2000 GMC Sierra

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 443 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic › antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. It has been recalled 12 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

221 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles; the median is 67,666 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip103
1401
Service Brakes28
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic27
300
Tires14
201
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments14
002
Power Train › Automatic Transmission14
000
Air Bags › Frontal11
1109
Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal10
000
Vehicle Speed Control10
200
Tires › Tread/Belt8
100

12 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Equipment › Electrical07E066000
Filed Aug 28, 2007175 vehiclesCequent Electrical Products

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.

Risk. 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.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments06V066000
Filed Mar 8, 2006805,368 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS HAVE GALVANIZED-BRAIDED-STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES USED TO SUPPORT THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION. OVER TIME THESE CABLES CAN CORRODE AND FRACTURE WHEN LOADS ARE APPLIED TO THEM.

Risk. IF ONE CABLE FRACTURES, THE REMAINING CABLE MAY RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN A HORIZONTAL POSITION. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURE, THE TAILGATE WOULD DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER. IF ANYONE IS SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THEY COULD FALL AND BE INJURED. ON VEHICLES WITHOUT A BUMPER, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP TO A LOWER POSITION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GALVANIZED SUPPORT CABLES WITH STAINLESS STEEL SUPPORT CABLES. IN ADDITION, DEALERS ARE TO INSPECT THE TAILGATE HINGE AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING APRIL 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip05V379000
Filed Aug 29, 20051,353,718 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Parking Brake05V161000
Filed Apr 22, 200590,242 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft05V005000
Filed Jan 7, 200598,221 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. SOME PICKUP TRUCKS, VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A HYDRAULIC PUMP DRIVESHAFT THAT CAN FRACTURE, RESULTING IN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC POWER STEERING ASSIST. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH HYDRO-BOOST POWER BRAKES, THE SAME CONDITION CAN RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER ASSIST FOR BRAKING AFTER THE RESERVE PRESSURE IS DEPLETED.

Risk. AN INOPERATIVE PUMP CAN CAUSE INCREASED STEERING EFFORT, AND IN HYDRO-BOOST EQUIPPED VEHICLES ALSO INCREASED BRAKING EFFORT, BUT DOES NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATE THE ABILITY TO STEER OR SLOW THE VEHICLE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HYDRAULIC PUMP. THE CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 14, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Equipment04E022000
Filed Mar 23, 20048,000 vehiclesDurakon Industries, Inc.

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.

Risk. 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.

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments04V129000
Filed Mar 17, 20043,662,211 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

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.

Risk. 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.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-inactive02V178000
Filed Jul 1, 2002525,254 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG SENSING DIAGNOSTIC MODULE (SDM) WHICH CONTAINS AN ANOMALY THAT COULD RESULT IN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAG FAILING TO DEPLOY DURING CERTAIN FRONTAL CRASHES.

Risk. IN A VEHICLE CRASH, FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS MAY RECEIVE MORE SEVERE INJURIES.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL RECALIBRATE THE SDM ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 28, 2002. 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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings00V345000
Filed Oct 30, 20001,383,922 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CLEARANCE CONDITION BETWEEN THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL THAT COULD DECREASE TO THE POINT OF ALLOWING CONTACT DURING THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF CONTACT OCCURS AND THE BRAKE PIPE BECOMES DAMAGED, IN HALF OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM THERE CAN BE A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID AND PRESSURE. THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WILL BE ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL REACHES THE INDICATOR LIMIT.

Risk. DURING BRAKING, THE PEDAL WILL BE LOWER THAN NORMAL AND STOPPING DISTANCES WILL BE LONGER. IF THIS OCCURS WHEN STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT RIGHT-HAND BRAKE PIPE FOR WEAR. IF THERE ARE SIGNS OF WEAR, THIS SECTION OF THE BRAKE PIPE WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW DESIGNED BRAKE PIPE SECTION. IF THERE ARE NOT SIGNS OF WEAR ON THE BRAKE PIPE, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A SPACER CLIP TO ENSURE SUFFICIENT CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND THE BODY CROSS SILL.

