How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?

The 2002 GMC Sierra has 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2002 GMC Sierra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2002 GMC Sierra?

Of 291 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic.

2002 GMC Sierra Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 GMC Sierra has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,106,566 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 291 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 05V379000 2005-08-29 1,353,718 affected

Defect

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 RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND,…

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN…

PARKING BRAKE 05V161000 2005-04-22 90,242 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR…

STRUCTURE 04V129000 2004-03-17 3,662,211 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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…

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,…

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER 03V435000 2003-11-03 395 affected

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL SECURE THE THROTTLE CABLE TO ELIMINATE THE POSSIBILITY OF CONTACT WITH THE CNG FUEL LINE. THE CNG FUEL LINE, THROTTLE CABLE, AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE ARE ALSO TO BE INSPECTED AND REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438…

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

SERVICE BRAKES

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PARKING BRAKE

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

TIRES

Total complaints291

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra. While driving 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact veered into a ditch to avoid a collision. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines were corroded and needed to be…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2016-01-01

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierria. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 15v201000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part needed to perform the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…”

ENGINE · reported 2015-12-03

“On two separate occasions over the past few years, this truck has had frame damage caused by rust / corrosion to the extent that it either would not pass inspection or it compromised the operation of the vehicle. More specifically, the frame cross-members have had holes rotted through them and the…”

UNKNOWN OR OTHER · reported 2015-10-20

“On the morning of friday august 21, 2015, my wife went to move my 2002 gmc sierra. She pulled out of our driveway and proceeded up-hill about 300-400 feet, and then turned around in a neighbor's driveway, when coming back down the hill she tried to brake to stop in front of our house, but the…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-08-21

“Left house and abs brake light came on, shut the truck off and abs brake pump under truck would not stop running even with key off. So had to take fuse out. At that time I drove back home, but if you push down on brake it will go to the floor. June 2014 had truck in shop to have all brake lines…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-07-21

“The passenger side rear exhaust manifold bolt broke off. This is a manufacturer defect. This is a very common problem with these trucks.”

ENGINE · reported 2015-05-27

“Applied brakes to stop and brake peddle went to floor do to rotted brake line. *tr”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2015-02-28

“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 gmc sierra. While driving 60 mph, the wheels went in a different direction than the steering wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue, but there was no response. The approximate failure mileage was 216,000. Updated…”

STEERING · reported 2015-02-27

Defect investigations

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Investigation DP05009 Opened 2005-12-20 · closed 2006-05-31

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Investigation EA02015 Opened 2002-08-01 · closed 2004-01-12

THROTTLE STICKING CLOSED

THIS INVESTIGATION INVOLVES THE GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION (GM)THROTTLE BODY (TB) UTILIZED IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 SILVERADO, SIERRA, TAHOE, SUBURBAN, AVALANCHE AND YUKON (SUBJECT VEHICLE(S)) WITH 4.8L, 5.3L, AND 6.0L ENGINES. THE TB VALVE MAY INTERMITTENTLY STICK IN A CLOSED POSITION.IN SUCH A SITUATION, AN…