Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2002 Chevrolet C/K Pickups with NHTSA between 2003 and 2015.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 10 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 17
Against the median year of the Chevrolet C/K Pickups. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 74
14.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2002 compares with every other Chevrolet C/K Pickups
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
18.3%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
18.3%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
325.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
325.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
325.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2003peak 2Aug 2015
NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Chevrolet C/K Pickups
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP05009Opened 20 Dec 2005Closed 31 May 2006PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.
EA04012Opened 30 Apr 2004Closed 28 Feb 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
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.
EA04011Opened 9 Apr 2004Closed 10 May 2005PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING...
PE03057Opened 8 Dec 2003Closed 9 Apr 2004PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENT...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 105,000 milesJackson, MOCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
INITIALLY WE HAD THE BRAKES CHANGED, THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE TEST DRIVING IT, AND TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK, AND RAN INTO THE WELDER IN THE SHOP AND DESTROYED THE WELDER AND WRECKED THE FRONT BUMPER OF OUR TRUCK. WE THEN HAD THE BEARINGS WORKED ON. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND WHERE SOME TRUCKS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGING AT SLOW SPEEDS. OUR TRUCK HAS A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TRYING TO STOP, BUT IT ONLY OCCURS AT THE FINAL STAGE OF STOPPING, AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND WITH NO WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10748106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mason, IL3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
12/7/2003 SITTING ON TAILGATE OF 2002 CHEVROLET PICKUP GOING DOWN ROAD 12-15 MPH BOTH CABLES SNAPPED AT SAME TIME RELEASING THE TAILGATE DOWN AND DUMPING MYSELF AND TWO OTHERS ONTO THE COUNTY PAVEMENT. TRUCK IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BOUGHT IN EFFINGHAM ILLINOIS AT DAN HECHT CHEVROLET BY TONY METTER OF SIGEL , IL. HEAD CONTUSIONS (MAJOR) TWO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED, KEMPER INSURANCE IS INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10062541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 105,000 milesJackson, MOCrash
SERVICE BRAKES
INITIALLY WE HAD THE BRAKES CHANGED, THEN WE TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE TEST DRIVING IT, AND TRIED TO STOP THE TRUCK, AND RAN INTO THE WELDER IN THE SHOP AND DESTROYED THE WELDER AND WRECKED THE FRONT BUMPER OF OUR TRUCK. WE THEN HAD THE BEARINGS WORKED ON. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND WHERE SOME TRUCKS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM OF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ENGAGING AT SLOW SPEEDS. OUR TRUCK HAS A VIBRATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TRYING TO STOP, BUT IT ONLY OCCURS AT THE FINAL STAGE OF STOPPING, AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES, AND WITH NO WEATHER CONDITIONS ON THE ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10748106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesFairfield, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
I PURCHASED A 2002 CHEV. K1500 5.3LITER 4X4 PICKUP IN OCT. 2010. ONCE I TOOK THE TRUCK HOME THE BRAKES STARTED ACTING UP. I CONTACT GM AND THEY ADVISED THE TRUCK HAD A RECALL ON THE ABS SYSTEM BUT THE RECALL HAD BEEN PERFORM ON THE TRUCK AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANY MORE FOR ME. I THOUGHT IF IT WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM THEY HAD TO FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT IS HAPPENING IS THE ABS SYSTEM IS KICKING IN AT LOW SPEED UNDER 10MPH. WHEN YOU ARE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR AT A CROSS WALK. AND THE TRUCK WILL TAKE TWICE THE DISTANCE TO STOP. THEY DO NOT THINK THEY ARE NEEDING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROBLEM. BUT, THEY ARE DOING A DISSATISFACTION TO THE CONSUMER. I AM A EMPLOYEE AT A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. AND WE ARE SEEING 1 OR 2 A MONTH WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL GM NEED TO STAND BEHIND THE PRODUCT AND THEY ARE NOT. IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE TO HAVE THE ABS BRAKE KICK IN AND RUN SOMEONE OVER. BEFORE THEY DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT MAY NEED TO BE LOOK INTO VERY CLOSELY BECAUSE IT IS HAPPENING ON MORE THEN JUST THE TRUCKS. CARS AND SUV ARE ALSO HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10404058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 146,939 milesPalmyra, IN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2002 SILVERADO 1500. SEVERAL MONTHS AGO I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKES KICKING IN AT ABOUT 5 MPH AND NEARLY CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO CLEAN THE ABS SENSORS AND MOUNTING AREAS AND ONCE AGAIN HAVE BRAKES. HOWEVER,NOW(SEPT. 2010) THE METAL BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR RUSTED THROUGH AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH 3 PEOPLE INSIDE,INCLUDING MY SON AND HIS 3 YEAR OLD SON. I AM HAVING IT TAKEN TO A GARAGE TO GET AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR. I HAVE HAD MANY VEHICLES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10355051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 116,000 milesAthens, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO WRECK. THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR MY BRAKES, BUT ALL THEY DO IS CLEAN THE SENSOR, SO WHEN THEY GET DIRTY, THEY START DOING IT AGAIN. I CONTACTED MY CHEVY DEALER,AND HE SAID THEY COULD LOOK AT IT, MIGHT HAVE TO CHARGE ME THOUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10312221 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,243 milesCanterbury, NH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
