The Lemon Index2002 GMC Sierra.
The 2002 GMC Sierra is about average by owner complaints: 192 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 92, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 11 recalls, and it gets 12 to 16 mpg combined. The best GMC Sierra year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 591 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Sierra 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 38K to 106K miles on the car (491 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 35K–86K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 8K–74K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 36K–97K miles
Recalls 11
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- 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.
Show all 11 recalls
- service brakes, air 2006
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- 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 adaptive/mobility 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
- 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 GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 625 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 failure2010–2011
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007–2008
- ClosedTrailer hitch receiver failure2007
- ClosedCrank position sensor failure - stall2006
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 $4000–5350 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
Dealer claims they cannot duplicate problem. Brake pedal will travel excessively when applied suddenly; so far, occurrence has been at slower speeds and intermittently.
2002 GMC Sierra owner · NHTSA complaint 760338
More owner reports
While driving at any speed and when brakes were hot there was a problem with stopping. This condition occurred six times. Dealer claimed that this was normal for this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10061691
While driving at 45 mph, the vehicle was violently thrown about and skidded to a stop.
NHTSA complaint 10048490
Quick answers
Is the 2002 GMC Sierra reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 92; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Sierra year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 GMC Sierra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (39%), transmission & drivetrain (11%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
11 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 GMC Sierra get?
12 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 GMC Sierra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 106,000 miles. The middle report was at 66,600 miles, from 491 complaints.
Does the 2002 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 GMC Sierra cost in fuel a year?
About $4000 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 GMC Sierra have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Sierra year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
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