2001 GMC Sierra Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 5%of 264 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the body and structure of the 2001 GMC Sierra, 5% of the 264 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“My 2001 Gmc Sierra pu truck after the second year of ownership began to emit howling sounds from the upper right side of the cab's interior. Gradually the noise got worse. Today it is an almost constant howling sound as if wind is coming through the windshield. I will return it to the dealership next week for a recheck. It is my understanding that other, similar Gmc and chevrolet trucks are doing the same thing.”
NHTSA complaint #10127163, filed 2005-06, 24,000 miles“Engine uses to much oil, knocks, smokes body- truck bed sides are rippeling because the metal is to thin,& can not handel the weight of a lumber rack, front bumper is dented on both sides but in differant places, was like this at delivery, all the trucks were like this but all of them in differant places.manufacture defect exhaust- loose parts inside of muffler, exhaust rattels from mounting hardware, muffler retains water and leaks at the seams. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069727, filed 2004-01, 7,250 miles“When it rains water collects in the elbow of the rubber sleeve covering the support cable holding the tailgate up. The water in the elbow caused both cables to corrode and break.”
NHTSA complaint #10046075, filed 2004-02, 40,000 miles“Dt: 2001 Gmc Sierra truck. There was recall 04v129000 concerning the tailgate latch/cable failure. Recall repairs were done twice, but problem recurred. Tailgate failed three times, and the cables failed once. The cables have been replaced three times. The first failure was on october 14, 2002 and repairs were done. The second failure was on december 13, 2004 and repairs were done, the third failure was on august 8, 2005. The dealer stated that they were not going to fix this problem again. In the final recall letter the manufacturer included a costumer claim form. …”
NHTSA complaint #10133071, filed 2005-08, 41,611 miles“The contact owns a 2001 Gmc Sierra. While self-servicing the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. The VIN was unavailable.”
NHTSA complaint #10713981, filed 2015-05, 124,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V129000Mar 17, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal)…Covers: GMC Sierra 2000–2004, Chevrolet Silverado 2000–2004, Avalanche 2002–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10011755Oct 4, 2006Tailgate cable slack. This includes 1998-2006 chevrolet and gmc full and mid size trucks. *eh updated.
- 10014808May 10, 2005Door hinge replacement kit.
- 10015770Oct 1, 2004Rattle type noise coming from the rear of the cab during body twist maneuvers or over bumps. Gm tech link.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 8% |
| 2012 | 6 | 21% |
| 2011 | 8 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 21% |
| 2009 | 6 | 16% |
| 2008 | 12 | 18% |
| 2007 | 6 | 10% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 17 | 7% |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 6% |
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 complaintsAir bags
12 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 27, 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