Is the 2002 GMC Sierra a bad year?
249 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sierra years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra are in line with other Sierra years. Brakes stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Sierra 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 50,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 128 (51%) | 34k–101k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 23 (9%) | 7k–80k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 18 (7%) | 3k–50k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Body structure | 17 (7%) | 24k–70k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Parking brake | 17 (7%) | 30k–55k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 12 (5%) | 20k–50k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 6 (2%) | 47k–91k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Suspension | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | 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 50,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 249 complaints: 23 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 5 report an injury.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Mar 2016.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra: 7
These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." These lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors. Decreased lighting visibility may result in a vehicle crash.
Certain cequent 90 degree 7-WAY right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel RV travel trailers. Due to incorrect wiring of the harness, the trailer lights may not operate properly. If the trailer lights are not working properly, a vehicle crash can occur.
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle. If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Aftermarket pickup truck over-the-rail bedliners manufactured for installation on 1999-2004 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra pickup trucks. The toggle wing assembly used to attach the bedliner to the truck bed is not engaging fully in the stake pocket of the pickup truck. The bedliner can become detached from the pickup while it is motion, possibly endangering following motorists or pedestrians.
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. 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.
Some 2WD and 4WD pickup trucks, converted to either dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel usage, were assembled with a throttle cable that can contact and rub through the flexible pressurized fuel line creating a pinhole leak of natural gas to the atmosphere. A strong odor of natural gas may be detected from inside the vehicle, possibly accompanied by a hissing noise. If the natural gas were accidentally ignited, serious injury could result.
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 GMC: 26
Repair instructions GMC sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 GMC Sierra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with EGR system, has leakage from EGR cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber
Not engagement into drive, delayed, no engagement into reverse, and or a range inhibit
Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire, and/or engine noise
Planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear
NHTSA defect investigations: 8
Brake line corrosion failure
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Parking brake failure
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
Parking brake failure
Neighbouring years
2001 Sierra: 263 complaints, keep it · 2003 Sierra: 206 complaints, keep it.
Every GMC Sierra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All Sierra years side by side
Other GMC models: GMC Acadia · GMC Canyon · GMC Denali · GMC Envoy · GMC Envoy XL · GMC Envoy Xuv · GMC Jimmy · GMC Safari · GMC Savana · GMC Sierra 1500 · GMC Sierra 2500 · GMC Sierra 3500 · GMC Sierra Denali · GMC Sonoma · GMC Terrain · GMC Yukon · GMC Yukon Denali · GMC Yukon Denali XL · GMC Yukon XL · GMC Yukon XL 1500. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra a bad year?
249 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Sierra years. At 50,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 GMC Sierra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (128), engine (23), transmission and drivetrain (18), body structure (17), parking brake (17).
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
7 recall campaigns list this model year: Exterior lighting (NHTSA 09E025000), Equipment (NHTSA 07E066000), Brakes (NHTSA 05V-379), Parking brake (NHTSA 05V-161) and more. 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.