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2001 GMC Sierra 3500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 36 owner complaints about the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

58
CarFlaw IndexSolid year28% below the Sierra 3500 median · #5 of 23 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints366 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage53kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 16, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 has problems

36 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic100
Engine and engine cooling60
Service brakes41
Fuel system, gasoline40
Fuel system, other30
Structure20
Tires20
Engine20
Wheels10
7 other systems74

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2001 GMC Sierra 3500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V-562 · Nov 26, 2004 · 1,660 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Sierra 3500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra 3500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500, and the recalls they led to.

  1. CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALLEA06016 · closed Nov 9, 2007
    Led to recall 07V-521
  2. HYDRAULIC PUMP SHAFT FAILURESPE04004 · closed Apr 30, 2004
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra 3500 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHILE DRIVING I HAD MY BRAKES FAIL, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT WAS A RESULT OF A BROKEN STEEL BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. WHAT I FOUND WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK WAS ALL THE LINES THAT WENT TO THE ABS UNIT WERE BADLY RUSTED. ONE OF MY COWORKERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON HIS 2001 GMC…
Complaint 10379149 · Jan 21, 2011 · 31,000 miles
AFTER EXPERIENCING ABS BRAKING PROBLEMS ON MY 2001 GMC TRUCK MODEL NK3, I BECAME AWARE OF GM RECALL NO. 05068, 05V379000, WHICH THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THIS ISSUE DOES NOT INVOLVE MY VEHICLE. FOR SAFETY REASONS, I DID REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
Complaint 10351751 · Aug 25, 2010 · 61,580 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 3500 DIESEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WOULD ACTIVATE WHILE STOPPING FROM 50 MPH. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REPAIRS COULD COST…
Complaint 10249790 · Nov 25, 2008 · 175,000 miles

Own a 2001 Sierra 3500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.