10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
8 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,172 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #77

Sep 182015

Silverado 3500 8-cyl Diesel

  • miles
2002 Chevrolet Silverado. Consumer writes in regards to several fuel injector failures and oem uncoated carbon steel brake lines. The consumer stated GM withheld material facts concerning duramax LB7 diesel fuel injector failures in violation of Missouri merchandising practices act at the time of sale and delivery.

- Chesterfield, MO, USA

problem #76

May 242016

Silverado 3500

  • 145,000 miles
When positioning my truck to hook up my 5th wheel camper I lost my brakes. There was no warning of any kind and I wasn't sure until I got out and saw the puddle. Even after moving the truck an losing more fluid there was still no warning. I hate to think if had hooked up and been down the highway when corroded metal lines blew out!

- Boyertown, PA, USA

problem #75

Feb 222016

Silverado 3500

  • 110,000 miles
Rusty brakelines

- Pahoa, HI, USA

problem #74

Jul 062015

Silverado 3500

  • 165,000 miles
About 165,000 miles brake pedal started to pulsate at low speed when stopping.started out only when I would be turning left, now does it going staight, about 170,000 miles now.had new caliper on driver side, new hub assemblie and sensor on passenger side, brake system flushed, still have problems with brake pedal pulsating, does not matter what kind of road I'm on.

- East Berlin, PA, USA

problem #73

Sep 072015

Silverado 3500

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving at a low speed, the contact applied the brake pedal and the ABS kicked in; however, there was a loss of brake function. The stopping distance of the vehicle was dramatically reduced. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that there was a wheel bearing sensor failure. The entire wheel bearing with the sensor was replaced, but the failure recurred multiple times. The contact researched and found NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Waterville , ME, USA

problem #72

Aug 122015

Silverado 3500

  • 120,000 miles
ABS stopped brake pedal from going down. By the time I lifted and pumped again vehicle struck young girl. Travel was about six feet. There is a recall in other states but not ky.

- Livingston, KY, USA

problem #71

Jul 302015

Silverado 3500

  • 129,569 miles
Was starting out of driveway on slight slope. Applied brakes and antilock system kicked in. Under 5mph. Rolled in front of oncoming traffic. A truck had to veer to avoid collision with us. Became aware there is a known problem but vehicle hadn't been recalled because it is in Kentucky. #05V379000 recall should be extended to ky because of salt for snow and gravel roads.

- Livingston, KY, USA

problem #70

Jun 022015

Silverado 3500

  • 99,610 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle would not stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact had to use the emergency brake to force the vehicle to stop. The dealer diagnosed that the brake lines were leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,610.

- San Benito, TX, USA

problem #69

Apr 012015

Silverado 3500

  • 96,000 miles
When you are traveling real slow or parking the antilock brakes kick in making I difficult to stop. I talked to Chevrolet customer service and they will do nothing for me. Although it is the same design issue that they have recalled on recall #05V37900, the say my truck is not covered.

- Warroad, MN, USA

problem #68

Jan 082015

Silverado 3500

  • 139,000 miles
I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado, and I have had the brakes fail on me multiple times the first time I encountered this issue was in early January when I was driving to school and I approached a stop sign and when I went to slow down I had no brakes and my vehicle rolled into the street luckily I wasn't go very fast and there were no cars coming so I didn't get hit. The repairs cost me 175$, that was repairing the problem to bare minimum (single brake line replacement). After I fixed that issue I ran into another problem, the ABS brake system will now spontaneously turn on when I come to a stop, it resulted in a three car crash, I was going to back into a parking spot and when I pulled my truck forward I tried to stop and the ABS locked up my trucks brakes (not slippery out) and forced me to hit two other vehicles, one was majorly damaged and another with minor yet still severe damage, this accident ended with me paying more in insurance and having to fix the damages on my own vehicle out of pocket. I will also in the very near future need to replace all my brake lines because they are on the verge of failing and I am being priced near 900$ for the repairs, I am not sure how much the ABS problem is going to be because the truck has been parked ever since the incident, the brakes are costing me a lot of money and hardship.

