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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,167 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments

problem #18

Aug 122015

Silverado 3500

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

ABS stopped brake pedal from going down. By the time I lifted and pumped again vehicle struck young girl. Travel was about six feet. There is a recall in other states but not ky.

- Livingston, KY, USA

problem #17

Mar 212013

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 118,000 miles
I had just driven 15 miles to on the expressway, I stopped at a store for a couple of minutes. When I went back to the truck, I didn't see the fluid under it, but got in and started the truck. At that time I was accelerating slowly to pull out of a parking spot. About that time a pedestrian stepped off the curb in front of me. I hit the break and it went to the floor! I missed the pedestrian and coasted to the end of the parking lot where I tried to apply the emergency break, that also failed! a concrete curb allowed me to stop the vehicle without incident. I had the vehicle towed to 2 garages before I could find one to repair it at a cost of just under $900.

- Independence, KY, USA

problem #16

Sep 012010

Silverado 3500

  • 67,000 miles
I received a recall in 2005 for the speed sensor at which time I had it fixed. Around 2008 it started to happen again and the dealership on good faith fixed it for nothing. 2009 it started again and we had to pay around 500 to fix it. Now it is 2011 and the problem is starting again. During this time we have had problems coming to a complete halt and almost crashing into another vehicle. I don't make a lot of money and need this vehicle to get to and from work. I do not drive this vehicle off road or long distance just around town. For how old it is I have low mileage and I feel ifsomething is recalled it should be fixed the first time.

- Indiana, PA, USA

problem #15

Mar 262005

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado Z71. While driving approximately 15 mph in normal conditions, the vehicle lunged without warning when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the speed sensor. The speed sensor system was replaced in the vehicle. The failure recurred on a separate occasion. The contact received a recall notice and the vehicle was repaired for the recall defect; however, the failure recurred. The recall remedy has not corrected the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN, NHTSA campaign id number, and failure mileage were unknown. The current mileage was 94,000. Updated 03/04/09. Updated 03/06/09.

- Maumee, OH, USA

problem #14

Jul 242007

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the accelerator pedal becomes stuck. The contact has to pump the pedal to release it, which causes the vehicle to jerk forward. The contact also heard a loud grinding and screeching sound when she started the vehicle and placed it in reverse. The vehicle failed to move. The dealer has not yet inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 128,000. Updated 02/01/08. The consumer stated the vehicle hasn't been repaired as of yet and problem still persists. Updated 02/01/08

- Franklinton, LA, USA

problem #13

Dec 092005

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,700 miles
I own a 2002 Chevy Silverado K-1500 with 64,000 miles. Last week I was pulling into a parking space at 2-3 mph, and all of a sudden my brakes failed ( pedal to the floor) and it felt like the truck accelerated (my foot was off the gas pedal. I ran into a brick wall, cracking some plastic on the front bumper, and denting the bumper itself. Luckily, I hit the brick wall with the front tow hook. The next day I took my truck to stanley Chevrolet and had them look for any problems. The truck was taken there earlier in the fall, to correct the ABS recall. Stanley, could not find any problem. I would also like to submit that my emergency brake system is completely worn out. Which is odd since I have never used them.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #12

Aug 242004

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2002 Silverado Chevrolet 1500 short bed (~50K mi) with a sticking throttle body. I have approached eldorado Chevrolet twice about having the problem remedied. They have told me that cleaning the throttle body is a routine maintenance issue- and that it is my responsibility to take care of this. The thing is, the owner's manual does not give a mileage or time frame in which this item should be inspected and/ or cleaned!! I've read numerous consumer reports and testimonials from other Chevy owners complaining of the same problem. GM customer service tells me that additives in the gasoline in my area (North Texas) cause carbon to build up in the throttle body causing the gas pedal to stick. I have several friends who live in my area and who own Chevrolet pickups. None of them have a problem with their gas pedal sticking!! this is a serious problem for which GM needs to take responsibility! if I do clean the throttle body, the problem is likely to reoccur. I guess GM will suggest I lobby to have the Texas oil producers change the chemical makeup of their petroleum products!! I hope more people experiencing this problem come forward- I feel this should definitely be a recall issue. Thank you, robert laughon.

