2001 GMC Sierra 2500 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems, with two distinct patterns: anti-lock braking that activates at low speed and pushes the pedal down, and steel brake lines that rust through and lose pressure. Engine stalling, often traced to the crankshaft position sensor or fuel pump, is the next most common theme, and complaints also cover coolant and oil cooler line corrosion plus tire tread separation.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, pedal drops

   • 26 complaints (19%)
   • median 49,882 mi at 9.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2013

   Owners describe the anti-lock brakes engaging during normal low-speed stops, at roughly 5 to 10 mph or under light braking, with the pedal pulsing or dropping and the truck briefly failing to stop. Several say a dealer or independent mechanic blamed corroded wheel speed sensors or hubs and quoted replacement, and some report the symptom returned after a sensor was replaced. Others note their vehicle was not covered by the anti-lock brake recalls they had read about. Reported from roughly 18,000 to 130,000 miles, most often in low-speed or stop-and-go driving, sometimes after road salt exposure.

   Recall 01V2200002 related service bulletins

   What to check: During a test drive, brake firmly from about 5 mph on a quiet road and note whether the pedal pulses or sinks. Ask whether the wheel speed sensors or hubs have been replaced and whether any anti-lock recall work was done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When applying the brakes at low speeds the ABS kicks on. I have researched this and there has been a recall from GM but my VIN number is not on the recall it falls under the year make and model and I only have 48,000 miles on the truck. The bulletin number is 05068c from GM.”

   NHTSA complaint #10334124, filed 2010-06, 47,682 miles

   “We have a 2001 Gmc 2500hd crewcab with the ABS breaking problem. At slow speeds under 10 MPH everytime you stop the ABS activates not alowwing the truck to stop. Gm now has a recall on some models but refuses to fix this problem. This is my 19 yr olds sons truck this needs to be fixed by GM before he gets in an accident and kills himself or someone else. There are so many complaints on the internet about this problem. Why is there nothing being done with the vehicles outside of GM's recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10306913, filed 2010-02, 81,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine

   Engine stalls while driving, hard to restart

   • 14 complaints (10%)
   • median 61,257 mi at 10.1 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • filed 2007–2016

   Owners describe the engine quitting without warning at various speeds, from parking-lot speeds to highway speeds, sometimes refusing to restart for several minutes. Mechanics variously diagnosed a faulty crankshaft position sensor or a failed fuel pump, and in some cases replacing one did not fully resolve the stalling. Several owners state their vehicle was not included in the crankshaft sensor recall they believed applied. Reported from roughly 35,000 to 94,000 miles, with some at higher mileage; described as intermittent and unrelated to weather.

   What to check: Ask whether the crankshaft position sensor or fuel pump has been replaced and keep any repair records. Check the vehicle identification number against open recalls before buying.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Complete engine stoppage at various speeds including stoplights and signs, sometimes refusing to start after being parked for some time. Shop replaced fuel pump. Cost $734.27, 4 months later shop replaced crank shaft sensor cost $296.89. I haven't had pickup returned long enough to know if problem is fixed. Most times motor would start after 15 to 60 sec. Problem started 12+ months ago with motor failure increasing from months to days to hours. Companion refused to ride with me for fear of an accident causing injury or death. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10209078, filed 2007-11, 63,797 miles

   “The engine died on me in a parking lot and wouldn't restart for about 15-20 minutes. The second incidence was the same. The third incident, it stopped on me as I was coming off an exit to get on the highway. I had just reached 50 MPH when it cut out. It would not restart for 15-20 minutes. The next and final event before reaching a resolution to the problem...the truck cut out as I was on an extremely dangerous and busy section of highway doing 60 MPH. I thank god it was a straight stretch or something fatal could have occured. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10482598, filed 2012-10, 48,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake lines rusted through, pedal to floor

   • 30 complaints (22%)
   • median 90,300 mi at 10.2 yrs old (28 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2016

   Complaints describe the steel brake lines along the frame rail or near the ABS unit rusting through, followed by a soft or floor-level pedal, fluid loss and a long stopping distance. Owners commonly report that the whole undercarriage and frame are heavily rusted, and that dealers declined to cover the lines, quoting several hundred to over a thousand dollars to replace them. Most often reported between about 29,000 and 130,000 miles, and repeatedly on trucks used in areas with road salt.

   What to check: Have the brake lines traced along the frame from the master cylinder to the rear axle and look for flaking rust or damp spots, especially above the frame rails and near the ABS unit. Ask whether any lines have already been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steel brake lines from the master cylinder back along the frame rail on my Gmc 2500hd rusted through and failed the other day, causing pressure and fluid loss, fortunately while traveling at a slow speed close to home. Of the various vehicles owned over the years, this is the first time I have had a steel brake line rust through like this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10473200, filed 2012-08, 243,000 miles

   “I was driving my 2001 Gmc 2500 hd truck down the road to lock in the 4wd due to a heavy snow storm in the north east. When I got to the end of the road and applied the brakes the anti lock brakes kicked in (brake pedal pulsing) then the pedal went to the floor. I had to hit the gas to prevent being hit in the drivers door due to going through the stop sign with no brakes. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10296428, filed 2009-12, 97,850 miles
4. 4
   Tires

   Tire tread separation and sidewall cracking

   • 13 complaints (10%)
   • median 63,797 mi at 7.1 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2016

   Owners report tread separating from the casing at highway speed, sometimes with the tire staying inflated and damaging the fender or mud flap, and in other cases cracking or crumbling near the rim. Complaints name several tire brands, and owners generally report no assistance from the tire manufacturer. Reported from about 16,000 to 100,000 miles on the tires themselves, often at highway speeds.

   Recall 01V125000

   What to check: Check the tire date codes and look for cracks, bulges or separation between tread ribs, and confirm the placard tire size and pressure against the actual tires fitted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10851257, filed 2016-03, 163,540 miles

   “Ay highway speed felt vigorous vibration throughout out my 2001 Gmc hd 2500 4x4 as I slowed down it got worse next thing I heard was a loud crunch and banging and a puff of smoke, the truck fish tailed side to side (due to the tire still being inflated,it did not lose air pressure) and I corrected it to safely stop . What had happened was I lost the tread off the rear drivers side tire, causing severe damage to the wheel well and fender and exhaust.”

   NHTSA complaint #10275183, filed 2009-06, 143,056 miles

Buying note. Have any used example inspected underneath for rusted brake, cooler and steering lines before purchase, since that is where most of these complaints concentrate. Ask for records on brake work, wheel speed sensors, the crankshaft position sensor and fuel pump, and verify open recalls by vehicle identification number.

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.