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7.3

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
7,223 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 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 062006

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,463 miles

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

Engine will cut-off while driving without warning at both high and low speeds. Immediate engine restart may or may not be possible. Problem has occurred for approximately one year w/O permanent failure and w/O useful diagnostic codes. Frequency of failure has increased to 2-3 times per week. Several accidents have been narrowly avoided while in heavy, high-speed traffic. No discernible failure pattern has been identified, to date. Engine cut-off can occur at any time. This vehicle is a Silverado 2500hd truck w/8100 vortec engine and allison automatic transmission.

- Lovettsville, VA, USA

problem #13

Dec 122001

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,641 miles
On 12-2002 oil light came on check dip stick no oil then 8-2003same thing happen this time service tech came out put 3qt in.

- Dover, PA, USA

problem #12

Jul 292003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
2002 Chevy Silverado with a 4.8L engine knock, from what GM said is piston slap. They said they will not fix this problem at this time. They said they send out a letter of warranty for six years or 100,000 miles, if engine fails due to the piston slap/knock. I think that something needs to be done about this. There could be a safety issue with this, such as engine failure on the interstate. We the consumer should not be told to deal with it, when paying up to 30,000 dollars for a new vehicle, that has a piston knock. This needs to be fixed, not covered up.

- Perryville, MD, USA

problem #11

May 192003

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,617 miles

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

2002 Chevy Silverado 4.3 engine has knock when starts up, also has diesel sound and vibrates between 15 to 25 mph.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #10

May 242002

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,400 miles
I too have the piston slap problem with my 2002 Silverado hd 6.0L engine. I took it to the dealer at about 2400 miles and was handed a technical bulletin that was dated from 1999 (problem has been known since then) telling me that GM is working on a "fix". they did want to look at the truck to make sure nothing else was wrong. There is no "fix", just an extended warranty on the engine alone even though I already paid for the extended warranty for the entire vehicle. You cannot get the warranty agreement mailed to you to look it over, they will only send it if you agree to accept it over the phone. Bought the truck in good faith and was sold a lemon. Maybe if their profits were affected by a recall they might think twice about stealing and lying to consumers.

- Collinsville, OK, USA

problem #9

Jan 272003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
I have a 02 siverado a 5,000 miles the motor started knocking, the dealership said it's out of there hands, and told us to call Chevrolet document #816465, which says the knocking is normal, and all they can do is extend the warranty. We all know this is not normal, go to www.bigclassaction.com and file a complaint. If we can get everyone together we can get a class action suit against them. We all have paid to much for our vehicles to letgm get by with this. Lets stick together, tell every one.

- Marble Falls, TX, USA

problem #8

Dec 012002

Silverado 3500

  • miles

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

There is knocking noise coming from underneath the vehicle. Due to missing piston from the engine please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- Valley Park, MI, USA

problem #7

Sep 052002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Duramax engine, the engine was ticking when vehicle was purchased (600 miles), dealer stated this was normal. This ticking sound has gotten worse, dealer still says this is normal.

- Lake Jackson, TX, USA

problem #6

Jun 272002

Silverado 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
No summary listed for above vehicle.

- Willmar, MN, USA

problem #5

Apr 182002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
There have been repair attempts none have been fully sucessful. No safety defect listed.

- San Lorenzo, CA, USA

problem #4

Apr 232002

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Engine has a cold knock when starting up in mornings, also GMC has acknowledged the problem. It's a characteristic design in vehicle.

- Salinas, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 282002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalled at 70 mph, vehicle is at dealership at this time.

- Burlington, MS, USA

problem #2

Nov 102001

Silverado 3500 4WD Diesel

  • miles
Engine makes loud "ticking" noise when warm at idle. GM states normal condition. Not all duramax deisels make this noise. It cannot be normal. GM has no interest in pursuing. Although this may not be a safety issue, unless the engine explodes as a result, it still is very disheartening that GM will release the product with bugs and the customer is forced to accept.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #1

Jan 092002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Ongoing ticking noise in 5.3L V8 engine while running. Dealer notified. Feel free to profvide any further information.

- Houston, TX, USA

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