Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 3% | 0 miles |
| 2025 | 7 | 6% | — |
| 2024 | 11 | 3% | 13,000 miles |
| 2023 | 17 | 3% | 29,000 miles |
| 2022 | 30 | 5% | 16,000 miles |
| 2021 | 25 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2020 | 55 | 11% | 11,000 miles |
| 2019 | 114 | 17% | 8,000 miles |
| 2018 | 44 | 14% | 23,000 miles |
| 2017 | 108 | 30% | 40,000 miles |
| 2016 | 106 | 31% | 45,000 miles |
| 2015 | 229 | 32% | 56,000 miles |
| 2014 | 144 | 19% | 72,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | 36,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 2% | 68,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 3% | 44,000 miles |
| 2008 | 10 | 3% | 27,000 miles |
| 2007 | 25 | 10% | 65,000 miles |
| 2006 | 67 | 46% | 52,000 miles |
| 2005 | 50 | 28% | 64,000 miles |
| 2004 | 67 | 32% | 67,000 miles |
| 2003 | 105 | 58% | 77,000 miles |
| 2002 | 127 | 77% | 80,000 miles |
| 2001 | 108 | 77% | 98,000 miles |
| 2000 | 131 | 72% | 94,000 miles |
| 1999 | 103 | 65% | 114,000 miles |
| 1998 | 18 | 31% | 80,000 miles |
| 1997 | 18 | 22% | 112,000 miles |
| 1996 | 2 | 40% | 110,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse(R), the vehicle failed to move while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact felt a hesitation while depressing the brake and accelerator pedals, and the contact then attempted to restart the vehicle. The contact restarted the vehicl;e however, while attempting to accelerate, the brakes independently activated. Despite the repeated failure, the contact was able to pull into a gas station to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle finally resumed normal operation, and the contact drove the vehicle to the residence. The next day, the contact test drove the vehicle, and the failure reoccurred while the contact was attempting to park the vehicle in a parking spot. …
While driving at approximately 60 mph on an open road with no obstacles present and no braking input, the rear wheels spontaneously locked up without warning. No brake pedal input. No warning light prior to the event. No obstruction in the road. The vehicle has been subject to an active manufacturer recall for rear wheel lockup due to transmission control valve failure. The dealer's own diagnostic system generated a report showing six active fault codes in the following days including lost communication with the Brake System Control Module and Transmission Control Module. These codes were not addressed on the repair order. The dealer attributed the lockup to an Automatic Emergency Braking activation without diagnostic confirmation and performed no repair. …
I purchased a 2025 GMC Denali a few months ago. At approximately 7,000 miles, the front brakes failed unexpectedly and were replaced by the dealership. However, by 14,000 miles, I began experiencing brake issues again. Before I could return the vehicle for service, I was driving on the turnpike when the engine suddenly seized without warning. This created an extremely dangerous situation-vehicles behind me nearly collided as I lost power and control. I managed to pull over safely, but the tow truck operator struggled to load the vehicle due to all four wheels locking up and the engine being completely seized. Once the vehicle was inspected at the dealership, I was informed that the engine had failed and would need to be replaced. I am aware of the recurring issues associated with the 6.2L GMC engines and related component failures, and I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle. …
While in the parking lot of a local grocery store, I shifted the vehicle into reverse, at which point all dashboard warning lights immediately illuminated and the braking response became significantly weakened and nearly unresponsive. I placed the vehicle back into park, paused, and then attempted to shift into reverse again, but the dashboard alerts and brake issue persisted. This created a very unsafe driving situation because the brake system was very unresponsive. Despite the unsafe condition, I cautiously drove to my home 2miles away at a speed of under 20 MPH, requiring excessive brake pressure to bring the vehicle to a stop. I parked the vehicle in my driveway and left it there overnight. The next morning, I tested the brakes, and they seemed to return to normal so I drove 5 miles to my local GMC service center. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35 MPH, he depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated independently. The contact stated he drove across four lanes of traffic and regained control of the vehicle. The contact stated that as he was slowing for a traffic signal, he again depressed the brake pedal. The contact stated that the pedal went to the floorboard, and the vehicle would not stop. The contact stated no warnings illuminated. The contact stated that his vehicle crashed into the rear end of the vehicle in front of him. The contact stated that there were scratches on his front bumper and no damage to the other vehicle. There were no injuries, and the police were not called. The contact stated that both vehicles were able to drive away. …
System/Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic Summary: Recurrent loss of brake performance and vibration in a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. Front pads wear to 1-2 mm and front rotors become "very warped" within short mileage intervals; right front caliper previously seized; pad sensor circuit fault also documented. Multiple dealer repairs under 30k miles; condition recurs. Increased stopping distance and steering vibration at speed. Chronology (dates / approx. mileage): 09/06/2024 (~10,437): front brake repair; 01/13-14/2025 (~16,239): RF caliper seized repaired; 05/05-06/2025 (~20,734): pads 1-2 mm and rotors very warped; 08/15-18/2025 (~27,574): pads again ~2 mm and rotors very warped. ( Emissions soot collection and engine deceleration is another issue in the diagnostics.) Dealer: Chevrolet Buick GMC of Bellevue, WA. …
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on the highway at 75 MPH, all of the warning lights on the instrument panel had illuminated, the contact depressed the brakes and the vehicle would not brake in a panic the contact quickly steered into the left lane, pumped the brakes frantically, and the vehicle was finally able to come to a stop. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, the contact was advised that the failure experienced was due to a faulty battery and that it would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 28,550.
The contact owns a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle started running abnormally rough, promptly the contact to discontinue driving the vehicle. The message "Service Traction Control" was displayed, and the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but it had not yet been diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 20,000.
Related recalls (9)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module › Software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs.
Remedy: The Electronic Brake Control Module (eBCM) software will be updated through an over-the-air (OTA) update or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 25, 2024.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon vehicles equipped with either a 5.3L or 6.2L V8 engine. The output of the mechanical vacuum pump can decrease over time, decreasing the amount of vacuum/power brake assist.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2020.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. The bolts used to attach the front and/or rear brake calipers may have not been heat treated and may break under load.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake caliper bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 23, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at…
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. These vehicles received updated software for the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM). This software has an error, and as a result, the vehicle's electronic brake assist may be disabled.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 24, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267.
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Cadillac CT6, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles. Due to an Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) software error, the vehicle's Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Antilock Brake System (ABS) may become disabled.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began February 4, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at…
Show 4 more recalls
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Vacuum
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with vacuum power, 4-wheel disc brakes. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 105, "hydraulic brake systems." these vehicles were built with a kinked brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Remedy: Dealers will re-route the brake booster vacuum supply hose.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
On November 20, 2018, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE18-012 to investigate instances of sudden onset of a hard brake pedal that could result in extended stopping distance due to an issue with the brake assist vacuum pump in model year (MY) 2014 through 2016 GMC Sierra 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado 1500 series pickup trucks and MY 2015 through 2016 Cadillac Escalade, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 1500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (229), 2014 (144), 2000 (131), 2002 (127) and 2019 (114) model years. Brake complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems?
Yes — 9 recalls, including 24V-674 (software, Sep 12, 2024); 20V-603 (vacuum, Oct 1, 2020); 20V-116 (caliper, Feb 27, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 1500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles; 35% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (95 mentions), followed by the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (37).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.