The accident happened in a parking lot. As I was turning at the end of row of parked vehicles ,a pick-up truck was backing out of a parking place. I applied the brakes but there was no response only a ratcheting noise coming from the front end of my pick-up. I put the truck in neutral but it continued to go forward until my truck ran into the other one. This happened at a very low speed but there was still quite a bit of damage to the trucks. It almost felt like the truck was being pulled forward on its own. I got my truck in to a mechanic and he replaced the left front wheel speed sensor. This accident was small but I could just as easily run into someone in a wheelchair or someone that could not get out of the way. I found out later that the truck was recalled before I owned it (at 43000 miles) for the same problem. The truck now has 103000 miles on it and it appears that the original problem has not been solved.
2002 GMC Sierra body problems
17 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 41,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 7%
- typical mileage
- 41,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Body: tailgate: hinge and attachments7
- Body3
- Frame and members: underbody shields1
- Body: tailgate1
- Body: door: hinge and attachments1
- Body: door1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Sierra body problems in other years
Related recalls
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
- Risk
- Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Recall number 04V129000 · Recall details
What 2002 GMC Sierra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
This is an old incident; however, until just recently, I did not realize there was a website such as yours. Also, I am reporting a specific incident, but also want to include other general information. The incident which occurred was related to my brake fluid lines rusting completely through while I was driving down the road with my two small grandchildren. When a vehicle stopped in front of me, I pushed on my brakes only to find I could not stop. Fortunately, there was a field on the right side of the road and I drove into it, rather than hitting the vehicle. When my husband checked the brakes, the lines literally fell apart. We still have this truck, but the entire underside of it (frame, spring hangers, front drive shaft, etc) are all rusted. Another issue that happened earlier this summer - the spare tire carrier had become so rusted, my spare tire actually came lose while driving down the road. Fortunately it was held up by a chain. Upon learning that this is a problem with most all gm trucks, I felt obligated to base my complaint in the hopes that something can be done. Toyota faced similar problems, but fortunately stood behind their products and made it right with their customers and I feel gm should be required to do likewise. We have tried to trade this truck in for another vehicle, but are being offered way below kelly blue book price because of the rust issue.
Description: 2002 gmc sierra?82,xxx.00 miles. While dropping my daughter off at school, I stopped at a light, accelerated to make it up the hill, and as I came over the horizon I proceeded to stop, when I depressed my brake pedal to slow down, the pedal went right to the floor. I almost ran into another vehicle and had I not thrown the car into low gear, and depressed my emergency brake, I am certain that we would have smashed into the school bus in front of us. My wife called aaa, and had the car towed to the local gmc dealer. It seems that the entire brake line system is rusted out, and that this was the first line to blow. They had the audacity to tell my wife that the repairs would start at $3,300.00 and would not guaranty that it could not be more expensive than that!. We take good care of the truck, last year we had all the brakes done, new tires, and recently had a new head gasket installed, and the oil changed, so it is obvious that the dealer does not ever do a thorough vehicle inspection. We cannot afford the shell out the money for these repairs, and I am hopeful that there has been some kind of a recall for this, since I see so many complaints about the same subject? Please help!
Both the driver side and rear brake lines, because of rust, burst at the same time. It was lucky the car was not on the road.I have replaced all the lines and had to replace the front calipers because the bleeding nippled were completely gone due to rust. The rear calipers were in good shape.over the course of ownership, I have had to forcefully remove the tires from the hub because they were rusted to the hub. Again I was lucky that I did this work at home and would have been in serious trouble had I been forced to change tires due to a flat. It also appears the truck frame is showing advance rusting for its age and mileage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic for service and the mechanic stated that there was rust found in the drivers side brake baking plate and brake line. The private mechanic also stated that there may be safety related failures involving the suspension and brake pedal because the pedal had to be depressed all the way to the floor before the brakes functioned properly. In addition, the contact also stated that the safety belts failed to open and close properly. The vehicle was not taken to an authorized dealer and the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 101,950. The consumer stated to pleases disregard notice. He called the safety line to report a complaint against a vehicle inspection station, not knowing the hotline was to report safety defects. Updated 10/07/11
(1) defective catch on tailgate would not always keep gate closed (2) gate unexpectedly opened traveling 35mph, loosing several pieces of furniture. Also, tailgate dropped onto highway damaging it badly. Discovered both cables rusted thru also. Could have caused accident or worse. (3) will bring into gmc dlr on first chance, 10/25/04.
The tailgate straps on my 2002 gmc seirra both broke at the same time and the tailgate fell down to the bumper. My local gm dealer knew of a problem but stated that no new item had been made to correct the strap problem, so they just put new straps back on my truck, just like the ones that broke.
While loading the vehicle, the tailgate support cables broke without warning. As a result the owner was thrown to the ground. The owner sustained hand injuries. Please provide additional information.
When opening the tailgate two support brackets broke. As a result, the tailgate fell to the ground. *ak both supports were replaced. There were broken cables.
My 2002 gmc 2500hd truck this past weekend had a failure in the tailgate cable system. I was driving my atv into the bed when the left cable broke and the tailgate suddenly lowered a few inches. Fortunately, the right cable didn't break or serious injury would have occurred. After looking at the broken cable, there was evidence of rust inside the plastic covering on the wire strands that make up the cable. There is no way to inspect the cables for a potential hazard prior to a catastrophic occurrence. I will be replacing mine with a stainless strap system so this dangerous defect won't happen again.
Questions about the 2002 GMC Sierra body
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra have body problems?
Owners have filed 17 complaints about the body of the 2002 GMC Sierra, 7% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra body problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 41,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 GMC Sierra body?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V129000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Sierra have the most body problems?
The GMC Sierra model years with the most body complaints are 2000 (34 complaints), 1999 (30 complaints) and 2002 (17 complaints).
Other 2002 GMC Sierra problems
Brakes 145Engine 25Transmission 18Steering 12Suspension 12Tires 10Electrical 6Visibility 6Acceleration 4Seat belts 4Airbags 3Fuel system 3Locks 3Seats 3Wheels 3Lights 2
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