One problem related to brake disc pads has been reported for the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 GMC Sierra 1500 based on all problems reported for the 2002 Sierra 1500.
General motors is aware of an issue with the parking brakes in some model years of their vehicles and have even issued a recall for them to be fixed. They only recalled vehicles with manual transmissions even though vehicles with automatic transmissions have the same brake parts and suffer from the same issue. The parking brakes engage on their own while the vehicle is in motion which causes damage to the pads and drums to the point where they cease to work. This is an unsafe condition especially when towing a vehicle and having to park on an incline. I have contacted them and they just keep telling me that my specific vehicle was not recalled. My vehicle has the same brakes as those that were recalled and have the same issue. 2002 GMC Sierra 1500. If you look on the recall website you will see the same make and model year recalled with manual transmissions. Again the transmission is not the issue, its the brakes.