I was driving about 45 miles an hour coming down an overpass. The brake pedal went completely to the floor and I narrowly avoided a crash. I took to my mechanic. They said that the brake lines were completely rusted out. I am not getting this fixed as it is an older truck but I do think that someone could die from this defect.
2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems
127 complaints (77% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 80,000. 13 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 127
- of this car's complaints
- 77%
- typical mileage
- 80,000
- crashes
- 13
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10
- Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings5
- Foundation components: disc: rotor2
- Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring2
- Antilock: wheel speed sensor1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Parking brake failure
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 failure
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
What 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when it was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. The ABS and brake system warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence where the brake lines were replaced due to rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 120,000. *bf brake lines were replaced twice same location on the vehicle. Consumer is now having problems with ABS brake lighting on dash ( wheel speed sensors on front tone rings).
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While reversing the vehicle, the brake pedal became stuck to the floorboard. The contact was able to engage the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact inspected the vehicle and found that all the brake lines were corroded, which caused the brake fluid to leak. The vehicle was towed to bowser automotive (132-168 north lewis run road, west mifflin, pa 15236, (412) 469-2100) where it was diagnosed that all the brake lines were severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 75,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle's braking ability was lost and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle eventually came to a stop and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 158,000.
My emergency brake doesnt work...my head lights always burn out...my bed liner is wharped...
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving between 3-8 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the anti-lock brake system engaged, increasing the braking distance. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was rust between an ABS sensor and the hub in the front driver and passenger side wheels. The hub and sensor needed replacement, but the vehicle was not repaired. The gmc dealer (jeff wyler florence buick gmc, 1154 burlington pike, florence, ky 41042 (859) 279-4590) informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any service bulletins or recalls. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 05v379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 165,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the brakes failed to operate without warning. The bowser dealer was contacted and diagnosed that the brake line experienced severe corrosion and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Seven years prior to the failure, the brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to perform the repair at a discount. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. While driving 25 MPH, the brakes failed without warning. The contact stated that the zinc aluminum alloy on the brake lines caused severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that all the brake lines needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was invalid. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 07/18/17*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 1500. The contact stated that the brake pedal pulsated when applied, but failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake sensors needed to be cleaned. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. Updated 06/29/17*lj
Abs system is kicking in at slow speeds, as in a crawl like you were driving next to a walking person. Like I am pushing on the brake pedal and it is pushing back and not allowing me to stop truck. Very scary
Questions about the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 have brakes problems?
Owners have filed 127 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500, 77% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 80,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the GMC Sierra 1500 have bad brakes?
The GMC Sierra 1500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2015 (229 complaints), 2014 (144 complaints) and 2000 (131 complaints).
Other 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Suspension 9Body 8Steering 7Airbags 5Transmission 5Wheels 5Electrical 3Lights 3Engine 2Locks 2Seat belts 2Acceleration 1Fuel system 1Seats 1Tires 1
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