Showing 10 of 12 campaigns, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 20, 2025220,000 milesCO

The contact owned a 2000 GMC Sierra. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH the driver's side front wheel control arm had fractured and the vehicle went out of control. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled over three times. The contact stated that the vehicle rolled off of the road and stopped on its roof. The contact stated no warning light had illuminated. No air bags had deployed. The contact stated that the police were on scene and wrote a report. The contact was transported to a hospital by ambulance. The contact stated that he was concussed and received multiple lacerations to his head which required stitches. The contact stated he had bruises on both arms and legs and ribs, but no broken bones. The contact stated that he had a passenger who was also transported to the hospital but he was not aware of any injuries. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot. The vehicle was not repairable. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 2, 2015147,000 milesKY

MY PICKUP TRUCK WAS IN MOTION WHEN DRIVING ON A CITY STREET I HAD TO SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKE-PETAL WENT ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WHILE TRYING TO STOP. AFTER PULLING TO THE SIDE OF STREET I CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR METAL BRAKE LINE ADJACENT TO THE TRUCK FRAME HAD RUSTED AND BURST.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 24, 2015135,000 milesMI

WHILE TOWING MY BOAT I EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE. BRAKE WARNING LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. WE WERE ON A DIRT ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC AND WERE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER INSPECTING THE BRAKE LINES A LEAK WAS FOUND IN ONE OF THE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR BEFORE THE LINE ENTERS THE BRAKE MODULATOR. ALL THE LINES ARE RUSTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CONTACTED THE GMC DEALER AND ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEM BEFORE THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY SAFETY PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES AND THAT GM HAS NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THEY ESTIMATE THE COST TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES TO BE ABOUT $1200.

Service Brakes
Filed May 3, 201556,000 milesNJ

THE BRAKE LINES HAVE ROTTED OUT AND FAILED IN TRAFFIC MULTIPLE TIMES WITHOUT NOTICE. ALSO THE LEAF SPRING HANGERS ROTTED AND BROKE. THE REAR BUMPER IS A RUSTED MESS. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WAS WASHED ASHORE. HEAVY DUTY ROT. THE BODY AND CAB INSIDE STILL LOOK NEW. SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE STEEL IN THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 31, 2015152,630 milesIL

BRAKES FAILED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND BARELY SLOWED DOWN THE TRUCK AT ALL. THIS WAS DUE TO A BRAKE LINE THAT RUSTED THROUGH. THE REPAIR WAS $765. HAD I BEEN IN AN AREA WITH HIGHER TRAFFIC THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 15, 201565,000 milesFL

BRAKE LINE RUSTED THRU CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LOSE BRAKES ENTIRELY. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OUT OF FLORIDA, AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER SINCE NEW. NEVER DRIVEN ON SALTY WINTER ROADS OR SNOW. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 21, 2014173,500 milesVA

MY 2000 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICKUP, WHICH HAS SPENT ITS ENTIRE LIFE IN VIRGINIA, LOST ITS BRAKES WHILE I WAS TOWING A DUAL-AXLE TRAILER AND BOAT. THANKS TO GOD'S PROTECTION, THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AS MY MADE MY FINAL STOP RIGHT IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, SO I WAS BARELY MOVING. HAD THIS HAPPENED JUST MOMENTS EARLIER, I WOULD HAVE BEEN TRAVELING AROUND 50 MPH ON A WINDING COUNTRY ROAD. I LOOKED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND FOUND THE BRAKE LINE AND FLUID RUNNING FROM IT. WHILE THERE WAS SURFACE RUST ON THE LINES, I WOULDN'T SAY IT APPEARED THAT A FAILURE WAS IMMINENT. CLEARLY, INFERIOR MATERIALS WERE USED FOR THE BRAKE LINE WHEN LESS CORROSIVE MATERIALS SHOULD HAVE BEEN USED. GM SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS AND PROVIDE, AT THE VERY LEAST, REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINE SETS. THEIR CURRENT "DEEPLY DISCOUNTED" SET COSTS MORE THAN AN AFTERMARKET SET. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2014255,413 milesMO

WAS DRIVING WITH 3 OF MY CHILDREN TO A FOOTBALL PRACTICE. WAS ON MO STATE HWY 70 DOING APPROX. 60MPH. AN INCIDENT OCCURRED AHEAD OF ME WHICH RESULTED IN AN IMMEDIATE SLOW DOWN. HIT MY BRAKES HARD(LIKE ALL OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME) AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND TRUCK LOST AT LEAST 90PCT OF BRAKING POWER. ALMOST COMPLETE LACK OF ANY BRAKES. IT WAS AN HONEST MIRACLE THAT ME AND MY CHILDREN ALONG WITH ANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT AT THAT SPEED WERE NOT KILLED OR BADLY INJURED. IT WAS A SPLIT SECOND INCIDENT AND ACT OF MIRACULOUS LUCK THAT AVOIDED A CATASTROPHE. I DID NOT HAVE TIME TO THINK AND JUST REACTED OUT OF INSTINCT AND SWERVED FROM MIDDLE OF THREE LANES INTO GRASS SHOULDER(WHICH RESULTED IN TERRIFYING ATTEMPT AT KEEPING CONTROL AND NOT FLIPPING TRUCK OVER ETC. GOING FROM 60PLUS MPH ON A TIGHT SHOULDER IN A HIGH TRAFFIC MAJOR HWY IN SUBURBAN ST LOUIS. A MIRACLE WE SURVIVED. WHEN ON SHOULDER ATTEMPTING TO KEEP CONTROL WITH NO BRAKES I DID THINK AND ENGAGED EMERGENCY BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN WITH BASICALLY ZERO AFFECT AT HELPING SLOW DOWN. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS AND TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE FOR MY CHILDREN AND NOT SOON FORGOTTEN! DISCOVERED IT WAS A METAL BRAKELINE RUSTED ON FRAME MOUNT UNDERNEATH DRIVER DOOR THAT BURST CAUSING THIS. I HAVE OWNED THE TRUCK SINCE 2001 AND PURCHASED WITH 14,000 MILES. LOOKING ONLINE FOR PARTS TO REPLACE(WHICH ARE EXPENSIVE, MONEY TOO TIGHT TO AFFORD THE LOWEST QUOTE FROM REPAIR SHOP TO REPLACE ALL STEEL LINES OF $1000 TO $1500)WHAT NOW

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 15, 2014212,000 milesTX

DROVE MY SON TO FOOTBALL PRACTICE PARK TRUCK IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT ABOUT 1 HR LATER FAN BOWER MOTOTR CAUGHT FIRE BURNED UP THE DASH ,WINSHELD FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME PUT IT OUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 201430,000 milesMA

PULLED ON TO ROAD WHILE TOWING BOAT AND COULD NOT STOP. BRAKE PEDDLE TO FLOOR. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. REPLACED SOME LINES AND PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2014142,813 milesIN

TRUCK WAS PARKED. WENT TO PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE STEEL BRAKE LINE BACK BY THE DRIVER REAR WHEEL RUPTURED. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES AS THEY ARE SO RUSTY AND CORRODED. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I NOR MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING ON THE ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 2014119,000 milesIA

AS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT 30 MPH, I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I PUMPED THE BRAKES A COUPLE TIMES TO REGAIN PEDAL PRESSURE WITH NO LUCK. I WAS LUCKY THAT NO OTHER CARS WERE AT THE INTERSECTION OR ELSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT FOR SURE. I MADE A QUICK RIGHT HAND TURN AND USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM THE ABS MODULE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. I AM RELIEVED THAT NO ONE WAS AT THE INTERSECTION AND THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY WIFE AND 3 KIDS IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES AND NEVER HAD A SINGLE VEHICLE WHERE METAL BRAKE LINES HAVE RUSTED OUT. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR 10 YEARS AND NOW QUESTION GM AND THEIR QUALITY AND INTEGRITY. AT THIS POINT, I PROBABLY WON'T BUY ANOTHER GM TRUCK BECAUSE THEY RUST OUT IN LESS THAN 10 YEARS AND MY FAMILY'S LIFE WAS AT STAKE FOR A DESIGN/QUALITY FLAW. I NOW HAVE TO SPEND $1000+ DOLLARS TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES ON MY TRUCK WHEN GM COULD HAVE INSTALLED STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES IN THE FIRST PLACE. DISAPPOINTED GMC TRUCK OWNER. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 5, 201493,000 milesMO

WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN I NOTICED MY BRAKE PEDAL WAS FEELING SOFT, THE NEXT TIME I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL, IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I COASTED INTO A PARKING LOT AND USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO COMPLETE THE STOP. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE BY THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND WITNESSED THE FLUID DRIPPING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE HE DISCOVERED ALL FOUR LINES HAD FAILED AT A POINT WHERE ALL THE LINES WERE HELD TOGETHER BY A MOUNTING BRACKET, JUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE, AND MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. HAD I BEEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS AND HAD TO MAKE A QUICK STOP THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. *TR

Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
Filed Feb 10, 2014MI

I OWN A 2000 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB SHORT BOX 4 BY 4. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A GRINDING SOUND, SO I THOUGHT TO LIMP IT HOME. BAD IDEA, I WAS THE TWO BOLTS THAT HOLD YOUR CALIPER ON, SO THAT IS YOUR WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM, WELL IT MADE MY WHEEL LOCK UP AND CAUSED ME TO LOOSE CONTROL AND HIT THE CURB WHERE I BENT MY RIM AND POPPED MY TIRE, SO I REPLACED THE TWO BOLTS ON DRIVER BACK SIDE AND CHECKED THE PASSENGER BACK SIDE AND THOSE TWO BOLTS WHERE LOOSE. VERY SCARY. SO I TIGHTEN THEM BOTH AND LIKE I SAID REPLACED THE OTHER TWO ON THE DRIVER SIDE. WHEN I SEEN THE WAY IT WAS SET UP I WAS SHOCKED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA AND NEVER SEEN CALIPERS BOLTED LIKE THAT, THIS HAPPENED THREE MONTHS AGO WELL TODAY I WAS DRIVEN AND HEARD THE SAME NOISE AGAIN AND BEFORE I COULD STOP ALL THE WAY MY TIRE LOCKED UP AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I WAS IN CONTROL AND STOPPED OK. I AM FREAKING OUT BECAUSE I HAVE A FIVE YEAR OLD SPECIAL NEEDS DAUGHTER AND DON'T WANT HER TO BE IN MY TRUCK IF IT DECIDES TO LOCK UP AND FLIP.SO I WENT TO THE SAME AUTO SHOP AND HAD IT REPLACED AGAIN. LIKE I SAID I SEEN A LOT OF BRAKE SYSTEMS AND THIS WAY THEY HAVE IT IS NOT SAME AND I IMAGINE HAS CAUSED DEATHS, IF NOT YET IT WILL, IT ABOUT MADE ME ROLL AND SCREWED UP MY RIMS AND NEW TIRES, I DON'T KNOW IF I SHOULD SELL IT BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO GET THEM ALL REPLACED. SO IM GOING TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL AND IF NOT THERE NEEDS TO BE. MY MOM HAVE A 2004 SILVERADO CHEVY AND I OWNED A 2002 BEFORE AND BOTH TRUCK

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2013122,342 milesDE

THE BRAKES IN MY GMC PICKUP TRUCK FAILED DUE TO SEVERELY RUSTED STEEL BRAKE LINES. TWO LINES BURST , ONE AFTER THE OTHER , AS I PUMPED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE TRUCK. AN INSPECTION REVEALED EXTENSIVE AND PREMATURE RUST THROUGHOUT THE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM, REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 7, 2013115,236 milesPA

