Model Year Problem Record

GMC Sierra 1500 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

166Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

5Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

20Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Brakes130

Latches, Locks and Linkages2

Equipment2

Engine2

Vehicle Speed Control1

Fuel and Propulsion System1

Tires1

Seats1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes130 complaints

130 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V562000.

Engine2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V562000Reported November 26, 2004 - 1,660 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on November 26, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 1,660 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

PE03057Opened December 8, 2003 - Closed April 9, 2004

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20031

20052

20068

200711

200817

20095

201020

201113

201219

201321

201410

201517

20167

20175

20185

20193

20202

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.