GMC Sierra 1500 Service Brakes Problems
Owners have filed 1,225 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes problems on the GMC Sierra 1500 across 29 model years. The 2015 model year has the most (219). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (13% of reports).
- 1,225service brakes complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 78mention a crash
- 20mention an injury
- 9related recalls
- $1,400typical repair cost reported by owners
- 17%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake lines: mentioned in 159 of 1,225 complaints (13%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 105 of 1,225 complaints (9%)
- Vacuum pump: mentioned in 97 of 1,225 complaints (8%)
- Service trailer: mentioned in 62 of 1,225 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes repair on the GMC Sierra 1500 at $1,400, and half of them between $760 and $2,100.
Based on 55 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2012–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes problems happen?
Based on 825 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 1,225 complaints, 78 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 20 an injury.
GMC Sierra 1500 service brakes complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 3% | — |
| 2025 Sierra 1500 | 7 | 6% | — |
| 2024 Sierra 1500 | 10 | 3% | — |
| 2023 Sierra 1500 | 14 | 3% | 28,550 |
| 2022 Sierra 1500 | 28 | 5% | 9,700 |
| 2021 Sierra 1500 | 23 | 4% | 21,270 |
| 2020 Sierra 1500 | 49 | 10% | 6,400 |
| 2019 Sierra 1500 | 107 | 16% | 7,000 |
| 2018 Sierra 1500 | 40 | 13% | 11,500 |
| 2017 Sierra 1500 | 100 | 28% | 38,984 |
| 2016 Sierra 1500 | 100 | 29% | 44,261 |
| 2015 Sierra 1500 | 219 | 30% | 55,500 |
| 2014 Sierra 1500 | 139 | 19% | 68,190 |
| 2013 Sierra 1500 | 2 | 2% | 33,295 |
| 2012 Sierra 1500 | 5 | 5% | 55,000 |
| 2011 Sierra 1500 | 6 | 2% | 50,000 |
| 2009 Sierra 1500 | 4 | 2% | 61,752 |
| 2008 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 1% | 116,000 |
| 2007 Sierra 1500 | 16 | 6% | 90,100 |
| 2006 Sierra 1500 | 40 | 28% | 78,500 |
| 2005 Sierra 1500 | 33 | 19% | 89,240 |
| 2004 Sierra 1500 | 43 | 20% | 89,900 |
| 2003 Sierra 1500 | 55 | 31% | 89,863 |
| 2002 Sierra 1500 | 64 | 39% | 100,000 |
| 2001 Sierra 1500 | 40 | 29% | 110,356 |
| 2000 Sierra 1500 | 40 | 22% | 115,000 |
| 1999 Sierra 1500 | 30 | 19% | 152,446 |
| 1998 Sierra 1500 | 1 | 2% | 167,525 |
| 1997 Sierra 1500 | 3 | 4% | 111,087 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (9)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control module:software; service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lamp
Model years: 2023
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: Without a warning light, the vehicle may be driven with low brake fluid, which can reduce braking performance and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024. Owners can contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N242447990.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Risk: A decrease in brake assist can increase the brake pedal effort and distance required to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-522-9559, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438. GM's number for this recall is N202300860.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:caliper
Model years: 2020
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
Risk: Broken caliper bolts can reduce brake performance or interfere with wheel rotation and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-866-522-9559. GM's number for this recall is N202294420.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: A loss of electronic brake assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268091.
Service brakes; electronic stability control (esc); service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:abs warning light
Model years: 2019
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled. Furthermore, if this specific error occurs, the vehicle's diagnostics will not illuminate the instrument cluster ESC and ABS malfunction warning lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control" and 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Risk: If the driver operates the vehicle unaware that ESC and ABS are not functioning, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192268090.
Service brakes; service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring; electronic stability control (esc)
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
Model years: 2000
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Risk: These vehicles do not comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105.
Fix: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor
Model years: 1998
Problem: Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
Risk: If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
On 10/15/2026 I was making a slow right-hand turn up a slight incline into a parking lot when the vehicle braked very hard and the transmission made a grinding noise. I looked at the dashboard, and it was showing that the truck shifted into park while I was driving. The electronic brake engaged as…
At 20 mph, the truck experienced unintended acceleration during normal braking. Light braking did not trigger the safety brake-override system, and the engine continued to pull forward until I was forced to mash the brake pedal completely down to overpower the engine.
Electronic braking system failure. Vehicle was put in limp mode with a top speed of 62 mph. Vehicle had very little or no braking . Vehicle has less than 13,000 miles . I am the original owner.
Turned on vehicle and an alert popped up "Brake system control module malfunction", limited speed to 43 miles per hour, no power breaks worked. I have had no issues with brake system for the first 11k miles. I contacted my local GMC dealership (Banks Chevrolette in Concord, NH) and was told that I…
I was driving in town when all lights on the dash lit up, and I mean all of them. I was approaching a traffic light in low traffic in the 20-30mpg range. I went to apply the brakes and almost had none. If I was going to estimate how much braking was available, it would be in the 10% range. I drove…
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 1500s have service brakes problems?
No. NHTSA has 1,225 owner complaints about service brakes for the GMC Sierra 1500. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the GMC Sierra 1500 service brakes?
Yes: 9 safety recalls list service brakes. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,400 (half paid between $760 and $2,100), from 55 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes problems on the GMC Sierra 1500?
The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 159 of 1,225 complaints, followed by “pedal went” (105).
Other GMC Sierra 1500 problems
- Engine problems (2,083)
- Power Train problems (1,343)
- Electrical System problems (1,212)
- Air Bags problems (951)
- Steering problems (614)
- Structure problems (591)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (475)
- Exterior Lighting problems (339)
See all GMC Sierra 1500 problems.