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2001 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 264 owner complaints about the 2001 GMC Sierra, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

27
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid2.7× the Sierra median · #3 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints26441 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 21, 2015. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 GMC Sierra has problems

264 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, hydraulic10013
Service brakes313
Engine and engine cooling223
Tires180
Suspension153
Power train141
Parking brake140
Electrical system132
Structure132
16 other systems7720

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

4 recalls

2001 GMC Sierra 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

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-521 · Nov 7, 2007 · 11,974 vehicles

Risk. IF THE SENSOR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING AND WILL NOT RE-START.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 05V-379 · Aug 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Risk. THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Parking brake

Recall 05V-161 · Apr 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles

Risk. IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tailgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE.

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.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?

50kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 80 service brakes, hydraulic complaints. 90% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles72under 100k miles8100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Sierra 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 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 GMC Sierra safety ratings

2001 GMC Sierra Extended Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
9 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. THROTTLE STICKING CLOSEDEA02015 · closed Jan 12, 2004
    No recall
  3. TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGEEA04005 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04E-067
  4. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREEA04011 · closed May 10, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-161
  5. THROTTLE STICKINGPE02021 · closed Aug 1, 2002
    No recall
  6. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREPE03057 · closed Apr 9, 2004
    No recall
  7. UNWANTED LOW-SPEED ABS ACTIVATIONPE05020 · closed Sep 13, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-379
  8. CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE - STALLPE06016 · closed Sep 14, 2006
    No recall
  9. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

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

BRAKES HYDRAULICS FAILED WHEN TRYING TO STOP. TRUCK IS IN THE SHOP NOW. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LOST HYDRAULIC PRESSURE WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS TRAVELING 10 MPH TOWARDS A BUSY INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, HE WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP. THE REAR BRAKE…
Complaint 10513827 · May 28, 2013 · 90,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10461801 · Jun 14, 2012 · 100 miles
UPON STARTING THE TRUCK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND BRAKE FLUID DRAINED UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. A BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING A LACK OF BRAKING POWER. THERE WERE NO ALARMS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE TRUCK IS NOT DRIVABLE IN THIS CONDITION. NONE OF THE BRAKES GRAB AND IF…
Complaint 10449409 · Feb 27, 2012 · 145,000 miles

Own a 2001 Sierra?

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