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GMC SavanaModel year report

2002 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
12filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
17,500miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 5.0L 8-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Savana. The part named most often is body and structure, with 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and engine (2). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 83% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 17,500 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 365 technical service bulletins for this model year. Body and structure complaints overlap with 9 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Body and structure: “My complaint is of the passenger side portside door hinges on almost all Gmc savanah 3500's that I have seen. It is a saftey concern for me because the door is almost completely detached from the vehicle and is inoperable. I have lubricated the hinges many time to no avail. The welds on the hinges are badly cracked with just a very small part of the weld(aprox. 1/4 ) holding the door on. The door will no longer close completely. I know of many other vans from the same model year have this same problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10177361, filed 2006-12, 1 miles

Brakes: “The contact stated the vehicle would not stop on wet pavement at 2-3 MPH. The vehicle rear ended another vehicle; the contact's vehicle received minor damage. The ABS did not activate and the vehicle has not been seen by a mechanic. There is a NHTSA recall, # 05v379000, regarding the antilock brakes. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however, it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.”

NHTSA complaint #10150116, filed 2006-02, 38,000 miles

Engine: “We own several Gmc Savana 3500 15 passenger vans. We seem to be having repeat issues with the exhaust manifold bolts braking and the manifolds cracking. Our 2002 has been in 2-3 times and our 2005 has is now in for it's second manifold and bolts. The bolts are breaking and the manifolds are cracking. Please encourage a recall for this type of vehicle. After checking the internet, we are not the only ones who are experiencing this problem with this GM motor. It looks as though this is a problem from all Gmc vehicles with the vortec 6.0l motor.”

NHTSA complaint #10482646, filed 2012-10

Electrical system: “While driving at highway speeds computer shut down causing the vehicle to stall. Dealer attempted to repair the vehicle eight times, but has not been able to remedy the problem.”

NHTSA complaint #10042050, filed 2003-10, 24,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

83% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1 and 38,000 miles.

33%0–1033%10–2517%25–500%50–7517%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 17,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

20022003200520064201220142015
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.0L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.7L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 GMC Savana in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 365 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 365 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 2002 GMC Savana as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Body and structure is named most often, in 3 complaints (25% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2002 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2002 GMC Savana (Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger), 5.0L 8-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 17,500 miles and the middle half falls between 1 and 38,000 miles; 83% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.