Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 GMC Sierra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
When my issues started, I would fill my gas tank and the gas gauge would plummet to empty. While driving, it would go to full, back to empty or be anywhere in between. At that time, there no no mechanical issues, just the annoying fact that you had no idea how much fuel you actually had. This went on until this spring, when I had the first potentially dangerous incident. I was driving down a county highway at approximately the speed limit and the truck's engine just shut off. No power steering, nothing. It happened just as I was coming to a stop sign thankfully. I was about 50 miles from home and was able to call a friend that manages the collision center of a local car dealership to see about getting a tow or his opinion as to what was wrong. After about ten minutes and after numerous attempts, it restarted. …
Engine knocks when starting cold and when pulling a trailer or under a load. Took truck to dealer and was advised that all the 5.3 liter engines will eventually do it. Also said that general motors is aware of the problem. I then called general motors and asked them about the problem. They said that it was a carbon build up. So they had the dealer do a decarbonasation which removes the carbon build up. When it was finished, it was worse than it was before they worked on it. I called general motors back and then they told me that the pistons are smaller than normal and that they are slapping around in the cylinder walls causing the knocking noise, and that they are not doing nothing about it because it is not doing any damage to the motor. They offered me an extended warranty on the drive train and I declined it. I paid for a quiet running gas motor, not one that sounds like a diesel. …
Tl contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra. While driving approximately 15 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine stalled. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The engine immediately restarted without assistance and the vehicle began to operate normally. The service engine warning indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the crankshaft position sensor. Through research, the contact discovered NHTSA campaign id number 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). He was informed that the VIN was excluded from the recall, although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 65,000.
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 z71 with 5.3l Vortec engine. Engine knocks loudly for approximately 10 seconds on every cold start. Called the dealer and spoke with service department. Person I spoke with stated that "all 5.3 liter engines do that" and that it was "normal". I emailed GMC with my concern and they replied: we have contacted your dealer to review this concern. According to the information they provided and that we have here, this tick is a characteristic of this engine. It has been determined that this tick is not indicative of any damage being done to the engine and does not compromise the longevity or durability of the engine or its components. Your dealer May be able to provide you with additional information regarding this matter. Ts
Tl contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off so the contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an authorized dealership; the dealer stated that the crankshaft sensor was the cause for failure. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in recall 07V521000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,320.
When the air conditioner (A/C) is used it takes at least eight minutes for the cool air to flow. There is a foul odor coming from the vents that smells like rotten eggs. Also, consumer is concerned with the sound of the engine. Although the vehicle is equipped with a gas engine, it sounds like a diesel engine. There is a irritating noise that occurs intermittently at any speed. The dealer claims that the noise is normal. Engine burns 3 qts. Of oil every 3000 miles and the fuel gauge isn't accurate.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contacts home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the crankshaft needed to replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the VIN failed to qualify for a recall under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V521000(engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 29,000.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Engine complaints in other Sierra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2001 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2001 GMC Sierra, 9% of the model year's 264 complaints. The component named most often is engine (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 GMC Sierra engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-521 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 7, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 29% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.