GMC SIERRA 2500 · model year

2001 GMC SIERRA 2500

171 NHTSA complaints, 19 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001GMCSIERRA 2500 carries 171 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 19 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 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 2500 is service brakes, hydraulic with 24 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling (16) and service brakes (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 5 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 2500. 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.

171
Complaints
19
Crashes
3
Fires
13
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

171 filings

Crashes Reported

19 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC24
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING16
SERVICE BRAKES13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP12
ENGINE8
TIRES6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION5
STEERING5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3

Recalls (5)

01V22000026/06/2001

INTERIOR LIGHTING

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. I

06E04300019/05/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE

01V12500010/04/2001

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER ERROR THAT RESULTED IN THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LISTING TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PR

06E05000006/06/2006

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE B

06E01000001/02/2006

STEERING

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS

Recent Complaints

20230803UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown

20210125ENGINE

FUEL IS DUMPING INTO INJECTORS. 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES!! ENGINE BOGGS DOWN WHEN CLIMBING HILL, BRIDGE, OR TOWING.

Mileage: 135,000

20210125FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL IS DUMPING INTO INJECTORS. 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES!! ENGINE BOGGS DOWN WHEN CLIMBING HILL, BRIDGE, OR TOWING.

Mileage: 135,000

20210125UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FUEL IS DUMPING INTO INJECTORS. 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES!! ENGINE BOGGS DOWN WHEN CLIMBING HILL, BRIDGE, OR TOWING.

Mileage: 135,000

20180331UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE A 2001 GMC TRUCK THAT THE REAR FRAME HORN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE THE FRAME IS WELDED ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THAT POINT IT HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE FRAME RIGHT WERE THE BUMP STOP IS ON THE FRAME WITH ONLY ABOUT 1 INCH HOLDING THE FRAME TOGETHER AS OF RIGHT NOW THE REST OF THE FRAME LOOKED OK WHEN INSPECTED

Mileage: 9,835,965

20180323ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST COMPRESSION AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY CADILLAC (1345 EVANGELINE THRUWAY, BROUSSARD, LA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OR MORE FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY AND REMAINED OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ALL EIGHT FUEL INJECTORS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS; HOWEVER, BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20161206ENGINE

VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND IDLE. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY, OTHER TIMES IT WILL JUST CRANK OVER BUT WILL NOT START. AFTER LETTING IT SIT SOMETIMES 5 TO 20 MINUTES AT A TIME IT WILL THEN START BACK UP. ALL RESEARCH AND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OF A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OR SHUT OFF AT RANDOM WHETHER IT'S IN MOTION DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION OR AT A STOP SIGN . I HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONES DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS MIRROR DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20161206POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND IDLE. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY, OTHER TIMES IT WILL JUST CRANK OVER BUT WILL NOT START. AFTER LETTING IT SIT SOMETIMES 5 TO 20 MINUTES AT A TIME IT WILL THEN START BACK UP. ALL RESEARCH AND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OF A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OR SHUT OFF AT RANDOM WHETHER IT'S IN MOTION DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION OR AT A STOP SIGN . I HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONES DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS MIRROR DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

20160323TIRES

HAVING HEARD ABOUT MICHELIN RECALLS I CHECKED THE TIRES ON MY 2001 GMC SIERRA PICKUP. I HAVE MICHELIN LT245/75R16 120/116R XC LT4 TIRES WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES WEAR. TWO OF THEM ARE "CRUMBLING" OUT 1 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE RIM. YOU CAN SEE FIBERS IN THE HOLES. THERE ARE CRACKS EVERYWHERE ON ALL THE TIRES. THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED FROM THE SUN. GRANTED THE TIRES HAVE AGE BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN "CRUMBLING" BEFORE.

Mileage: 163,540

20160204SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR BRAKE BLOCK HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 180,000

20160127SERVICE BRAKES

I UNDERSTAND GM HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYTEM AND ALSO A FEW YEARS BACK A RECALL ON REPLACING ALL THE FUEL INJECTORS ON THE DIESEL ENGINE ! I AM ORINGINAL OWNER AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ! I MISSED THE RECALLS BECAUSE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ! ITS SAD TO BUY A GM PRODUCT AND THEY DON'T ALERT ME TO A RECALL ! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?

20160127FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I UNDERSTAND GM HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYTEM AND ALSO A FEW YEARS BACK A RECALL ON REPLACING ALL THE FUEL INJECTORS ON THE DIESEL ENGINE ! I AM ORINGINAL OWNER AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ! I MISSED THE RECALLS BECAUSE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ! ITS SAD TO BUY A GM PRODUCT AND THEY DON'T ALERT ME TO A RECALL ! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?

20150918UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY MY CAR NOT IN RECALL TAKES NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START AND WHEN STARTED AIRBAG CONTINUOUSLY LIGHTS UP WHEN DRIVING.

