The Lemon IndexAll cars · Chevrolet Silverado
2002 Chevrolet Silverado.
The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado is about average by owner complaints: 599 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 88, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 11 to 16 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Silverado year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,642 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Silverado year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 110K miles on the car (1,303 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 37K–89K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 27K–85K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 32K–74K miles
Recalls 15
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
Show all 15 recalls
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- equipment 2007
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN GUIDE REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, P/NOS. 16526133 AND 16526134, MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 1 TO JULY 11, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON MY 1999-2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PICKUP TRUCKS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN MAXZONE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, DEPO BRAND, P/NOS. 332-1182L-AS AND 332-1182R-AS, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 1999-2000 CHEVROLET SILVERADOS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN EAGLE EYES REPLACEMENT HEADLAMPS, MODEL NOS.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- brakes 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION.
- parking brake 2005
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 C…
- equipment 2004
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS.
- body structure 2004
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.
- fuel system, other 2003
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 C…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 851 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front suspension coil spring noise
- Information regarding revised transmission calibration to address driveline growl or prop…
- Service engine soon lamp illuminated, incorrect transmission shifts, poor performance of…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007–2008
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4000–5850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer states: the vehicle doesn't stop properly. Checked rotors and found has build-up from corrosion. The brake pads are not contacting the rotors on the rear brakes. Getting progressively worse.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado owner · NHTSA complaint 10120991
More owner reports
Pump retaining pin on the transfer case failed, permitting the pump to wear a hole in the transfer case with sudden release of the engine oil. Chevrolet is not claiming knowledge.
NHTSA complaint 10104338
Soft brake pedal...goes to the floor. Questionable brake response. Also "clunk" heard in front-end and felt through steering around turns. Both since new in march 2002.
NHTSA complaint 10049683
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 88; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Silverado year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2002 Chevrolet Silverado problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (37%), transmission & drivetrain (11%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado have?
15 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado get?
11 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Chevrolet Silverado problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 110,000 miles. The middle report was at 68,000 miles, from 1,303 complaints.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $5850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Silverado year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2010 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works