2001 GMC Sierra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 264 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,418miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 GMC Sierra, 5% of the 264 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,418 miles. 11 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Disc rotor delamination, anti-lock control. I was pulling a 3/4 ton van stuck in his yard, as I got him close to the hard surface ( driveway) I put on the brakes and the truck wouldn't stop, it hit the corner of his block house. No damage to the house however I had to replace all but hood and one headlight assy. 10 MPH and neither bag deployed. I thought it was my own stupidity until reading all the issues on here w/ GM's braking problems. I feel a bit better about myself. The big issue !! …”
NHTSA complaint #10133091, filed 2005-08, 46,000 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Gmc Sierra. While driving 55 MPH, the contact stated that she was involved in a head on collision. The air bags did not deploy and there were no warning lights. The contact sustained major injuries to her knees, neck and bruises on her chest. The vehicle was towed and deemed as destroyed. The dealer was contacted, inspected the vehicle and was did not inform her what prevented the air bags from deploying. A police report was filed. The failure and current mileages were 76836.”
NHTSA complaint #10344877, filed 2010-07, 76,836 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Gmc Sierra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact crashed the vehicle into a tree. He was unsure of how the crash occurred. A police report was filed. The passenger was seriously injured and sustained a broken neck, concussion, bruised lung, and lacerations on the body. The air bags failed to deploy. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 100,000 updated 03/05/09 updated 03/11/09.”
NHTSA complaint #10251481, filed 2008-12, 100,000 miles“Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at approximately 40 MPH, seat belt failed to restrain passenger in seat, passenger sustained chest injuries. Dealer/manufacturer were notified, and informed consumer that a representative was sent and was unable to find any thing wrong. Consumer stated that while involved in a frontal collision air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #898663, filed 2001-11“While driving at 30 MPH vehicle went to the right and consumer lost control. Hit a telephone pole and flipped truck over. Vehicle was totalled. Driver upon impact, none of airbags deployed. Consumer was seriously injured in this incident.”
NHTSA complaint #8005211, filed 2002-03Related service bulletins
- 10013523Apr 21, 2005Sir light on steady after bulb test and no diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs).
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 33% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 14% |
| 2011 | 10 | 23% |
| 2010 | 8 | 24% |
| 2009 | 9 | 24% |
| 2008 | 29 | 43% |
| 2007 | 13 | 22% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 7% |
| 1995 | 12 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2001 GMC Sierra
150 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsTires
18 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 GMC Sierra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology