2000 GMC Sierra: problems, recalls and reliability
12 recalls and 443 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (37% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 443 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“My pickup truck was in motion when driving on a city street I had to slow down. The brake-petal went almost completely to the floor. I almost hit the vehicle in front of me while trying to stop. After pulling to the side of street I checked under the truck and discovered that the rear metal brake line adjacent to the truck frame had rusted and burst.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2015
“While towing my boat I experienced brake failure. The pedal went to the floor with no pressure. Brake warning light did not come on. We were on a dirt road with no traffic and were able to stop without incident. After inspecting the brake lines a leak was found in one of the lines under the drivers side door before the line enters the brake modulator. All the lines are rusty and need to be replaced. I contacted the gmc dealer and although they have seen the problem before they are unaware of any safety problems with the brakes and that gm has no fix for the problem. They estimate the cost to replace the brake lines to be about $1200.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2015
“Brakes failed unexpectedly. The pedal went all the way to the floor and barely slowed down the truck at all. This was due to a brake line that rusted through. The repair was $765. Had I been in an area with higher traffic there would have been an accident. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Brake line rusted thru causing the truck to lose brakes entirely. This vehicle has never been out of florida, and I am the original owner since new. Never driven on salty winter roads or snow. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2015
“Drove my son to football practice park truck in school parking lot about 1 hr later fan bower mototr caught fire burned up the dash ,winsheld fire department came put it out. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2014
“Truck was parked. Went to put it into drive and stepped on the brake pedal. The pedal went to the floor. The steel brake line back by the driver rear wheel ruptured. On closer inspection, I will have to replace all brake lines as they are so rusty and corroded. It is a safety issue. I was fortunate that I nor my wife was traveling on the road when this happened. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“The brakes in my gmc pickup truck failed due to severely rusted steel brake lines. Two lines burst , one after the other , as I pumped the brake pedal to stop the truck. An inspection revealed extensive and premature rust throughout the brake line system, requiring replacement of all of the brake lines. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2013
“Brake line leak from rust hole in brake line below drivers side door. Almost hit the vehicle ahead of me. I have gm vehicles that are much older than this one and never had this happen before. 1977 chevy, etc. I feel a recall is in order, I have read on the internet about other people having the same problem that didn't end as well I did. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the ABS and hydraulic brakes failed without warning. The contact was able to take the vehicle to the dealer for diagnosis but the dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2013
“After putting the vehicle into reverse I went to stop and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor indicating a loss in brake fluid pressure. I looked under the truck to investigate the matter and found brake fluid everywhere and a highly corroded brake line just to the rear of the ABS hydraulic unit. It was evident that was the spot of the line failure due to the high amount of brake fluid that had been shot out of the line above it. Upon inspection I have found that the other brake lines are also highly corroded. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Oct 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 44 of these complaints and injuries in 24 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 12 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CLEARANCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL THAT COULD DECREASE TO THE POINT OF ALLOWING CONTACT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF CONTACT OCCURS AND THE BRAKE PIPE BECOMES DAMAGED, IN HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PRESSURE. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL REACHES THE INDICATOR LIMIT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR. IF THERE ARE SIGNS OF WEAR, THIS SECTION OF THE BRAKE PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGNED BRAKE PIPE SECTION. IF THERE ARE NOT SIGNS OF WEAR ON THE BRAKE PIPE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPACER CLIP TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY ACT. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 1/2 TON LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS. ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE SERVICE PROCEDURE SET FORTH IN THE SERVICE MANUAL FOR REMOVAL OF THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER CAN RESULT IN MOVEMENT OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE RELATIVE TO ITS KNUCKLE MOUNTING BRACKET. IF THIS MOVEMENT RESULTS IN INCREASED LENGTH BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE BANJO FITTING THAT ATTACHES TO THE BRAKE CALIPER, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE BRAKE HOSE TO COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WHEEL RIM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH A NOTICE LABEL TO THE FRONT BRAKE HOSES STATING THAT THE CALIPERS MUST BE SUPPORTED WHEN REMOVED.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE GALVANIZED-BRAIDED-STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES USED TO SUPPORT THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION. OVER TIME THESE CABLES CAN CORRODE AND FRACTURE WHEN LOADS ARE APPLIED TO THEM.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GALVANIZED SUPPORT CABLES WITH STAINLESS STEEL SUPPORT CABLES. IN ADDITION, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE TAILGATE HINGE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
Remedy: DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) WHICH CONTAINS AN ANOMALY THAT COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE SDM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 28, 2002. 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.
SOME PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC PUMP DRIVESHAFT THAT CAN FRACTURE, RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, THE SAME CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST FOR BRAKING AFTER THE RESERVE PRESSURE IS DEPLETED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DISC BRAKES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MOTOR CONTAINING AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION SPRING CLIP. THIS CLIP COULD ALLOW THE MOTOR BEARING TO BECOME MISALIGNED. IF MISALIGNMENT OCCURS, EVENTUALLY THE ABS WOULD BE NON-FUNCTIONAL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE PRESSURE MODULE VALVE ASSEMBLY.
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sierra 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 2000 GMC Sierra reliable?
NHTSA has 443 owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 GMC Sierra. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (37% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 GMC Sierra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 68,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 GMC Sierra have open recalls?
12 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. 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.