VehicleVerdict

2001 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 171 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.0 times the median Sierra 2500 year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 31 Sierra 2500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 13 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 68 reports (40% of the total).

171

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

2

Investigations

19

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

13

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes6840%
Engine3018%
Tires & Wheels148%
Fuel System127%
Steering116%
Body & Structure85%
Transmission64%
Other64%
Electrical System53%
Airbags32%
Suspension32%
Lighting21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Latches & Locks11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06E050000BrakesJune 6, 2006 · 6,800 units

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.

Consequence

IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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).

06E010000SteeringFebruary 1, 2006 · 1,360 units

Defect

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.

01V220000LightingJune 26, 2001 · 38,863 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH 6.6L DIESEL ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105, "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." THESE VEHICLES HAVE A BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER THAT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW. IN ADDITION, WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW, THE VEHICLE MAY NOT MEET THE PARTIAL SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 105.

Consequence

THESE CONDITIONS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CHANGE THE LOCATION OF A WIRE CONNECTION IN THE UNDERHOOD BUSSED ELECTRICAL CENTER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

01V125000OtherApril 10, 2001 · 77,485 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IT HIT A TRUCK HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER 'S SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE LOOSE , AND THE DRIVER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. DRIVER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 7, 2004 · crash

ENGINE STALLED AFTER PULLING OUT ONTO HIGHWAY THEN RESTARTED, ENGINE STALLED AT STOP LIGHT RESTARTED 5 MINUTES LATER , ENGINE STALLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER STARTING THEN STARTED TWO MINUTES LATER. GM RECALL #06083 CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FROM DEC. 11, 2007 NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MORE OR…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 8, 2013

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE VEHICLE HAS COOPER TIRES, SIZE LT26575-16. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND PIECES OF THE INNER BELT OF THE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE FENDER FLARE AND THE MUD FLAP ALSO DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. A SPARE TIRE WAS PLACED ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · July 20, 2007

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX. 50MPH WITH TWO PASSENGERS, WEATHER CLEAR, WHEN WE SMELLED A HINT OF BURNING PLASTIC. CONTINUED TRAVELING AND AFTER 2 OR SO MILES THE TRUCK SLOWED AND ACTED AS THOUGH IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. PULLED TO SIDE PASSENGER IN BACK SEAT NOTICED THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE BETWEEN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 13, 2007 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED TO THE LEFT THEN SPUN AROUND 180 DEGREES BEFORE CRASHING INTO A MEDIAN. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED HIP. THE VEHICLE WAS PERSONALLY INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT, WHO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 29, 2013 · crash

2001 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 171 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 31 Sierra 2500 years. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (68 complaints), engine (30 complaints), tires & wheels (14 complaints).

Does the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.