2001 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe brake problems: the antilock system engaging at low speed and extending stopping distance, and rusted brake lines that lose pressure. Many complaints were filed when the trucks were past 50,000 miles, and corrosion in road-salt areas comes up repeatedly; some owners say their vehicle was not covered by the ABS recall.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS activates at low speed, extending stopping distance

   • 82 complaints (31%)
   • median 52,450 mi at 4.7 yrs old (70 state mileage)
   • 12 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2015

   Owners describe the antilock brakes engaging in the last few miles per hour of a stop, on dry pavement as well as in snow, so the pedal pulses or feels spongy and the truck keeps rolling. Dealers are said to have cleaned or replaced front wheel speed sensors or hubs, sometimes at the owner's expense, and several owners report the symptom returned afterward. Complaints often note that an ABS recall existed for certain states but their vehicle was not included by VIN. Most often reported between roughly 30,000 and 90,000 miles, frequently in cold, wet or road-salt conditions.

   Recall 05V3790001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the truck slowly to a stop several times and feel for pedal pulsing or the truck rolling through the stop. Ask whether the ABS recall work was performed and whether front wheel speed sensors or hubs were replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The antilock brake system is activating at under 10 MPH.I have called the Gmc hot line and even though I have a 2001 Gmc Sierra 2500 truck which is one of the models identified as being in the recall for this problem I was informed that my vehicles VIN number is not on the list,and that even though I am having the problem that Gmc will not cover it.”

   NHTSA complaint #10141499, filed 2005-11, 37,400 miles

   “There is a current recall for an ABS problem on my vehicle. I had this recall completed several years ago. Recently, this recalled part failed again. Gm denied my claim when I had this recall fixed for the second time. Gm claims that a recall is a one time deal. I find this hard to believe.”

   NHTSA complaint #10430227, filed 2011-10, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Rusted brake lines leaking and losing pressure

   • 34 complaints (13%)
   • median 112,250 mi at 12.4 yrs old (32 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2005–2015

   Owners describe the brake pedal going to the floor or the brakes giving way without warning, often at low speed, with a shop later finding brake lines along the frame rusted through and leaking fluid. In several accounts both lines were affected and the repair ran to several hundred dollars or more. Some note the failure followed a recent brake service. Mostly reported above 70,000 miles, often on trucks driven where road salt is used.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the steel brake lines along the frame and above the rear axle for rust and weeping, especially on trucks from salt-belt areas, and ask whether any lines have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While bleeding the pass. Rear brakes I had a very sudden lose of pressure on the peddle and the peddle went right to the floor of the truck when pressed. After looking under the truck I noticed that I had a brake line rupture along the frame under the drivers seat. After further inspection I realized that all of the brake lines in that area were very rusted and in need of replacement. Luckily I was not driving the truck and no accident occurred.”

   NHTSA complaint #10437294, filed 2011-11, 75,000 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10667811, filed 2014-12, 219,844 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Parking brake will not hold a parked truck

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the parking brake failing to keep the truck from rolling, including one account of a truck rolling back while a boat was being unloaded. Complaints describe dealers adjusting the cable or finding the parking brake shoes or rear rotor/drum surfaces worn or rusted, and in some cases the problem persisted after the visit. A recall for certain manual-transmission trucks addresses parking brake linings that can wear until the brake no longer holds. Reported from about 40,000 to 65,000 miles, including on trucks used around water and boat ramps.

   Recall 05V161000

   What to check: Park on a slight incline and set the parking brake firmly to see whether the truck holds. Ask whether the parking brake shoes, cables and rear rotors have been serviced, and check recall status by VIN.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sirs/madam; since new the brakes have been spongy. They work but, I am always on alert. The ABS has never worked properly. I have replaced the front rotors with grooved and relieved with drilled holes. I have replaced the brake lining all around. With no difference. My pickup is equipped with rotors. I have complained to the dealership where I bought the pickup. Was told the is/was no warranty implied for braking systems. I have had the brake fluid flushed, still no difference. I am very easy on the braking system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10461801, filed 2012-06, 100 miles

   “Purchased from dealership with a 2-yr inspection sticker. After sticker expired, went to have vehicle inspected. Failed due to vehicle will move forward even though emergency brake is engaged. Inspector commented that many Gmc sierras are failing due to this reason. Contacted dealership service advisor who also agreed with statement. He said Gmc was repairing at no cost those vehicles that had 36,000 miles or less. Since ours has 55,000 miles recommended contacting Gmc. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10010991, filed 2003-03, 50,000 miles

Buying note. Check the brakes carefully on any example of this model year: test low-speed stops for ABS pulsing and inspect the steel brake lines for rust, since those are the most common owner complaints. Also confirm recall status by VIN and ask about the crankshaft position sensor, parking brake and fuel gauge.

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.