2000 GMC Sierra 1500 Brake Problems

Which parts fail

• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
  10
• Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  9
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
  3
• Pedals and linkages
  2
• Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Wheel speed sensor/tone ring
  2
• Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
  1

Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  54%
• 25k–50k
  76%
• 50k–75k
  2823%
• 75k–100k
  2723%
• 100k–150k
  3227%
• 150k+
  2118%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle had a sudden loss of power steering and the brakes failed to engage without warning. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would veer to the right independently. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a concrete barrier and spun around from the front and crashed in the rear. The drivers side and front passenger side air bags deployed. The contact sustained a dislocated left shoulder and a fractured right foot. The contact also sustained whiplash, neck pains which required medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05V005000 (power train) and NHTSA action number: ea04012 (service brakes, hydraulic, steering). The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 183,500.

During a normal stop at a stop sign on a rural road, a steel brake line ruptured due to excess corrosion. This one line between the master cylinder and ABS module is the only line that provides pressure to the front brakes, which supply roughly 75% of the vehicle's braking power. The rupture resulted in rapid fluid loss and therefore a lack of pressure in the hydraulic system to allow for adequate braking. Needed to swerve into a ditch to avoid a crash with cross traffic.visual inspection indicates most brake lines are extremely corroded, and were obviously made with substandard materials as compared to other manufacturers. I do recognize that this is an old vehicle, however other vehicles of similar age and driven in similar environments do not have this issue. …

I was driving down the highway in my 2000 GMC Sierra truck when I applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. I couldn't stop at the red light, so I had to make a quick left turn, across on oncoming traffic into a parking lot before I could get the car stopped. This is the second time my brakes failed and in both cases it was because the steel brake lines rotted out. I've owned many GM vehicles and never had to replace the steel brake lines, not even on my 1969 olds cutlass that I still own. I read about others having the same problem and supposedly GM did not recall. But was going to replace parts and labor for $500. I called GMC and they said they didn't know of this and I called 2 dealers and they didn't know of this kit either. So, I guess I have a big bill on my hands. Cheap brake lines were used building this truck, and brakes are pretty important to stop. …

Brake lines rusted out and caused truck to not be able to stop and almost caused an accident. First line went about 2 months ago and was repaired. I assumed that this was a singular incident and the repair was fine, and I would have no other problems. Now, a different brake line went. Same exact problem...rusted out appears that all of the lines are at issue and all of them must be replaced. I was lucky as I had just come off the interstate highway where I was doing speeds of 70mph and relying on my brakes as would be normal. Just as I got off the highway and pulled into work, the line blew out completely and my pedal went to the floor. I had no brakes at all...nothing. Luckily, I was in the parking lot, and going slow enough and I thought quickly and used my emergency brakes and stopped. …

Loss of braking effectiveness at low speed when turning wheel. While making left hand turn into driveway at low speed on dry pavement, anti-lock braking system activated causing loss of braking. Brake pedal "froze" at position and would not allow pedal to be depressed further. Vehicle continued forward until impacting the exterior garage wall causing structural damage to the home. Upon further testing vehicle in open, dry parking lot, the antilock system activates incorrectly when turning wheel left or right while braking at low speed. This vehicle had wheel sensor service for recall campaign 05068c performed on February 20, 2012. The GM wheel speed sensor recall campaign apparently is not a permanent fix for the root cause of failure, but only a temporary band-aid solution. …

We were traveling west on 495 heading to georgetown hospital in dc taking a friend for her weekly kidney transplant checkup from baltimore md. The traffic had slowed to a stop as I hit my brakes and they went to the floor with minute stopping power . Had I been in the next lane over it would have been a wipe out as I would have rear ended the stopped traffic. I was in the curb lane and got into the shoulder. Brake lines are totally corroded, rusted and just crumbling.. I noticed GM knows about the problem but refuses to do anything. Will they wait until a fatality happens before they warn the public of this problem.. Many of these vehicles still on the road..

Tl contact owns a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500 hd. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The front end of the vehicle was completely destroyed. A police report was filed. The air bags failed to deploy. The vehicle was towed and is currently at the body shop. He stated that GM is giving him the run around. The current and failure mileages were 75,000. The consumer stated spoke with dealer, there have been 4 recalls that were issued and he was not notified such as tailgate, airbag, front brake pipe with body cross seals, and front brake hose abrasion. Updated 09/10/07

Multiple incidences of steel brake line corrosion, resulting in loss of fluid pressure, and therefore loss of braking ability. This has happened 3 different times already. Luckily I drive country roads with little other traffic.obviously this is a repetitive and serious issue for many other owners of these vehicles, as evidenced by the sheer number of complaints regarding the same issue filed to NHTSA for this vehicle. Does NHTSA even read or evaluate the volume and seriousness of complaints on the same issue? How many lives must be lost before this becomes a recall?

Went to stop and the brake pedal pushed against my foot instead of going down. Was moving slowly and the brake pedal instead of stopping the car pushed my foot up from the brake pedal and I went over a parking brake. Mechanic verified that when wheel sensor goes bad the vehicle thinks the brakes are locking up and the ABS system goes on pumping brake pedal. Happened multiple times as approached stop lights pushing me into intersection instead of stopping.. I believe when the wheel sensor is bad it should not put me or others in a dangerous situation.

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle when depressed. The contact had to apply the emergency brake. The contact noticed brake fluid flowing from a fracture in the front brake line. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,000.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Brake complaints in other Sierra 1500 years