RoadVitals

2001 GMC Sierra 1500 Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints 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.
17
Latest Dec 13, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 140 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

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
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
BrakesFuel system
Filed Dec 3, 2012

TWO THINGS STARTED TO HAPPEN 1. THE TRUCK WHEN COMING TO A STOP OF A SPEED OF LESS THEN 25 MPH STARTED TO LOSE ITS BRAKES AND FEEL SPONGY. THIS CONTINUED UNTIL I GOT IT IN THE SHOP WHICH WAS ABOUT TWO DAYS. 2. THE TRUCK STARTED TO RUN VERY ROUGH AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AT THE SAME TIME AS WELL. AFTER I GOT IT IN THE SHOP AND THEY GOT IT UP ON A LIFT THEY FOUND THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES WERE ALL MOST RUSTED THROUGH AND STARTING TO LEAK. THEY HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES, FUEL LINES AND SINCE THEY HAD THE FUEL TANK DOWN THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE THEY FOUND RUST AND DIRT IN THE OLD PUMP. THE SHOP MECHANIC SAID THE LINES WERE READY TO FAIL AT ANY MOMENT. THE CHEVY DEALER I BOUGHT THE TRUCK OFF OF JUST FOUR MONTHS EARLY HAD JUST INSPECTED IT AND HAD SEEN THE RUSTED LINES AND EVEN REPAIRED A PIECE OF ONE OF THE FUEL LINES BUT LEFT THE REST GO TO FAIL DOWN THE ROAD, THEY GAVE ME LITTLE TO NO HELP. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, DANGEROUS AS WELL AS VERY EXPENSIVE ONE AND NEEDS LOOKED INTO. IS THERE ANY HELP I CAN GET FOR THIS PROBLEM?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10487149
Incident
Oct 3, 2012
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND NOTICED THAT ALL THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REPLACED THE FUEL LINES AND PUMPS IN THE PAST DUE TO CORROSION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA ID
10444879
Incident
Jan 22, 2012
Mileage
150,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR FLUCTUATED ERRATICALLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC ALSO EXPRESSED THAT THE CONSTANT MALFUNCTION WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH HIS VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10434065
Incident
Feb 17, 2009
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 6, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND PROVIDED ERRONEOUS READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENDING UNIT INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

NHTSA ID
10423976
Incident
Sep 1, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 12, 2011

I OWN A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN EXCEPTIONAL CARE OF MY VEHICLE. THE MOTOR HAS ALWAYS HAD A KNOCK WHEN YOU START IT,WHICH DEVALUES THE TRUCK & IT ALSO HAS ALWAYS USED OIL. THE RACK & PINION HAS STARTED LEAKING. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A TRUCK & HAVE NEVER HAD A RACK & PINION GO OUT LET ALONE AT 152000 MILES.IT ALSO IS LOSING ANTIFREEZE BUT THERE ARE NO LEAKS. THE FUEL GAUGE HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY,NOW ITS ALSO FLASHES LOW COOLANT LIGHT WHEN ITS NOT LOW. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON LINE CONCERNING THESE SAME ISSUES & LAWSUITS. I DO NOT FEEL THE CONSUMER SHOULD BE HAVING TO FOOT THESE BILLS. I HAVE CALLED GM ABOUT MY CONCERNS & THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. WHAT CAN WE DO TO GET A RECALL FOR ALL THESE PROBLEMS. MY TRUCK IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAVE DEX-COOL ANTIFREEZE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10381712
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Mileage
152,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Dec 8, 2010

THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN JUMPING FROM FULL TO EMPTY REGARLESS OF THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. I TOOK GM'S RECOMMENDATION TO PUT THEIR FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER INTO THE GAS TANK TO CLEAN THE CONTACTS ON THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS LATER, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER PLUGGED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RUN AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. NOW TOLD THAT ONLY WAY TO FIX THE FUEL GAUGE IS TO PULL THE GAS TANK AND REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT. SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS FAULTY SENDING UNIT AND THE "QUICK FIX" THAT MANY PEOPLE PROBABLY TRY. APPROXIMATELY $400 TO FIX SENDING UNIT BECAUSE IT'S BUILT INTO THE GAS TANK, AND APPROXIMATELY $1000 TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER.

NHTSA ID
10370165
Incident
Apr 1, 2009
Mileage
75,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 6, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE FREQUENTLY AND REGISTER IT AS FULL AND THEN EMPTY. GMC STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06E043000. THE ONLY NEW EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLE WERE THE WHEELS, TIRES, AND WATER PUMP. EVERYTHING ELSE WAS THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON ONE OCCASION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN

NHTSA ID
10267890
Incident
Oct 17, 2006
Mileage
78,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 25, 2008

I FULLY SUGGEST THAT YOU DO AN INVESTIGATION ON GMC/CHEVY PICK-UP TRUCKS. I, ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING FUEL GAUGE PROBLEMS. THE FUEL GAUGES ARE GOING OUT VERY QUICKLY. THEY CONSTANTLY SHOW THAT YOU EITHER HAVE A FULL OR AN EMPTY TANK WHEN NEITHER MAY BE THE CASE. YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK. IT ALSO MAKES THE LOW FUEL LIGHT STAY ON CONSTANTLY. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL ON THIS. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE CONSIDERING THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS ON FAR LESS SERIOUS ISSUES THAN THIS. THE QUOTES FROM GMC TO CORRECT IT IS UP TO $500. THIS MATTER NEEDS URGENT ATTENTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10243394
Incident
Sep 25, 2008
ElectricalFuel system
Filed May 27, 2008

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

NHTSA ID
10229047
Incident
Jan 1, 2005
Mileage
74,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 22, 2007

GAS TANK FILLER NECK LEAKING FUEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10179323
Incident
Oct 5, 2006
Mileage
74,895 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 26, 2006

GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. "LOW FUEL" WARNING STAYS ON WHEN ON EMPTY, EVEN WHEN THERE'S PLENTY OF GAS IN THE TANK. THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, GMC SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THERE CUSTOMERS. THIS IS MY SECOND GMC TRUCK, AND I BOUGHT THIS ONE BECAUSE OF THE QUALITY MY 1ST TRUCK WAS GOOD. MY WIFE WANTS ME TO BUY A TOYOTA NEXT TIME, THAT'S ALL SHE EVER OWNED. GMC TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, OR I'LL WON'T BE COMING BACK FOR A 3RD. *NM

NHTSA ID
10171935
Incident
Mar 16, 2006
Mileage
70,111 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 22, 2006

GASOLINE SENSOR OR COMPUTER INDICATOR SHOWS LOW FUEL AND GAS GAUGE SHOWS NO FUEL WHEN ENGINE COLD AND WEATHER IS COOL OR COLD OUTSIDE, REGARDLESS OF THE QUANTITY OF GAS IN THE TRUCKS TANK (FULL, 1/2, 3/4, ETC). THIS JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AND ALSO FOUR TO SIX TIMES LAST WINTER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10168994
Incident
Sep 21, 2006
Mileage
48,138 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 2, 2006

GAS FUEL GAUGE-: GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL. REFUEL LIGHT COMES ON & STAYS ON. GAUGE BOUNCES BACK & FORTH & IS HARD TO TELL HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. HAVE TO WATCH ODOMETER TO FIGURE OUT WHEN TO FILL TANK UP WITH GAS. ON -GOING PROBLEM!!!!! *NM

NHTSA ID
10167265
Incident
Apr 9, 2006
Mileage
76,000 mi

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.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .