Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The frame on the truck is cracked several inches in a couple of places and rotted. It is very thin and I was told there was nothing solid to weld to and repair it. They said I would have to have the frame replaced. The truck has just turned 100000 miles. I have had it for six years and take excellent care of it. It runs great. The body is in excellent shape, there is one small hole in the driver side rocker panel I was going to repair in the near future ( I do not know if I will now bother). Other than that the body is near perfect. There is no rot in the floors or truck bed. The repair shop could not believe how bad the frame is when the truck looks so great. I have found a number of complaints on the internet similar to this, maybe if enough people speak up something will get done. Also, the anti lock brakes have not worked for some time now. …
Tailgate strap on pass side of truck broke while tailgate was down and tailgate actually came off and damaged tailgate. This has happened 3 times after this. My 17 year old son drives this truck and 1 times this happened he was on a busy street and could not get to the side of the road and drug the tailgate about 1/4 of a mile before he could get out of traffic to reattach the tailgate. I have not had the tailgate repaired, because of the fear of this happening again and causing even more damage. I have at this point removed the tailgate from the truck until I can find a resoution for this problem.
I filed a complaint last year (odi# 10125958) about my one tailgate cable breaking and GM telling me that my VIN was not covered under the tailgate cable recall NHTSA#04V129000 GM recall#04007. I have not heard anything from the NHTSA or GM. Since then my other cable has broken making my tailgate useless. Now whenever I have to load something into my truck, I have to take my tailgate off. That's an injury just waiting to happen. But then again, I guess the NHTSA does not care or listen until the injuries happen anyway.
Attempting to stop for a school bus, as I pressed on the brake pedal it went to the floor and the truck did not come to a complete stop. After pulling over, it was discovered that the brake line was leaking fluid on the ground. Upon further inspection, noticed the brake lines are corroded. Be it know that the frame and body parts on this truck are also rusted as to not pass state inspection. The truck is just over 10 years old and unsafe to drive due to multiple manufacture defects.
Dt: hen the tailgate was opened,owner realized that the passneger side cable broke in the middle. Owner was afraid that the tailgate will fall off becuase there was only one cable holding it.there was recall 04V129000 was issued, but owner's vehicle was not included due to VIN. The dealership will charge owner for the repair work. At this time the owner did not use the tailgate. Owner didn't want to pay for the repairs becuase GMC waa aware that there was a problem.
Driving truck in town applied brakes at a stoplight brake pedal went straight to the floor. No brakes at all had to go thru the red light and around 3 cars in front of me, rubbed the curb to get the truck to stop. Rust and corrosion on the steel rear brake lines caused line failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that the front driver and passenger side door handles were inoperable. The contact could not enter the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and no repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 200,000.
The tailgate support cable ( one ) rusted through . Bulletin no.04007a issued oct 22, 2004 does not cover this problem since my truck was built on, or about, August of 1999 and the start date of the existing recall is 10/99. Please reference NHTSA item number 10010543.
The tailgate cable broke while loading an atv bike. As result, the bike flipped backwards and injured consumer's hands. This failure was caused by rust developing in the cable. The consumer has met other consumer's who have experienced the same problem.
The tailgate cables rusted through and broke, causing the tailgate to detach from the vehicle. The tailgate was being lowered when the cables unexpectedly snapped and rested on the bumper. This hit the consumer on the legs but caused no injury.
Related recalls
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
Certain pickup trucks have galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position. Over time these cables can corrode and fracture when loads are applied to them.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables. In addition, dealers are to inspect the tailgate hinge and replace it, if necessary.
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and attachments
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position May corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on April 7, 20004. The recall began on September 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through October 29, 2004.
Body complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2000 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the body & structure of the 2000 GMC Sierra, 8% of the model year's 443 complaints. The component named most often is body › tailgate › hinge and attachments (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 GMC Sierra body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-066 (hinge and attachments, Mar 8, 2006); NHTSA recall 04V-129 (hinge and attachments, Mar 17, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 GMC Sierra body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 88,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries to body & structure 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.