23 of the 620 complaints about the 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the engine — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 88,500 miles.
23
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
ENGINE
I HAVE AN EXHAUST LEAK, DUE TO A BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT. GM USED THE WRONG BOLTS ON MY 5.3LITER ENGINE. MY CHEVY DEALER SAYS IT'S GOING TO COST ME $1200 TO $1400 TO REPAIR MY ENGINE. MY TRUCK ONLY HAS 87000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10920442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
4 BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS
NHTSA complaint #10823322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
2002 CHEV. 1500 SILV. PURCH. 2001 TX.ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED ON ST UNDER 5MPH,BROUGHT TO MECHANIC.,BRAKE PADS, AND TIRES.SOUTHEAST TEXAS HOT AND VERY HUMID, LAWS OF NATURE, AIRBAGS ARE NO GOOD IN EITHER VEHICLE.(SHE HAS A SON AGE 14, AND 3YR OLD GRL).AXIL IS RUSTY WORRIED THAT IT MIGHT BREAK.GOD IS WITH ALL OF US ,HIS INTENTIONS ARE ALWAYS GOOD. GOD PROTECTED HER AND HER CHIILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE THUS SO FAR..\& WE DESIRE TO PROTECT THIER CHILDREN AND YOU KNOW THIS, BUT SOMETIMES PEOPLE GO THROUGH UNFORTUNATE TRAGEDYS SUCH AS DIVORCE, HEALTH, ETC.A SINGLE, NO MONEY THAT WANTS SAFETY FOR THER CHILDREN AND WORK .CHEVY SILVERADO BROUGHT NEW PAID OFF LESS THAN 3YR. HER 1994 FORD MUSTANG (WAS INSURED FARMERS)PURCHASED IN 1997.ABS BRAKES FAILED, TRANSMISION PROB.& ENGINE REPLACED. TRUCK( GEICO INS) UNDRIVABLE BECAUSE OFELECTRICAL SYSTEM AND ABS,RUSTY BRAKE LINES, RUSTY AXILS,LEAK IN THE LINE,NO HORN, DOORS DO NOT SEAL WATER LEAK, PAINT FADED,EVEN TOOLS CAN NOT FIX THESE PROBLEMS.SHE HAS A COLLEGE DEGREE AND LIVING IN A HOME SHE BOUGHT (BEFORE THE TRAGEDY )WHEN SHE WORKED.(HELPING OTHERS AT HERMAN MEMORIAL BAPTIST HOSPITAL BEAUMONT BEHAVIOR CENTER OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS, MEHAFFY WEBER LAW FIRM, CHRISTUS ST.MARYS HOSPITAL OUTPATIENT CENTER, PORT ARTHUR ANIMAL CLINIC,PORT ARTHUR NEWS PAPER, PNG ISD AS A SUB-TEACHER,SPINDLETOP MHMR AND FAMILY SERVICES WOMANS AND CHILDRENS SHELTER. SHE HAS VOLUNTEERED AT 3 RIVERS COUNCIL FOR BOYSCOUTS OF AMERICA AND EVEN GRADULATED WITH THE WO HE LO MEDALION IN BOYS AND GIRLS CAMPFIRE SCOUTS WHEN SHE WAS 15.)SHE HAS REACHED OUT FOR HELP, AND NO ONE LISTENS....LIKE SHE DOES. EVEN THOUGH SHE IS DOWN FOR THE SEASON, SHE CONTINUES TO HELPS OTHERS BY SHOWING OTHERS THAT GOD IS GOOD HE IS REAL & ALIVE.WE R ALL GODS CHILDREN.PLEASE NHTSA, WHAT CAN BE DONE? -K
NHTSA complaint #10788378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
MY CAR IS OLD BUT IT HAS BEEN RUNNING FINE, AND I KEEP UP WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGE APPOINTMENTS. I CAME OUT OF WALMART AFTER BUYING GROCERIES AND WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO TURN OVER, BUT IT WOULDN'T ACTUALLY START. AFTER 30 MINUTES OF SITTING IN THE CAR TRYING TO GET IT TO START IT FINALLY STARTED. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY REGULAR MECHANIC AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY CLEANED THE BATTERY CABLES IN HOPES OF RELIEVING THE PROBLEM. NOW A WEEK LATER IT DID IT AGAIN 2 TIMES IN THE SAME DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10679072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
