Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2001 GMC Sierra 2500 hd diesel with allison trans, while on vacation 800 miles away lost all brakes (front and rear) nearly killing people. Found brake line bust at the fuel tank (which was full) excessive corrosion on all brake lines and under carriage of this truck less than 50K miles. This is the third time first had all rotors fail at 20K, dealer reluctantly replaced only by forcing the issue (under warranty) then at 36K line bust at master cylinder (front and rear) corrosion, $500 , then the line after that one to the proportioning valve another 500 to fix, the front hubs replaced two times at 300 each bad wheel bearings and corroded hubs, now rear line at the tank area, truck has 49K miles never in salt/snow, washed reg. Yet underside looks like a junker. This truck has been a disaster since day one! …
2001 GMC 2500 Sierra with 50 k miles, total brake failure!!!, this has happened before 2 times, first under warranty (they balked at fixing) replaced all rotors and calipers, then one month after warranty was out, failure again brake line corrosion from master cylinder to transmission (never seen that before!) cost $250 to fix, then the line behind that, under the fuel tank at 50K miles while 800 miles away in maine on vacation!! Nearly killed us! (and others) estimated cost to repair another $500... The entire frame and under carriage is rusted to hell! This truck is washed and waxed regularly, and was supposed to be under coated! I have had both front wheel bearing fail at 21K and then again at 35K miles with antilock brake failure as well both times, the bearings $300 apiece and dealer installed.. What next? Transmission will not shift when cold, below 50 degrees!! …
Driving in a single lane portion of i80 at the 97 mile post. A tractor trailer made a rolling stop at the on ramp and scared the driver in front of me. The lady hit her brakes hard. I naturally did the same only my pedal went to the floor as I had two rusted brake lines,one front and one rear,blow at the same time. I managed to swerve and get between the other pickup and the tractor trailer only hitting the passenger side mirror on the other pickup. I had to use the emergency brake to finally stop and had to have my truck hauled home. I can not believe that from the number of these brake line failures listed on the internet and after talking with my garage about the number of these GM trucks that have had the brake lines fail that nothing has been done about it. I have two other vehicles both older and with more miles on them with brake lines no where near as bad as the ones on my truck.
Driving on highway in the evening road was wet due to earlier rain, traveling at 60-65 MPH, when another car passed us and changed lanes erratically which caused the need to slow down. Upon engaging the brakes the ABS failed to work, and vehicle's rear end lost traction and slid into next lane of traffic, then hit guard rail and spun truck around and hit bridge guard rail on opposite side, causing truck to startle and ride concrete bridge median and finally coming to rest in grass median. Both the driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy causing minor injuries to both occupants. Needless to say truck is totaled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC 2500 hd. While driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal extended to the floorboard and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact engaged the emergency brake and placed the vehicle in park. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who was diagnosed that the distributor brake block had excessive rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While on a slight incline, the vehicle started to roll forward and collided with a tree. The vehicle's gear was in reverse and the parking brake was engaged before the accident. The manufacturer and the dealer are aware of the problem.
First power steering and hydroboost lines rusts through. Brake lines ruptures in crash due to accident. GM needs to recall their trucks and fix the problem of there faulty rustly brake and power steering system lines.
I use my truck to pull a 5th wheel camper. When I started to check it out this year, I noticed a funny shift pattern and a growl with temporary brake loss at approx. 4 mi. Pre hr or less. I took the truck in for repair and they sent me to a GM dealer to have the TCM reflashed. That fixed the shift harshness. After leaving dealership I noticed the growling again. It is not every time I apply the brakes, but I am afraid that I will end up loosing the brakes long enough to hit another vehicle. After doing extensive internet studies I found that this vehicle should be included in a recall that is for the exact same symptoms. I called 2 dealerships but was told that my VIN was not part of the recall. I was told that they were recalled because of defective parts used only on specific VIN numbered vehicles. …
I have owned my 2001 GMC Sierra 2500hd truck since it was new. The vehicle currently has approximately 92,000 miles on it. On August 25, 2010 I was traveling approximately 45 MPH towing a 14? Trailer as I approached an intersection where the light changed. The road surface was rough. I applied the brakes firmly so that I could stop for the intersection. Due to the rough road the ABS kicked in and when it did my brake pedal went completely to the floor and I had no brakes. I tried pumping the brakes, but nothing. By the grace of god, no one was hurt as I continued into cross traffic at the intersection. After pulling into the closest gas station, I found that the brake lines going from the master cylinder had both blown out. Once I had the vehicle home I inspected the brake lines and found all the lines in extremely bad condition. …
I parked my vehicle and upon exiting observed fluid drips on the pavement. I touched and smelled the fluid and determined it to be brake fluid. I then observed fluid dripping from beneath the drivers side passenger compartment. I immediately checked the brake fluid res. And observed it to be below the 1/2 point. I was approximately 4 miles from my home and decided to take the back road which required less braking. The fluid was still leaking upon my arrival home. I should note there was no fluid leaking prior to departing my residence. I did notice the pedal travel to have increased and the feel to be slightly spongy as I drove down a steep grade requiring significant braking to maintain the 35 MPH limit into havre de grace. The vehicle (2001 GMC 2500hd) is not driven much and mostly for local (<15 miles) travel. …
NHTSA investigations
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury…
Brake complaints in other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500, 46% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.