2001 Gmc SIERRA 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
140 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
97,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 123 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 140 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 110 | 78.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 5.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 4.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 40 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 37 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 19 |
| Parking Brake | 13 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 11 |
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Wheels | 4 |
Service Brakes: 40; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 37; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 19; Parking Brake: 13; Fuel System, Gasoline: 11; Electrical System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Wheels: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 15 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 20 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 27 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 40 |
| 150,000 and above | 17 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 15; 50,000 to 74,999: 20; 75,000 to 99,999: 27; 100,000 to 149,999: 40; 150,000 and above: 17
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 17 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 11 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 25 |
| 2011 | 13 |
| 2012 | 13 |
| 2013 | 9 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2002: 2; 2003: 2; 2004: 3; 2005: 7; 2006: 12; 2007: 11; 2008: 9; 2009: 6; 2010: 25; 2011: 13; 2012: 13; 2013: 9; 2014: 6; 2015: 7; 2016: 7; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 110 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 7 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10009140 · 2003-03-05 (March 5, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED REAR AXLE PROBLEMS. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009140 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019441 · 2003-05-08 (May 8, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT WHICH CAUSED THE DOOR AJAR ALARM TO SOUND AND THE DASHBOARD GAUGES TO MALFUNCTION. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 8,695 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019441 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062736 · 2004-03-21 (March 21, 2004)
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10062736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10080506 · 2004-07-07 (July 7, 2004)
MY 2001 GMC SIERRA 4X4 PICKUP WAS DESIGNED WITH THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE ROTORS. ANY ROAD DEBRIS THROWN-UP BY THE FRONT WHEELS CAUSES THE REAR BRAKES TO MALFUNCTION. THE TRUCK HAS 44600 MILES ON IT. THE FRONT BRAKE PADS ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE REAR PADS, ON THE OUTSIDE, ARE IN EXCELLENT SHAPE. THE REAR PADS, ON THE INSIDE, ARE WORN TO THE METAL. I COMPLAINED ABOUT A NOISE IN THE REAR END WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY.THE REAR BRAKES ALWAYS HANG WHEN YOU STOP, THEN MAKE TWIN POPPING SOUNDS WHEN YOU START-OFF AGAIN.…
Owner-reported narrative. 44,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10080506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10094385 · 2004-09-27 (September 27, 2004)
THE REAR END WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. VEHICLE STARTED TO SCREAM. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS DISCOVERED THE REAR END WAS DEFECTIVE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10094385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106503 · 2005-01-17 (January 17, 2005)
2001 GMC K1500 SIERRA, 52000 MILES COMING TO A STOP NEAR 0 MPH THE ABS BRAKES START PULSATING. THIS CAUSES THE TRUCK TO STOP A FEW FEET FURTHER FROM WHERE YOU EXPECT. THIS INTERMITTENT PROBLEM IS MORE SOLID WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED (LIKE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION AROUND A BEND OR, TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE). *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 51,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120067 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
DT: ABS WAS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. RECENTLY HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON BY A DEALER, AND THIS IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE YOU HEAR A GROWLING NOISE ,AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. NO OTHER REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE, BUT HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 27,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120328 · 2005-05-09 (May 9, 2005)
THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON MY TRUCK HAVE ONLY BEEN ACTUALLY USED 4-5 TIMES. THEY DO NOT HOLD AND I'M TOLD WILL NOT PASS MY ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS ( AND CONFIDENTIALLY BY A SERVICE REP AT A DEALER) THAT THE DESIGN OF THE GMC AND CHEVROLET EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM IS POORLY DESIGNED AND WHETHER ENGAGED OR NOT , THE BRAKESHOES ARE CONTINOUSLY IN CONTACT W/THE DRUMS, CAUSING THEM TO WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY - BECOMING COMPLETELY USELESS AND VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPARE AND REPLACE - NOT TO MENTION VERY DANGEROUS.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120328 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V125000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2001-04-10 (April 10, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER ERROR THAT RESULTED IN THE CERTIFICATION LABEL LISTING TIRE SIZE AND INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION THAT DIFFER FROM THE TIRE SIZE AND THE INFLATION PRESSURE INFORMATION FOR THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. IF THE VEHICLE OWNER OR SOMEONE SERVICING THE VEHICLE INFLATES THE TIRES ACCORDING TO THE PRESSURE SPECIFIED ON THE LABEL VERSUS THE APPROPRIATE PRESSURE FOR THE TIRES, THE TIRES COULD BE UNDER-INFLATED OR OVER-INFLATED DEPENDING ON THE TIRES MOUNTED ON THE VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF THE TIRES ARE UNDER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE, AND THE TIRE COULD DEGRADE TO A POINT OF ALLOWING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. IF THE TIRES ARE OVER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE AND INCREASE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE. IF SUDDEN AIR LOSS OR A ROAD HAZARD CAUSES DAMAGE TO A TIRE, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE COULD BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED AND COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. HOWEVER, A DEALER CAN INSTALL THE LABEL IF THE OWNER SO DESIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 31, 2001. OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Reported: 2004-11-26 (November 26, 2004)
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.
NHTSA campaign record ↗