Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a bad year?
351 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 51, 5.1× a quiet Silverado 2500 year.
Keep it, but watch the engine
Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–110k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Silverado 2500 owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 90,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 206 (59%) | 60k–125k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 51 (15%) | 65k–110k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 30 (9%) | 88k–149k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Steering | 16 (5%) | 52k–142k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Tires | 13 (4%) | 39k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 12 (3%) | 50k–119k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 10 (3%) | 40k–98k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 10 (3%) | 50k–108k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 5 (1%) | 41k–107k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Parking brake | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 90,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 351 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Vehicle stalls suddnly while driving. No definite pattern to the stalling. Stalls at least once a day. Has been occuring for about the last year to year and a half.
Crankshaft position sensor is operating intermittently causing vehicle stalling during normal driving. This failure is so far random and may or may not occur each time the vehicle is driven.
I own a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD with 8.1L engine. The truck has started stalling (Engine completely shutting down) while I am driving at different speeds.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 90,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500: 3
Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing manufactured from october 18, 2005, through march 21, 2006, sold for use on the vehicles listed above and on certain school buses. This condition may cause an inadequate seal at the connection, potentially leading to a fuel leak. In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
Certain fabtech aftermarket replacement pitman arms, p/nos. FTS71000 and FTS71001, installed for use on certain 2001-2006 GM c/k 2500 pick up trucks and sport utility vehicles. The pin located inside the pitman arm can shear off due to a reverse bending fatigue condition, resulting in a total loss of steering control. Loss of steering control could lead to a vehicle crash with potential injury or death.
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. These conditions could result in reduced braking capability, which could lead to a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chevrolet: 143
Repair instructions Chevrolet sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil
Rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up
Possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location
Guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large amounts of debris has flowed throughout the oiling system
NHTSA defect investigations: 4
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Hydraulic pump failres
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
Neighbouring years
2001 Silverado 2500: 387 complaints, keep it, but watch the engine · 2003 Silverado 2500: 449 complaints, keep it.
Every Chevrolet Silverado 2500 year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Silverado 2500 years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a bad year?
351 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 51, 5.1× a quiet Silverado 2500 year. At 90,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the engine. Half of the engine complaints for this year were filed at 65k–110k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (206), engine (51), fuel system (30), steering (16), tires (13). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 65k–110k miles.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?
3 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 06E043000), Steering (NHTSA 06E010000), Interior lighting (NHTSA 01V-220). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.