STARTED OUT TO WORK ONE MORNING,TRUCK PERFORMED FINE. STOPPED FOR GAS RESTARTED TRUCK,NOTICED THAT BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT FURTHER THAN NORMAL ,AND IT TOOK MORE FOOT PRESSURE TO STOP. CONTINUED TO WORK,WORKED,DROVE HOME. BY THE TIME I GOT HOME BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR,AND HAD NO STOPPING POWER. NEXT MORNING CHECKED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR ,IT WAS EMPTY. I THAN NOTICED PUDDLE OF FLUID UNDER DRIVERSIDE OF TRUCK. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED TO MY SURPRISE RUST THROUGH ON THE STEEL BRAKE LINE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED WAS TOLD THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. HAD TRUCK TOWED TO DEALER,SERVICE MANAGER WANTED GUARANTEE OF PAYMENT OF 40 DOLLARS AND CHANGE TO LOOK AT IT,TO CONFIRM WHAT I ALREADY KNEW THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THEY SAID THIS WAS NORMAL AND WOULD NOT TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR IT,ONLY TO OFFER SMALL CREDIT TOWARDS PARTS,WHICH AMOUNTS TO NOTHING. I DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO NOW ,AND ARE MAKING ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT TOWED BACK HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10246744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
PARKING BRAKE
2002 CHEVROLET 1500 SILVERADO PICKUP 4 WHEEL DRIVE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, PARKING BRAKE FAILS AND GOES TO FLOOR.........IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED AND DOES NOT WORK ...FAIL STATE INSPECTION.......DEFECTIVE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10210356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,000 milesAlameda, CA
PARKING BRAKE
I RELIED ON THE PARKING BRAKE WHILE I WAS DOING SOME WORK. THE PARKING BRAKE FAILED TO HOLD, AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED. LUCKILY I NEARLY AVOIDED BEING STRUCK. FURTHER ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON ALL CHEVY AND GM PICKUP TRUCKS FOR 2002. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, BUT NOT THOSE WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS HAVE THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE RELIED ON TO HOLD THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES PROVIDE THE UPGRADED PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THESE VEHICLES. THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REDESIGNED ON 2003 VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IN ORDER TO PROPERLY REVIEW THIS ISSUE, NHTSA NEEDS TO LOOK AT THE COMPLAINTS FOR ALL GM AND CHEVY PICKUP TRUCKS. YOU WILL SEE A MULTITUDE OF LISTINGS FOR PARKING BRAKE PROBLEMS. VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE RECALL OF NHTSA 05V161000 AS THERE IS NO MECHANICAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS ON THE MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10204571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesCincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS PULSATED AT LOW SPEEDS AND DID NOT STOP, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENTS. HAD TO PULL ABS FUSE TO DISABLE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10196044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,500 milesBAY City, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS AT SLOW SPEEDS MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I NEARLY ENTERED A BUSY HIGHWAY AS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP PROMPTLY. AFTER A FEW DAYS IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I NEARLY HIT A BUILDING AS I WAS TRYING TO STOP IN A PARKING SPACE. IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM. HOWEVER THE AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY WOULD NOT MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS UNLESS I PAID THE BILL. THEY HAD TO CLEAN THE ABS SENSORS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10134357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,900 milesClinton TWP, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
PREMATURE WEAR ON ALL FOUR BRAKE ROTORS FOR THIS TRUCK. ROTORS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON FIRST BRAKE PAD CHANGE BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. THE METAL USED TO MANUFACTURE THESE ROTORS HAD TO BE OF INFERIOR QUALITY. BRAKE PADS WERE STILL FAIRLY GOOD !
NHTSA complaint #10104937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mason, IL3 injured
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
12/7/2003 SITTING ON TAILGATE OF 2002 CHEVROLET PICKUP GOING DOWN ROAD 12-15 MPH BOTH CABLES SNAPPED AT SAME TIME RELEASING THE TAILGATE DOWN AND DUMPING MYSELF AND TWO OTHERS ONTO THE COUNTY PAVEMENT. TRUCK IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BOUGHT IN EFFINGHAM ILLINOIS AT DAN HECHT CHEVROLET BY TONY METTER OF SIGEL , IL. HEAD CONTUSIONS (MAJOR) TWO OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE WERE SLIGHTLY INJURED, KEMPER INSURANCE IS INVOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10062541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesShrewsbury, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. *AK THE HEADLIGHTS WOULD FREQUENTLY GO OUT WHILE DRIVING. EVERY TIME THE SIGNAL LIGHTS, HIGH BEAM STALK OR TILT WHEEL FEATURES WERE USED THERE WOULD BE AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ILLUMINATION. (MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH GM#26100840 AND ACD#D6258C) *SC
NHTSA complaint #10061237 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,792 milesMidland, TX
WHEELS:RIM
THE WHEEL RIMS CRACKED ON A 2002 CHEVROLET K2500HD PICKUP RESULTING IN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE.
NHTSA complaint #10039236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bend, OR
SUSPENSION:FRONT
LOOSE FIT BETWEEN FRONT TORSION BARS AND LOWER A FRAME ON HALF TON CHEVY PICKUP TRUCKS AND TAHOES.
NHTSA complaint #10010291 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.