2001 GMC Sierra 2500

Routine

Owners filed 134 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It has been recalled 5 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
65,000 milesMedian miles at failure

109 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic23
400
Engine and Engine Cooling14
000
Service Brakes13
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip11
203
Engine8
000
Tires6
002
Tires › Tread/Belt5
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission5
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Steering3
202

5 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Service Brakes, Air06E050000
Filed Jun 6, 20066,800 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

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.

Risk. 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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).

Steering06E010000
Filed Feb 1, 20061,360 vehiclesFabtech Motorsports

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.

Risk. 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.

Interior Lighting01V220000
Filed Jun 26, 200138,863 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment › Other › Labels01V125000
Filed Apr 10, 200177,485 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 3, 2023OH

Unknown

Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2021135,000 milesMI

FUEL IS DUMPING INTO INJECTORS. 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 DIESEL. ONLY HAS 135,000 MILES!! ENGINE BOGGS DOWN WHEN CLIMBING HILL, BRIDGE, OR TOWING.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 31, 20189,835,965 milesNY

I HAVE A 2001 GMC TRUCK THAT THE REAR FRAME HORN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WERE THE FRAME IS WELDED ABOUT 6 INCHES FROM THAT POINT IT HAS A CRACK ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE FRAME RIGHT WERE THE BUMP STOP IS ON THE FRAME WITH ONLY ABOUT 1 INCH HOLDING THE FRAME TOGETHER AS OF RIGHT NOW THE REST OF THE FRAME LOOKED OK WHEN INSPECTED

Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2018200,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST COMPRESSION AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COURTESY CADILLAC (1345 EVANGELINE THRUWAY, BROUSSARD, LA) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ONE OR MORE FUEL INJECTORS WERE FAULTY AND REMAINED OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ALL EIGHT FUEL INJECTORS WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS; HOWEVER, BUT THE FAILURE RECENTLY RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Engine
Filed Dec 6, 201698,000 milesMO

VEHICLE STALLS AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND IDLE. SOMETIMES IT STARTS BACK UP IMMEDIATELY, OTHER TIMES IT WILL JUST CRANK OVER BUT WILL NOT START. AFTER LETTING IT SIT SOMETIMES 5 TO 20 MINUTES AT A TIME IT WILL THEN START BACK UP. ALL RESEARCH AND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE INDICATE A MANUFACTURER RECALL OF A CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL OR SHUT OFF AT RANDOM WHETHER IT'S IN MOTION DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF A INTERSECTION OR AT A STOP SIGN . I HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONES DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION AND I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY DRIVERS MIRROR DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING ON THE INTERSTATE AND NEARLY BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR

Tires
Filed Mar 23, 2016163,540 milesCA

HAVING HEARD ABOUT MICHELIN RECALLS I CHECKED THE TIRES ON MY 2001 GMC SIERRA PICKUP. I HAVE MICHELIN LT245/75R16 120/116R XC LT4 TIRES WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES WEAR. TWO OF THEM ARE "CRUMBLING" OUT 1 1/2 INCH ABOVE THE RIM. YOU CAN SEE FIBERS IN THE HOLES. THERE ARE CRACKS EVERYWHERE ON ALL THE TIRES. THEY HAVE BEEN COVERED FROM THE SUN. GRANTED THE TIRES HAVE AGE BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN "CRUMBLING" BEFORE.

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2016180,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DISTRIBUTOR BRAKE BLOCK HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 27, 2016GA

I UNDERSTAND GM HAD A RECALL ON THE BRAKE BOOSTER SYTEM AND ALSO A FEW YEARS BACK A RECALL ON REPLACING ALL THE FUEL INJECTORS ON THE DIESEL ENGINE ! I AM ORINGINAL OWNER AT THE SAME ADDRESS WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW ! I MISSED THE RECALLS BECAUSE I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED ! ITS SAD TO BUY A GM PRODUCT AND THEY DON'T ALERT ME TO A RECALL ! WHAT'S UP WITH THIS?

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 18, 20152,000,000 milesNY

IGNITION SWITCH FAULTY MY CAR NOT IN RECALL TAKES NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START AND WHEN STARTED AIRBAG CONTINUOUSLY LIGHTS UP WHEN DRIVING.

Unknown or Other
Filed May 9, 2015110,000 milesCA

KUHMO ROAD VENTURE AT TIRE 245/75R/16 TREAD SEPARATION. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT WITH TIRES UNDER 10,000 MILES FOR THIS BRAND AND SIZE TIRE. THE FIRST INCIDENT TORE UP THE SIDE OF MY PICKUP WHILE TOWING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. WHEN THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED, I FELT A VIBRATION IN THE TRUCK AND PULLED INTO A ROADSIDE REST AREA. AFTER I STOPPED AND WAS ALMOST OUT OF THE TRUCK, I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE TIRE TREAD HAD SEPARATED RIPPING THE SIDE OF THE TIRE OUT. AGAIN, TOWING A 5TH WHEEL TRAILER. IN THE FIRST INCIDENT KUHMO ARGUED FOR THREE MONTHS THAT I HAD DRIVEN THE TIRE FLAT. THEY FINALLY AGREED TO REPLACE THE TIRE AND REPAIR MY TRUCK. THESE TIRES ARE UNSAFE FOR HIGHWAY USE.