- Allen, TX, USA

problem #11

May 062004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • miles
While exiting the parking lot vehicle suddenly accelerated. Consumer was not able to control the vehicle, resulting in a collision. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic was not able to determine the cause of the problem.

- Mayhill, NM, USA

problem #10

Mar 112004

(reported on)

Silverado 3500

  • 4,298 miles
Vehicle had problems accelerating.

- Mariposa, CA, USA

problem #9

Jun 042003

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • 8,000 miles
Problems with throttle body sticking. The idle was rough, therefore the throttle body was adjusted. The vehicle knocked loud on cold start. The consumer was unsure if the problem was the throttle body or the piston slap. The throttle body was cleaned and did not stick at that point. The consumer requested an extended warranty free of charge until the problem was resolved. Scc

- Norman, OK, USA

problem #8

Aug 222002

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While traveling on a highway at 70 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelarated at speed of 90 mph. RPM 6000. I did all possible to slow down the vehicle an bring it to a stop by putting the truck in neutral and shutting off the engine. First incident occurred on 7-4-02, after the vehicle came to a stop I restarted the engine and it was back to normal. The next morning I had the truck inspected by wheeler motors, cheboygan mich. I was told they could not find anything wrong. I also had the truck inspected by james Chevrolet clinton twp. Mi. they also said they could not find any problem. On 8-21-02 while traveling at 70mph on I-75 the vehicle again accelareted on its own to a speed close to 90mph. I applied the brakes and it took all the braking power available to slow down the truck and bring it to the side of the highway safely. This time when restarting the engine the RPM immediately (in park) soared to 6000 RPM. The vehicle was towed to martin Chevrolet, saginaw, mich. At his point I have no results of what was wrong with the vehicle. I called GM roadside assistance at 1-800 Chevrolet-usa. They dispatched a tow truck. I also called the mich. State police to assist and verify that the incident had occurred.

- Clinton Twp., MI, USA

problem #7

Jul 262002

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving and no warning throttle will get stuck, staying at the same speed, but it will be hard for consumer to stop. Dealer notified.*akconsumers wife was attempting to park vehicle in the garage when the engine started racing, causing difficulty in stopping. This resulted in an accident. The vehicle was towed to the dealers where they found a stone lodged in the throttle stop.

- Durand, MI, USA

problem #6

Aug 042002

(reported on)

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
When shifting gears RPM goes to 3000 with clutch to floor. Has ben there 3 times for this thay say threr is no problme with this.

- Washingtonville, NY, USA

problem #5

Jun 282002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, engine was running at a high throttle, causing vehicle to suddenly accelerate at a high speed. Had to use excessive force to slow vehicle down. The cruise control was in the off position. Pumping/applying brakes did not clear accelration only slowed vehicle. Stomping of accelerator 3 times released accelerator. Approximately 3 minutes later the above problem occurred again. Accelerator cleared on again by stomping accelerator. Dealer could not duplicate problem.

- Woodbine, GA, USA

problem #4

May 012002

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Transmission slips after taking off from a complete stop, causing engine to rev up, transmission clunks into gear, causing truck to lurch forward.

- Manchester, NH, USA

problem #3

Jan 052002

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • miles
The engine reves up to between 1200 - 1500 RPM at random when attempting to stop at stop signs or when slowing down to turn and in reverse gear when backing.

- Idaho Falls, ID, USA

problem #2

Jan 142002

Silverado 3500

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
With cruise/speed control set/on transmission repeatedly downshifts below 4th. And 3rd. Gears into 2nd. And 1st. Gears causing erratic acceleration, excessive vibration and fatally high engine R.P.M. revving at highway speeds.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

problem #1

Jan 142002

Silverado 3500

  • miles
While driving vehicle will jerk when accelerating. Dealer contacted.

- Dewitt, IA, USA

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