Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2000 Chevrolet Sierra
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
327.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 85,000 mi
Tires
19.1%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
19.1%
Median failure at 3,989 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
19.1%
Suspension
19.1%
Body & Structure
19.1%
Steering
19.1%
Transmission & Drivetrain
19.1%
Engine & Cooling
19.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2000peak 2Jan 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Chevrolet Sierra
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA11001Opened 5 Jan 2011Closed 8 Apr 2015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wis...
DP05009Opened 20 Dec 2005Closed 31 May 2006PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.
IN A LETTER DATED AUGUST 29, 2005, GM NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT WAS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999 THROUGH 2002 C/K PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES TO CORRECT A PROBLEM WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CORROSION THAT MAY RESULT IN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKING (RECALL 05V-379).GM'S RECALL COVERS APPROXIMATELY 804,000 VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING 14 SALT-BELT STATES:CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, V...
GENERAL MOTORS IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES INSTALLED IN 805,368 MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT 800 MODEL VEHICLES.THE MODEL YEAR 1999 AND 2000 GMT-800 SERIES VEHICLES THAT WILL BE CAMPAIGNED HAD CONTRIBUTED A SIGNIFICANT MAJORITY OF THE TOTAL COMPLAINTS (87%) AND INJURIES (79%) ASSOCIATED WITH THE TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE BREAKAGE IN THE MODEL YEAR 1998 - 2000 C/K SERIES VEHICLES ADDRESSED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.
EA04012Opened 30 Apr 2004Closed 28 Feb 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
EA04011Opened 9 Apr 2004Closed 10 May 2005PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING...
EA04005Opened 19 Feb 2004Closed 28 Sep 2004LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH
TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE
GENERAL MOTORS FILED A DEFECT NOTICE 04V-129 ON MARCH 17, 2004, WHICH OUTLINES A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLES INSTALLED IN AFFECTED MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 VEHICLES.REFER TO ODI'S CLOSING REPORT FOR EA04-005 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.ODI IS AWARE OF REPORTS OF TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE OCCURRING IN MODEL YEAR 1999 AND EARLIER VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SIMILAR TAILGATE CABLES AS ADDRESSED BY 04V-129, BUT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY CAMPAIGN O4V-129.ODI IS INITIATING A SEPARATE INVESTIGATION TO ADDRESS THESE VEHICLES.THE COMPLAINT-INJURY-FATALITY STATISTICS SUMMARIZED ABOVE...
PE03057Opened 8 Dec 2003Closed 9 Apr 2004PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING THE PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM'S TORQUE BELOW THAT NEEDED TO IMMOBILIZE THE VEHICLE.GM HAS ATTRIBUTED THIS ACCELERATED WEAR TO FOREIGN MATERIAL INTRUSION AND A FAILURE OF THE BRAKE SHOE TO PROPERLY SELF-CENT...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Booneville, MSCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AS RESULT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING A BUNCH OF BUSHES. PREVIOUS TO THE COLLISION BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10081730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 85,000 milesWhitsett, NC
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE MAY, 2001 (USE WITH APPROX 10K MILES). I TOOK IT TO HAVE IT SERVICED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING BRAKE FLUID AND I COULD NOT FIND A LEAK AT ANY OF THE WHEELS OR THE FLEXIBLE LINES TO THE CALIPERS. THE SHOP I TOOK IT TO CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES HAD CRACKED WHERE IT HAD RUSTED JUST BELOW THE MASTER CYLINDER NEXT TO THE FIREWALL AND THAT HE HAD REPAIRED THAT SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE. HE FURTHER INDICATED THAT I WOULD LIKELY HAVE FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME ISSUE BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES ALL APPEARED TO BE VERY RUSTY. I JUST RECENTLY HAD AN ISSUE WHERE THE CALIPERS ON THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TRUCK LOCKED UP DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN IN SALT WATER OR ON THE BEACH, NOR OUTSIDE OF NC WHERE THE ROADS ARE HEAVILY SALTED OR THE BRINE SOLUTION USED. THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY CORRODED AND I KEEP THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR FOR FURTHER LEAKS OR RUPTURES.
NHTSA complaint #10493522 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Decatur, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04E022000 IN APRIL 2003. DEALERSHIP PUT ON A TEMPORARY TAILGATE UNTIL PARTS CAME IN. CONSUMER RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATING THAT THE TAILGATE PARTS WERE IN . CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS, AND DEALER TOLD CONSUMER THEY HAD NO PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10094585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal Beach, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
AT 30,000 AND 90,000 MILES THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE OF $3.000. EACH TIME. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10089244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crystal Beach, FL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AT 30,000 AND 90,000 MILES THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE OF $3.000. EACH TIME. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE WATER PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10089244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Booneville, MSCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. AS RESULT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL HITTING A BUNCH OF BUSHES. PREVIOUS TO THE COLLISION BRAKE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD.
NHTSA complaint #10081730 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3,989 milesSyracuse, NY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
VEHICLE WINDSHIELD WIPER BREAKS WHEN THEY ARE USED TO REMOVE SNOW.
NHTSA complaint #10018157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Great Falls, MT
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10017459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stevensville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER NOTICE WHEN DEPRESSING THE BREAK PEDALS THE PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOOR BOARD. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022021 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
DOR Checter, MA
SUSPENSION:REAR
CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT REAR END WAS BUILT A QUARTER INCH OUT, AND VEHICLE WAS HAVING ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. HAS CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK THE DEALER CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FOLLOW UP AS THEY SAID THEY WOULD DO, THE CONSUMER HAS HAD MANY ALIGNMENT DONE ON THE CAR BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. NLM
NHTSA complaint #894382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A ROUGH IDEAL IN ENGENE, TRANSMISSION HAS DELAY MOSTLY ON TAKE OFF 2-4 SECONDS THAN GRABS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES , BUT NOT BEEN FIXED. DEALER HAVE LEARNED LOOPS IF THEY DO NO REPAIR THAN THEY HAVE NOT FAILED AT REPAIR. THEY ARE PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM LEMON LAWS/BUYBACK DEALER TRYED TO GET US TO SIGN A DISCLAIMER. JUST LOOKING OVER YOUR LIST I HAVE SEEN 12 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. CAN YOU HELP OR SHOULD I SAY WILL YOU HELP ?
NHTSA complaint #737802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Abilene, TX
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
I HAVE A ROUGH IDEAL IN ENGENE, TRANSMISSION HAS DELAY MOSTLY ON TAKE OFF 2-4 SECONDS THAN GRABS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES , BUT NOT BEEN FIXED. DEALER HAVE LEARNED LOOPS IF THEY DO NO REPAIR THAN THEY HAVE NOT FAILED AT REPAIR. THEY ARE PROTECTING THEMSELVES FROM LEMON LAWS/BUYBACK DEALER TRYED TO GET US TO SIGN A DISCLAIMER. JUST LOOKING OVER YOUR LIST I HAVE SEEN 12 OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. CAN YOU HELP OR SHOULD I SAY WILL YOU HELP ?
NHTSA complaint #737802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.