Most common 2001 GMC Sierra problems
Share of the 264 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra complaints by model year
Best Sierra years: 2020, 2018, 2009. Years to avoid: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996, 1997. Compare all years →
2001 GMC Sierra recalls (4)
Engine and engine cooling
On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light May illuminate and the vehicle May run rough. The engine May stall, and if so, May re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on December 18, 2007. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles May experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas.
Remedy: Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel…
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings May wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 9 possible defects involving the 2001 GMC Sierra:
Brake line corrosion failure
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility…
Crank position sensor failure - stall
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on May 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general…
Unwanted low-speed ABS activation
In a letter dated August 29, 2005, GM notified odi that it was recalling certain model year 1999 through 2002 c/k pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles to correct a problem with anti-lock brake system (ABS) wheel speed sensor corrosion that May result in unwanted ABS activation and extended stopping distances during low-speed braking (recall 05v-379).GM's recall covers approximately 804,000 vehicles currently…
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake…
Throttle sticking
There is no summary currently available
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated April 20, 2005, GM notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to GM, some of these vehicles May have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an…
Tailgate cable breakage
General motors filed a defect notice 04v-129 on March 17, 2004, which outlines a program to replace the tailgate cables installed in affected model year 2000-2004 vehicles.refer to odi's closing report for ea04-005 for additional information.odi is aware of reports of tailgate cable breakage occurring in model year 1999 and earlier vehicles.these vehicles were equipped with similar tailgate cables as addressed by…
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
What 2001 GMC Sierra owners say
Brakes all 150 →
05068a product safety recall front wheel speed sensor corrosion. My vehicle was serviced for this recall in 2006 which involved removing and cleaning the ABS sensor and reinstalling it. No redesign was created to improve this flawed design. I'm having the same failures described and covered in this recall. While moving at slow speeds in dry conditions ABS kicks in and increases my stopping distance. I hit a parked car in a parking lot due to this defect. My vehicle was in motion at <5mph on dry pavement when the breaks went into 'ABS mode' and hit a stationary parked car. Luckily no one was hurt. When I contacted GMC I was told that this would not be covered under the recall because it was already serviced for this recall in 2006 and that the issue was therefore closed. In my case the original recall was not adequate and my car breaks still failed even though serviced in 2006. …
My 2001 GMC Sierra pick up truck 43K miles , brakes failed while attempting to come to a stop in the parking lot of the long beach 24hr family fitness center resulting in the vehicle hitting a wall on jan 11 2006. I pushed the brake pedal to the floor and no brakes available. While foot on the brake trying to stop the vehicle, there came an indeterminate pulsing sound and vibration on the pedal. The vehicle hit the parking structure wall at a very slow speed (about 3-5 miles per hour). The truck is under an extended warrenty and the dealer found the front left wheel bearing and hub to have excessive play and was replaced with my $100.00 deductable. The damage to the truck was totaled at $2828.20. …
Engine & cooling all 23 →
Disc rotor delamination, anti-lock control. I was pulling a 3/4 ton van stuck in his yard, as I got him close to the hard surface ( driveway) I put on the brakes and the truck wouldn't stop, it hit the corner of his block house. No damage to the house however I had to replace all but hood and one headlight assy. 10 MPH and neither bag deployed. I thought it was my own stupidity until reading all the issues on here w/ GM's braking problems. I feel a bit better about myself. The big issue !! All four rotors delaminated w/ 46,000 miles this is the 1st new truck I've owned and believe me it's been babied for sure. I was told by my service dealer there was nothing GM would do about this problem it was my problem for not driving it as much as I should (b.s.) dealer wanted to charge me a grand to replace all the rotors and pads I did it for 500.00 and still have the old parts. …
While parking on an icy pavement, the ABS failed and caused the vehicle to hit and roll over the concrete parking divider. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer cleaned the corrosion off both front wheel sensors. The consumer stated that his brakes failed 3 times under 5mph. The consumer stated that the vehicle also has engine trouble and has had trouble since purchase.
Wheels & tires
I own a 2001 GMC Sierra, I was driving from one job to the other when a person driving next to me flagged me down saying that I dropped my spare tire. I stopped and looked under my truck, I was missing my tire and the cable that was holding the spare tire was busted. Luckily the incident happened after school and speed limits were at 20mph. No one got hurt but if this would of happened while I was driving in a congested high speed road this could of caused a serious accident. The safty of all people are at risk of this happening as I experienced it myself. A 2001 vehicle should not have a part that can bust and drop a tire on the road. I took this report to champion GMC located in corpus christi texas. The man that attended me mel did nothing but give me a 200.00 estimate for parts and labor repair. I believe that this part should be under recall before it causes a problem or death.
Engine uses to much oil, knocks, smokes body- truck bed sides are rippeling because the metal is to thin,& can not handel the weight of a lumber rack, front bumper is dented on both sides but in differant places, was like this at delivery, all the trucks were like this but all of them in differant places.manufacture defect exhaust- loose parts inside of muffler, exhaust rattels from mounting hardware, muffler retains water and leaks at the seams. Paint-rust on the top of cab seatbelt- driver side belt will not recoil,broken seat belt bracket.(this is a safty issue) tires-below 1/32 tread left at 23,000 miles(this is also a safty issue) transmission-makes a cluncking noise at low speeds,takes a long time to shift when running the A/C also makes a howling noise,transmission slips.
2001 GMC Sierra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 19 / 16 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 4.8L 8-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 16 / 14 |
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 10 / 13 / 11 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 GMC Sierra a good car?
Based on 264 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Sierra rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Sierra at the same age. It is one of the Sierra years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 GMC Sierra?
The brakes — 150 complaints, 57% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the engine & cooling (23) and wheels & tires (19).
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Sierra have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2001 GMC Sierra, the most recent from November 7, 2007 (engine and engine cooling). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2018 and 2009. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1999, 2000, 1995, 1996 and 1997. See the full GMC Sierra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 62,000 miles; 39% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.