6.4

fairly significant
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
84,600 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. allow vehicle to warm up before driving (1 reports)
  3. try sea foam to remove carbon on pistons (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Jan 292001

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles

I bought the truck in June of 2000 and the noise started about 17 thousand miles. I complained bitterly to GM, and they finally give me a 100 thousand mile or 5 year warranty. It kept getting more noisy and I took it back to no avail. They said it was piston slap and would not hurt the engine. Now I have about 95 thousand miles on the truck and it is so noisy it is embarrassing to start it with someone around. It may never cause the engine to fail but the problem is if I sold this truck to you today you would bring it back tomorrow because the starting noise is terrible. I'm not sure what a dealer would say if I traded it in, I suspect my trade in would be discounted for the noise it makes when it starts. I've tried several thing to help with the noise to no avail. There is no fix according to several mechanics I've talked to, just drive it and hope for the best. GM has had this problem for a long time and has just swept in under the rug.

- dfnickless, Bloomington, IN, US

problem #4

Mar 022011

Sierra 1500 SLT 4.8L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

the vortec motor has been one of the best motors ive dealt with. yes the piston slap is annoying but i live in truck country every one of my friends drives vortec trucks wjhile my family members have nothing but tritons. beleive both are great motors and wouldnt hesitate to drive this truck anywhere. the best way to avoid it is to allow your vehicle to warm up before driving.

- ryanscarf1, Norman, OK, US

problem #3

Dec 012009

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 61,000 miles

OK GMC, WE TRUCK OWNERS ARE GOING TO WRITE THE GOV. AND TELL THEM IF THEY CAN BAIL YALLS SORRY BUTTS OUT YALL CAN BAIL US OUT , AT LEAST MEET US HALF WAY IF THE TRUCK HAS LESS THAN 130,000 K IT SHOULD BE FIXED AT NO COST TO US. YOU SAY DON'T SEND A PICKUP TO DO A TRUCKS JOB WELL HELLO YOU DID JUST THAT AND I WILL NOT STOP UNTIL YOU STAND BEHIND YOUR PRODUCT WHATEVER IT TAKES AND WHOEVER I HAVE TO TALK TO I WILL ! STEP UP GMC NOW NOT LATER ! WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH !!!!!!!

- Franklin M., Evans, GA, US

problem #2

Jun 162010

Sierra 1500 5.3L V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 180,000 miles

i traded my 2000 GMC Z71 a few months ago with 169000 and it had a small tick as soon as it starts cold but i didnt think nothin bout it. now the truck has 179000 and it sounds awful when it cold starts. i have herd that the probem is that when it shuts off the oil drains out of the lifters and dry starts causing a knock or tick for a few minuites untill all the lifters gets oilled. i have herd also that you can bolt on a high performance oil pump and it will solve the problem but i dont wanna go spend the money on one untill i kno it works. hope someone can tell me somethin or gm should have a recall

- Brandon G., Annville, KY, US

problem #1

Jan 122002

Sierra 1500 SLE 5.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 25,000 miles

GM has had this problem with not all, but many 1999 to 2002 engines knocking and that includes V6 and all V8s they secretly bought some back after people fought with lemon lawyers they say it will not hurt the engines. I had a GMC Sierra 5.3 that did it in the winter months at start up. and started looking on the net to see if anyone else had it. they say it is carbon build up on pistons 2003 and newer they got the problem fixed. mine has 167000 miles on it now so it does not seem to have done any damage, but sounds embarrasing at start up in cold weather. since it did not involve safety they did not have to recall. try sea foam to reduce the carbon. or buy a good FORD.

- Bobby W., Parma, MO, US