2001 GMC Sierra 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 140 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My anti lock keep kicking in, the panhead by gas tank is completely shot and there is a box by the gas tank for emissions and not able to get 1 and the frame in the front is shot also along with the body that's completely shot and the gas gauge keeps telling empty 1 time and then it goes to full to empty even after I fill it up...”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2021
“Brake lines rusted out under drivers side cab. Truck stuck in driveway. Lucky it did not happen on highway will cost almost as mush as truck is worth to have all new brake lines installed”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2018
“Rusted out fuel lines. Had to replace all fuel lines. Rusted out brake lines. Brakes gave out while driving. Luckly no accident. Had to replace all brake lines.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Feb 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“ABS message light came on consistently and due to the safety issue explained by my mechanic shop, I had the wheel speed sensor changed and now about 6 months later the ABS message light is now appearing in the message board again intermintently. I read where gmc started a recall on september 22,2005 for this same problem which called( gm recall # 05068) but only for "salt belt states" "service brakes, hydraulic:antilock".interestingly my state was left off of the list. I called gmc and they indicate there was no such recall and suggested I call NHTSA. I have now noticed that my brakes lock up and do not have the antilock system operating.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2017
“Was on my way home, when I went to turn left onto my road. My brake pedal went all the way to the floor. I had to accelerate across a main road because a vehicle came up over the hill at me and I could not stop the truck. I coasted down a hill until the truck stopped rolling. When it was towed to a service station the mechanic noted a rusted out hole in my brake line. This is the 2nd time this has happened. The last time was in 2013. Yet the manufacturer does nothing to address this!!!!!!!”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2016
“While driving in downtown city area, vehicle in motion, attempted to apply brakes and pedal went straight to floor almost causing an accident. There was no warning to loss of braking system. Vehicle was brought to residence and reviewed. Brake lines from master cylinder have suffered rust damage and caused a failure of the braking system. Upon further review all brake lines on vehicle are exhibiting extreme corrosion to a system that should not be rusting.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2016
“Takata recall ABS & parking brake light coming on. Clean connections, lights went out. Went down the road about 3 miles, lights came back on. Sometimes starting up in the morning, lights will be off. Get down the road about 3 to 5 miles lights come back on. According to internet there is a bad soldering connection in the control module. Has this been a recall at any time. When lights come on, electric brakes to trailer are in optimal.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2016
“Brake line failure. I had complete brake line failure while coming to a stop at a busy road. I was lucky I was able to honk my horn and go through the light. I drive this truck almost every day and had this happened on my normal daily commute this could have been a disaster. It is ridiculous that stainless steel lines were not used on such a vital part of the vehicle. Now I am looking at a lot of money to replace all the lines. I do not have a bill to upload at this time as the repair work has not been completed yet.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2016
“Second brake like failure in as many years. Again, rusted at a bend just as the rear line turns down into the center hose going to the rear axle differential. Luckily, I was just finishing pulling straight into a parking spot when it popped just as a I stopped. Fortunately, I was able to hit the parking brake so I didn't hit anything.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2016
“Anti-locking brakes coming on when stopping. No regular brakes 100 feet pass stop on highway and once turning while parking space,hit a fence in front of me when brakes failed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
When filing, owners marked a crash in 10 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER ERROR THAT RESULTED IN THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LISTING TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION THAT DIFFER FROM THE TIRE SIZE AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE OWNER OR SOMEONE SERVICING THE VEHICLE INFLATES THE TIRES ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE SPECIFIED ON THE LABEL VERSUS THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRES, THE TIRES COULD BE UNDER-INFLATED OR OVER-INFLATED DEPENDING ON THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 31, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 140 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (40% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 97,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment adaptive/mobility. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.