10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,406 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 GMC Sierra 1500:

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

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Aug 092010

Sierra 1500

  • 51,725 miles
Moments after leaving the driveway at our home, approaching an intersection at about 25 mph, I applied the brakes on my 2002 GMC Sierra, and the pedal went to the floor. I couldn't stop the vehicle before going through the intersection. Fortunately no other vehicles were in the intersection and no accident occurred. After returning the vehicle to the driveway I discovered brake fluid under the truck bed and dripping from the frame.I could not see the source of the leak as it was well hidden either in or above the truck frame. I had the vehicle brought by flat bed truck to a local auto repair garage. The mechanics found the brake lines to be heavily rusted and one had rusted through and failed, causing the earlier brake failure. Because the brake line rusting was so heavy, all the brake lines were replaced. Also, , the two front brake calipers were replaced because of heavy rust. The rusted brake lines are available. The consequences of this was a repair bill of $1149.78, and having my truck in the shop for several days. Luckily, nobody was hurt. If this had occurred later in the day in the same location it may not have turned out the same. This is the third major brake repair done on this truck. I am the original owner. I have had to have the brake pads and rotors replaced twice. Both times I was told the rotors were so badly rusted they needed to be replaced. During the first six years of owning the vehicle it was kept in a garage. It has always been well taken care of. With this repair, I have spent over $3000. To keep brakes functioning on this truck.

- Amston, CT, USA

problem #15

Jun 142010

Sierra 1500

  • 94,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 mph and depressing the brakes, there was a loss of 80-90 percent braking power. The ABS system independently engaged and would not disengage. The vehicle was carefully driven home. The rotors and brake pads were replaced and the wheel cylinders were bled by the contact. In addition, the contact disconnected the ABS fuse and the failure did not recur. The dealer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 94,000.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

problem #14

Jul 112010

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 47,177 miles
Brake line failure on my 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 1/2 ton 4WD pickup. Brake line failed because of rust. My truck has only 47000 miles on it and well cared for. When it happened I was turning into a parking lot and the brake pedal went to the floor almost hit street sign. I had to get the truck towed. The garage had to replace all brake lines, front hoses and calipers because of rust.the total bill came to $1030 including the tow. The garage told me they have to replace these brake line on these early 2000S GM truck all the time. There has to be a recall on these truck because you have no warning when this happens. Very scary when it does.

- Middlefield, CT, USA

problem #13

Jun 122010

Sierra 1500

  • 66,425 miles
Events leading up to failure: None, all was normal and no problems were experienced.. the failure: Brake line ruptured due to rusting causing loss of all braking ability. Vehicle only 8 years old. Barely avoided an accident by steering around the vehicle in front of me. Corrective procedure: All brake lines replaced by a professional mechanic.. old brake lines not available. I have the receipt of all work performed.

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

problem #12

Jun 222010

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 84,200 miles
2002 GMC Sierra, 84,000 miles. Driver's side rear metal brake line blew when leaving a garage and I had to use the emergency brake to stop. If it would have happened a minute later, I would have been going down a steep hill into rush hour traffic, potentially hurting or killing others or myself. This happened without warning. Mechanic says all lines should be replaced due to excessive rust. I do live in pa, but I have never had a brake line rupture due to rust in a not so old car or truck. Regardless of the cost to fix, this is unacceptable and completely unsafe. There are many others that have the same problem, and many more who are not even aware of the time-bomb they are driving.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #11

Jan 102010

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
Brake lines rusted & failed. Brake pedal went to floor and truck could not stop. Fortunately it occurred in a parking lot & no one was hurt. This was a 2002 GMC 1500 extended cab pick up truck which was purchased new in 2003. It turned out all brakes lines are severely rusted and needed to be replaced. This truck had 80,000 miles on it and has been well taken car of. All lines were replaced at considerable cost. There was no warning before the incident. It could have happened at 60 mph. I also own a 2003 GMC Yukon which now appears to have the same problem. I went on line and found many other angry owners with the same problems. I have been driving for 40 years and never had this happen to any other car I owned. Someone could get killed!!

- Clinton Corners, NY, USA

problem #10

Apr 152010

Sierra 1500

  • 81,000 miles
1. anti-lock brakes activation at low speeds 3-5 mph. 2. always the first time applied when cold after that at various times 3. this is the same conditions as NHTSA 05V379000 or GM 05068 which started in 2005. The truck was looked at then when there was no problems but when the problem is happening now GM says that it is only a one time recall. The dealer looked at the truck and said the hub was worn and needed replaced for $500 per side. When I questioned the service rep if the bearing was worn he said no. I then asked what was worn since the hub is the bearing. He said I did not have to have it repaired if I did not want to. I explained that I wanted the recall work done which was cleaning the rust from the sensor. I also stated that there are magnets on the hub that pass the sensor creating an electrical impulse so if the bearing was not worn are the magnets worn? he said the hub was bad and needed replaced. I declined the work. I complained to GM and they said that I was told it was a bad sensor and declined the work or further diagnosis. That was a lie. I then did the recall procedure of removing the sensor and cleaning the rust away. There is also no bearing play so the hub is not worn. The brakes now work fine. So a couple of things here. If there is a safety recall and it comes back as this did should they have done this work. Second the service department at joe ball GMC is running a scam and making money on people that do not know better.

- Gibsonia, PA, USA

problem #9

Nov 122009

Sierra 1500 6-cyl

  • 31,000 miles
On or about November 12 the brakes on my 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup truck failed suddenly when approaching a stop sign and I passed through the intersection, being unable to bring the vehicle to a halt in the distance available. While the intersection was clear, and no accident resulted, my vehicle was completely disabled. A local mechanic said the brakeline had failed - even though there are less than 32,000 on the vehicle. He said he had seen several failures on vehicles of similar vintage and light service. Repairs cost over $900. GMC assumed no liability.

- Alna, ME, USA

problem #8

Jan 152010

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
2002 GMC Sierra pu anti lock brakes failed in 2005. Close encounter when brakes failed to stop vehicle. Brakes were repaired under warranty. Brake failure again in 2009 and paid out of pocket to have repaired. Same brake failure for third time. 2010 anti-lock brakes currently disconnected.

- Chittenango, NY, USA

problem #7

Jan 262010

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
Brake lines rusted through out truck, failed safety inspection due to rusted lines.

- Sidney, ME, USA

problem #6

Jun 202004

Sierra 1500

  • 18,000 miles
2002 GMC Sierra, concerning ABS. At low speeds ( less than 5mph) brakes release, will not hold..recall in 2005, was fine, lasted 2 years, then same thing, virtually no braking at low speeds, dealer said it could be $400 or $500 to fix, I don't think so. I asked him to pull the fuse, refused, found location of fuse and yanked it and the trucks brakes work fine. This is a dangerous situation and should be fixed permanently by GMC.

- Auburn Hills, MI, USA

problem #5

Dec 202008

Sierra 1500

  • 110,000 miles
Brake line failure do to excessive rust. All brake lines had to be replaced as they we all rusted excessively.

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

problem #4

Nov 102008

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC 1500. The contact heard a loud grinding noise when the brake pedal was depressed. He noticed that the front brakes were rusted very badly. The rear brakes were rusted as well, but not as badly as the front brakes. The dealer stated that there were no recalls; therefore, they could not assume liability for the failure. The failure mileage was 48,000 and current mileage was 50,800. Updated 01/07/09 updated 01/07/09.

- Bark River , MI, USA

problem #3

Jul 112008

Sierra 1500

  • 52,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 5 mph, the brake pedal extended to the floor when it was depressed. The vehicle would then experience unwanted ABS activation. The contact called the dealer in reference to NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). A technician stated that his vehicle was included in the recall, but they would only assume responsibility for repairing the reluctor ring. The contact would have to pay for the hub assembly repair at the cost of $800. The vehicle has not been repaired. He called the manufacturer on numerous occasions and is still waiting for a response. The failure and current mileages were 52,500.

- Joilet, IL, USA

problem #2

Jun 052008

Sierra 1500

  • 35,000 miles
ABS activating at low speeds was brought in under warranty and repaired once already. Probably 2004. Now same thing again 2008. Very dangerous when you step on brake and ABS activates for no reason (other than poor design) at low speed and increases your stopping distance by 10 plus feet.

- Upton, MA, USA

problem #1

Apr 012008

Sierra 1500

  • 83,000 miles
The ABS system has an open short between the ABS pump and the ABS module. These components are located under the vehicle mounted to the frame rail. This is safety related equipment and was mounted in a highly corrosive spot, subject to road salt and water.

- Waterford, MI, USA