Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
January 27, 2005, my truck was taken to dealership d/t loud metal grinding in the left front wheel(driver's side). The brakes and rotors were replaced. The sound continued and was taken back to dealership February 2, 2005 and the bearing was "cleaned out". May 7, 2005 while driving on interstate the left front wheel felt like I hit something. When I got off the interstate there was a burning smell. Rounding a curve at 25 MPH the hub and then the axel broke. The truck was not drivable and was towed by aaa to the dealership. It was repaired and I was told it was d/t the after-market wheels.
While coming down a hill put foot on brakes, and it felt like pushing on a brick wall. Consumer proceeded through a stop sign. Consumer has to press brake down twick before vehicle will stop. The brakes failed twice. The steering column makes a grinding noise when turning. Horn failed. Keyless entery failed. Door locks failed. Interior lights failed. The fan in the front end is very loud. The speedometer is inaccurate. The power steering pump shaft broke.
Truck drive train makes clunk noise when I first start off from a stop, also in reverse. When I stop at a red light it feels like someone just hit me from behind. It started at about 39000 miles and has been getting progressively worse and now it has worn out the bushing in the tail shaft of the transmission ,wow $32000 dollars for this truck and nothing but problems .I am truly scared of this truck please help.
Dt: the contact stated the transmission failed while driving. The vehicle would not go into reverse. After getting the vehicle home he had it towed to a transmission shop. They found there was a crack in an internal hub. This caused a loss of oil pressure, and lubrication. They replaced all damaged parts. There have been no problems since.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at various speeds the vehicle intermittently fails to shift into third and fourth gears. When the shifter fails the digital gauges fail to illuminate. The vehicle shifts normally after a short period of time. Upon inspection the independent repair shop was unable to determine the cause of the failure.
The pump driveshaft fractured, causing immediate loss of power steering and power brakes. While on the internet, owner discovered that the same year/make and model was being recalled for this defect. Owner later contacted the manufacturer. However this vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
On 12/13/99 when slowing down to make a left turn, the tourque converter locked up and stalled the truck in middle of traffic while crossing the left lane. With difficulty, truned the wheel back to the right and pull off the road and shifted into park and restarted the truck. Luckly there was very little on coming traffic. On 2/11/00 while coming into a rolling right hand turn and going about 15 MPH, I started to brake and the tourque converted again locked up and the engine stalled. Again with difficulty I was able to steer into the corner and make the corner. As the truck was free rolling it just started itself and it contiuned on, almost crached into two cars waiting at the stop sign. If my wife was driving there would have been a collision. In October when waiting for a traffic light to change, I accellerated and truck didn't move. …
Dt: the contact received NHTSA recall 05V379000 concerning the anti -lock brake system. He took the vehicle to the dealership, and they performed the recall repairs. The ABS light was still on, and the ABS did not work. While driving for short periods of time the consumer experienced brake failure. This resulted in extended stopping distance. He contacted the dealership and manufacturer, but the problem was not covered by the recall. The consumer had difficulty shifting into 3rd gear. Updated 12/07/05.
When hitting a bump there was a very loud noise coming from the rear end. Truck was taken to a dealership.dealership's opinion was that the noise was coming from a dfective ring and pinion in the rear axle. Owner was told that GMC was aware of the problem. GMC did not know what was causing this problem, and was working on a solution. Problem has not been corrected. The front seat belt squeak and has excessive tension. Rear seat latch malfunctions. Under hood light malfunctions.
There is and has been an engine knock since 7/2000, has been in shop 6 times for same problem, GMC contends carbon knock, getting worse. Idles rough, told by dealer and GMC it is a characteristic of vehicle. GMC says they will continue to hornor warranty. What happens when warranty exprires, and the piston comes through the block. Drivetrain hestiates when in gear.
Related recalls
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Transmission complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2000 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2000 GMC Sierra, 6% of the model year's 443 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 GMC Sierra transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-005 (driveshaft, Jan 7, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 GMC Sierra transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.