Engine
Filed Sep 2, 2014130,000 milesCA

EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK DUE TO BROKEN EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLT. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY AND PROPERLY MAINTAINED. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS GM VEHICLE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM A LOCAL GMC DEALER. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Aug 21, 2014100,000 milesMA

ON THE DURAMAX DIESEL, WHILE UNDER A LOAD (TOWING, FULL BED) FUEL LINES COLLAPSE CAUSING SEVERAL CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS AND VEHICLE TO GO INTO "LIMP" MODE. MUST RELEASE VACUUM IN FUEL SYSTEM (BY LOOSENING THE FUEL FILTER THEN RE-BLEEDING THE FUEL SYSTEM) IN ORDER FOR THE CODE TO GO OFF. HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, ONCE WHILE TOWING UP HILL. IF THIS HAD CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A GM SHARE HOLDER. VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT SEVERAL TIMES IN THE WINTER DUE TO A COMBINATION OF THE WINTER DIESEL AND THE VACUUM FUEL SYSTEM. ONCE WHILE ON AN ICY ROAD, ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 4AM. GM NEEDS TO RECALL THIS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2014200,000 milesMI

I CONNECTED MY CAMPER TO THE TRUCK. PROCEEDED TOWARD THE STREET DRIVING ON THE DRIVEWAY. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND FELT A THUMP AT MY FOOT THAT'S WAS APPLYING THE BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO STOP, LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID FLOWING FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. APON INSPECTION MY BRAKE LINES WERE TOTALLY RUSTED. THE TRUCK IS IN THE REPAIR FACILITY AS I WRITE THE COMPLAINT. THE TRUCK BODY IS IN GREAT SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LINES. BETTER REGULATIONS NEED TO BE MET REGARDING BRAKE LINE. PLEASE HELP. *TR

Engine
Filed Jun 19, 201439,000 milesMA

TRUCK JUST SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, COAST TO SAFEST PULL OVER, TURN KEY OFF, SIT AND WAIT A MINUTE, SOMETIMES LONGER, TRY TO START ENGINE, USUALLY STARTS, SOMETIMES LONGER WAITS. OTHER THEN THE APPARENT SAFETY POSSIBILITIES, DIDN'T THINK MUCH ABOUT IT. WELL, THIS WOULD HAPPEN EVERY ONCE & AWHILE. FOR OVER A YEAR NOW, LAST 3 MONTHS WITH INCREASING OCCURRENCES. TRUCK OUT OF WARRANTY, SO I HAVE IT SERVICED LOCALLY, DAVE COTE AUTOMOTIVE, A GM TRAINED TECHNICIAN WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE, PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR AT THE REAR OF THE 8.1 L ENGINE. TECHNICIAN COTE HAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME REMOVING SENSOR, AT THIS WRITING STILL NO WORD. COTE GOES ON LINE TO SEEK ONLINE HELP FROM OTHER TECH'S AND DISCOVERS A SUPPOSED RECALL FOR MY YEAR AND MODEL TRUCK, THAT I NEVER RECEIVED. I ENQUIRE AT THE LOCAL DEALER VENDEHTTI MOTORS, FRANKLIN, MA ABOUT IT AFTER SUPPLYING THE VIN NUMBER, THEY TELL ME THAT MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED WITH THE RECALL? I SAY TO THEM THAT "HOW CAN THAT BE WHEN IT IS DOING WHAT THE RECALL WAS FOR" & THEY SAID "THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT THE FACTORY BEFORE MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED"? SO I AM ASKING WHY I WILL HAVE TO PAY POSSIBLY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD AT PRESENT, WHEN OBVIOUSLY THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER FIXED TO BEGIN WITH. SENSOR IN BAD LOCATION. I OWN A SMALL LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE CO. MOSTLY MOWING & SEASONAL CLEAN-UPS, I WAS EXPECTING TO USE THIS TRUCK TILL I HAD TO RETIRE. IT IS MY SOLE MEANS TO OPERATE PLOWING & LANDSCAPING BUSINES

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Dec 26, 201358,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 28, 201368,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING UNDER 5 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PEDAL BEGAN TO PULSATE. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Engine
Filed Oct 17, 201370,300 milesMT

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 MAYBE ALL 2001S WITH 8.1L V8 NOT JUST THE VIN # THAT ARE LISTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 17, 2013145,000 milesKY

