IllustrationREAR BRAKE LIGHTS DOES NOT LIGHT AT THE SAME TIME. THEY OPERATE LIKE A CAROUSEL. WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED ON ONLY THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *JB
2002 Chevrolet Express
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Express years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
1325–50K
850–75K
175–100K
4100–150K
0150K+
41 reports with mileage · 14 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports3 fire reports0 injury reports
Exterior Lighting complaints
5 reports1 AFTER 70000 MILES, THE GROUND CONNECTION IN THE BRAKE LIGHT/TAILLIGHT SOCKET BECOMES OXIDIZED FROM HEATING UP. 2. THE BRAKE LIGHTS QUIT WORKING. 3. I REMOVED A PLASTIC CLIP FROM THE BULB SOCKET AND ALLOWED THE GROUND WIRE TO ACQUIRE A NEW CONNECTION. 2002 CHEV EXPRESS VANPOOL VANS AT HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHEN HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON TAIL LIGHTS FUSE BLOWS OUT INTERMITTENTLY.*AK
DEALERSHIP DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO PERFORM THE OWNER NOTIFICATION FOR THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHTS.*AK
2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN WITH EXPLORER CONVERSION - BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE IN OUR DRIVEWAY (ENGINE OFF). EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE TO DRIVERS SIDE. EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO INTERIOR. FIRE MARSHALL STATES SMOKE PATTERN INDICATED FIRE ORIGONATED A BOTTOM OF DRIVER'S DOOR - LIGHT OR WIRING. OF NOTE, A "RECALL NOTICE" ARRIVED AT OUR…
Read full complaint
2002 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN WITH EXPLORER CONVERSION - BURST INTO FLAMES WHILE IN OUR DRIVEWAY (ENGINE OFF). EXTENSIVE FIRE DAMAGE TO DRIVERS SIDE. EXTENSIVE SMOKE DAMAGE TO INTERIOR. FIRE MARSHALL STATES SMOKE PATTERN INDICATED FIRE ORIGONATED A BOTTOM OF DRIVER'S DOOR - LIGHT OR WIRING. OF NOTE, A "RECALL NOTICE" ARRIVED AT OUR HOME IN THE MAIL FOR THE RUNNING BOARD LIGHT WIRING HARNESS ON 2/5/03 WHICH WAS "DATED" 1/23/03.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres
Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.