TRAVELLING TO WORK ONE MORNING ON A BUSY, WELL TRAVELED ROAD I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A FEW CARS AHEAD OF ME AND WE ALL HAD TO STOP FOR THE RED LIGHT. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN SUDDENLY THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN TO THE FLOOR AND I REALIZED I HAD LOST THE BRAKES. REALIZING THAT I WAS GOING TO REAR END THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME I WAS FORCED TO SHIFT TO 1ST GEAR ON THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND SWERVE TO THE RIGHT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING SOME HUGE TREES AND RUNNING INTO A DITCH. AFTER MY NERVES SETTLED DOWN I SAFELY PULLED OUT OF THE EMBANKMENT AND SLOWLY DROVE THE TRUCK TO A SAFE OPENING VERY CLOSE BY. I STARTED TROUBLESHOOTING MY BRAKES AND FOUND A LEAK UNDER THE TRUCK BEHIND THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE. I LOOKED CLOSER AND FOUND THAT ONE OF MY BRAKE LINES HAD BURST OPEN. LOOKING AT THE BRAKE LINES REVEALED THEY WERE ALL RUSTED BADLY. I HAD MY TRUCK TOWED HOME. AS WE WERE DRIVING HOME THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOLD ME THAT THESE TRUCKS HAVE A STRONG HISTORY OF RUST PROBLEMS OF THE BRAKE LINES AND OTHER AREAS. AFTER UNLOADING THE TRUCK I WENT ONLINE AND STARTED READING ABOUT THE RUST PROBLEMS ON THESE VEHICLES. I WAS SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON AN ISSUE SO IMPORTANT AS BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. I AM WONDERING IF SOMEONE HAS TO GET KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE ABOUT IT. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO OWNS A 19

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 201359,441 milesMD

BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 201361,600 milesMD

BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 1, 201380,968 milesMS

WHILE DRIVING WEST ON CENTRAL AVENUE IN PEDAL, I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ONTO STEVENS STREET. I FELT NO RESISTANCE AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE IF I HAD MISSED THE BRAKE PEDAL SOMEHOW, BUT IT HAD PUSHED WITH NO RESISTANCE TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING THE BRAKES REPEATEDLY, I WAS ABLE TO OBTAIN A SMALL AMOUNT OF BRAKING AND MADE THE TURN ON STEVENS. STOPPING AT DEEP SOUTH CYCLES, I TOLD THE MECHANIC WHAT HAD OCCURRED AND HE NOTICED THE REAR WHEELS WERE VERY HOT, INDICATING REAR BRAKE LOCKUP. INDEED, AT THAT TIME THEY WERE STILL LOCKED UP. WE CHECKED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SEE IF IT WAS APPLIED AND IT WASN'T. THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS THE PROPER LEVEL, ALSO. AFTER THE BRAKES HAD COOLED DOWN I DROVE THE TRUCK A SHORT DISTANCE TO A REPAIR SHOP ON CENTRAL AVENUE WHERE THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE CALIPERS AND PADS. THEY STATED THAT THE REAR ROTORS HAD TURNED BLUE FROM THE HEAT, AND ADDED THAT THEY "HAD SEEN A LOT OF FAILURES OF GMC BRAKE CALIPERS." *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 14, 201361,542 milesIA

BRAKE LINE LEAK FROM RUST HOLE IN BRAKE LINE BELOW DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF ME. I HAVE GM VEHICLES THAT ARE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS ONE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE. 1977 CHEVY, ETC. I FEEL A RECALL IS IN ORDER, I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM THAT DIDN'T END AS WELL I DID. *TR

20 of 443 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1999
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
201761010Routine
20166210Routine
201553610Routine
20141011220Do not drive
201339310Routine
201229220Routine
201143200Routine
201034120Routine
200937100Routine
200868200Routine
200759220Routine
200653630Routine
20051171120Routine
20041881050Routine
2003206912Fatalities reported
2002249720Above average
2001264725Fatalities reported
2000 — this page4431232Fatalities reported
1999600921Fatalities reported
1998190080Routine
1997238050Above average
1996246230Above average
1995261600Above average
1994190320Routine
199372310Routine
199230420Routine
199112200Routine
199018220Routine

Compare every Sierra year →

Reading this record

2 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

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: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.