Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 17% | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 25% | 5,000 miles |
| 2024 | 16 | 15% | 8,000 miles |
| 2023 | 3 | 9% | — |
| 2022 | 4 | 9% | 54,000 miles |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% | 51,000 miles |
| 2020 | 12 | 15% | 1,000 miles |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% | — |
| 2017 | 8 | 22% | 3,000 miles |
| 2016 | 10 | 17% | 21,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 6% | 109,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2013 | 3 | 7% | 62,000 miles |
| 2011 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2010 | 2 | 20% | 78,000 miles |
| 2009 | 5 | 16% | 29,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2007 | 6 | 7% | 22,000 miles |
| 2006 | 30 | 45% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 38 | 33% | 51,000 miles |
| 2004 | 56 | 39% | 71,000 miles |
| 2003 | 73 | 46% | 76,000 miles |
| 2002 | 78 | 58% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 62 | 46% | 64,000 miles |
| 2000 | 32 | 67% | 99,000 miles |
| 1999 | 22 | 61% | 96,000 miles |
| 1998 | 8 | 53% | 2,000 miles |
| 1997 | 7 | 50% | 175,000 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 2025 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to come to a complete stop, the brakes made a loud whistling and squealing sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, Bellamy Strickland Chevrolet GMC (145 Industrial Blvd, McDonough, GA 30253); who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer informed the contact that it was a known issue with no fix for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to a second dealer, who was also unable to diagnose the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The mileage was approximately 5,000.
We noticed that the brakes were really soft. We literally had to push on the brakes with excessive force. We took it to Lynch - West Bend, WI for a service call and was told that nothing was wrong with it. After leaving the dealership we did our own research (the hubby is a certified master technician himself). Come to find out through GM, contacts through TBM brakes and Duramax Forum.com "brake pedal effort" we found the issue and a solution and we fixed it ourselves. This truck is brand spanking new and the dealership threw their hands in the air with a safety issue and let us drive out of the parking lot. Imagine driving away after being told no issue to end up in an accident due to failed brakes. Who's to blame for that? Certainly not the customer. It was only when the new car sales manager took the truck for a drive, he agreed that there was a problem. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and approaching a stop, the contact simultaneously depressed the brake pedal and accelerator pedal, causing the vehicle to move forward and to stop simultaneously. The contact stated that the pedals were significantly close to each other. The contact's foot was sliding off the pedals. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact requested for an adjustment of the pedals. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 10.
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle lost brake and power steering functionality, and there was smoke coming from underneath the hood. The contact stated that power steering fluid was leaking onto the engine. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the power steering pump had seized, the belt and hoses had failed, and the parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,832.
Bought the truck brand new. within a week the service trailer brake warning light came on. has been to the dealership 3 times and they still cant fix it. This affects towing of the trailer with no trailer brakes.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact heard a clanking sound coming from the steering wheel while attempting to make a turn. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel was loose. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the steering column had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated, with the brake warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. …
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated that on several occasions while in park(P) with the parking brake engaged, the parking brake warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that the parking brake would not disengage until the vehicle was shifted into reverse(R). The contact stated that he observed a loud banging sound coming from the rear of the vehicle when the parking brake was finally disengaged. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's side rear actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 51,248.
The contact owns a 2021 GMC Sierra 2500. The contact stated while approaching a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes were squeaking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the brake pads needed to be replaced. The brakes on the vehicle were replaced but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer and the caliper on the front driver's side was replaced and the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to another dealer who was aware of the issue however, there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 800.
Related recalls (5)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Power assist › Electric › Control module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016.
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
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…
Frequently asked questions
Which GMC Sierra 2500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2002 (78), 2003 (73), 2001 (62), 2004 (56) and 2005 (38) model years. Brake complaints make up 58% of all complaints for the 2002.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 21V-758 (control module, Sep 29, 2021); 18V-578 (pedals and linkages, Aug 30, 2018); 16V-069 (pedals and linkages, Feb 5, 2016). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles; 33% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (53 mentions), followed by the foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (16).
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.