Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 GMC Sierra. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION
- Summary
- 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, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
- Consequence
- THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- 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 SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
- 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 ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
GM/TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
- 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 SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
GM/CNG FUEL LEAKAGE
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A STRONG ODOR OF NATURAL GAS MAY BE DETECTED FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY ACCOMPANIED BY A HISSING NOISE. IF THE NATURAL GAS WERE ACCIDENTALLY IGNITED, SERIOUS INJURY COULD RESULT.
- 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. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 11, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (262)
262 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 262 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 138 | 52.7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 23 | 8.8% |
| Power train | 18 | 6.9% |
| Parking brake | 17 | 6.5% |
| Structure | 17 | 6.5% |
| Steering | 15 | 5.7% |
| Suspension | 12 | 4.6% |
| Tires | 10 | 3.8% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 2.7% |
| Visibility | 6 | 2.3% |
How 2002 compares with other Sierra years
Best and worst Sierra years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 190 | 0 |
| 1999 | 600 | 5 |
| 2000 | 443 | 8 |
| 2001 | 264 | 4 |
| 2002 | 262 | 4 |
| 2003 | 206 | 6 |
| 2004 | 199 | 7 |
| 2005 | 121 | 10 |
| 2006 | 58 | 4 |
| 2007 | 60 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 12 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $5,600
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 741 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 12 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 14 / 12 | $5,600 | 741 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 Sierra for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 GMC Sierra FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 05V379000 (brake), 05V161000 (brake), 04V129000 (structure), 03V435000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Sierra problems?
Owners filed 262 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (138), Engine and engine cooling (23), Power train (18) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 GMC Sierra get?
EPA rates the 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 11 city, 14 highway and 12 combined mpg.
How does the 2002 Sierra compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 GMC Sierra model years at least five years old, the 2006 drew the fewest complaints (58) and the 1999 the most (600). The 2002 drew 262. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.