10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,523 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 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2002 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Jul 082013

Sierra 1500 6-cyl

  • 68,830 miles

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

While traveling at approx. 20-25mph, pulling away from my home, a small animal ran across in front of me. I hit the brakes, hard, and after a momentary feeling of brake pressure, the pedal went straight to the floor with no brakes whatsoever. I backed up into my driveway, jacked up the truck and placed it on jack stands. The underside of the truck was wet and dripping brake fluid around the ABS unit beneath the cab. My wife applied the brake while I examined the underside. An approx. 1/8in hole was found in the incredibly rusty and weak steel line running from the ABS to the left front where it joins the rubber line to the L/F caliper. Further examination reveals all steel brake lines are incredibly rusty, structurally weak and in danger of failure. This could lead to a very serious, catastrophic crash with the potential of fatalities. Further, all of the steel parts of the fuel lines are also very, very rusty and weak and with the high internal pressures and highly flammable and explosive gasoline inside are another serious hazard. I am a licensed master auto/truck and motorcycle mechanic. In nearly 50 years of driving I have never seen a brake line failure from such massive rust on a vehicle with such low mileage. This vehicle has only 68,830 miles on it. It is unsafe to drive. Many, many other owners of similar GMC and Chevrolet trucks have reported similar brake line rust and failure. Repair/replacement cost estimates can be as high as $1200 to nearly $2000. Brake line failure can kill. If ever there was justification for a safety related recall, this is certainly it.

- Dearborn, MI, USA

problem #23

Mar 062012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
I lost brakes on a return trip from shopping trip at a near by town. I was able to stop by using the emergency brake in time to prevent hitting the vehicle stopped ahead of me at a red light. I was able to get my vehicle home by driving at very low speed and using the emergency brake with without any further incident. I attempted to repair the corroded section of the line. While bleeding the brake lines another section rupture. Upon further inspection I discovered all the lines were corroding and needed to be replaced. Also all the couplings on the fuel lines are corroded. My truck has been sitting in my drive way for lack of the funds to get it repaired.the estimate for the brake lines to be repaired is about $1200. I haven't got a clear estimate for the fuel line couplings because the might also have to be replaced if they can't be repaired. The fuel lines other wise are not corroded.

- North Haven , CT, USA

problem #22

Jun 042013

Sierra 1500

  • 100,000 miles
A second brake line rusted through causing the pedal to go to the floor unable to stop quickly enough to avoid accident.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #21

Apr 172013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

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

ABS sensor in wheel hub failure this is one of four identical failures of this part in this same vehicle.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #20

Jun 162010

Sierra 1500

  • 50,000 miles
ABS sensor in hub failed this is the first of four failures of this part on my vehicle. Each failure cost between $450 to $600 each to repair.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #19

Apr 172013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Brake line failure due to rust through. Truck pedal went to floor in heavy expressway traffic almost causing accident.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #18

May 162012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

Failure of fourth ABS hub sensor on this same vehicle each costing between $450 - $600. To replace.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #17

Jun 152011

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
ABS sensor in hub failed this is one of four identical failures of the same part in this vehicle.

- Massillon, OH, USA

problem #16

Nov 122012

Sierra 1500

  • 70,000 miles
While driving at app 50mph I tried to brake to avoid a vehicle which pulled out in front of me and my pedal went all the way to the floor. To my horror I had no brakes!!!!!! luckily my 2002 GMC is a 5 speed manual transmission and I was able to down shift to avoid an accident. Using my transmission and finally my emergency brake (which rusted through the year before and cost over $300. To repair)) I was able to pull to the side of the road and safely stop. My auto was towed to a local repair shop where the mechanic showed me the rusted through brake lines. It cost me over $2,000 for repairs.

- Colrain, MA, USA

problem #15

Jun 012008

Sierra 1500

  • 95,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the anti lock system braking system malfunctioned at various speeds. The brakes engaged independently making it difficult to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was inspected by mechanic who found corrosion in the anti lock braking system sensor. The braking system was replaced. The failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000. The current mileage was 119,000.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #14

Mar 302013

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 95,000 miles

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

I have a 2002 GMC Sierra sle 1500 extended cab pick up. I had the truck on ramps. When I backed off of the ramps, I had total brake failure. Service and parking brakes. I could not stop or even slow down. The truck proceeded down a hill backwards and into a ditch. The brake pedal went straight to the floor. I immediately pushed the parking brake to the floor. No brakes at all. After farther investigation, found the hydraulic brake line that runs along the frame rail to the back brakes completely corroded and all fluid leaking out. Brake line almost corroded into two pieces. The parking brake shoes have worn down to metal on the back of the shoe. This is the second set of parking brake shoes I have replaced in 70,000 miles. The vehicle has been well maintained and these two issues should not be happening. I have read that there is an ongoing investigation into the corroding brake lines and a recall on parking brakes, but only on standard transmission vehicles. Mine is an automatic transmission. How many more damaged vehicles and injuries or deaths does it take for the investigation to turn into a recall?