GM BULLETIN # 06-06-01-019B INDICATES A FAULTY CASTECH HEAD. NO RECALLS, COST TO REPAIR IS OVER $1,000.00 THIS IS A KNOWN FAULTY PART THAT GM WILL NOT HONOR REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #10563023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE MODEL 4.8 IS DEFECTIVE AND AS A RESULT WILL CONSTANTLY LOSE COOLANT DUE TO THE CRACKED MOTOR HEAD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY REPAIRED THE HEAD GASKET OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT UNWILLING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10561152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
FRONT MANIFOLD BOLT HAS BROKEN ON DRIVER SIDE CAUSING A LEAK, RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH GM PICKUPS MADE DURING THESE YEARS. IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR AND THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER GM OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS DEFECTIVE PART. IT IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM, LEAKING CARBON MONOXIDE THRU THE AND INTO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AREA. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY GM TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10522758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
RECENTLY TOOK CAR FOR BALANCING AND ROTATION AT NTB. THEY SAW OIL DIP WAS DRY AND WAS LOW OIL LEVEL. TOOK IT BACK TO SHOP WHO DID OIL CHANGE ONE MONTH AGO. THEY SAID OIL IS VAPORIZING. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW. TECH SHOWED ME BLACK SLUGGISH INSIDE TAIL PIPE SAYING THAT COULD BE BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IT COULD HAVE CAUSED BECAUSE OF OIL BURNING INSIDE EXHAUST. I RESEARCHED ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND DID FIND OUT THAT ALL GM & CHEVY OWNER HAVING THIS ISSUE WITH V8 ENGINE ON ANY LITER. SHOP REPLACED KNOCK SENSOR TWICE BUT STILL SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR COST TO REPLACE BROKEN BOLTS ON MANIFOLD. I HOPE MANUFACTURE WILL FIX THIS ISSUE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE SO THAT CONSUMER DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH NOT PASSING STATE INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10520986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I HAVE A BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT WHICH IS ALL TOO COMMON ON ALL V-8 GM ENGINES ON THE SILVERADO SIERRA SERIES TRUCKS. THERE ARE OFTEN MULTIPLE BROKEN BOLTS MOST COMMONLY THE FRONT OR REAR BOLTS. THIS SHOULD BE UNDER RECALL BECAUSE IT CREATES EXHAUST LEAKS AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE WHICH ADDS A SAFETY ISSUE AND FINANCIAL BURDEN BECAUSE IT IS A VERY EXPENSIVE AND LABOR INTENSIVE REPAIR. COMPLAINTS ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND YOUTUBE. AS AN ASE MASTER AUTO AND TRUCK TECH I'VE REPAIRED DOZENS AND SEEN DOZENS MORE BEING IN A GOVERNMENT FLEET OPERATION. GM SHOULD CARRY THE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES NOT PUT THE BURDEN ON THE CONSUMER. PLEASE GET THE WORD OUT AND LETS GET GM TO PAY UP.
NHTSA complaint #10501432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE PART OF THE FRAME THAT HOLDS UP THE GAS TANK AND CONNECTS TO THE SHOCK HAS ROTTED AWAY. I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING SHACKLES DO TO RUST AS WELL AS THE LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE. THE REAR OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTING AWAY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, THERE IS A KNOCK IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT I HAVE HAD FIXED ONCE ALREADY, THE ENGINE HAS TICKING SOUND WHEN IDLING, AND THE A/C COMPRESSOR IS BROKEN.
