2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. This model year has 1,656 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Brake System.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Brake System
Hydraulic
Engine Problems
Considering a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brake System | 930 | 90 | 2 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 550 | 57 | 1 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 153 | 2 | 5 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 116 | 7 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 84 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 78 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Fuel System | 63 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 61 | 3 | 9 | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 61 | 3 | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 56 | 2 | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 52 | 4 | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 51 | 46 | 1 | — | |
| Gasoline | 42 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Visibility | 41 | 1 | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 31 | 7 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 24 | 6 | 2 | — | |
| Equipment | 23 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 22 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air | 19 | 3 | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 16 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 14 | — | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 12 | 2 | — | — | |
| Diesel | 12 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 11 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Other | 9 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 5 | 2 | 1 | — | |
| Electric | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Trailer Hitches | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Child Seat | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,656 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The emergency brake does not work properly. It automatically comes on while I am driving almost causing me to have a accident. Please, fix!!!!
I was driving today and my truck started making a strange noise(like something was loose). I stop the truck to see what was loose, I found nothing. I got back in the truck driving about 20 mph the truck started making the noise again and the truck started dragging( like it wouldn…
my truck won't pick up speed when trying to accelerate. I don't know what it is. I know it's a problem and it's a hazard and accident waiting to happen!!!! Please, fix. I have had nothing but, issues with this Chevy Silverado.
I pulled the truck out of the garage in working condition, left it running while parked in the driveway. It emptied the entire brake fluid reservoir through a leak in the distribution junction on the rear axle, leaving the truck with no brake function whatsoever. Had I not parked…
ABS kicks in constantly at low speeds in dry conditions. This causes longer stopping distances. The ABS grinds or vibrates interfering with normal braking situations. Many near miss collisions at low speeds. The manufacturer should be responsible and replace all the ABS sensors. …
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a loud cracking sound coming from the vehicle. The contact noticed the loud cracking sound while driving over a pothole in the road. The vehicle was …
Had a front end collision going 65 miles per hour. Air bag never deployed
ABS sensors I think are bad cuz my brake pedal fluctuates and hasn't done that in a long time it went away no dash lights for the ABS but it's definitely coming from the brake pedal?
rocker panels rusted out
THE THROTTLE CABLE MAKES CONTACT AND RUB THROUGH THE FLEXIBLE PRESSURIZED FUEL LINE CREATING A PINHOLE LEAK OF NATURAL GAS. I SMELL GAS INSiDE CAB. CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 5-10 MPH, the airbag warning light illuminated. The independent mechanic was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer and the manufacturer were not…
While driving on US60 East of Lexington Kentucky I was preparing to turn left using the left turn lane. There was another car in front of mine and as I approached it I began to lightly apply the brakes. The brake pedal went all the way to the floor with no decrease in speed. Fort…
HARD BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION FROM POOR QUALITY PARTS WITHOUT PROPER CORROSION PROTECTION OR CORRECT MATERIALS (I.E. STAINLESS STEEL VS MILD STEEL) WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN AREAS WHERE DE-ICER IS USED ON THE ROADS.
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE LIGHT. THE POWER STEERING IS BAD AND THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES WHEN I BRAKE, I GOT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS CHANGED AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED
KNOWN TO GM INJECTOR PROBLEMS WITH CHEVY SILVERADO VEHICLES. MY INJECTOR CRACKED OR FAILED AND DIESEL WENT IN TO MY ENGINE OIL, CAUSING AN OVER FILL OF 2 GALLONS. OIL WAS LEAKING OUT ALL OVER FROM MY TRUCK WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THERE ARE MANY OTHER POST ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND GM …
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT WAS MAKING A LEFT, THE DRIVER SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE LATCH FAILED CAUSING THE PASSENGER TO GO THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD DURING THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER PROCEEDED TO HIT A…
MY ABS SPEED SENSOR GOT SHEARED BY BACK OF MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE IN WHICH I HAVE SEEN ON MULTIPLE SIGHTS A DEFECT THAT WAS DEEMED A RECALL FOR BEING POORLY SET UP ON THE ASSEMBLY LINE. SECONDLY, IVE SPENT THOUSANDS AND LOOKING ONLINE FOR A VARY SERIOUS ISSUE IVE BEEN HAVING …
VIBRATION IN VEHICLE PRIOR TO TIRE BLOW OUT ON FREEWAY TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH.. APPEARS TO BE A TREAD SEPARATION TYPE FAILURE. TIRES ARE BF GOODRICH ALL TERRAIN TA KO BAZ WITH APPROXIMATELY 27000 MILES ON THEM. SIZE IS LT265/75R16. TIRES WERE ROTATED AND CHECKED FOR PROPE…
DRIVING UP TO CITY INTERSECTION WAS APPLING BRAKES, CAR IN FRONT APPLIED HIS QUICKER CAUSING HIS REAR TO RAISE UP, INDICATING PANIC STOP, I FOLLOWED AND APPLIED HARD PRESSURE TO MY BRAKES, PEDAL THEN WENT TO THE FLOOR AND LOST ALL BRAKE ACTION, THIS LEAD TO MY TRUCK REAR END OF O…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES.…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado.
Recalls for 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
15 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2002 Chevrolet Silverado — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado has 1,656 NHTSA owner complaints, 147 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Brake System (930 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?▾
#1: Brake System (930 complaints). #2: Hydraulic (550 complaints). #3: Engine Problems (153 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?▾
The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado has 147 crash-related complaints and 16 fire reports out of 1,656 total NHTSA complaints. 82 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado have any recalls?▾
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. The largest issue: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado?▾
The 2002 Chevrolet Silverado has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Brake System issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Chevrolet Silverado reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2002 Chevrolet Silverado
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.