RecallMyCar

2002 GMC Sierra Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 2002 GMC Sierra, and owners have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
249
owner complaints to NHTSA
23 / 2
complaints citing a crash / fire
12–16
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 2002 GMC Sierra

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (service brakes)

    NHTSA 05V379000 Reported 1,353,718 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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, massachusetts, maine, michigan,…

    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…

  2. Parking brake

    NHTSA 05V161000 Reported 90,242 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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…

  3. Hinge and attachments (structure)

    NHTSA 04V129000 Reported 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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…

  4. Delivery (fuel system)

    NHTSA 03V435000 Reported 395 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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.…

249 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2002 GMC Sierra have filed 249 complaints with NHTSA; 23 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 55,848 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 68 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“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”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 22, 2016 · Service brakes

“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 unavailab”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 11, 2016 · Engine

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2002 GMC Sierra (Sierra 1500 2WD, Sierra 1500 4WD, Sierra Denali 1500 AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined12–16 mpg
City / Highway11–15 / 14–19
FuelRegular
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine6/8 cyl, 4.3/4.8/5.3/6 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare GMC Sierra model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Sierra model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1976 GMC Sierra02
1977 GMC Sierra02
1982 GMC Sierra01
1983 GMC Sierra02
1987 GMC Sierra01
1988 GMC Sierra16
1989 GMC Sierra116
1990 GMC Sierra118
1991 GMC Sierra112
1992 GMC Sierra330
1993 GMC Sierra272
1994 GMC Sierra3190
1995 GMC Sierra6261
1996 GMC Sierra2246
1997 GMC Sierra0238
1998 GMC Sierra0190
1999 GMC Sierra5600
2000 GMC Sierra8443
2001 GMC Sierra4264
2002 GMC Sierra4249
2003 GMC Sierra6206
2004 GMC Sierra7188
2005 GMC Sierra9117
2006 GMC Sierra453
2007 GMC Sierra259
2008 GMC Sierra268
2009 GMC Sierra137
2010 GMC Sierra034
2011 GMC Sierra243
2012 GMC Sierra229
2013 GMC Sierra339
2014 GMC Sierra11101
2015 GMC Sierra653
2016 GMC Sierra26
2017 GMC Sierra061

Checking a specific 2002 GMC Sierra

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

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2002 GMC Sierra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V435000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other GMC models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.