2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 most often write about brake problems. The dominant theme in the sample is steel brake lines rusting through and bursting, leaving a low or dead pedal; a second recurring theme is the ABS engaging at very low speed, often linked to corroded wheel-speed sensors, so the truck rolls past the intended stop. Fuel gauge reading errors and a sticking throttle or cruise control that will not release also appear, typically at moderate to high mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rusted-through brake lines and sudden pedal loss

   • 71 complaints (39%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 11.3 yrs old (69 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $988 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2018

   Owners describe the brake pedal dropping to the floor, sometimes while driving and sometimes right after start-up, with brake fluid found leaking underneath. In most cases a shop or mechanic traced the loss to steel brake lines corroded through, often where the lines run along the frame under the driver's side or near the ABS unit, and sometimes several lines were replaced at once. Several owners mention a previous line replacement followed by a second failure on a different line later on. Reported from about 29,000 to 247,000 miles, with most complaints between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, and often described as appearing on older trucks in rust-belt conditions.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the entire steel brake line routing inspected from underneath, not just the visible sections, and look for rust, pitting or damp spots along the frame rails and above the rear axle. A pre-formed brake pipe kit for this generation is noted in a service bulletin, so ask whether lines have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Brakes failed entirely. Luckily I had an emergency brake. 7 brake lines had rusted out and had to be replaced. - cost $1076. I have also had to replace my rear brakes 3 times in 86000 miles. Front brakes were replaced only once. Mechanic says that perhaps the proportioning value is ng. There was a recall but GM said it did not include my vehicle. I think this was a lie.”

   NHTSA complaint #10377072, filed 2011-01, 85,000 miles

   “21 year old step-daughter drove my truck to work this afternoon, when she went to leave at the end of her shift, she stepped on the brake pedal to shift out of park, it went all the way to the floor. Thankfully she was still in her parking space, and not out in traffic on a very busy 6 lane road. I found at least one of the 2 brake lines from the master cylinder rusted completely through where they are clipped into the plastic guide on top of the frame.”

   NHTSA complaint #10485036, filed 2012-11, 88,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS engages at low speed

   • 50 complaints (28%)
   • median 84,531 mi at 10.8 yrs old (44 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2020

   Owners report the ABS cycling or the pedal pushing back when braking at roughly 5-10 mph, so the truck rolls further than expected or does not come to a full stop. Complaints commonly tie this to corroded front wheel-speed sensors, and dealers are described as cleaning or replacing sensors and hub assemblies. Several owners say the condition returned after a recall repair or after cleaning, and some describe the ABS light staying on afterward. Mostly reported between about 34,000 and 129,000 miles, with a few at much higher mileage, and usually described at very low speed on dry pavement.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the brakes at walking pace in a lot and feel for pedal kickback or ABS cycling, and check whether the ABS light stays on. Ask whether the wheel-speed sensors and hub assemblies have been replaced or cleaned, and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When I apply brakes on dry pavements the anti lock braking prevents me from stopping. The brake pedal is forced up when I apply pressure causing me to push real hard for the vehicle to stop. This occurs very often when there is bumps in the road that my tires are rolling over as I apply my brakes causing for increased stopping distance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10175718, filed 2006-12, 98,000 miles

   “Anti lock brake sensor corrosion causes low speed braking failure. Driving at less than 5 MPH was terrifying. Almost hitting pedestrians at a crosswalk, rolling into an intersection, and almost hitting a stopped car in front of me. I took the truck to the dealer and they verified the corroded sensors. This was a recalled issue already complied with. No help from GM. They said the burden was mine.”

   NHTSA complaint #10419631, filed 2011-08, 95,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Fuel gauge reads wrong or drops to empty

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2005–2012

   Owners describe the fuel level gauge swinging to empty or reading incorrectly after a fill-up, sometimes returning to full after a few miles, and in some cases the low-fuel light coming on right after filling. One owner reports running out of fuel because of the reading. A dealer is described as calling the behavior routine maintenance for this truck. Reported from roughly 12,000 to 70,000 miles in the sample, with several complaints filed on trucks around 60,000-70,000 miles.

   What to check: Fill the tank during a test drive and watch whether the gauge settles at full, then check it again after driving a few miles. Ask whether the fuel level sender in the tank has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For a long time now my fuel gauge goes to empty when I fill it up, then after a few miles goes to full. The pump is electric in the gas tank. I was told by another person who owns same vehicle as I that he had same problem and his finally just stopped working while he was on a trip.. Is this a manufacturers defect? Will they fix the problem?........ My vehicle is a..... 2000 Gmc sierra stepside pickup truck, 4dr, 350eng.”

   NHTSA complaint #10332747, filed 2010-05, 10,000 miles

   “The fuel gauge is sending incorrect reading after fill up, the low fuel warning lamp is coming on after fill up. Dealer tells me this is extremely common for this truck and that I should consider it routine maintenance doesn't seem right for only 70000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10198468, filed 2007-08, 70,000 miles

Buying note. Brake condition matters most on this model year: have the steel lines and wheel-speed sensors inspected before purchase, since owners frequently describe line corrosion and low-speed ABS behavior. A pre-purchase inspection that also covers the fuel gauge reading, throttle return and underbody rust gives a realistic picture of what the truck will need.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.