2001 GMC Sierra Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sierra years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 264 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 GMC Sierra. That ranks 3rd out of 23 Sierra model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (100 complaints, 38%), typically at around 50,750 miles. Complaints mention 30 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 9 defect investigations involving it.
- 264owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 9NHTSA investigations
- 30complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2001 GMC Sierra problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems | 100 | 38% | 50,750 | “anti lock” (16%) | — |
| Service Brakes | 31 | 12% | 132,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 22 | 8% | 46,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 18 | 7% | 42,082 | — | — |
| Suspension | 15 | 6% | 43,762 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 14 | 5% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 14 | 5% | 35,750 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 13 | 5% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 13 | 5% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 12 | 5% | 61,418 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 | 4% | 45,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 10 | 4% | 49,274 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 8 | 3% | 69,148 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3% | 23,625 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 7 | 3% | 35,208 | — | — |
| Visibility | 5 | 2% | 96,650 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 2% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 1% | 49,274 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 1% | 140,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 3 | 1% | 7,250 | — | — |
| Equipment | 2 | 1% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 0% | 86,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 49,274 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% | 1,700 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2001 GMC Sierra recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: 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.
Risk: This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Parking brake
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:tailgate:hinge and attachments
Problem: 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.
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: 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.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Brake line corrosion failure (PE10010) — opened Mar 30, 2010, closed Jan 5, 2011.
- Crank position sensor failure - stall (PE06016) — opened May 4, 2006, closed Sep 14, 2006.
- Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
- Unwanted low-speed abs activation (PE05020) — opened Apr 28, 2005, closed Sep 13, 2005, led to recall 05V379000.
- Parking brake failure (EA04011) — opened Apr 9, 2004, closed May 10, 2005, led to recall 05V161000.
- Tailgate cable breakage (EA04005) — opened Feb 19, 2004, closed Sep 28, 2004, led to recall 04E067000.
- Parking brake failure (PE03057) — opened Dec 8, 2003, closed Apr 9, 2004.
- Throttle sticking closed (EA02015) — opened Aug 1, 2002, closed Jan 12, 2004.
- Throttle sticking (PE02021) — opened Feb 11, 2002, closed Aug 1, 2002.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
05068a product safety recall front wheel speed sensor corrosion. My vehicle was serviced for this recall in 2006 which involved removing and cleaning the abs sensor and reinstalling it. No redesign was created to improve this flawed design. I'm having the same failures described and covered in this…
Went to stop at traffic light and experienced brake line rupture due to excessive rust. Had to use emergency brake to coast to a stop. Fortunate no cars were in lane.$1200.00 for repair of lines.
Brake pedal moved all the way to floor with no apparent hydraulic pressure which failed to engage brakes when shifting into drive. Inspection of brake lines beneath drivers side door revealed excessive rust and a hole in steel brake line leaking fluid.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra. While self-servicing the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,000. The vin was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while attempting to stop, the abs failed and the vehicle started to pull to the right. The contact determined that the cause of the failure was a defective wheel speed sensor. The vin was not affected by nhtsa campaign number…
Other GMC Sierra years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Sierra | 61 | 0 |
| 2016 Sierra | 6 | 2 |
| 2015 Sierra | 53 | 6 |
| 2014 Sierra | 101 | 11 |
| 2013 Sierra | 39 | 3 |
| 2012 Sierra | 29 | 2 |
| 2011 Sierra | 43 | 2 |
| 2010 Sierra | 34 | 0 |
| 2009 Sierra | 37 | 1 |
| 2008 Sierra | 68 | 2 |
| 2007 Sierra | 59 | 2 |
| 2006 Sierra | 53 | 4 |
| 2005 Sierra | 117 | 9 |
| 2004 Sierra | 188 | 7 |
| 2003 Sierra | 206 | 6 |
| 2002 Sierra | 249 | 4 |
| 2001 | 264 | 4 |
| 2000 Sierra | 443 | 8 |
| 1999 Sierra | 600 | 5 |
| 1998 Sierra | 190 | 0 |
| 1997 Sierra | 238 | 0 |
| 1996 Sierra | 246 | 2 |
| 1995 Sierra | 261 | 6 |
See all GMC Sierra problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Sierra?
Owners most often report service brakes, hydraulic, service brakes, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, service brakes, hydraulic, accounts for 100 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2001 GMC Sierra?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2001 GMC Sierra a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sierra model years, the 2001 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.