Complaints about the 2001 GMC Sierra peaked in 2005, with 86 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Pickup, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Oct 27, 2000 to Dec 21, 2015.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09E-025 | May 11, 2009 | These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated… | Lighting | 42,540 | Refund or buyback |
| 07V-521 | Nov 7, 2007 | On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely | Engine and cooling | 11,974 | Part replacement |
| 07E-066 | Aug 28, 2007 | Certain cequent 90 degree 7-way right angle adaptors sold by distributors in tow packages for aftermarket sales to tow 5th wheel rv travel trailers | Equipment | 175 | Not stated |
| 05V-379 | Aug 29, 2005 | Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (abs) activation | Brakes | 1,353,718 | Repair or modification |
| 05V-161 | Apr 22, 2005 | On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the… | Brakes | 90,242 | Repair or modification |
| 04E-022 | Mar 23, 2004 | Aftermarket pickup truck over-the-rail bedliners manufactured for installation on 1999-2004 chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra pickup trucks | Equipment | 8,000 | Part replacement |
| 04V-129 | Mar 17, 2004 | On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open… | Structure | 3,662,211 | Part replacement |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
264 complaints on file, page 1 of 14.
05068A PRODUCT SAFETY RECALL FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION. MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL IN 2006 WHICH INVOLVED REMOVING AND CLEANING THE ABS SENSOR AND REINSTALLING IT. NO REDESIGN WAS CREATED TO IMPROVE THIS FLAWED DESIGN. I'M HAVING THE SAME FAILURES DESCRIBED AND COVERED IN THIS RECALL. WHILE MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS IN DRY CONDITIONS ABS KICKS IN AND INCREASES MY STOPPING DISTANCE. I HIT A PARKED CAR IN A PARKING LOT DUE TO THIS DEFECT. MY VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT <5MPH ON DRY PAVEMENT WHEN THE BREAKS WENT INTO 'ABS MODE' AND HIT A STATIONARY PARKED CAR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. WHEN I CONTACTED GMC I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY SERVICED FOR THIS RECALL IN 2006 AND THAT THE ISSUE WAS THEREFORE CLOSED. IN MY CASE THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS NOT ADEQUATE AND MY CAR BREAKS STILL FAILED EVEN THOUGH SERVICED IN 2006. I HOPE THIS DOESN'T START TO OCCUR WITH ALL OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE SERVICED ~10 YEARS AGO WHICH IS WHY I'M FILING THIS COMPLAINT. LINK TO RECALL: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/ACMS/CS/JAXRS/DOWNLOAD/DOC/ACM5671334/RCRIT-05V379-9258.PDF
NHTSA complaint 10811477WENT TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE RUPTURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COAST TO A STOP. FORTUNATE NO CARS WERE IN LANE.$1200.00 FOR REPAIR OF LINES.
NHTSA complaint 10764366BRAKE PEDAL MOVED ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR WITH NO APPARENT HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WHICH FAILED TO ENGAGE BRAKES WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. INSPECTION OF BRAKE LINES BENEATH DRIVERS SIDE DOOR REVEALED EXCESSIVE RUST AND A HOLE IN STEEL BRAKE LINE LEAKING FLUID.
NHTSA complaint 10723781TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. WHILE SELF-SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint 10713981TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE ABS FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS A DEFECTIVE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR. THE VIN WAS NOT AFFECTED BY NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. ...UPDATED 06-11-15 *BF UPDATED 11/23/2015*JS
NHTSA complaint 10700640BRAKE LINE FAILED AND BROKE, UPON INSPECTION ALL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND BRITTLE, HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10692429TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSORS ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint 10671006HEADING INTO PARKING SPOT AT WALMART , APPLIED BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP , HEADING HEAD ON INTO PARKED CAR , SLAMMED EMERGENCY BRAKE , PUT INTO NEUTRAL , FINALLY STOPPED . HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO MECHANIC BRAKE LINES ALL BURST DUE TO RUST , MECHANIC SAID COST TO FIX , APPROX. $1000 OR MORE ? WHICH I DON'T HAVE . THANK GOD I WAS GOING SLOW AND DIDN'T CAUSE ANY INJURY , POUR DESIGN AND POUR QUALITY PARTS PER MECHANIC ON GM'S PART , NOTICE A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THESE ERA OF TRUCKS. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10667811I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND APPROACHED THE GARAGE, APPLIED BRAKES AND ALL THEY DID WAS VIBRATE AND MAKE THAT PULSE NOISE. NO MATER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE PEDAL, THE TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP AND I WENT THROUGH THE GARAGE DOOR AND ALSO KNOCKED OVER MY HARLEY THAT WAS IN THE GARAGE. I CANT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF COMMON STORY'S ABOUT THIS BRAKE ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10667607I WAS TRAVELING ON I-95 SOUTH IN VIRGINIA ON THE HOV LANES AT ABOUT 1:30 PM APPROACHING THE ROUTE 1 EXIT. TRAFFIC WAS DEAD STOPPED IN FRONT OF A MODERATE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AND EVERYONE QUICKLY SLAMMED THE BRAKES (INCLUDING ME) TO SLOW AND STOP TO PREVENT REAR ENDING THE STOPPED CARS. TRAFFIC WAS FLOWING AT APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH WHEN I SLAMMED MY BRAKES. THE BRAKES GRABBED MOMENTARILY AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR; THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE GONE. NO PRESSURE WAS AT THE PEDAL EVEN AS I PUMPED IT. THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO HIT THE SHOULD AND BERM AND TAKE THE ROUTE 1 EXIT TO COAST TO A STOP; WHICH I DID. NO FLUID LOSS WAS EVIDENT AT THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR AND I COULDN'T SEE EVIDENCE OF A BLOWN LINE OR BRAKE CALIPER UNTIL I GOT THE VEHICLE HOME AND NOTICED THE METAL (STEEL) BRAKE LINE BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL VALVE/MODULE WAS LEAKING AT A PIT IN THE LINE CAUSED BY RUST. THE POINT WAS UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PAN ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME AND PARALLEL WITH THE FRAME. IT BLEW A RUSTED PITTED SPOT ON THE LINE UNDER PRESSURE.. *JS
NHTSA complaint 10661777TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENTIRELY DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO AN INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,570.
