10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,781 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 #8

Apr 012008

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 83,000 miles

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

Similar to NHTSA: 05V161000 my 2002 GMC Sierra with automatic tranny experiences the very same premature parking brake wear. Wear is uneven and just in 2 little places instead of even wear on whole shoe. Brake wears very quickly then will not hold putting undue stress and causing failure of parking pawl in automatic tranny. GM refused to do anything. GM will not fix my vehicle or apply recall since I do not have manual tranny. If anything, automatic tranny is worse since it damages tranny due to stress on pawl since parking brake does not hold vehicle. When brake shoes were replaced, they worked for very short period of time. $250 to replace and I was told it was a known problem and I would be wasting my money because they would wear out quickly again. Odd that shoes wear when vehicle typically is not moving when brake is applied or released.

- Leavenworth, KS, USA

problem #7

Jan 042008

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 250 miles
2002 GMC Sierra with automatic transmission has both the ABS problems that have a recall only along East coast states and the parking brake problem that has a recall for manual transmissions.

- Spring, TX, 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

Nov 012007

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Noticed that parking brake doesn't work anymore. (looked on line and noticed that there was a recall for manual transmission but not for automatic. Also noticed a lot of people have the same problem. I believe it is a safety issue even with an automatic since people pull trailers and park on inclines setting the parking brake.

- Crown Point, IN, USA

problem #4

Jul 302007

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Complete emergency brake failure. The E-brake does not hold on even a slight incline. Further research shows that this is a common complaint by GMC truck owners on the internet. There was a recall for the vehicles with manual transmissions, but not vehicles with automatic transmissions. This does not make sense...

- Alameda, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 012002

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
Parking brake on 2002 GMC failed repeatedly. The parking brake pedal went to the floor. First told this was normal. Second complaint brakes were adjusted. Third complaint cause was found. The brake failed to completely release. The brake wore out prematurely and overheated. The problem continued after repeated attempts to repair. The rear axles needed replacement due to overheating/damage to seals and bearings. Use of four wheel drive with rear brakes locked transferred torque to front steering knuckle which required replacement. A warped rear brake backing plate has been replaced due to excessive heat. The vehicle has 70,000 miles. The parking brakes did not work again and need repair with the outcome unknown.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #2

Mar 032007

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles
Failure of parking brake on 2002 GMC Sierra pickup. During state inspection it was found to be unable to hold. It was found that the adjustments screws on both rear emergency brakes were fully disengaged, so this meant that they had backed off. They were against the stops. They were adjusted back up, but this will most likely happen again. I am a mechanic and know this is a defect that could cause deaths if this is not corrected. The car inspection center where the truck was inspected said there is a manufacturing defect that the dealers know is bad, but they do nothing to correct the defect. He said they see a large number of GMC truck that the parking brakes is defective. (many of the people also say they never use the parking brake.

- Shady Shores, TX, USA

problem #1

Feb 242007

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
Parking brake failure on 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 2wd 4dr ext cab w/ automatic trans. Due to excessive wear of friction linings due to defect in release mechanism. Have 50K miles on vehicle & emergency brake shoes have worn into rotors. The lack of a working parking brake has caused the transmission to lock in park when on an incline, especially when towing. Vehicle will not pass state inspection because of this. Reference NHTSA #PE03057, #EA04011.

- Round Rock, TX, USA

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