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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

38 reports with mileage · 12 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2018
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes

2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERAL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES AND OEM UNCOATED CARBON STEEL BRAKE LINES. *M THE CONSUMER STATED GM WITHHELD MATERIAL FACTS CONCERNING DURAMAX LB7 DIESEL FUEL INJECTOR FAILURES IN VIOLATION OF MISSOURI MERCHANDISING PRACTICES ACT AT THE TIME OF SALE AND DELIVERY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10855736

87,000 miles · Dec 28, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

TL* 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 *CN UPDATED 02/22/10

NHTSA ODI #10297122

152,927 miles · Mar 30, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS RISING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS RISING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, THE EXHAUST PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. THE FUEL INJECTOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,927.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10186553

19,000 miles · May 2, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET 1 TON TRUCK IN 2003, EVER ONCE IN A WHILE IT HAS A COLD START. THIS BEGAN THE SAME MONTH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FOUR TIMES SINCE DECEMBER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER WHO CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT STARTS BACK AND QUITS OFTEN ON ROAD. HAS BEEN TOWED, WHI…

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THE CONSUMER PURCHASED A 2002 CHEVROLET 1 TON TRUCK IN 2003, EVER ONCE IN A WHILE IT HAS A COLD START. THIS BEGAN THE SAME MONTH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. FOUR TIMES SINCE DECEMBER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALER WHO CAN NOT FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE, BUT STARTS BACK AND QUITS OFTEN ON ROAD. HAS BEEN TOWED, WHICH GMC HAS REIMBURSED BUT NOT REPAIRED. THIS VEHICLE IS USED FOR WORK. COLD WEATHER RELATED, 30+ DEGREES NO PROBLEMS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10118860

46,000 miles · May 7, 2003
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY TRUCK HAS THE NEW "DURAMAX" ENGINE IN IT. AND IT HAS HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS GO OUT 4 TIMES. I FEEL LIKE I LIVE AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AT TIMES. THE BAD THING ABOUT THIS ENGINE IS WHEN THE MOTOR HAS A PROBLEM IT SHUTS DOWN. AND IF YOUR ON A FREEWAY YOUR GOING TO BE RAN OVER. IT SHUTS DOWN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND YOU CANNO…

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MY TRUCK HAS THE NEW "DURAMAX" ENGINE IN IT. AND IT HAS HAD THE FUEL INJECTORS GO OUT 4 TIMES. I FEEL LIKE I LIVE AT THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AT TIMES. THE BAD THING ABOUT THIS ENGINE IS WHEN THE MOTOR HAS A PROBLEM IT SHUTS DOWN. AND IF YOUR ON A FREEWAY YOUR GOING TO BE RAN OVER. IT SHUTS DOWN ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME AND YOU CANNOT START IT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10018330

3,352 miles · Mar 10, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineSuspension

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 …

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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. *TT *JB

NHTSA ODI #10009506

Official recalls

1

01V220000 · Interior Lighting

Jun 26, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres

Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.

PE04004 · Hydraulic Pump Shaft Failures

Opened Jan 8, 2004 · Closed Apr 30, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Additional source detail variants (5)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:hydraulic

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:pump

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System

THE PRELIMINARY EVAULATION IS BEING UPGRADED.DURING THE EA ODI WILL LIMITITS INVESTIGATION TO ONLY THOSE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRO-BOOST SYSTEM, WHICH PROVIDES POWER ASSIST TO THE BRAKING AND STEERING SYTEMS.VACCUUM BRAKE BOOSTER VEHICLES ARE EXCLUDED.ODI HASEXPANDED THE SCOPE OF THE EA TO INCLUDE MODEL YEARS2003 AND 2004, ASDURING THE PE, ODI LEARNED THAT THE HYDROBOAST PUMPS WERE MODIFIED IN FEBRAURY 2004.THEREFORE,ODI HAS EXPANDED THE SCOPE TO INCLUDE THE ADDITIONAL MODEL YEARS.ODI'S IS CONCERNED BECAUSE THISISA SUDDEN FAILURE THAT AFFECTS TWO CRITICAL SYSTEMS OF THE VEHICLE, BRAKES AND STEERING, AT THE SAME TIME.THE ABILITY OF THE OPERATOR TO HANDLE THE DUAL FAILURES IS A CONCERN. FURTHER, THESE VEHICLES TEND TO BE WORK VEHICLES, WITH SOME OVER 10,000 POUNDS GVWR AND MANY EQUIPPED TO PULL LARGE TRAILERS.DUAL FAILURES OF HEAVILY LOADED VEHICLES AND VEHICLES PULLING TRAILERS FURTHER INCREASES THE SAFETY RISK.ODI PLANS TO CONDUCT TESTING TO QUANTIFY THE BRAKING AND STEERING PERFORMANCE DEGRADATION AND THE IMPACT ON SAFE VEHICLE CONTROL, WHEN A HYDROBOAST PUMP FAILS.