Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Vehicle stalls and shuts off while driving and idle. Sometimes it starts back up immediately, other times it will just crank over but will not start. After letting it sit sometimes 5 to 20 minutes at a time it will then start back up. All research and issues with the vehicle indicate a manufacturer recall of a crankshaft position sensor. The vehicle will stall or shut off at random whether it's in motion down the highway in the middle of a intersection or at a stop sign . I have almost been t-bones due to the vehicle stalling in the middle of the intersection and I have also had to replace my drivers mirror due to the vehicle stalling on the interstate and nearly being hit by another vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500. While driving various speeds, the engine suddenly lost compression and the vehicle failed to accelerate properly. The vehicle was taken to courtesy Cadillac (1345 evangeline thruway, broussard, la) where it was diagnosed that one or more fuel injectors were faulty and remained open. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact indicated that all eight fuel injectors were previously replaced approximately five years; however, but the failure recently recurred. The failure mileage was 200,000.
I have a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500hd with an 8.1 liter v8 gasoline engine. While I was doing some research on the internet trying to diagnose what could be wrong with it, I stumbled across your website stating that there had been a recall on that truck with that engine. NHTSA campaign id number : 07V521000. This recall information describes exactly what has been happening with my vehicle and that part is one I was doing research on based upon a mechanic friends advice. I was excited to hear that there was a recall as I cannot afford to have the part put on professionally and am not knowledgeable to do it myself. This defect really is a safety issue. Over the past couple of weeks the truck has gone dead and I have been stuck in an intersection and also had to pull over several times while the vehicle was not running and not steering easily or stopping easily. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated that for the past year the vehicle had stalled intermittently. There were no prior warnings prior to the stalling, but the message center and battery light would illuminate after the failure occurred. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but was unable to detect any failure codes. The contact tried replacing the fuel pump and relays, but that did not correct the failure. The contact then became aware of a recall for the crankshaft position sensor under recall campaign number 07V521000, engine and engine cooling. The manufacturer confirmed that although the vehicle was experiencing the same failure, it was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 52000 and the current mileage was 58300. Updated 02/07/11 updated 04/20/11
2001 GMC Sierra - 8.1 engine. Engine shutting off while driving and/or failure to restart after shut down. There was an NHTSA case for recalls, 07V521000, but my vehicle was not part of the recall campaign 06083 by GM for a defective crankshaft position sensor. GM would not include my vehicle in the recall in spite of it being an identical failure. I believe there are more vehicles with defective sensors that were not included in the original recall. It cost over $700 to repair what I believe is a big safety problem. I was lucky to not get in an accident after my engine shut off while driving on the highway. The shut down resulted in a loss of power steering and power brakes so it was difficult to coast to a safe location on the highway.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated that the crankshaft position sensor failed and was replaced. Six years later, the contact located a recall for the failure under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The dealer was contacted but informed him that his VIN was not included in the recall and he could not be reimbursed for the repairs. The contact confirmed that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 60,358 and the current mileage was 82,000. Updated 01/30/13 the consumer stated that the enginewould turn off unexpectedly, it would restart after a period of time. It has shut off at freeway speed, city traffic, and while parking. Updated 1/31/2013
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH the vehicle stalled without any warnings. The contact mentioned that he was able to turn the vehicle back on but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was defective and needed to be replaced. The mechanic also advised that the fuel lines needed to be cleaned. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign id number: 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 79,500 and the current mileage was 80,000.
Complete engine stoppage at various speeds including stoplights and signs, sometimes refusing to start after being parked for some time. Shop replaced fuel pump. Cost $734.27, 4 months later shop replaced crank shaft sensor cost $296.89. I haven't had pickup returned long enough to know if problem is fixed. Most times motor would start after 15 to 60 sec. Problem started 12+ months ago with motor failure increasing from months to days to hours. Companion refused to ride with me for fear of an accident causing injury or death. The Firestone tires furnished at time of purchase, all 5 developed tread separation within 33000 miles. They should have lasted at least 55,000 to 60,000 miles.
I have owned my 2001 GMC Sierra 2500hd truck since it was new. The vehicle currently has approximately 92000 miles on it. With the brake line problem I recently had I figured I should report the other issues that I don?t think I should be having with a vehicle that is less than 10 years old. The oil cooler lines and the transmission cooler lines have all rusted through and have had to be replaced. Along with the lines, the connectors for the lines have all had to be replaced due to catastrophic failure (they rusted so bad that were falling apart). If the vehicle was 20 years old I might expect this problem, but not on one less than 10 years old and the mileage that it has.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. Upon restarting, the vehicle operated normally and was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The technician informed the contact that the crankshaft position sensor was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure continued to recur whenever the vehicle was in motion. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. Updated 09/15/11 the consumer learned a recall had been issued for the crankshaft position sensor. However, his VIN was not included. Updated 11/04/11
NHTSA investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated November 7, 2007, general motors (GM) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v-521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 Chevrolet silverado and GMC sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before November 15, 2000.according to GM, the ckp can fail intermittently or…
Engine complaints in other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 GMC Sierra 2500, 22% of the model year's 134 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 GMC Sierra 2500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles.
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.