Total Complaints
333 filings
GMC SIERRA · model year
333 NHTSA complaints, 41 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2001GMCSIERRA carries 333 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 41 crashes, 2 fires, 14 injuries, and 21 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SIERRA is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip with 69 filings, followed by service brakes (31) and service brakes, hydraulic (13). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SIERRA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
333 filings
Crashes Reported
41 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 69 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 31 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 13 |
| TIRES | 10 |
| PARKING BRAKE | 10 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 8 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 8 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | 8 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 7 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 7 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | 7 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 6 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAR
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
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. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
EQUIPMENT
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
PARKING BRAKE
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF TH
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A C
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 I
Mileage: 250,000
WENT 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.
Mileage: 134,000
BRAKE 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.
Mileage: 145,050
TL* 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.
Mileage: 124,000
TL* 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
Mileage: 105,000
BRAKE LINE FAILED AND BROKE, UPON INSPECTION ALL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND BRITTLE, HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES. *TR
Mileage: 118,000
TL* 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.
Mileage: 70,000
I 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
Mileage: 223,000
HEADING 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
Mileage: 219,844
I 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
Mileage: 154,976
TL* 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.
Mileage: 227,570
TL* 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.
Mileage: 170,000
I 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
Mileage: 94,000
TL* 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.
Mileage: 120,000
EXPERIENCED 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
Mileage: 72,495
BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOD, HAD DIFFICULTY STOPPING TRUCK, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. *TR
Mileage: 149,000
WHEN 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 O
Mileage: 86,000
WHEN 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 O
Mileage: 86,000
WHEN 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 O
Mileage: 86,000
I 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
Mileage: 175,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.