GMC

S Series (2002)

2002 · Compact Sedan · 1 engine
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.4)
48 NHTSA Complaints
0 Recalls
0 Fire Reports
1 Crash Reports
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

GMC S Series Unidentified Engine

⚠️ Caution (3.4)
14 complaints 14.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
4
engine
3
cooling
3
steering
3
electrical
2

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (4 complaints)
Engine Issues (3 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (3 complaints)
Show 14 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

L35

4.3L 6-cyl
Recommended (3.7)
7 complaints 7.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
2
exterior
1
suspension
1
body
1
engine
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (2 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)
Suspension Issues (1 complaints)

LN2

2.2L 4-cyl / 170 hp
Recommended (4.2)
4 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
3
engine
2
electrical
2
cooling
2
exterior
2

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (3 complaints)
Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)

3.1-V6-Gas

3.1L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
4 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
2
cooling
2
other
1
body
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (2 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (2 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

LM7 Iron

5.3L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.2)
3 complaints 3.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

brakes
3
transmission
1
wheels tires
1

Known Issues

Brakes Issues (3 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)
Wheels & Tires Issues (1 complaints)

3.8-V6-Gas

3.8L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
3 complaints 2.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

exterior
1
engine
1
cooling
1
electrical
1

Known Issues

Exterior Issues (1 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)

L59

5.3L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV)
View details

LA1

3.4L 6-cyl
Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
cooling
1
transmission
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (1 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

L43 - Flex fuel

2.2L
Recommended (4.4)
2 complaints 2.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
2
engine
1
exterior
1
cooling
1

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (2 complaints)
Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Exterior Issues (1 complaints)

L31

5.7L 8-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
2 complaints 1.0 per year
View details

2.0-I4-Gas

2.0L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
1

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

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2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
Recommended (4.8)
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the GMC S Series regardless of engine variant.

Brakes Issues (14 complaints)
brakes moderate
Engine Issues (11 complaints)
engine cosmetic
Cooling System Issues (8 complaints)
cooling cosmetic
Electrical System Issues (6 complaints)
electrical cosmetic

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2002-2002 GMC S Series problems?

The 2002-2002 GMC S Series has accumulated 48 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Brakes, Engine, Cooling System. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which GMC S Series engine is most reliable?

The 2002-2002 GMC S Series was offered with 15 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 5.7L 8-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2002-2002 GMC S Series a good used car?

The 2002-2002 GMC S Series can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 48 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002-2002 GMC S Series have?

The 2002-2002 GMC S Series has 48 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2002-2002 GMC S Series?

There are 0 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2002-2002 GMC S Series vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used GMC S Series?

Before buying a used GMC S Series, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Brakes, Engine, Cooling System, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the S Series have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2002 GMC S Series. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 48 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: moderate. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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