RoadVitals

2001 GMC Sierra 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
140
Latest Dec 13, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
5
Latest Dec 17, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
10
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 140 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and body & structure categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 136 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes10867.1%
  • Fuel system1710.6%
  • Body & structure63.7%
  • Electrical63.7%
  • Engine53.1%
  • Other / unspecified53.1%
  • Airbags31.9%
  • Tires & wheels21.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

5 campaigns cover this model year

View all 5

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07E106000

WHEELS:HUB

Dec 17, 2007
130,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E050000

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR

Jun 6, 2006
6,800 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
The risk: IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA04011ClosedEngineering Analysis

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Apr 9, 2004
Closed May 10, 2005

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. A TOTAL OF 58 NON-DUPLICATIVE COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED BY ODI AND GM CONCERNING THE APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MY 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES PICKUP TRUCKS WITH THE PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.THESE INCLUDED 22 ALLEGED ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS, RESULTING IN A RATE OF 38.5 ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES.ODI IS AWARE OF 24 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES MANUAL TRANSMISSION TRUCKS RECALLED BY GM, INCLUDING 5 ALLEGING ROLLAWAY INCIDENTS.THOUGH THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED IN GM'S LETTER ARE ALSO PRESENT IN THE C/K TRUCKS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE ROLLAWAY RATE IN THOSE VEHICLES WAS SIMILAR TO THOSE OBSERVED IN PEER VEHICLES STUDIED BY ODI IN THIS INVESTIGATION.THIS ENGINEERING ANALYSIS IS CLOSED. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONALLed to recall 05V161000
PE03057ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

Opened Dec 8, 2003
Closed Apr 9, 2004

ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENTER WITHIN ITS BRAKE DRUM.EFFECTIVE WITH THE START OF MY 2003 PRODUCTION, A NEWER REDUCED FORCE HOLD-DOWN CLIP WAS INTRODUCED TO FACILITATE BRAKE SHOE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE DRUM SURFACE.THIS PART IS ALSO AVAILABLE AT THE SERVICE LEVEL FOR THE MY 1999-2002 VEHICLES.GM HAS INDICATED THAT THE PAKING BRAKE IS INTENDED TO OPERATE IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE TRANSMISSION TO IMMOBILZE PARKED VEHICLES, AND THAT IN MANY CASES, ACCELERATED PARKING BRAKE LINING WEAR IS CAUSED BY ROUGH USE, VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS, AND DRIVING WITH THE PARKING ENGAGED. ODI HAS UPGRADED THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO GATHER FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING PARKING BRAKE USAGE FACTORS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE SEVENTEEN REPORTED VEHICLE CRASHES.

PARKING BRAKE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 140
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 13, 2021

Truck has just over 150k miles. Maintained well and garaged when possible. 1) Noticed a fuel smell from the driver side door area and after parking for a long weekend, a small pool of liquid formed in front of the driver side rear wheel. It was fuel dripping from the line leaving the evap canister that had rusted through. Resulted in a $600 repair to replace all rusted fuel lines so as to eliminate the risk of fire. 2) When approaching an intersection to make a left turn and slowing down the brake pedal pushes to the floor with no stopping power at all. Used the engine/trans in manual mode to slow the truck down and avoid an accident. Driver side brake lines are blown out in multiple spots near the ABS module due to corrosion. Potential cost based on research is in the $1000 ballpark. This level of rust on critical vehicle components is irresponsible and potentially deadly. GM needs to take this more seriously and realize that their cost-cutting measures are putting people and their families in grave danger.

NHTSA ID
11443624
Incident
Dec 10, 2021
AirbagsBody & structureFuel system
Filed Feb 22, 2021

MY ANTI LOCK KEEP KICKING IN, THE PANHEAD BY GAS TANK IS COMPLETELY SHOT AND THERE IS A BOX BY THE GAS TANK FOR EMISSIONS AND NOT ABLE TO GET 1 AND THE FRAME IN THE FRONT IS SHOT ALSO ALONG WITH THE BODY THAT'S COMPLETELY SHOT AND THE GAS GAUGE KEEPS TELLING EMPTY 1 TIME AND THEN IT GOES TO FULL TO EMPTY EVEN AFTER I FILL IT UP...

NHTSA ID
11397271
Incident
Feb 5, 2021
BrakesFuel systemOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 11, 2019

