2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 12%of 50 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 48,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, 12% of the 50 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 48,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2002 SILVERADO 3500 8.1 liter and the truck will just turn off with no notice while at highway speeds and also in traffic started at 60,000 miles GM will not take care of the problom also while driving the light for what gear you are in will go out and the truck will go in neutral or stop shifting all together.”
NHTSA complaint #10215834, filed 2008-01, 62,000 miles“Loss of control due to an unknown jiggle/bounce, out of balance condition. Consumer felt dealership lacked technical abilities to diagnose problem. To date vehicle had 14 different new tires on the rear axle. Vehicle had been serviced 10 times. The tire pressure was adjusted, the front and rear suspension checked. Rear sway bar was unhooked. Tires were balanced. However problem still existed. There was also poor fuel mileage and an exhaust odor. Due to safety issues consumer is reluctant to drive vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10009506, filed 2003-03, 3,352 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet silverado 2500. The fuel injector that connects to the motor has failed. The vehicle dealer and manufacturer were notified. He was advised to that he would have to bear the expense of the repair. The failure mileage was 87,000. Updated 2/17/10 updated 02/22/10”
NHTSA complaint #10297122, filed 2009-12, 87,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500. The contact stated the vehicle would shut down without warning. There was no indication that the vehicle was shutting off, but the vehicle would start back up within a few minutes. The contact replaced the fuel filter and had the fuel system checked, but none of the repairs corrected the failure. The contact found NHTSA campaign id number: 01v521000 (engine and engine cooling), dealing with the crankshaft position sensor for the 2001 model year and indicated that the 2002 model year had the identical failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10398494, filed 2011-05, 34,000 miles“The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500. The contact stated when at speeds of at least 60 MPH sitting idle at a traffic stop, the vehicle would stall without warning. When the failure would occur, the vehicle would lose power steering and braking power as he would coast to the side of the roadway. The contact would be able to restart the vehicle and on occasion, it would take several attempts. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer filed a claim for the contact but would not provide any immediate assistance. …”
NHTSA complaint #10334547, filed 2010-06, 62,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 2 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 9% |
| 2018 | 1 | 5% |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 3 | 12% |
| 2011 | 2 | 7% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 2 | 6% |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% |
| 2005 | 4 | 9% |
| 2004 | 4 | 10% |
| 2003 | 3 | 7% |
| 2002 | 6 | 12% |
| 2001 | 17 | 24% |
| 2000 | 3 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 13% |
| 1998 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
23 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTires
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsElectrical system
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology