2000 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about brake problems, and two themes dominate the sampled complaints: antilock braking that engages at very low speeds on rough or bumpy surfaces, and brake lines that rust through and burst, dropping the pedal to the floor. Tailgate and spare-tire cable corrosion, steering and driveshaft issues, and a throttle that sticks shut also appear. Many reports come from higher-mileage trucks in corrosive climates, though some low-speed ABS complaints were filed at very low mileage.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Low-speed ABS activation and long stopping distance

   • 114 complaints (26%)
   • median 62,150 mi at 5.6 yrs old (72 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $500 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2014

   Complaints describe the antilock system engaging during gentle braking at walking-to-parking-lot speeds, especially over bumps, railroad tracks or uneven pavement. Owners say the pedal buzzes or goes hard and the truck does not stop as expected, and several report pulling the ABS fuse to get normal braking back. According to the complaints, dealers replaced front wheel speed sensors and hub assemblies, cleaned sensor mounting surfaces, or in some cases said the vehicle was not covered because its VIN was outside a related recall. Reported from very low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, most often during low-speed stops on rough or bumpy pavement.

   Recall 05V379000Recall 00V0550003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive the truck slowly over a bumpy lot or gravel and brake gently; note whether the ABS chatters or the pedal goes hard. Ask whether the front wheel speed sensors or hubs have been replaced and whether the ABS light is on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was pulling into a parking spot at my sons baseball game when I applied the brakes ,and the pedal went almost to the floor and the anti-lock brakes started buzzing. Luckily I was going slow enough for the park to engage on the transmission. This is the only time this has happened on dry pavement going this slow. I had zero brakes and I was barely moving when they were applied. The brakes started working when I returned to the truck after the game. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10132976, filed 2005-08, 100,000 miles

   “About three years ago I took my 2000 Sierra truck to my Gmc dealer after experiencing a few low speed ABS activations and brake failures causing me to drift into oncoming traffic. Since tandom log trucks are frequent travelers on our local roads, I wanted to resolve the problem right away. My Gmc service manager informed me that the only way to correct the problem was to replace the front hub assemblies containing the wheel speed sensors at a cost of $500 each for parts only. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10140780, filed 2005-10, 63,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines leaking or bursting

   • 140 complaints (32%)
   • median 79,367 mi at 9.0 yrs old (99 state mileage)
   • 11 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $947 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little warning and finding brake fluid dripping or spraying from a corroded steel line, often below the driver's door, along the frame or near the ABS unit. Several say a shop found most of the lines badly rusted and recommended replacing them all. Repair costs and replacement line availability are frequent themes in these complaints. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 170,000 miles, typically on older trucks in areas with road salt.

   Recall 00V3450002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look under the driver's side and along the frame for scaly or damp brake lines, and check the fluid reservoir level. Ask whether any brake lines have been replaced and when the fluid was last changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My pickup truck was in motion when driving on a city street I had to slow down. The brake-petal went almost completely to the floor. I almost hit the vehicle in front of me while trying to stop. After pulling to the side of street I checked under the truck and discovered that the rear metal brake line adjacent to the truck frame had rusted and burst.”

   NHTSA complaint #10787636, filed 2015-11, 147,000 miles

   “Brake line leak from rust hole in brake line below drivers side door. Almost hit the vehicle ahead of me. I have GM vehicles that are much older than this one and never had this happen before. 1977 chevy, etc. I feel a recall is in order, I have read on the internet about other people having the same problem that didn't end as well I did.”

   NHTSA complaint #10524767, filed 2013-07, 61,542 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Chassis and body rust: frame, brake lines, tailgate cables

   • 109 complaints (25%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (89 state mileage)
   • 9 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $894 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners write about frame sections cracking or thinning from rust, tailgate support cables corroding and snapping when the tailgate is lowered, and a spare tire cable rusting through and dropping the tire. Several note their truck fell outside a recall by build date or VIN. Complaints also mention door handles and latches that stop working. Tailgate and spare-tire cable reports appear from about 35,000 miles up; frame and door complaints generally come at higher mileage on older trucks in salt-belt areas.

