2002 GMC 1500 User Comment / Complaint

I have a 2002 gmc sierra 1500 extended cab pickup with 52000 miles on it. the front hub bearings are already require replacement. on consulting with the local garage, i discovered this was not an anomaly, but , rather, a common occurrence. my previous experience over the years with gm products is that front wheel bearings could be packed or replaced at reasonable cost, and the parts provided audible notice of failure. the current design does not provide this safety feature. the entire hub must be replaced when it fails. at a cost just quoted of just below $450 per wheel. the unfortunate fact is that it is unknown how many owners of gm products from 1998 onward are driving with wheel hubs that are so worn that a catastrophic failure could cause loss of a wheel at highway speeds.. until the resolution of this design shortfall, highway driving is extremely dangerous.