GMC Sierra Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems

Source: NHTSA · Updated Apr 30, 2025 · 954 complaints analyzed

Owners have filed 954 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the GMC Sierra across 20 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (280). The words owners use most often: “anti lock” (13% of reports).

What owners describe

Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.

  • Anti lock: mentioned in 124 of 954 complaints (13%)
  • Stopping distance: mentioned in 84 of 954 complaints (9%)
  • Applying brakes: mentioned in 67 of 954 complaints (7%)
  • Brake lines: mentioned in 65 of 954 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 at $1,650, and half of them between $1,050 and $1,900.

Based on 67 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (1999–2012), 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 487 complaints that reported the odometer reading.

Under 10k miles31 · 6%
10k–25k miles40 · 8%
25k–50k miles150 · 31%
50k–75k miles125 · 26%
75k–100k miles74 · 15%
100k–150k miles50 · 10%
150k+ miles17 · 3%

How serious are the reports?

Of 954 complaints, 96 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 16 an injury.

GMC Sierra service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year

Peak: 1999, with 280 complaints
1995: 411995411996: 47471997: 631997631998: 56561999: 28019992802000: 1821822001: 10020011002002: 93932003: 382003382004: 28282005: 102005102006: 772007: 2200722008: 112009: 1200912010: 112011: 1201112012: 112015: 1201512017: 11

n = 954 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Model yearService Brakes, Hydraulic complaintsShare of that yearMedian miles
2017 Sierra12%51,117
2015 Sierra12%5
2012 Sierra13%420
2011 Sierra12%950
2010 Sierra13%15
2009 Sierra13%1,000
2008 Sierra11%93,792
2007 Sierra23%53,093
2006 Sierra713%17,500
2005 Sierra109%43,000
2004 Sierra2815%40,050
2003 Sierra3818%41,738
2002 Sierra9337%40,000
2001 Sierra10038%50,750
2000 Sierra18241%61,578
1999 Sierra28047%59,000
1998 Sierra5629%70,000
1997 Sierra6326%76,000
1996 Sierra4719%97,080
1995 Sierra4116%63,034

When owners reported it

Peak: 2005, with 260 complaints
1995: 119951996: 31997: 2219971998: 311999: 5819992000: 742001: 7120012002: 942003: 5420032004: 842005: 26020052602006: 602007: 1820072008: 52009: 1120092010: 242011: 5420112012: 232013: 220132014: 32015: 120152022: 1

n = 954 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Related recalls (5)

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipAug 29, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V379000 · 1,353,718 vehicles

Model years: 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 8, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V043000 · 77,411 vehicles

Model years: 2004, 2005

Problem: Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.

Risk: If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.

Fix: Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463 and hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · 68,875 vehicles

Model years: 2003, 2004

Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.

Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.

Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.

Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsOct 30, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V345000 · 1,383,922 vehicles

Model years: 1999, 2000

Problem: 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.

Risk: During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.

Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipFeb 28, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V055000 · 10,674 vehicles

Model years: 2000

Problem: 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.

Risk: The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.

Fix: Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.

What owners report

Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.

The contact owns a 2017 GMC Sierra LD. The contact stated that on two separate occasions while driving at approximately 50 MPH, the front passenger side wheel locked inadvertently. As a result, another vehicle crashed into the attached trailer which caused the trailer to jackknife. The driver alert…

Received Oct 20, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11490165

Tl*the contact owns a 2015 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while descending down hill at night, the low beam head light provided poor visibility. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5. Updated 03/30/15*lj updated…

Received Feb 24, 2015 · NHTSA complaint 10690231

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra. While driving approximately 30 mph, the brake pedal sank to the floorboard when it was depressed. The contact had to shift to a lower gear to slow down the vehicle and the brake service warning indicator illuminated. The contact discovered that the brake…

Received Aug 12, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10621718

The fuel lines are rusted through spraying fuel to under side of truck. The lines rusted through while driving fifteen hours strait from florida. If the fuel would have hit the tail pipe or diesel particulet filter when regenerating, there could have been a serious fire. I have been through an…

Received Jun 10, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10597507

I own a 2000 gmc sierra crew cab short box 4 by 4. I was driving down the road and heard a grinding sound, so i thought to limp it home. Bad idea, i was the two bolts that hold your caliper on, so that is your whole brake system, well it made my wheel lock up and caused me to loose control and hit…

Received Feb 10, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10563781
GMC Sierra
A 2023 GMC Sierra 2500 Denali HD Ultimate in Titanium Rush Metallic. Grey import model from the United States.. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently asked questions

Do all GMC Sierras have service brakes, hydraulic problems?

No. NHTSA has 954 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the GMC Sierra. 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 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?

Owners report a typical cost of $1,650 (half paid between $1,050 and $1,900), from 67 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.

What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the GMC Sierra?

The most frequent phrase is “anti lock”, in 124 of 954 complaints, followed by “stopping distance” (84).

Other GMC Sierra problems

See all GMC Sierra problems.