NHTSA complaint 10639374TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUST BUILD UP. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED ONE BRAKE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA complaint 10628713I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM AN EVENT THIS PAST SATURDAY HEADING TO DROP OFF MY SON. AFTER DROPPING HIM OFF I CONTINUED HOME. I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED AND I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE AND WAS TERRIFIED WHEN IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALTHOUGH I HAVE AS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT I HAVE AS STILL TERRIFIED. I AM A DISABLED VETERAN WITH A HEART CONDITION AND COULD HAVE HAD A HEART ATTACK. I HAD MY TRUCK LOOKED AT BY MY CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT MY BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST AND IT WILL COST ME AROUND $1000.00 FOR REPAIRS. I HAVE HAD MANY MANY CARS AND TRUCKS IN MY LIFETIME AND NEVER EVER EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE. IT SEEMS TO ME THE MANUFACTURE WOULD ALLOW FOR THESE NORTHERN CONDITIONS WITH THE PARTS THEY USE IN PRODUCTION. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10628182TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint 10619248EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY TRAVELING 15MPH AND IN AN AREA THAT WASN'T CONGESTED WITH TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY USING THE ROADSIDE BERM BANKING AND AVOIDED ANY FURTHER DAMAGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY GM DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED SO BADLY IT CAUSED THE LINES TO RUPTURE RESULTING IN AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF PRESSURE AND COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. JUST DAYS EARLIER I HAD THE BRAKES SERVICED AT A DIFFERENT GM DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOME AND THERE WAS NO MENTION OF THIS CONDITION NOR THE PREVIOUS REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS AS NOTED ON THIS WEB SITE. EVEN IF GM OR THE NHTSA DOES NOT DEEM THIS ISSUE FREQUENT ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TSB, AT MINIMUM A SERVICE WARNING/RECOMMENDATION SHOULD BE ISSUED TO GM DEALERSHIPS AND OTHER REGISTERED SERVICE PROVIDERS ALERTING THEM TO INSPECT FOR THIS CONDITION WHILE SERVICING THE BRAKING SYSTEMS FOR THESE MODEL YEARS. DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY CAN AND MOST LIKELY WILL OCCUR AS THERE ARE MANY VEHICLES FROM THESE MODEL YEARS STILL ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10610057BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOD, HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING TRUCK, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10585834WHEN MY ISSUES STARTED, I WOULD FILL MY GAS TANK AND THE GAS GAUGE WOULD PLUMMET TO EMPTY. WHILE DRIVING, IT WOULD GO TO FULL, BACK TO EMPTY OR BE ANYWHERE IN BETWEEN. AT THAT TIME, THERE NO NO MECHANICAL ISSUES, JUST THE ANNOYING FACT THAT YOU HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL YOU ACTUALLY HAD. THIS WENT ON UNTIL THIS SPRING, WHEN I HAD THE FIRST POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTY HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY THE SPEED LIMIT AND THE TRUCK'S ENGINE JUST SHUT OFF. NO POWER STEERING, NOTHING. IT HAPPENED JUST AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN THANKFULLY. I WAS ABOUT 50 MILES FROM HOME AND WAS ABLE TO CALL A FRIEND THAT MANAGES THE COLLISION CENTER OF A LOCAL CAR DEALERSHIP TO SEE ABOUT GETTING A TOW OR HIS OPINION AS TO WHAT WAS WRONG. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES AND AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, IT RESTARTED. I TALKED TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND GOT THE SAME ANSWER FROM ALL OF THEM: THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT FAIL IN GMC TRUCKS AROUND THE MILEAGE, 95,000 MILES, THAT I CURRENTLY HAVE ON THE TRUCK. THE GAS GAUGE IS STILL ERRATIC, I HAVE HAD TWO EPISODES OF THE VEHICLE STALLING AND NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS COMING ON AND WHEN IT IS PUT ON AN ANALYZER IT SAYS EMISSIONS, BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. I HAVE ALSO TALKED TO OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THEIRS REPLACED AND EVERYONE SAYS TO GET A FACTORY MADE PUMP BECAUSE THE CHEAP AFTERMARKETS BREAK DOWN EVEN QUICKER. I GOOGLED THE INFORMATION AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10576461I HAVE A 2001 GMC SIERRA THAT HAS BEEN LOSING COOLANT FOR ABOUT 2 YEARS NOW. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS JUST WANDERING WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10575996IT WAS SNOWING AND ICY OUTSIDE. I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE FOR AN UPCOMING RED LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. I STEERED TO THE CURB TO AVOID TRAFFIC IN THE INTERSECTION. I JUMPED THE CURB AND CAME TO A STOP AGAINST A POWER POLE. DAMAGE TO THE POWER POLE AND TO THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUPTURED. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, ALL THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10568693TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR BOARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING FLUID DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint 10550519Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.