Mileage: 2,000,000

20150509UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KUHMO ROAD VENTURE AT TIRE 245/75R/16 TREAD SEPARATION. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH TIRES UNDER 10,000 MILES FOR THIS BRAND AND SIZE TIRE. THE FIRST INCIDENT TORE UP THE SIDE OF MY PICKUP WHILE TOWING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED, I FELT A VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK AND PULLED INTO A ROADSIDE REST AREA. AFTER I STOPPED AND WAS ALMOST OUT OF THE TRUCK, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED RIPPING THE SIDE OF THE TIRE OUT. AGAIN, TOWING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT KUHMO ARGUED FOR THREE MONTHS THAT I HAD DRIVEN THE TIRE FLAT. THEY FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND REPAIR MY TRUCK. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE FOR HIGHWAY USE.

Mileage: 110,000

20140902ENGINE

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK DUE TO BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS GM VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A LOCAL GMC DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 130,000

20140821FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ON THE DURAMAX DIESEL, WHILE UNDER A LOAD (TOWING, FULL BED) FUEL LINES COLLAPSE CAUSING SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND VEHICLE TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE. MUST RELEASE VACUUM IN FUEL SYSTEM (BY LOOSENING THE FUEL FILTER THEN RE-BLEEDING THE FUEL SYSTEM) IN ORDER FOR THE CODE TO GO OFF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHILE TOWING UP HILL. IF THIS HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A GM SHARE HOLDER. VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE WINTER DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE WINTER DIESEL AND THE VACUUM FUEL SYSTEM. ONCE WHILE ON AN ICY ROAD, ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 4AM. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20140721SERVICE BRAKES

I CONNECTED MY CAMPER TO THE TRUCK. PROCEEDED TOWARD THE STREET DRIVING ON THE DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND FELT A THUMP AT MY FOOT THAT'S WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID FLOWING FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. APON INSPECTION MY BRAKE LINES WERE TOTALLY RUSTED. THE TRUCK IS IN THE REPAIR FACILITY AS I WRITE THE COMPLAINT. THE TRUCK BODY IS IN GREAT SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LINES. BETTER REGULATIONS NEED TO BE MET REGARDING BRAKE LINE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

20140619ENGINE

TRUCK JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, COAST TO SAFEST PULL OVER, TURN KEY OFF, SIT AND WAIT A MINUTE, SOMETIMES LONGER, TRY TO START ENGINE, USUALLY STARTS, SOMETIMES LONGER WAITS. OTHER THEN THE APPARENT SAFETY POSSIBILITIES, DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. WELL, THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE & AWHILE. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, LAST 3 MONTHS WITH INCREASING OCCURRENCES. TRUCK OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAVE IT SERVICED LOCALLY, DAVE COTE AUTOMOTIVE, A GM TRAINED TECHNICIAN WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE, PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE REAR OF THE 8.1 L ENGINE. TECHNICIAN COTE HAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING SENSOR, AT THIS WRITING STILL NO WORD. COTE GOES ON LINE TO SEEK ONLINE HELP FROM OTHER TECH'S AND DISCOVERS A SUPPOSED RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL TRUCK, THAT I NEVER RECEIVED. I ENQUIRE AT THE LOCAL DEALER VENDEHTTI MOTORS, FRANKLIN, MA ABOUT IT AFTER SUPPLYING THE VIN NUMBER, THEY TELL ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL? I SAY TO THEM THAT "HOW CAN TH

Mileage: 39,000

20140619ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TRUCK JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, COAST TO SAFEST PULL OVER, TURN KEY OFF, SIT AND WAIT A MINUTE, SOMETIMES LONGER, TRY TO START ENGINE, USUALLY STARTS, SOMETIMES LONGER WAITS. OTHER THEN THE APPARENT SAFETY POSSIBILITIES, DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. WELL, THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE & AWHILE. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, LAST 3 MONTHS WITH INCREASING OCCURRENCES. TRUCK OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAVE IT SERVICED LOCALLY, DAVE COTE AUTOMOTIVE, A GM TRAINED TECHNICIAN WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE, PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE REAR OF THE 8.1 L ENGINE. TECHNICIAN COTE HAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING SENSOR, AT THIS WRITING STILL NO WORD. COTE GOES ON LINE TO SEEK ONLINE HELP FROM OTHER TECH'S AND DISCOVERS A SUPPOSED RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL TRUCK, THAT I NEVER RECEIVED. I ENQUIRE AT THE LOCAL DEALER VENDEHTTI MOTORS, FRANKLIN, MA ABOUT IT AFTER SUPPLYING THE VIN NUMBER, THEY TELL ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL? I SAY TO THEM THAT "HOW CAN TH

Mileage: 39,000

20131226FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Mileage: 58,000

Compare 2001GMCSIERRA 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 have?
The 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 has 171 NHTSA complaints, 19 crashes, 3 fires, 13 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500?
Yes, the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is INTERIOR LIGHTING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING and SERVICE BRAKES.
Is the 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

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.