2001 Gmc SIERRA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
264 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
61,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 174 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 69 of 264 complaints (26.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 148 | 56.1% |
| Steering behavior | 14 | 5.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 3.8% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 2.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.5% |
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, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 69 |
| Service Brakes | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 |
| Parking Brake | 10 |
| Tires | 10 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 8 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 8 |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 8 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 69; Service Brakes: 31; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 13; Parking Brake: 10; Tires: 10; Air Bags:Frontal: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 8; Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 50 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 39 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 29 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 50; 50,000 to 74,999: 39; 75,000 to 99,999: 29; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 13
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (50). 90 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 22 |
| 2002 | 29 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 35 |
| 2005 | 86 |
| 2006 | 19 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 10 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 7 |
2000: 1; 2001: 22; 2002: 29; 2003: 14; 2004: 35; 2005: 86; 2006: 19; 2007: 2; 2008: 3; 2009: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 6; 2012: 12; 2013: 10; 2014: 12; 2015: 7
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 148 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 14 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 10 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 10000321 · 2002-12-20 (December 20, 2002)
2001 GMC SIERRA Z71 WITH 5.3L VORTEC ENGINE. ENGINE KNOCKS LOUDLY FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS ON EVERY COLD START. CALLED THE DEALER AND SPOKE WITH SERVICE DEPARTMENT. PERSON I SPOKE WITH STATED THAT "ALL 5.3 LITER ENGINES DO THAT" AND THAT IT WAS "NORMAL". I EMAILED GMC WITH MY CONCERN AND THEY REPLIED: WE HAVE CONTACTED YOUR DEALER TO REVIEW THIS CONCERN. ACCORDING TO THE INFORMATION THEY PROVIDED AND THAT WE HAVE HERE, THIS TICK IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS ENGINE. IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THIS TICK IS NOT INDICATIVE OF ANY DA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003838 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAK DIESEL FUEL INTO THE OIL, AND OVERFLOW WHEN THE INJECTORS STUCK OPEN. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED 14 TIMES. VEHICLE WOULD GO INTO LIMP MODE, AND WOULD REACH CERTAIN RPMS WHEN THIS HAPPENS.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003838 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005615 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
MY VEHICLE TAPS VERY LOUD WHEN I FIRST CRANK COLD ENGINE. DEALER SAYS THIS IS CARBON BUILD-UP BECAUSE OF NEW EMMISIONS REGULATIONS AND WONT HARM ENGINE. MY DEALER SAYS THEY CAN PERFORM A TREATMENT FOR APPROX. $100.00 THAT WILL CORRECT BUT NEEDS TO BE DONE EVERY 20000 MILES. MY VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID THIS SERVICE IS NOT COVERED. I HAVE SEVERAL FRIEND EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS IS A DEFECT IN THE NEW GENERAL MOTORS ENGINE. THANKS
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005840 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)
I AM THE OWNER OF A 2001 GMC (4-DOOR) EXTENDED CAB PICK UP (SHORT BED). THE TRUCK CAME EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES. THE DOT CODE FOR THE TIRES IS AS FOLLOWS: DOT M63D EKWR 4200 (TIRES 0715, 0801, 1131, 1132). THE TIRES HAVE APPROXIMATELY 18,500 MILES ON THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED - AIR PRESSURE CHECKS AND ROTATION. THE SUBJECT TIRES HAVE VERY VERY POOR WET WEATHER TRACTION. I CONSIDERED THEM DANGEROUS SO THEY WERE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO BE RATHER COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT THESE TIRES HAVE POOR WET TRACTION. I DRAW THIS CONCLUS…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005840 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008813 · 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)
THERE IS EXCESSIVE ENGINE NOISE, THAT THE DEALERSHIP HAS SAID IS ENGINE LIFTERS. ACCORDING TO THE DEALERSHIP GM HAS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS AN OIL PUMP ISSUE. THEY SAY THAT SUFFICIENT OIL IS NOT PUMPED TO THE ENGINE, SO THERE IS A LACK OF LUBRICATION. THE RESULT IS A TYPICAL "LIFTER STICKING" NOISE. THE DEALER SAYS THAT GM HAS NOT ISSUED ANY SORT OF A RECALL YET! IN FACT THEY SAY THERE IS NOT AN ADVERSE EFFECT OR DAMAGED BEING CAUSED TO THE ENGINE. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE AS PROPER LUBRICATION IS CRUCIAL TO MOTOR LONGEVITY. I BELIEVE THIS…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010991 · 2003-03-25 (March 25, 2003)
PURCHASED FROM DEALERSHIP WITH A 2-YR INSPECTION STICKER. AFTER STICKER EXPIRED, WENT TO HAVE VEHICLE INSPECTED. FAILED DUE TO VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED. INSPECTOR COMMENTED THAT MANY GMC SIERRAS ARE FAILING DUE TO THIS REASON. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP SERVICE ADVISOR WHO ALSO AGREED WITH STATEMENT. HE SAID GMC WAS REPAIRING AT NO COST THOSE VEHICLES THAT HAD 36,000 MILES OR LESS. SINCE OURS HAS 55,000 MILES RECOMMENDED CONTACTING GMC. CONTACTED GMC WHO SAID THEY HAVE NO EVIDENCE OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010991 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10022551 · 2003-06-06 (June 6, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING BATTERY DIED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025052 · 2003-06-24 (June 24, 2003)
TIRES ON A 3500 GMC SIERRA WERE NOT THE CORRECT TIRES FOR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE.*MR *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025052 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V129000 · Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
Reported: 2004-03-17 (March 17, 2004)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V161000 · Parking Brake
Reported: 2005-04-22 (April 22, 2005)
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.
Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗05V379000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Reported: 2005-08-29 (August 29, 2005)
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.
Consequence: THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V521000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Reported: 2007-11-07 (November 7, 2007)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