Owners have filed 13 complaints
about the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 HD with NHTSA between 2006 and 2015.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 47
Against the median year of the GMC Sierra 1500 HD. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 40
7.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2001 compares with every other GMC Sierra 1500 HD
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 HD
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
861.5%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 107,000 mi
Fuel & Propulsion
215.4%
Median failure at 79,122 miles
Body & Structure
17.7%
Median failure at 125,000 miles
Electrical System
17.7%
Median failure at 38,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
17.7%
Median failure at 120,244 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
25,000 – 49,999 miles
323.1%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
646.2%
150,000+ miles
17.7%
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.
Aug 2006peak 3Aug 2015
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 94,001 milesStaten Island, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD SLE WHICH I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE ENTERING A INTERSECTION THE OTHER DAY BROUGHT IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THEY INFORMED ME I HAVE ROTTED BRAKE LINES AT THE ABS MODULE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ROTTED LINES I TOOK SOMETIME TO CHECK THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WHERE OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM THERE SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS SHACKLES HAVE ROTTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10397271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 242,000 milesHarrison Township, MI
SERVICE BRAKES
I RESIDE IN MICHIGAN AND THE WINTERS HERE ARE SOMEWHAT BAD ON VEHICLES BUT THIS IS IN NO WAY ACCEPTABLE FOR GM TO GET AWAY WITH. I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON THE 15TH OF AUG ABOUT 80 MILES FROM HOME AND PREPARING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN TO ENTER ONTO THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND THE DRIVER/CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THANKFULLY PROCEEDED TO TURN HENCE GETTING OUT OF MY WAY BECAUSE WHEN I APPLIED MY BRAKES THEIR WAS NOTHING RIGHT TO THE FLOORBOARD, I HAD KNOWN WHAT JUST HAPPENED, RUPTURED A BRAKE LINE. I PROCEEDED TO MAKE THE TURN AND SOMEHOW GET THE TRUCK TO STOP WHILE GOING DOWN THE ON RAMP OF THE HIGHWAY. HERE IS MY BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH GM`S BRAKE SYSTEM. WHY WHEN 1 LINE RUPTURES ALL OF THE REST OF THE SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK TO AT LEAST GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP? ONCE I WAS ABLE TO HAVE A LOOK UNDER THE VEHICLE I NOTICED ALL BRAKE LINES APPEAR TO BE STEEL AND IN TERRIBLE CONDITION, SO NEXT QUESTION, WHY ARE AUTO COMPANY`S ALLOWED TO USE STEEL BRAKE LINES AND NOT A CORROSION PROOF STAINLESS?? OH, WAIT TO SAVE MONEY FOR BIGGER PROFITS AND CEO BONUS`S. I JUST CAN`T BELIEVE IN THIS DAY AND AGE WITH TECHNOLOGY WE CAN`T HAVE AN ABS SYSTEM WORK TO WHERE 1 LINE GOES YOU STILL HAVE SOME BRAKES FOR THE NAME OF SAFETY LIKE ON THE OLD CLASSICS WHERE EACH LINE IS INDEPENDENT TO EACH WHEEL. I`M JUST VERY LUCKY NOBODY WAS INJURED, COULD YOU IMAGINE IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED AT A HIGHER SPEED??? UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10748949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesPewaukee, WI
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR. HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP. FOUND BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED LEFT FRONT ALONG CHASSIS.
NHTSA complaint #10700981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesChesterfield, VA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
BRAKE LINE FAILURE. WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BUT ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. ALWAYS RINSE UNDERCARRIAGE AFTER DRIVING ON SALT ROADS WHICH ISN'T THAT OFTEN IN CHESTERFIELD VA. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES I KNOW OF 5 OTHER PERSONS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10547804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesChesterfield, VA
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE FAILURE. WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH BUT ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. ALWAYS RINSE UNDERCARRIAGE AFTER DRIVING ON SALT ROADS WHICH ISN'T THAT OFTEN IN CHESTERFIELD VA. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES I KNOW OF 5 OTHER PERSONS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10547804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,244 milesCentreville, MD
POWER TRAIN
I WAS TRAVELING CLOSE TO MY HOME AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES WITH NO RESULT. THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO LOW GEAR AND FINALLY MADE IT HOME. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE COST TO FIX THE BRAKES LINES, MASTER CYLINDER - $1000. NOT HAPPY WITH GMC AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A CHEVY TAHOE AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THAT VEHICLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10463255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,244 milesCentreville, MD
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS TRAVELING CLOSE TO MY HOME AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES WITH NO RESULT. THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO LOW GEAR AND FINALLY MADE IT HOME. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE COST TO FIX THE BRAKES LINES, MASTER CYLINDER - $1000. NOT HAPPY WITH GMC AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A CHEVY TAHOE AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THAT VEHICLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10463255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,244 milesCentreville, MD
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I WAS TRAVELING CLOSE TO MY HOME AND WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN ON A COUNTRY ROAD. I WENT TO APPLY MY BRAKES WITH NO RESULT. THE PEDDLE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO LOW GEAR AND FINALLY MADE IT HOME. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TRANSPORTED TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS. THE COST TO FIX THE BRAKES LINES, MASTER CYLINDER - $1000. NOT HAPPY WITH GMC AND WILL PROBABLY NEVER BUY ANOTHER AMERICAN MADE VEHICLE. I ALSO HAVE A CHEVY TAHOE AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THAT VEHICLE AS WELL.
NHTSA complaint #10463255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,000 milesDenora, PA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING10 MPH AND ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVE-WAY WHEN THE REAR BRAKE LINE FRACTURED, CAUSING ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND THE CONTACT TO LOSE BRAKING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE BRAKE AND DISCOVERD THAT ALL OF THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10459996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,154 milesEast Grenadge, RI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,154.
NHTSA complaint #10428424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,001 milesStaten Island, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I OWN A 2001 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD SLE WHICH I LOST MY BRAKES WHILE ENTERING A INTERSECTION THE OTHER DAY BROUGHT IT TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT THEY INFORMED ME I HAVE ROTTED BRAKE LINES AT THE ABS MODULE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME THE ROTTED LINES I TOOK SOMETIME TO CHECK THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WHERE OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM THERE SEEMS TO BE THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. ALSO THE REAR LEAF SPRINGS SHACKLES HAVE ROTTED OUT.
NHTSA complaint #10397271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesTulsa, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN FULL, HALF THE TIME. GAUGE WILL SHUT OFF THEN COME ON. THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2 YRS AGO WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10231076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,000 milesTulsa, OK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
FUEL GAUGE READ EMPTY WHEN FULL, HALF THE TIME. GAUGE WILL SHUT OFF THEN COME ON. THIS PROBLEM STARTED 2 YRS AGO WITH ONLY 38,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10231076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 39,846 milesDelmar, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
2001 GMC SIERRA CREW CAB TRUCK WAS PURCHASED PRE-OWNED IN JULY 2004. VEHICLE AT PURCHASE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED. MILEAGE WAS 28,410. IN JANUARY 2006 WITH 35,904 MILES FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WITH PADS WERE REPLACED DUE TO "RUSTED BRAKE ROTORS". IN AUGUST 2006, REAR BRAKE BACKING PLATES WERE FOUND TO BE ROTTED AWAY AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. MILEAGE AT TIME WAS 39,846. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT ALL TIMES BY THE DEALER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THROUGH.
NHTSA complaint #10166668 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.