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2002 GMC Sierra 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2002 GMC Sierra 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

114 reports with mileage · 20 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 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

134 reports
113,700 miles · May 26, 2014
Service Brakes

WAS LEAVING MY DRIVE WAY AND WENT TO PUT ON BRAKES AND THEY MADE A HISSING SOUND AND PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED POURING OUT, SO PUSHED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENED THERE WAS NO BRAKES. WITH HELP GOT TRUCK BACK IN DRIVE WAY AND GOT UNDER TRUCK WHERE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE LINES …

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WAS LEAVING MY DRIVE WAY AND WENT TO PUT ON BRAKES AND THEY MADE A HISSING SOUND AND PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE FLUID STARTED POURING OUT, SO PUSHED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND NOTHING HAPPENED THERE WAS NO BRAKES. WITH HELP GOT TRUCK BACK IN DRIVE WAY AND GOT UNDER TRUCK WHERE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALL RUSTED INTO. THANK GOD I DIDN'T MAKE IT DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THEY WENT OUT AND HIT OR KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594102

170,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT OVER FUEL TANK WHERE LINE RUNS ON TOP OF FRAME RAIL. ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED. ALSO FUEL LINES RUSTED. CAN OR WILL FAIL AT ANYTIME. MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NO BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577616

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2014
Engine

THREE BROKEN MANIFOLD BOLTS. FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. THE BROKEN ONE CLOSE TO FIREWALL, WILL HAVE TO PULL ENGINE TO FIX. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE MANIFOLD BOLTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572622

90,000 miles · Mar 15, 2014
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION CAME OUT OF REVERSE, AND WOULD NOT RETURN. NO REVERSE OR DRIVE AT ALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10572554

75,000 miles · Dec 13, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A 35-40 DEGREE SLOPED DRIVEWAY. GOT IN, STEPPED ON BRAKE,STARTED VEHICLE, RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHIFT INTO REVERSE, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITH TRUCK ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHEEL WAS TURNED, AND TRUCK HIT A SIDE OF RETAINING WALL. IT DID NOT ROLL BACK EXCESSIVELY FAST, BUT IT COULD NOT STOP…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A 35-40 DEGREE SLOPED DRIVEWAY. GOT IN, STEPPED ON BRAKE,STARTED VEHICLE, RELEASED EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHIFT INTO REVERSE, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITH TRUCK ROLLING BACKWARDS. WHEEL WAS TURNED, AND TRUCK HIT A SIDE OF RETAINING WALL. IT DID NOT ROLL BACK EXCESSIVELY FAST, BUT IT COULD NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID HITTING THE WALL. FOUND BADLY CORRODED BRAKE LINES. ONE HAD RUPTURED RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S FRONT WHEEL FENDER WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555963

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION- LOST MY BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555758

118,000 miles · Dec 8, 2013
Service Brakes

ROTTED OUT BRAKE LINES @ 118,000 MILES . SHOULD BE A RECALL . NO ACCIDENT BUT WAS PULLING MY BOAT AT TIME OF FAILURE. COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT . JUST FINISHED CHANGING ALL THE BRAKE LINES WHAT A JOB. BETWEEN THIS N THE INJECTORS THIS TRUCK WAS A POOR VALUE. ALL DONE WITH GM HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRUCKS WITH…

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ROTTED OUT BRAKE LINES @ 118,000 MILES . SHOULD BE A RECALL . NO ACCIDENT BUT WAS PULLING MY BOAT AT TIME OF FAILURE. COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT . JUST FINISHED CHANGING ALL THE BRAKE LINES WHAT A JOB. BETWEEN THIS N THE INJECTORS THIS TRUCK WAS A POOR VALUE. ALL DONE WITH GM HAD TOO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRUCKS WITH NO SUPPORT FROM GM OR IT'S DEALERS. LOST LIFETIME CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555214

174,000 miles · Sep 25, 2013
Service Brakes

NO BRAKES! PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. RUSTED BRAKE LINES. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10545271

25,000 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Service Brakes

THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND I MISSED THE TURN I WAS TRYING TO MAKE. I ROLLED TO A STOP. I WALKED TO A SERVICE STATION. I WAS INFORMED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALL LINES, HOSES, AND CALIPERS WERE REPLACED AT A COST OF $1800.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534207

123,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519571

Official recalls

1

01V220000 · Interior Lighting

Jun 26, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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

3

EA07013 · Trailer Hitch Receiver Failure

Opened Sep 14, 2007 · Closed Sep 12, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Trailer Hitches

COMPLAINT REPORTS ALLEGE POOR WELD QUALITY AND/OR BENDING OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TRAILER HITCH RECEIVER.THE AGENCY'S INVESTIGATION INCLUDED ANALYSIS OF MANUFACTURER AND AGENCY INCIDENT REPORTS, REVIEW OF POLICE REPORTS, ANALYSIS OF THE AGENCY'S FATAL ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM, A VEHICLE OWNER SURVEY, INSPECTION OF TOW VEHICLES/HITCHES AND ANALYSIS OF FAILED PARTS.INCIDENTS OF WELD FAILURE WERE RARE AND ASSOCIATED WITH VERY LOW-SPEED DRIVING (TURNING, BACKING AND SUDDEN STOPPING).INCIDENTS OF BENDING WERE ASSOCIATED WITH IMPROPER TRAILER HITCH ADJUSTMENT OR OVERLOADING. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH FILE FOR ADDITION INFORMATION.

PE07025 · Trailer Hitch Receiver Failure

Opened May 14, 2007 · Closed Sep 14, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Trailer Hitches

GM PROVIDED ADDITIONAL DATA REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF FAILURE OF THE TRAILER HITCH.ODI REVIEWED THAT AS WELL AS OTHER DATA PROVIDED BY PEER MANUFACTURERS.BASED ON OUR REVIEW, ODI FINDS THE NEED TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE.THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION IS UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-013) FOR FURTHER ASSESSMENT AND STUDY OF THIS ISSUE.

PE04004 · Hydraulic Pump Shaft Failures

Opened Jan 8, 2004 · Closed Apr 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.