10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
56,496 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

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2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments

problem #10

May 302012

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 96,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When operating vehicle at slow speed and attempting to stop anti lock brakes engage and increased stopping distance is required. This vehicle was recalled for same problem in 2005. I made an attempt at my local GMC dealer to remedy this continuing problem. However, I was informed that General Motors would only make one attempt to remedy issue and that I already had used that. The dealer representative stated that I could pull the fuse on the ABS and the vehicle would perform stopping without the aid of ABS and would stop normally in dry environment, without the assistance of anti lock brakes. I feel this is a design problem and is a tremendous safety issue. I did take vehicle to another mechanic who drove vehicle in his parking lot and the problem occurred to him almost causing a crash in his lot.

- Bowling Green, OH, USA

problem #9

May 302012

Sierra 1500

  • 96,000 miles
When operating vehicle at slow speed and attempting to stop anti lock brakes engaged and increased stopping distance is required. This vehicle was recalled for same problem in 2005. I made an attempt at my local GMC dealer to remedy this continuing problem, however, I was informed that General Motors would only make one attempt to remedy issue and that I already had used that. The dealer representative stated that I could pull the fuse on the ABS and the vehicle would perform stopping without the aid of ABS and would stop normally in dry environment, without the assistance of anti lock brakes. I feel this is a design problem and is a tremendous safety issue. I did take vehicle to another mechanic who drove vehicle in his parking lot and the problem occurred to him almost causing a crash in his lot.

- Bowling Green, OH, USA

problem #8

Mar 112010

Sierra 1500

  • 81,000 miles
1. brakes were fully operational after the initial recall was completed (10/13/05). Recently, January 2010, my anti-lock brake system has triggered at low speeds under 10 mph causing my truck to not come to a complete stop. This is the same problems I was having prior to the initial recall. Releasing the brakes and reapplying the brakes have worked to stop the vehicle so far. 2. the failure happens about 1 in 5 stops depending on the speed of the vehicle. I have nearly hit several cars in parking lots, because of the slow speed during parking. 3. GM had a recall 4 years ago on the wheel speed sensor (05V379000) all they did was clean and lubricate the unit. Not adequate enough, since I am having the same problem over again.

- Yorkville, IL, USA

problem #7

Mar 282008

Sierra 1500

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While applying pressure to the brake pedal at 5 mph, the contact heard a loud clicking noise coming from the antilock brake unit. As he applied pressure to the brakes to stop the vehicle, it failed to stop. The contact crashed into a parking meter. The dealer stated that his VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti-lock), although he was experiencing the same failure. The vehicle was repaired at the contact's expense. The manufacturer did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 70,000.

- Glen Ellyn, IL, USA

problem #6

Nov 062007

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact received a recall notice in September of 2006 for the ABS. The dealer kept the vehicle for a month and performed the recall repair. Since the repair, the vehicle does not roll back while parked on an incline with the emergency brake engaged; however, it rolls back on level ground. The contact repaired the rotors and the brake system himself in November of 2007 because the rotors were corroding, which caused the brakes to pulsate. The dealer would not state whether the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V161000 (parking brake). The failure mileage was 24,000 and current mileage was 34,503. Updated 05/19/08. The consumer stated there was an accident and there was damage to his vehicle. Updated 05/19/08

- Malden, MA, USA

problem #5

Dec 152007

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,293 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. In October of 2005, the contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). He immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. One year later, while attempting to apply pressure to the brakes at 5 mph, he felt a severe pulsation in the brake pedal. The dealer stated that both wheel speed sensors failed and had to be replaced at his own expense. The contact filed a formal complaint with the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 63,293.

- Libertyville, IL, USA

problem #4

Jan 112008

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,769 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While applying pressure to the brakes, the ABS activated automatically and the vehicle jerked backwards. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they repaired it according to NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). Immediately after the repair, the failure recurred and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. They inspected the vehicle and stated that the passenger side front speed sensor was causing the failure. The speed sensor was replaced. The failure mileage was 36,769 and current mileage was 41,775.

- Logan, OH, USA

problem #3

Jul 032007

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. While making a right turn at 5 mph on a dry limestone, the contact heard a noise coming from the vehicle. The noise sounded as if the ABS pump was activated. When he depressed the brake pedal, the brakes failed to respond. The failure caused the vehicle to crash into a work trailer. The vehicle sustained front end damage. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but they could not find any failures. The manufacturer sent an engineer to take pictures of the vehicle and to run a diagnostic report. The manufacturer called the contact and stated that they were unable to find any failures as well. The contact was issued case number 71-534915559. The current and failure mileages were 87,000. The consumer stated that an representative came to investigate and took pictures that were in turn downloaded to his laptop. Two weeks later the consumer was contacted and stated the crash was at such a low speed the computer did not record anything and GM could not assist with the repairs. The consumer stated traded vehicle in due to the fact could not get assistance from manufacturer. The consumer provided pictures and information on recalls pertaining to the defect. Updated 08/27/07

- Plaquemine, LA, USA

problem #2

Mar 182007

Sierra 1500 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,900 miles
- the contact stated that while driving the 2002 GMC Sierra with 10,900 failure mileage at 15 mph in the driveway he put the foot on the brake pedal and the ABS system engaged, not allowing the vehicle to stop. The vehicle went through the garage wall. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and they found four ABS error codes. The dealer replaced the ABS sensors on the front wheels. The current mileage was 11,002. Consumer has provided invoices for the dealer. Update/23/07T

- Merrimack, NH, USA

problem #1

Nov 012002

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The 2002 was in need of front hubs since they were not replaced when they should have been at the time the front differential was rebuilt. This caused the truck to have excessive front wheel friction, and compromised the braking characteristics of the truck. It was difficult to drive, especially in snow, and the front wheel friction would vary based on changes in speed, road Contour, temperature, steering input, throttle input, and brake input. While braking the truck would often pitch severely to one side or the other, the ABS would activate on dry pavement. On one occasion the ABS activated when my foot was off the brake. The truck would also sway from side to side at highway speed as the friction varied from side to side. When the truck was returned to me once from culligan GMC, the power steering effort had increased greatly. The characteristics of the rear locking differential had been changed. The truck was back to the dealer, david Cadillac, many times for the same concern with the front differential. On one occasion the truck was returned to me gushing gear lube from the front axle, on another it was returned to me with the front differential empty. I was charged for a 4 wheel alignment when only 2 wheels can be aligned on this truck. The wrong oil filter was installed, the truck was driven abusively by a dealer employee (it was run beyond mechanical limits while cold as I stood in the parking lot), and when I called the service adviser after the truck had been in his shop for over a week without my hearing what it's status was, the service person screamed at me on the phone "when it is finished I will call you!!!", and he slammed the phone down.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

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