WE HAD DRIVEN ABOUT 90 MILES FROM OUR MAIN HOUSE TO OUR LAKE HOUSE ON FRIDAY NIGHT-BRAKES WERE FINE. SATURDAY MORNING WE BACKED THE SIERRA UP AND HOOKED UP THE BOAT TO THE HITCH. AFTER HOOKING UP THE BOAT WHILE WE WERE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WE DROPPED THE BOAT AND DROVE THE SIERRA A FEW MILES TO THE STORE. WHILE AT THE STORE WE NOTICED A LEAK ABOVE THE GAS TANK. THE LEAK WAS BRAKE FLUID AND THE SIERRA TOOK AN ENTIRE BOTTLE OF BRAKE FLUID. WE DROVE IT THE FEW MILES BACK TO THE HOUSE AND GOT THE TRUCK TOWED HOME THE NEXT DAY. WHEN THE GAS TANK WAS DROPPED WE NOTICED RUST SO BAD ON THE FRAME THAT A SCREWDRIVER WENT THRU THE FRAME. THE FRAME COULD HAVE BUSTED APART RIGHT BEHIND THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 4, 201335,870 milesMD

I PARKED MY VEHICLE AND UPON EXITING OBSERVED FLUID DRIPS ON THE PAVEMENT. I TOUCHED AND SMELLED THE FLUID AND DETERMINED IT TO BE BRAKE FLUID. I THEN OBSERVED FLUID DRIPPING FROM BENEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID RES. AND OBSERVED IT TO BE BELOW THE 1/2 POINT. I WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 MILES FROM MY HOME AND DECIDED TO TAKE THE BACK ROAD WHICH REQUIRED LESS BRAKING. THE FLUID WAS STILL LEAKING UPON MY ARRIVAL HOME. I SHOULD NOTE THERE WAS NO FLUID LEAKING PRIOR TO DEPARTING MY RESIDENCE. I DID NOTICE THE PEDAL TRAVEL TO HAVE INCREASED AND THE FEEL TO BE SLIGHTLY SPONGY AS I DROVE DOWN A STEEP GRADE REQUIRING SIGNIFICANT BRAKING TO MAINTAIN THE 35 MPH LIMIT INTO HAVRE DE GRACE. THE VEHICLE (2001 GMC 2500HD) IS NOT DRIVEN MUCH AND MOSTLY FOR LOCAL (<15 MILES) TRAVEL. THE FRONT ROTORS AND CALIPERS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND THE LINES BLED APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO. THERE IS RUST EVIDENT ON THE BRAKE LINES. I MIGHT ARGUE THAT DUE TO THE VEHICLE AGE THIS IS TO BE EXPECTED; HOWEVER, THE EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE IS EQUIVALENT TO APPROXIMATELY THREE (3) YEARS WORTH OF DRIVING. HAVING OWNED MANY VEHICLES, THIS IS THE FIRST TO HAVE HAD SUCH A PROBLEM. I NOW HAVE THE UNSCHEDULED EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES. I AM LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN FURTHER FROM HOME WHERE I MIGHT HAVE EXPERIENCED TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.*JB

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Feb 15, 2013120,000 milesVA

WAS TRAVELING EAST ON RT 460 NEAR GLEN LYN VIRGINIA 4:30 AM IN THE EARLY MORNING TRUCK SWERVED AND I TRIED TO CONTROL IT DID A 360 OR MORE RAN BACKWARDS UP ON A BANK ON WET ROADS TURNED BACK AROUND CAME OFF BANK AND WENT BACK INTO THE EMBANKMENT WHERE IT MADE CONTACT WITH CONCRETE THROWN BACK OUT INTO HIGHWAY ENGINE WAS STALLED THE LEFT FRONT TIEROD BROKE IT IS APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH OR LESS IN DIAMETER WAY TOO SMALL FOR A HEAVY DUTY DIESEL TRUCK ITS SMALLER THAN MOST CAR TIEROD END I WAS AT COVINGTON COLLISION AND WAS ADVISED OF AT LEAST THREE MORE OF THESE TIEROD ENDS BREAKING INCIDENTS THESE TRUCKS NEED RECALLED NOW AND UP SIZED BAD I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE AS A MECHANIC SEEN A TIE ROD END BREAK EXCEPT THAT THE SOCKETS WERE SO WORN OUT IT WASN'T FUNNY BUT THEN YOU TURN YOUR WHEEL SO FAR BEFORE YOU TURN YOUR WHEELS THIS THING JUST BROKE OUT OF NOWHERE DIDN'T MATTER WHO WAS DRIVING THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN I CAN NOT BELIEVE SOMEONE HASN'T DID SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE NOW THEY NEED RECALLED NOW THEY BREAK UNDER THE GREECE BOOT JUST IN FRONT OF JOINT CANNOT DETECT WHEN ONE IS READY TO BREAK WITHOUT DISASSEMBLING IT. THANK YOU *TR

20 of 134 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202610110Routine
202526100Routine
2024103400Routine
202332100Routine
202243320Routine
202151610Routine
202074930Routine
201932730Routine
201835520Routine
201737610Routine
201659500Routine
201589650Routine
201430210Routine
201346300Routine
201231301Fatalities reported
201163410Routine
201010500Routine
200931500Routine
200863300Routine
200783310Routine
200666330Routine
2005115460Routine
2004143441Fatalities reported
2003160340Routine
2002134411Fatalities reported
2001 — this page134520Routine
200048310Routine
199936211Fatalities reported
199815300Routine
199714400Routine
19941000Routine

Compare every Sierra 2500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Jun 6, 2006. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.