- Nashua, NH, USA

problem #67

Jun 172014

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While slowing down at a stop light at approximately 5 mph, the brake pedal failed to respond and the contact had to depress the brake pedal several times to stop the vehicle. Once the vehicle stopped, the ABS and brake warning indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. However, the brakes were replaced and the failure persisted. The failure recurred on several occasions. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. Updated 04/06/15 updated 9/27/2017

- Clay, MI, USA

problem #66

Jan 152015

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, the brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the brake line was rusted and the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000....updated 03/31/15 updated 6/22/2015

- Knoxville , TN, USA

problem #65

Jan 252015

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 149,221 miles
As I was driving I approached a traffic light and applied the brakes. As I applied them, the pedal never offered much resistance and eventually went to the floor. I suspected that a flexible brake line had ruptured so I got off the street as quickly as I could. I examined the inside of all of the wheels where I thought that brake fluid might be evident. There was none to be seen. I limped home with the vehicle and examined it more closely. There was a major leak under the floor of the vehicle in a rigid brake line leading to the anti-lock brake controller. I researched the issue on the internet and found that GM has refused to issue a recall for rusted brake lines. In my opinion these lines should be of the highest quality material to be found. GM, however, must not think that the safety of their customers warrants any better materials than the rust prone metal that the brake lines are manufactured from.

- Fredericksburg, TX, USA

problem #64

Sep 262011

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 71,012 miles
On 26 September 2011 said vehicle had to have all brake lines and other brake parts replaced due to excessive rust/rusting out at 71,012 well maintained miles at a cost of $1300 plus. On 30 December 2014 said vehicle had to have all fuel lines and fuel filler tube replaced due to excessive rust/rusting out at 90,790 well maintained miles at a cost of $1800.oo plus.

- Port Deposit, MD, USA

problem #63

Nov 122014

Silverado 3500

  • 144,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 45 mph, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing and the mechanic informed the contact that there was brake line failure. The brake lines were replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 144,000.

- Danbury, CT, USA

problem #62

Nov 112013

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 40,213 miles
While driving the vehicle just completely shuts off, I have replaced everything & 1 year later and 25,000 miles later & 5 accidents the vehicle still does it now it wont even start. This is very dangerous and there should be a re-call on this I've read that this is very common in this vehicle and there are various recalls on the wiring harness, transmission, fuel line, filter, headlights, towing package, brake system, brake lights, brake warning lights. Everybody who is experiencing this issue should file a complaint to resolve this issue. I almost lost my life many times and I lost alot of money on this vehicle GM should take this truck back that's for sure 2002 C3500 express / cutaway duramax diesel

- Point Pleasant, PA, USA

problem #61

Oct 292014

Silverado 3500

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph engaging the brakes, the brake pedal sank to the floor and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the brake line had rusted and needed to be replaced. The brake line was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- New Haven , IN, USA

problem #60

Jan 012014

Silverado 3500

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. When the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact had to use extreme force in order to stop the vehicle. In addition, the brake warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who repaired the brake lines, but the failure persisted on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

- Ludlow , MA, USA

problem #59

Sep 022014

Silverado 3500

  • 166,000 miles
I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado 2500 4X4 pickup. My brake lines failed today and caused me to run into a parked car at work. My father has a 1999 Chevy Silverado 1500 4X4 that he bought brand new and garage kept and still almost had a bad accident due to his brake lines failing 3 years ago. When I GM going to realize that brake lines are not normal wear and tear. I own multiple vintage Chevy cars that are between 25 and 37 years old with the original brake lines. Why is it GM is waiting for people to be killed due to these problems. I chassis wash my truck as much as possible and also have friends and family with Silverado is year close to mine. All have same issues. Its sad that older GM cars have survived better than these newer built models. Now tomorrow I am going to have to spend alot of money on a part that should not fail. Why is it that my exhaust system on my car has stainless steel parts but yet the one part that should be absolutely made from stainless steel is not! sad that my exhaust will be in great shape as my brake lines fail! I have owned GM cars and truck my whole life and will no longer buy GM products. I have multiple other issues that many, many other Silverado owners have. How can thousands of Silverado and other make of GM cars and truck have so many of the same problems and GM not recall them. My exhaust manifolds have 2 broken bolts causing an exhaust leak due to broken bolts! I have engines from the 1960's with factory manifolds still installed and no broken bolts. Put the [xxx] american made steel mills back up and stop buying this cheap metal because for what most of us pay for our cars and truck the least GM can do is put quality parts in them. Offering a brake line kit to have installed in GM dealerships is not helping people that need there truck like I do daily. Recall the [xxx] brake line problem models and fix them right! information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

problem #58

Aug 212014

Silverado 3500

  • 138,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the brakes failed and the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered a brake fluid leak and that the brake lines were corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 138,000.

- Mays Landing, NJ, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »