2001 GMC Sierra 3500: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints); the 1999 and 2002 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The truck has low mileage for it's age but it 3 times starting in 2005 it has caught fire in and around the battery/alternator. I've given gmc multiple times to fix the problem but it just happened again. It happened on the highway at first and it happened in my driveway the other day.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2020
“Sold me a "good running vehicle" that the fuel system failed cause engine to shutdown, caused no braking, vehicle pulled out of center do to steering components, no safety belts in rear of vehicle”Owner report · Steering · Aug 2018
“I almost ran into another car because the other driver stopped suddenly and I had to pump the brakes over and over to stop when the rusted line broke. I was on a city street driving speed limit and was lucky to be able to stop. I was towing my trailer last week and almost lost the trailer because the entire underbody is rusted. I have had several trucks and never have seen this happen. It was a scary situation in both cases.”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brake line ruptured leading to complete loss of braking. Hit car in front of me as it came to a stop. This is the second time that the brakes have failed due to brake line rupture due to excessive corrosion of the brake line metal. Please force gm to issue a recall. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2014
“Three weeks ago noticed low brake fluid. Filled reservoir and didn't see and leaks. Yesterday I was in town shopping and when I came out of store and leaving brake peddle went to floor when I tried to stop had enough brake to stop before hitting car in front of me. Bought a quart of fluid and refilled tank and cautiously made it the 25 miles home after refilling twice. Looked under truck and saw leak above the fuel filter. The whole line under truck is terribly corroded and will need replacing. I live in hawaii and have had the truck for 5 years so no salt damage here. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2014
“Brakes failed due to rupture of rusted brake line, no warning light while driving on the interstate. Was barely able to stop by pressing brake pedal to the floor. ABS did not activate. Took vehicle to mechanic. Multiple brake lines rusted out. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2012
“Exhaust manifold bolts broke on driver side, back two. These bolts are far too small for the job and this exposes heat and exhaust gases to the environment. Creating a fire danger too. *tt”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2011
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Aug 2010
“2001 gmc serria 3500 VIN #[xxx]. Vehicle intermittantly stalls and will not restart for a while. I see a recall # 07v521000 for this vehicle but gm says this VIN is not on the recall list. It has been diagnosed as a failed crankshaft sensor. It seems the recall didn't include enough vins. This truck only has 55k miles on it. Please reopen a failure investigation. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jun 2010
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc 3500. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the injection pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred two years later. The dealer stated that the injection pump needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Oct 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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).
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY 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 3500 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 3500 reliable?
NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,500 miles or less.
Does the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 have open recalls?
3 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.