- Hedgesville, WV, USA

problem #13

Aug 122012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 65,297 miles
I was approaching a stop sign at the end of my street and when I applied the brakes the peddle went to the floor. I rolled to a stop in a grassy area and saw brake fluid leaking from the base of the vehicle. I brought it in to my mechanic and he said the brake lines rusted out to the rear brakes. He replaced the lines from the ABS pump to the rear axle and the brake lines from the rear axle to the rear calipers. The cost to replace the SE lines was $433.46. This is the second time this has happened to this vehicle see ODI number 10402034.

- Bethel, CT, USA

problem #12

Mar 042013

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 137,925 miles
I was at my local coffee shop drive thru. I left the drive thru and as I approached the exit, rolling very slow I experienced the dreaded GM brake failure. My foot went to the floor. Luckily I was able to use the emergency brake before involuntarily merging onto a busy secondary road. I understand rust is inevitable but all of the brake lines are beyond repair according to my mechanic - he will not repair them only replace them. My bigger issue is the fact that since 1967 all cars & light trucks use a dual master cylinder enabling the vehicle to stop incase of brake failure. My GMC and apparently others have the same issue - that even when a line blows the trucks will not stop! the dual master does not do what it is designed to do! this coupled with the fact that I also have been plagued with ABS low speed problems since 60K I really feel that GM engineers and bean counters need to agree on safety. Considering that brake lines of thirty years ago are better than late model products would it really be that much for the feds to require stainless steel brake lines? my 2002 Sierra looks good but the underside (chassis, suspension parts and brake lines) are not good. This truck is not a good investment and it is definitely full of safety issues. If I was in traffic I am sure that I would not been able to stop without an accident. We as consumers do not need third brake lights and useless ABS brakes. We need brakes that work when pressure is applied to the pedal!

- Chaplin, CT, USA

problem #11

Jan 122011

Sierra 1500

  • 129,000 miles
On my 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 extended cab 2wd the ABS and brake lights go on and off. I had my local GM dealer address this on several occasions they have come to the conclusion that the ABS brake module is bad. I asked if there were any recalls on this they said their is a bulletin out that the grounds could be bad so I had them do this fix it did not correct the problem also their was a recall to fix the speed sensors in the wheels which they fixed also did not fix the problem. I decided to google this type of problem to see if other people had this same issue I have found hundred of thousands of people with exact same issue or were it has even gotten worse and the lights stay on all the time. It seems to affect GM vehicles made from 1999 to 2007 cars and trucks but mostly trucks. To me this is a big safety issue most people do not know that when both of those lights are on they have no ABS. I was lucky to have a good service manager who explained this to me and how often this problem occurs. Thank you.

- Burlington, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jan 072013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
The brake line going to the rear passenger side tire ruptured. The brakes remained barely operable. Was able to drive to dealership by constantly adding brake fluid to tank. All the brake lines needed to be replaced at a cost of about $2000. It was just luck this happened on an empty road and while not carrying a load of material.

- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA

problem #9

Feb 022012

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 177,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 mph with the vehicle in reverse and depressing the brakes, the brakes went straight to the floor board. The contact engaged the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The contact stated that the ABS warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they advised him that the brake lines in the rear of the vehicle were rusted away and they needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired for the rear brake lines. Approximately 4 months later the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving slowly in a parking lot. The contact stated that the mechanic was on site and advised him that the brake fluid was pouring out rapidly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they informed him that brake lines along the door were rusted. The vehicle was repaired for the brake lines. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000 and the current mileage was approximately 178,000. Updated 12/31/12 updated 1/4/2013

- Neptune, NJ, USA

problem #8

Sep 282012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 104,673 miles
Rear brake line developed leak making vehicle hard to control, very close to having accident. I guest GM would rather pay out for a few accident deaths than repair this defect. It seems its all about the dollar than safety.

- Mercersburg, PA, USA

problem #7

Aug 122012

Sierra 1500

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving 4 mph, the vehicle was unable to stop when the brakes were depressed. The contact stated he felt like the ABS system activated and caused the failure but no warning lights were illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The dealer was notified and advised the contact to remove the fuse and disable the anti-lock braking system. The contact did not feel that the repair was appropriate. The failure mileage was 92,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

- La Porte, IN, USA

problem #6

Sep 032012

Sierra 1500

  • 164,363 miles
Was in my driveway about to make a 2 hour drive on the high way. I stepped on the brake to put my truck in reverse and the pedal went to the floor. I inspected the brake lines to see fluid under my truck between the cab and bed. I asked someone to step on the brakes while I saw the brake line shoot fluid very hard. The brake line had burst and was shooting out fluid. I'm lucky this wasn't on the highway as I wouldn't have been able to stop at all.

- Rineyville, KY, USA

problem #5

Aug 082012

Sierra 1500

  • 126,090 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.

- Egg Harbor Township, NJ, USA

Read the next 4 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?