2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 127about this part
- Share
- 77%of 166 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 127 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500, 77% of the 166 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving about 45 miles an hour coming down an overpass. The brake pedal went completely to the floor and I narrowly avoided a crash. I took to my mechanic. They said that the brake lines were completely rusted out. I am not getting this fixed as it is an older truck but I do think that someone could die from this defect.”
NHTSA complaint #11375020, filed 2020-11, 196,000 miles“The brake lines are rusted so badly it will not pass it's next va state inspection. This truck has only been driven 74000 miles. Can this be normal? I am a disabled vet with limited income and can not afford the cost of replacement. There is also more than normal rust of the suspension and other parts under the body. I believe this has gone on too long and a recall is necessary.”
NHTSA complaint #10712745, filed 2015-04, 72,041 miles“My husband was leaving our neighborhood in the morning with my kids in the truck. He got to the end of our street to stop and pull out onto very busy road, but the truck failed to stop. He ended up having to hit the emergency brake, but luckily he was not hit, nor did he hit anything. We found that the brake lines to the back brakes were rusted through.”
NHTSA complaint #10469343, filed 2012-08, 80,000 miles“I went to apply parking brake on my 2002 Gmc SIERRA 1500 with 40478 miles on it and there was a loud snap (I had already stopped the truck and was going to park it) - emergency brake pedal went to the floor. Release lever works, pedal will go back up. If it is pushed again the pedal will go to the floor and there is no parking brake.”
NHTSA complaint #10460366, filed 2012-06, 40,478 miles“I had a complete brake line failure going up toward intersection yellow light tried to stop almost caused crash, no warning the brake light signal went on after it happened. Pulled off into shopping center using emergency brake. Towed to mechanic where I found out the line broke in front of the ABS system and all the other lines are just as rusted out and will break if not replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10470158, filed 2012-08, 126,090 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10226382Oct 18, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10162149Jun 24, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10078876May 11, 2016This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10246647Sep 1, 2014Pre-Formed and Pre-Flared Hydraulic Brake Pipe Kits Now Available for Service
- 10112560Nov 9, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about brake rotors on new vehicles and replacement parts from General Motors Service Parts…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3% |
| 2025 | 7 | 6% |
| 2024 | 11 | 3% |
| 2023 | 17 | 3% |
| 2022 | 30 | 5% |
| 2021 | 25 | 4% |
| 2020 | 55 | 11% |
| 2019 | 114 | 17% |
| 2018 | 44 | 14% |
| 2017 | 108 | 30% |
| 2016 | 106 | 31% |
| 2015 | 229 | 32% |
| 2014 | 144 | 19% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% |
| 2007 | 25 | 10% |
| 2006 | 67 | 46% |
| 2005 | 50 | 28% |
| 2004 | 67 | 32% |
| 2003 | 105 | 58% |
| 2002 | 127 | 77% |
| 2001 | 108 | 77% |
| 2000 | 131 | 72% |
| 1999 | 103 | 65% |
| 1998 | 18 | 31% |
| 1997 | 18 | 22% |
| 1996 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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