Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 20% | 1,000 miles |
| 2025 | 5 | 29% | — |
| 2024 | 11 | 22% | 58,000 miles |
| 2023 | 2 | 7% | 79,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 13% | 30,000 miles |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% | 141,000 miles |
| 2020 | 7 | 14% | — |
| 2019 | 4 | 31% | 9,000 miles |
| 2018 | 6 | 43% | 58,000 miles |
| 2017 | 5 | 38% | 25,000 miles |
| 2016 | 6 | 32% | 16,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 13% | 50,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 14% | 68,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 7% | 14,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2008 | 1 | 4% | 73,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 19% | 5,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 18% | 161,000 miles |
| 2005 | 10 | 42% | 55,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 58% | 92,000 miles |
| 2003 | 3 | 43% | 27,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 45% | 59,000 miles |
| 2001 | 16 | 44% | 62,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 46% | 74,000 miles |
| 1999 | 9 | 47% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 4 | 33% | 175,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 40% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
While towing my fifth wheel trailer, the truck intermittently disconnects the trailer brakes while in motion. This results in a sudden loss of roughly 75% of my braking capability, creating an extremely dangerous situation. I have a professional driving background, which has helped me avoid an accident so far, but this issue could easily result in a collision, especially under emergency braking or downhill conditions Service Attempt: On June 17, 2025, I brought the vehicle to Madras Chevrolet in Oregon. The dealership acknowledged the issue but stated the truck is "within GM parameters," so no repairs were made. They claimed the problem might be with the trailer, but I've confirmed the trailer works properly with other tow vehicles. This appears to be a systemic electrical or control issue with the truck. …
The truck automatically engages the parking brake ONLY when on an incline, never at any other time. I am so used to engaging the parking brake at all other times I also engage it when on an incline. The problem is the truck DISENGAGES the brake automatically after I've engaged it. This has happened multiple times when I've been towing a large boat on a launch ramp or towing my heavy 5th wheel. I can be fully exited from the truck and 10 ft away when it disengages and I watch it lurch forward. Simple answer would be for me to not engage the brake on an incline, but its a total habit all the time so I never remember to not engage it on an incline. This is a dangerous feature that needs to be removed ASAP. Thank you
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated while driving at approximately 60 MPH and towing a Forest River Riverstone Legacy 5th Wheel trailer, the brake pedal was depressed to slow for oncoming stopped traffic; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed with the "Service Trailer Brake" warning light illuminated. The contact was able to stop however, the brake pedal had to be depressed to the floorboard to slow the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer and was made aware of Customer Satisfaction Program: N232414840 - and replaced the Trailer Brake Power Module (TBPM). The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact returned the vehicle to the same dealer and the Trailer Brake Power Module was replaced a second time. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. …
The contact owns a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front and rear brake caliper hoses collapsed. The failure caused a complete loss of braking ability. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that a brake hose failure caused the brake caliper hoses to collapse, impacting the brake caliper pistons. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
The contact owns a 2022 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the message "Trailer Brake Disconnected" was displayed on the instrument panel. The contact was hauling a 5th-wheel trailer during the failure. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited for several minutes before restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure persisted. Most recently, while driving 55 MPH, the message "Trailer Brake Disconnected" was displayed. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and waited before restarting the vehicle and continuing driving. The contact stated that before the most recent failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer and the trailer plug was replaced. …
When towing our 5th wheel RV we started getting messages on the computer that the trailer brakes were not working due to an issue with the brake controller. Trailer brakes would come and go. The only time we got notification was when towing. Only 20 minutes after getting the first notification we were involved in an accident due to the trailer brakes not working. We thoroughly had the trailer brakes and plugs checked and they are not the problem .
The contact filed the complaint on behalf of the owner of a 2021 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while the vehicle owner was driving at an undisclosed speed, the driver noticed that the rear wheels were attempting to lockup. The contact stated that the failure was noticeable while driving forward and while reversing. No warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with detached rear brake pads and detached rear emergency brake shoes. In addition, the rear brake caliber had seized. The vehicle owner was informed that the rear brake pads and the rear emergency brake shoes needed to be replaced, and the rear brake caliber needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. …
The vehicle recently had a recall repaired at the dealership. I subsequently took delivery on it as a BRAND NEW UNIT, and the brakes are extremely soft; to the point where I must depress the pedal to the floor to get it stopped even at slow speeds. I hoped it was just an air bubble from the repair; but the fluid levels are full and the dealer had no ideas on what could be wrong at this point. I have a great relationship with this dealer, and we'll continue working on it. But GM is releasing absolute trash lately and I fear that some poor family will load up, trusting these vehicles, and be badly injured or killed. After 200 miles of driving it back to my residence, both at highway speeds and residential road speeds, these brakes have not improved; ruling out an air bubble. I'm worried it may be associated with the recall that was previously remedied.
Related recalls (4)
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 › 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 3500 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (16), 2004 (14), 2000 (12), 2024 (11) and 2005 (10) model years. Brake complaints make up 44% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for GMC Sierra 3500 brake problems?
Yes — 4 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 3500 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 66,000 miles; 39% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions), followed by the foundation components (2).
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.