There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2002 GMC Savanain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000. MAILED OUT 01/13/15*LJ
2002 GMC SAVANA, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND BECAME DISABLED. *BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-0281-89)*JB UPDATED 09/13/10*BF
THE NHTSA ISSUED A RECALL ON 2001 CHEVY SILVERADOS WITH 8.1L ENGINES DUE A INTERMITTENT CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE CAUSING THE TRUCK TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. (SEE RECALL ID# 53021). I OWN A 2002 GMC SAVANNA 3500 VAN WITH A 8.1L ENGINE (THE VAN WAS FACTORY ORDERED BY US IN AUG 2001) THAT HAS EXHIBITED THE SAME STALLING FAILURES FOR MORE THAN 6 MONTHS. THE VAN HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES AT SPEEDS IN EXCEEDS OF 40 MPH. AFTER BRINGING THE VAN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON 3/26/08 (AND THEY FINDING NOTHING WRONG WITH IT), I HAVE LOGGED THE FAILURE EVENTS SINCE THEN. THE VAN IS NOT HEAVILY USED (IT HAS JUST OVER 42000 MILES -- WHICH EQUATES TO ABOUT 500 MILES/MO.): 5/22/08 STALLED WHILE DECELERATING TO STOPLIGHT 5/23/08 DIFFICULTY STARTING 5/25/08 STALLED WHILE COASTING @ 30 MPH 6/4/08 STALLED WHILE DRIVING (MY WIFE DID NOT RECORD THE MPH) 6/22/08 STALLED AT 35 MPH 6/29/08 STALLED AT STOPLIGHT 7/9/08 STALLED TURNING INTO PARKING LOT 7/13/08 STALLED AT 5 MPH (JUST PRIOR TO A TURN) 7/20/08 STALLED AT 45 MPH 8/8/08 STALLED AT 40 MPH 8/23/08 TROUBLE STARTING I BROUGHT THE VAN INTO THE DEALER ON 8/26/08 AND HAD THEM PERFORM THE SAME WORK AS INDICATED BY THE SILVERADO RECALL. I HAVE PURPOSELY DRIVEN OVER 200 MILES AFTER THIS AND NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. MY QUESTION (AND COMPLAINT) IS WHY WAS THE RECALL FOR THE 8.1L ENGINES NOT EXTENDED TO GMC SAVANNAS EQUIPPED WITH 8.1L ENGINES? HAVING A VAN LOSE ALL POWER AT SPEED IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION AND I BELIEVE IT IS IMPERATIVE TO EXPAND THE RECALL TO ALL 8.1L ENGINES BUILT IN THE 2001 TIMEFRAME (EVEN IN 2002 MODELS). THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026