrical system, with 1 complaint. Next is engine (1).

How many recalls does the 2002 GMC C Series have?

No recalls on record.

Share your experience with the 2002 GMC C Series

Tell other buyers what went wrong and what it cost. We review every report before it appears, and we never publish names, emails or VINs.

No names, contact details or links. Reports about a dealer or a person are not published.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2002 GMC C Series?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history
Is this car on a recall?Check VIN