2002 Chevrolet Silverado Base 4.8 from North America

Summary:

Buy it, use it, and sell it while less than six years old

Faults:

Brake hose failure at 487 miles.

The park brake has never been able to hold the truck at an idle in drive.

Tailgate cables replaced under recall.

Piston slap while engine is cold from new (a normal condition according to the dealer).

Rear brake pads replaced under warranty at 8000 miles and every 20,000 miles since then.

Rear brake dust shields rusted away, and were replaced at 53000 miles.

ABS servo motor electrical connector corroded and required wiring repair at 55000 miles.

Rear bumper perforated with rust at 58,000.

Rear spring shackles rusted and failed at 60,000.

Passenger side doors, rocker panels and cab corners perforated by rust at 68,000 miles.

Tailgate hinge on the drivers side of the tailgate disintegrated at 70,000 miles.

Rear brake line rusted through at 74,000 miles.

Passenger window regulator cable failed at 76,000 miles.

Fuel pump failed at 85,000 miles.

General Comments:

This replaced my 1984 Dodge D250 2WD. I would assume that many of the faults are due to low use, except that the failures occur on one side.

The passenger doors rusted, but the driver's side are fine.

The driver's side spring shackle failed, but not the right side.

The rear brake line rusted through at the last 4 inches before it attached to the hose, but the rest of the line showed minimal rust.

I work with six guys that own 2001 to 2006 Silverados, and we all have the same issues. Some are high mileage workhorses that tow or plow, others low mileage light use, yet the problems persist.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 2nd March, 2014

2002 Chevrolet Silverado LT 5.3L from North America

Summary:

This truck sold me on Chevy and the 5.3L Vortec engine

Faults:

At about 90,000 miles the passenger window regulator went out.

Every so often the transmission slips when taking off from a stop. But this has not happened enough to warrant a visit to the shop, since it only happens for a second.

General Comments:

Overall this truck has seriously exceeded my expectations! I never cared one way or the other between Chevy and Ford, but this truck with the 5.3L Vortec engines has made me a Chevy truck guy.

I pulled my wife's Mini Cooper on a Uhaul trailer moving from FL to MT with 125,000 miles on the dial without a hitch. The only issue I had was when we side tracked into the Black Hills of SD. I had to take the Mini off the trailer coming out of the steep hills. I don't think the computer had enough time to acclimate to the thinner air in the mountains.

Other than routine items; tires, brakes, belts, etc., I have done nothing to the engine or tranny. There currently is an oil leak, but I have not investigated it much. I think the oil drain plug needs a new crush washer. I had the truck looked over to get it ready for winter, and no oil link was found.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th December, 2012

2002 Chevrolet Silverado Base 4.8L Vortec V8 from North America

Summary:

Reliable powertrain, but otherwise has a lot of problems

Faults:

A lot, but nothing interfering with the engine and transmission reliability.

A few lights have burnt out on the dash, haven't been replaced yet.

Likes to blow headlight bulbs and daytime running lamps.

Front end axle gasket on passenger side completely shot at 75k, caught in just in time, otherwise the whole front end would have needed replaced. Labor and parts total was nearly 300 dollars.

Eats brakes, especially the rear ones.

Chrome covered wheels are easily damaged by certain wheel cleaners, damage is permanent.

Truck feels like it's going to fall apart when you hit a manhole or a bump that is only hit by one side of the vehicle.

Brake pedal makes a loud pressure noise every time you touch the brakes.

DASHBOARD PEELS, especially when it sits in the sun, and if you use any type of cleaner to shine the dash up or clean it.

Rear pop out window latches become weak after frequent use, and feel like they are going to break.

Steering knocks VERY loud when turning the steering wheel at low speeds, have heard it's extremely common with the 2002 Silverados, and the dealer said that it cannot be fixed and that the sound is just an annoyance. They offered to replace some part (forget the name of it) that would stop the noise temporarily.

Front wheels lock up in 4x4 when the steering wheel is turned all the way to the left or right, especially in reverse; serious safety hazard.

CD player decides when it wants to work correctly.

Radio controls and climate controls make cracking sounds, and get hot when the heat is turned on.

Air comes in through the holes where the door handles are, and make the cabin cold.

Bed mounts are shot, when taking off or hitting a bump violently, a loud noise is heard from rear and it feels like the truck has flexed.

Transmission sometimes slips when taking off, then clunks into gear and clunks when turning when you hit the gas again (common issue, dealer says normal).

Driver side front wheel's brake sticks and makes strange noise sometimes when traveling on bumpy road.

Tail gate cables recalled.

Muffler makes a very loud rattle noise, common problem on these trucks, dealer says these truck's mufflers were defective and parts inside become loose. Dealer said it's just an annoyance and is not necessary to replace.

Truck sounds like it's going to fall apart when you close the doors.

General Comments:

A nice looking truck and handles fairly good for being a truck, but is clumsy a lot of times with slow steering.

Has a lot of problems, but so far no issues with the engine or transmission.

Like the overall look of the truck.

The engine sounds good and is very throaty under acceleration, and is fast for a truck with such a small V8.

This truck is a base model extended cab, has a very poor quality interior that literally falls apart, dash started peeling after it was a few years old.

Seats are uncomfortable (remember, this is only the base model, has different seats than the upscale trims) and the truck rides rough.

These trucks are not like a rock like Chevy claims them to be, but they have a solid powertrain.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th October, 2009

13th Oct 2009, 16:05

Chevy interiors are notoriously bad. Most Chevy vehicles have interior parts falling off within just a few years of use.