THE ABS AND BREAK SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON AND STAYING ON. I LOST MY BREAKS LEAVING A PARKING SPOT AT MY LOCAL WALMART AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT! WE THEN MADE APPOINTMENT FOR THE BREAK SYSTEM TO BE CHECKED/REPAIRED. THE ABS CONTROL SYSTEM LIGHT WENT OFF FOR AWHILE BUT THEN COMES BACK ON EVEN AFTER THE REPAIR OF SAID REPAIR TO BREAK LINES. MY TRUCK ALSO HAS NO FUEL GAUGE THAT DOES NOT WORK. WITH THESE ISSUES ON MY VEHICLE MAKES IT VERY SCARY TO DRIVE AND MAKES DRIVING LIMITED. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK LONG DISTANCES DUE TO CONCERNS OF SAFETY AND POSSIBLY OF ABS WARNING LIGHT, BREAK ISSUES, AND FUEL GAUGE! I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK TO PICK ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS UP FROM SCHOOL TO LOSE POWER WHILE PUSHING ON GAS THEN SOME JERKING AND A FOUL SMELL OF RUBBER BURNING COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AREA. I THEN HAD SOMEONE LOOK AT THE TRUCK AND WAS TOLD THAT WHAT EVER IT WAS HAPPENING THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED OKAY AND IT WAS POSSIBLE JUST A BREAK STICKING. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 DIFFERENT TIMES. MY TRUCK STILL HAS APPROXIMATELY 98,000 OR SO MILES ON IT. THIS TRUCK ALSO HAS BAD CORROSION ON BOTTOM BASEBOARDS OF THE TRUCK. I SAW BELOW THAT I AM ASKED FOR SPECIFIC DATE OF ISSUES. I CAN NOT PROVIDE SPECIFIC DATES SINCE THERE HAS BEEN SO MANY THINGS WRONG WHICH HAS HAPPENED AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

NHTSA ID
11288368
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
98,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 16, 2018

ABS MESSAGE LIGHT CAME ON CONSISTENTLY AND DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE EXPLAINED BY MY MECHANIC SHOP, I HAD THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CHANGED AND NOW ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER THE ABS MESSAGE LIGHT IS NOW APPEARING IN THE MESSAGE BOARD AGAIN INTERMINTENTLY. I READ WHERE GMC STARTED A RECALL ON SEPTEMBER 22,2005 FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM WHICH CALLED( GM RECALL # 05068) BUT ONLY FOR "SALT BELT STATES" "SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK".INTERESTINGLY MY STATE WAS LEFT OFF OF THE LIST. I CALLED GMC AND THEY INDICATE THERE WAS NO SUCH RECALL AND SUGGESTED I CALL NHTSA. I HAVE NOW NOTICED THAT MY BRAKES LOCK UP AND DO NOT HAVE THE ANTILOCK SYSTEM OPERATING.

NHTSA ID
11096402
Incident
Oct 31, 2017
Mileage
122,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 9, 2018

BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT UNDER DRIVERS SIDE CAB. TRUCK STUCK IN DRIVEWAY. LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY WILL COST ALMOST AS MUSH AS TRUCK IS WORTH TO HAVE ALL NEW BRAKE LINES INSTALLED

NHTSA ID
11092738
Incident
Mar 10, 2018
Mileage
189,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Feb 26, 2018

RUSTED OUT FUEL LINES. HAD TO REPLACE ALL FUEL LINES. RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES. BRAKES GAVE OUT WHILE DRIVING. LUCKLY NO ACCIDENT. HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA ID
11075017
Incident
Feb 15, 2018
Mileage
145,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 800 (NA). ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLUID LEAKING FROM THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HILEY BUICK GMC (3535 W LOOP 820 S, FORT WORTH, TX 76116 (817) 632-8800 WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE LEAKAGE FROM THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO HILEY BUICK GMC WHERE IT WAS THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. DURING THE THIRD FAILURE, THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE IN HIS GARAGE AND NOTICED A TRAIL OF FLUID ON THE GROUND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE NOTICED FLUID COMING FROM THE STEERING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN BACK TO HILEY BUICK GMC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT WITH A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER (19330428). THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 146,650.

NHTSA ID
11022186
Incident
Aug 30, 2017
Mileage
146,650 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 23, 2017

LOST ALL BRAKES ON MY 01' GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE 4X4 WHILE BRAKING ON AN OFF RAMP, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINES APPEAR TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, WHICH DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WHEN I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLDER HONDA CIVIC, WITH 110K MORE MILES ON IT, AND THE BRAKE LIKES DO NOT LOOK NEAR AS BAD. BOTH SPENT THEIR LIVES IN MINNESOTA / WISCONSIN. AFTER DOING SOME GOOGLING, IT APPEARS THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH 2000-2003 GM TRUCKS. IF THIS WASN'T A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, WOULDN'T ALL UNCOATED BRAKE LINES RUST OUT AT SIMILAR RATES, IN THE SAME CONDITIONS? MIND BOGGLING THAT GM IS ABLE TO GET AWAY WITH NOT HAVING TO SPEND THE CASH TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. AS IF THAT MONEY IS WORTH MORE THEN THE PERSONS LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10946919
Incident
Jan 19, 2017
Mileage
238,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

PIP5358D

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIP4723J

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester, multi media tester, PICO Scope, GR8 starting/charging tester  and Vehicle Data Recorder tools, giving website address and step by step instructions to complete the update.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT5099H

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning blows warm air. Before calling General Motors Technical Assistance Center technician will need to have high and low pressures, outside temperature, humidity, and vent temperature.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC Sierra 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026742051.7
2025931048.2
20243261356.2
20234283363.0
20225456365.8
20215337468.5
202044312369.7
201961910268.5
20182967055.5
20173515056.4
20163407159.1
20157139259.5
20147379257.8
20131153254.3
20121073255.7
20112845255.6
20101674255.6
20092344255.9
20083792357.7
20072613356.4
20061442047.5
20051773048.2
20042125047.9
20031804052.3
20021664261.9
2001Viewing1405259.5
20001813258.8
19991584257.2
1998594053.3
1997835043.4
1996500—
1995300—
1994130029.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.