VehicleVerdict

2001 GMC Sierra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 333 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.0 times the median Sierra year — the 2001 model ranks #3 of 36 Sierra years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 21 deaths and 14 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 47% of all reports (155 of 333), far ahead of engine at 24.

333

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

9

Investigations

41

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

14

Injuries

21

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Sierra years?

See all Sierra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 GMC Sierra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes15547%
Engine247%
Tires & Wheels206%
Suspension185%
Fuel System175%
Transmission155%
Electrical System144%
Body & Structure134%
Airbags124%
Speed Control113%
Steering103%
Seat Belts82%
Visibility & Wipers52%
Lighting52%
Other41%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2001 GMC Sierra have recalls?

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

09E025000LightingMay 11, 2009 · 42,540 units

Defect

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence

DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

07V521000EngineNovember 7, 2007 · 11,974 units

Defect

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.

07E066000Electrical SystemAugust 28, 2007 · 175 units

Defect

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

Consequence

IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.

Remedy

ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

Defect

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.

05V161000BrakesApril 22, 2005 · 90,242 units

Defect

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.

04E022000OtherMarch 23, 2004 · 8,000 units

Defect

AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.

Consequence

THE BEDLINER CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PICKUP WHILE IT IS MOTION, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS.

Remedy

DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.

04V129000Body & StructureMarch 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ABS ENGAGED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE ON A DRY PAVEMENT. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, THE CONSUMER PRESSED BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN IT REAR ENDED A PARKED VEHICLE, AND MOVED IT 3 FEET FORWARD. DEALERSHIP INDICATED THIS WAS DUE TO A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 10, 2004 · crash

WHILE PARKING ON AN ICY PAVEMENT, THE ABS FAILED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT AND ROLL OVER THE CONCRETE PARKING DIVIDER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CLEANED THE CORROSION OFF BOTH FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HIS BRAKES FAILED 3 TIMES UNDER 5MPH. THE CONSUMER…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2005 · crash

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES GEAR NOISE IN 1ST AND 4TH GEARS. AT PURCHASE, VEHICLE HAD BAD VIBRATION PROBLEM. DEALER BALANCED WHEELS, WHICH DID NOT ELIMINATE PROBLEM. DEALER TESTED TIRES AND FOUND ONE DEFECTIVE TIRE...THE OTHER THREE HAD TO BE "INDEXED" ON THE WHEELS. DRIVESHAFT, SUSPENSION…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 16, 2001

TRUCK EXHIBITS FAILURE OF BRAKING AT SLOW SPEEDS; PEDAL HARD AND NO BRAKE; HIT BUILDING AT SLOW SPEED MINIMAL DAMGE; TRUCK HAD 38,000 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER;THEY SAID KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG; CHANGED OUT LEFT FRONT HUB AND SPEED SENSOR $405.00. *AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · April 7, 2005 · crash

FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED. COMPLETELY RUSTED, IT BLEW OUT INSIDE ONE THE CLIPS THAT HOLD IT IN PLACE. HORRIBLE DESIGN. TRUCK IS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR BRAKES. ESTIMATE WAS OVER 1500, JUST TO REPLACE THE LINES, WITH COATED STEEL, NOT STAINLESS. FUEL LINES ARE ALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · February 22, 2013

2001 GMC Sierra — common questions

Is the 2001 GMC Sierra reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 333 complaints put the 2001 model at #3 of 36 Sierra years. It is one of the Sierra years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Sierra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (155 complaints), engine (24 complaints), tires & wheels (20 complaints).

Does the 2001 GMC Sierra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 GMC Sierra. 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 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 9 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Sierra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra years to avoid are 1999, 2000, 2001, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 1998, 2004, 1994, 2005, 2014, 1993. The cleanest record among Sierra years belongs to 1979.

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.