   Recall 04V129000Recall 06V0660004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Lower the tailgate and check both cables for fraying or rust, look at the spare tire cable, and inspect the frame rails and cab corners for scale and cracks. Confirm by VIN whether the tailgate cable recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I had just exited a busy interstate highway when the spare tire fell from under the truck. After examining the spare tire retaining cable I found it had rusted in half allowing the tire to fall. If the tire had fallen out 30 seconds earlier it would have resulted in a multi car pile up with possible serious injury or death to those behind me. I feel this cable should be replaced by stainless steel cable which will not rust or at the very least a secondary safety chain be added to at least keep the tire with the truck !! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10146683, filed 2006-01, 37,000 miles

   “The frame on the truck is cracked several inches in a couple of places and rotted. It is very thin and I was told there was nothing solid to weld to and repair it. They said I would have to have the frame replaced. The truck has just turned 100000 miles. I have had it for six years and take excellent care of it. It runs great. The body is in excellent shape, there is one small hole in the driver side rocker panel I was going to repair in the near future ( I do not know if I will now bother). Other than that the body is near perfect. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10443771, filed 2012-01, 99,000 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Rusty or sticking rear brakes and rotors

   • 71 complaints (16%)
   • median 80,984 mi at 11.0 yrs old (56 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $947 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2001–2015

   Complaints describe rear rotors and pads corroding or flaking apart at low mileage, and one owner reported front pads separating and gouging the rotors shortly after purchase. According to the complaints, dealers sometimes replaced rotors under warranty and in other cases called the wear normal. Reported from a few thousand to about 100,000 miles, often on trucks driven less frequently or in wet, salty conditions.

   Recall 00V0550002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Inspect rotors for flaking, deep pitting or heavy surface rust, and ask for service records showing when pads and rotors were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Continually rusting, corroded, pitted brake rotors requiring frequent replacement. Rear rotors replaced under warranty, 9/21/01, odometer=7,743. Rear rotors replaced again, 1/22/04, odometer=24,612 at my expense. Front rotors will need to be replaced (rusting heavily) before next state inspection (may 04).”

   NHTSA complaint #10054783, filed 2004-01, 24,600 miles

   “The rear rotors prematurely wore out. The dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. Gmc stated that this was normal wear. The rotors had metal flaking that was below legal tolerance.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099534, filed 2004-12, 61,356 miles
5. 5
   Vehicle speed control

   Throttle sticking shut or surging on takeoff

   • 20 complaints (5%)
   • median 48,500 mi at 4.1 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2010

   Complaints describe the accelerator pedal feeling stuck or resisting pressure, then the truck lurching when more pressure is applied; some report the engine failing to respond until the pedal is pumped repeatedly. Owners say dealers replaced or cleaned the throttle body, and one said the work was done without a clear explanation for the cause. Reported between about 45,000 and 70,000 miles, generally during acceleration from a stop.

   What to check: With the engine off, press the accelerator through its full travel and feel for binding or grit, then test a slow pull away from a stop. Ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “We purchased a used 2000 Gmc and within a month experienced experienced throttle sticking closed so severe you could not move the vehicle. Then if you applied a lot of pressure it would lurch forward. We took it in after a couple of months to a local Gmc dealer and they said it was the throttle body and it was warped and would need to be replaced. They had no explanation why it would have become warped. We paid 643.00. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10029149, filed 2003-07, 56,700 miles

   “The consumer was at a stand still when putting the vehicle in reverse, the consumer pressed the accelerator pedal and there was some resistance in the accelerator pedal and then the pedal dropped straight to the floor. When the vehicle was moving backwards, the owner hit the brake and the vehicle began to accelerate on it s own at a high rate of speed. The consumer crossed two lanes of traffic and hit a guard rail. Provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099043, filed 2004-10, 51,000 miles

Buying note. These trucks are now old enough that condition matters more than mileage, so have a shop inspect the brake lines, frame and rocker panels for rust before buying. Confirm which safety recalls were completed for the specific VIN, and budget for brake work on any truck that has sat or been driven in salted winters.

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.