GMC Sierra 2500 Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the GMC Sierra 2500 across 15 model years. The 2001 model year has the most (44). The words owners use most often: “brake lines” (32% of reports).
- 238service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 16mention a crash
- 6mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $2,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 18%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 76 of 238 complaints (32%)
- Pedal went: mentioned in 29 of 238 complaints (12%)
- Applied brakes: mentioned in 19 of 238 complaints (8%)
- Stopping distance: mentioned in 17 of 238 complaints (7%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the GMC Sierra 2500 at $2,000, and half of them between $1,450 and $2,550.
Based on 16 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2004–2016), 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, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 201 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 238 complaints, 16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 6 an injury.
GMC Sierra 2500 service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 4% | 5,000 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 2 | 2% | 20,421 |
| 2010 Sierra 2500 | 1 | 10% | 3,981 |
| 2009 Sierra 2500 | 2 | 6% | 7,100 |
| 2007 Sierra 2500 | 4 | 5% | 15,253 |
| 2006 Sierra 2500 | 6 | 9% | 30,000 |
| 2005 Sierra 2500 | 19 | 17% | 40,000 |
| 2004 Sierra 2500 | 22 | 15% | 49,500 |
| 2003 Sierra 2500 | 43 | 27% | 57,657 |
| 2002 Sierra 2500 | 44 | 33% | 67,500 |
| 2001 Sierra 2500 | 44 | 33% | 59,105 |
| 2000 Sierra 2500 | 23 | 48% | 93,500 |
| 1999 Sierra 2500 | 13 | 36% | 96,000 |
| 1998 Sierra 2500 | 7 | 47% | 2,000 |
| 1997 Sierra 2500 | 7 | 50% | 132,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:electric:control modulePark outside
Model years: 2021, 2022
Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
Risk: Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
Model years: 2015, 2016
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Risk: If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.
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.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle lost brake and power steering functionality, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that power steering fluid was leaking onto the engine. No warning lights were…
The contact owns a 2025 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the brakes made a loud whistling and squealing sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, Bellamy Strickland Chevrolet GMC (145…
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop, the contact simultaneously depressed the brake pedal and accelerator pedal, causing the vehicle to move forward and to stop simultaneously. The contact stated that the…
On oct. 12, 20115, while driving on a state highway to the grocery store, as i was slowing down for a red light the passenger side rear brake line ruptured. To make a long story short, i purchased a new brake line and replaced it. I also had to replace the caliper because of corrosion. During the…
The complaint is that the brake lines failed and are made of very poor material. The brake line failed on my way to work one day on march 10,2015.
Frequently asked questions
Do all GMC Sierra 2500s have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 238 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the GMC Sierra 2500. 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 2500 service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. 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, hydraulic problems on the GMC Sierra 2500?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,000 (half paid between $1,450 and $2,550), from 16 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the GMC Sierra 2500?
The most frequent phrase is “brake lines”, in 76 of 238 complaints, followed by “pedal went” (29).
Other GMC Sierra 2500 problems
- Electrical System problems (292)
- Service Brakes problems (252)
- Power Train problems (202)
- Air Bags problems (169)
- Steering problems (132)
- Engine problems (128)
See all GMC Sierra 2500 problems.