NHTSA complaint #10476723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF LEAVING STUDS IN THE HEADS (4) MY LATE 2002 CHEVY Z71 DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED BANGING AT IDLE OR AFTER PARKED. ENGINE HAS BLACK EXHAUST ON THE HEAD WHERE WE FOUND THE MAIN LEAK. SO, CARBON MONOXIDE HAS BEEN COMING INTO THE CAB AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEEMS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CHECKING INTO THE ISSUE, I FOUND EVERY TRUCK IN OUR COMPANY FLEET HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AND OUR ASSOCIATES THAT HAVE PERSONAL TRUCKS DRIVING TO WORK CHECKED THEIRS AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FROM 1999 THRU 2008 YEARS. WHEN CONTACTING OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, THEY ADVISED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. EVERY PERSON I MENTION THIS TO, CHECKS THEIR TRUCK AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BROKEN BOLTS. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CONTRACTING AND EXPANDING TOO MUCH- CHEAP STEEL ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM HEADS APPEAR ON ALL OF THE V-8 TRUCK ENGINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE AS WELL AS THE COSTS TO REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10447714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO Z71. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE BACK FIRED AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING WAS HEARD DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC CONFIRMED THERE WAS CARBON BUILD-UP AROUND THE PISTONS AND ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10444092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER WAITING 10-15 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WAS A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE MALFUNCTION AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,500. UPDATED 04/20/2010. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10
NHTSA complaint #10315133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. WHEN HE TOOK THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH HIM. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR CHARGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE REAR END SEAL, TRANSMISSION COLLAR, INTAKE GASKET, THEUPDATED 04-20-09 *BF HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10262750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. WHEN HE TOOK THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH HIM. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR CHARGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE REAR END SEAL, TRANSMISSION COLLAR, INTAKE GASKET, THEUPDATED 04-20-09 *BF HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10262750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SEVERAL ISSUES WITH HIS VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. WHEN HE TOOK THE RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR TO THE DEALER, THEY REFUSED TO SPEAK WITH HIM. THE DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR CHARGES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE REAR END SEAL, TRANSMISSION COLLAR, INTAKE GASKET, THEUPDATED 04-20-09 *BF HEAD GASKET ON THE ENGINE, AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WERE ALL REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA complaint #10262750 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1. FOUND NEEDLE BEARINGS IN OIL DURING ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. 2. WAS TOLD ROCKER ARMS WERE FAILING, VEHICLE HAD ABOUT 75,000 MILES ON IT. 3. REPLACED ALL ROCKER ARMS, CLEANED OUT HEADS, REMOVED ENGINE OIL PAN CLEANED AND REMOVED ALL MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10259145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
NORMAL DRIVING A T63000 MILES AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CODE P0340 FOR (CAMSHAFT SENSOR CIRCUIT MALFUNCTIONED. AN INDDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP LOCATED A PROBLEM WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR DRIVER GEAR HAVING EXSESSIVE WEAR. GEAR KIT WAS PURCHASE FROM DEALER AND INSTALLED. REPAIR SHOP INDICATED THE GEAR KIT HAD AN ADDITIONAL SPACER WHICH WAS NOT ON THE DISTRIBUTOR ORGINIALLY, THIS SOUNDS LIKE A DESIGN FLAW. CODE WAS CLEARED AND HAS NOT RETURNED. I HAVE THE OLD GEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10196064 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AN OIL PUDDLE WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON 3 OCCASIONS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND REPLACED THE OIL PAN GASKET. THE 2ND TIME AN OIL PUDDLE WAS FOUND, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND AN OIL LEAK IN THE CRANKCASE SENSOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE OIL PAN GASKET & INSTALLED OIL PRESSURE UNIT ON 09/23/04. ON 09/05/06, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A RECALL, AND THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10167438 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THIS VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE DISTRIBUTOR CAP. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START IT THE ENGINE JERKED SEVERAL TIMES CAUSING THE ENGINE BLOCK TO CRACK WHERE THE STARTER IS MOUNTED. THE DEALER FIRST REPLACED THE ORIGINAL CAP WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE CAP. WHEN THEY REPLACED IT THE SECOND TIME, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED AND THEY COULD NOT FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10149292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT: THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE DYING. ONE OCCURRENCE WAS ON 2-15-05. THE ISSUE WAS COVERED IN RECALL NUMBER 05500. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED ON 5-05. ON 8-29-05 THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #10135196 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOPE AND THE (SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT) HAD COME ON. IMMEDIATELY AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, IT STOPPED. THE MECHANICS INSTALLED A NEW FUEL FILTER. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED BECAUSE THE PROBLEM HAD REPEATED. THE CONSUMER IS REQUESTING REIMBURSEMENT DUE TO A WARRANTY ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #567339 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 85 MPH, THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED THIS WAY TO KEEP THE ENGINE FROM BLOWING UP.
NHTSA complaint #566179 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.