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.
The worst 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes9
- Fuel system6
- Suspension3
- Airbags2
- Engine2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes9
- Fuel system6
- Suspension3
- Airbags2
- Engine2
- Tires2
- Acceleration1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- What is wrong
- On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
- Risk
- In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1‑908‑231‑1804 or mobilityworks at 1‑800‑769‑8267.
Recall number 04V562000 · Recall details
Interior lighting
- 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 2 recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500
Defect investigations
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
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 GMC Sierra 3500 158
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement...
- This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
What 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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
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.
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 the federal safety agency 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.
This morning I noticed the brake pedal traveling down further than normal and little to no stopping power. Once arriving at work I tried to pump the brake pedal and it kept going to the floor. Upon looking under the truck I discovered a puddle of brake fluid. After further inspection I found one of brake lines had rusted through and blown out in front of the ABS module. The general condition of all the brake lines in this area is very rusty. I will likely have to replace all the brake lines due to this.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 3500. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke and lose power abnormally. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the fuel filter was replaced. The failure recurred in less than one year. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the contact was advised that there were three defective fuel injectors that would need replacing. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06e043000 (fuel system, gasoline) yet the repair did not remedy the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 82,828.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra 3500. While driving 15 MPH, the antilock brake system began to activate in normal weather conditions. As a result, the brakes began to tremble. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and a technician stated that there was corrosion of the wheel speed sensor, which caused the ABS to activate. No repairs have been made. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and no reimbursement would be provided. The federal safety agency campaign id number was unknown. The failure mileage was 49,100 and current mileage was 50,289.
My ABS brakes prevent my truck from stopping at slow speeds.
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.
Compare the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500
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Questions about the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500, close to a typical Sierra 3500 model year.
What is the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 year score?
The 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 scores 68 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500: 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 GMC Sierra 3500?
Brakes, with 9 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles. Next is fuel system (6).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
2 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility and interior lighting.
What year does the GMC Sierra 3500 have bad brakes?
The GMC Sierra 3500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (16 complaints), 2004 (14 complaints) and 2000 (12 complaints).
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