10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,731 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

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problem #19

Oct 152009

Sierra 1500

  • 66,500 miles
2001 GMC 1500 Sierra 4X4 currently has 68K miles. Vehicle speed sensors causing ABS brake activation at speeds below 12mph. Vehicle was repaired originally on 2/28/2005 for this condition. Vehicle is having a reoccurance of this currently noticed on or around 10/2009. Vehicle was brought into a dealership for diagnosis and it was diagnosed that senors are in need of complete replacement, however General Motors has stated they will not replace the sensorts and a recall has never existed for said vehicle (ref NHTSA recall# 05V379000). General Motors contact that stated this recalll did not exist. Currently, the failure has not been repaired, and old parts are available. This condition occurs 95% of the time when braking below 12mph, and makes it extremely difficult to stop the vehicle at intersections, traffic, etc. Looking for GM to correct this problem before any accidents or injuries occur. Also parking brake has never sufficiently held vehicle as it gets depressed to floor and vehicle still can roll, promoting a hazard to others in the vicinity if the transmission lock gives out.

- Milford, PA, USA

problem #18

Oct 012006

Sierra 1500

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. At low speeds he experienced unwanted anti-lock brake (ABS) activation. A mechanic replaced the front and rear brakes. The dealer confirmed that recall # 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti-lock) free remedy was not related to his vehicle identification number. No repairs were made. The failure mileage was 90,000. The current mileage was 140,000.

- Chittenango, NY, USA

problem #17

Jan 262009

Sierra 1500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 37,600 miles
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the antilock brakes prematurely activate on dry pavement. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 05V379000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock). The failure mileage was 37,600. Updated 3/5/09 updated 03/10/09.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

problem #16

Feb 012008

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. The cable stop has fallen off the emergency brake release cable. The contact stated that he has been driving without an emergency brake ever since. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The failure mileage was 33,000. Updated 06/03/10 the consumer also stated the ABS activated when it shouldn't have. Updated 06/04/10.

- Ijamsville, MD, USA

problem #15

Jul 282007

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the antilock brake system pulsates between 1-5 mph when the brake pedal is depressed. The dealer stated that there was a recall; however, his VIN was not included. At another repair shop, the contact was charged for a diagnostic and was informed that the failure was due to a defective antilock brake sensor. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic and they stated that there was failure with the wheel speed sensor on the front end of the vehicle due to corrosion. The recall number was unknown. The failure mileage was 27,000 and current mileage was 33,000. Updated 09/13/08. At speeds below 10 mph, the ABS activated, not allowing the vehicle to stop at the proper distance. Updated 09/17/08.

- Fryeburg, ME, USA

problem #14

Nov 302005

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles
Brake system performance is poor. Compared to brake performance when new, vehicle takes too long to stop from any speed above 20 mph. Have replaced all pads, all rotors, and bled brakes twice; no noticeable improvement in performance. This was first noticed at 80,000 miles, vehicle currently has 110,000 miles.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #13

Mar 302007

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 57,232 miles
Had a recall on my 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 series pick up truck for front wheel speed sensor. After they replaced it my anti lock brakes started engaging at speeds below 5 mi/hr. Not always but frequently. Especially in bumper to bumper traffic or coming to a slow stop.

- Albany, CA, USA

problem #12

Feb 282007

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I have a 01 GMC Sierra (light duty) that has the same problem with the ABS breaking system as the trucks in recall in the North eastern states. My problem is I bought the truck in Florida...moved to Delaware and have lived here the past ten months..truck is still registered in Florida...and GMC won't replace the recall ABS sensors because I purchased the truck in Florida and its has a VIN number showing origination in Florida...how ridiculous is this"??????? is this legal to deny me a recall....when I can prove I have a permanent residence in Delaware???"

- Smyrna, DE, USA

problem #11

Sep 012001

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
- while driving the 2001 GMC Sierra extended cab at 20 mph she attempted to depress the brakes and the vehicle begaqn to slow down, then without warning the brake pedal went to the floor and vehicle accelerated. This failure resulted in a crash. The contact attempted to maneuver the vehicle to the left to avoid a collision, but was unable to, and the passenger side front bumper crashed into the driver's side passenger door of another vehicle. The road conditions were clear. The vehicle was drivable, however, the contact had the vehicle towed to the dealership. The contact stated there was a complete state inspection of the vehicle done by the dealership September 8, 2006, prior to the crash. The dealership replaced the front wheel sensor speed. The dealership investigated the vehicle after the crash and notfied the contact there was nothing wrong with brakes. The vehicle currently had 52300 miles.

- Mount Pleasant, PA, USA

problem #10

Dec 132006

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,051 miles
Slow speed unintentional activation of the anti-lock brake system.

- Auburn, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 252006

Sierra 1500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles
: the contact stated a recall letter was received pertaining to the ABS brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall work. After the repairs were made, the dealer determined that additional work needed to be performed to the brakes, but would not be covered under the recall. The repairs were never made and the ABS brakes still presented permanent and repeatable problems.

- Nazareth, PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 062004

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
: the contact stated while driving 35 mph under normal road conditions, the hydraulic braking system failed. The failure occurred intermittently. The ABS activated at low speeds. There was no warning prior to the failure. As a result, when applying the brake, the vehicle did not stop and resulted in two rear end collisions. The accidents were reported to the insurance. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer who could not duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was alerted but denied the claim. Updated 10/25/2006 -

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 312006

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles
: the contact stated that the vehicle's ABS activates at low speeds of 5-10 mph. The ABS light was not illuminated in the vehicle. Updated 8/16/2006 -

- Arundel, ME, USA

problem #6

Aug 162005

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • miles
Consumer requesting reimbursement for 2001 K1500. The consumer rear ended another vehicle and believed it was a direct result of the recall that was issued.

- Unknown, DC, USA

problem #5

Oct 132005

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 31,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 1500 Sierra pickup truck. He has been having a problems with the ABS brakes ever since he bought the truck six months ago. It has gotten progressively worse. The ABS kicks in at low speeds, and there are no brakes. The dealer said there was no recall. They told him to call back in a couple of weeks. He called back and they said there still wasn't any recall. He wanted to file a complaint in the event this vehicle will not be included in a future recall. He heard on the news that recall 05V379000 will be issued.

- Woodhull, NY, USA

problem #4

Jan 152005

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
Consumer says at low speed under 9 mph the anti lock brake system kicks in, and vehicle loses braking ability. This happens all the time. Brakes pulsate, and consumer says he has to use the parking brake to stop. This started about six months ago.

- Germantown, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 012004

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,000 miles
ABS was not working correctly. Recently had new brakes put on by a dealer, and this is not working properly. When applying brake pressure you hear a growling noise, and extended stopping distance. No other repairs have been made, but has returned to the dealer, who stated there was a problem with the ABS system.

- Malta, NY, USA

problem #2

Jan 162004

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,900 miles
2001 GMC K1500 Sierra, 52000 miles coming to a stop near 0 mph the ABS brakes start pulsating. This causes the truck to stop a few feet further from where you expect. This intermittent problem is more solid when the front wheels are turned (like stopping at an intersection around a bend or, turning into a parking space).

- Milton, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 062004

Sierra 1500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,600 miles
My 2001 GMC Sierra 4X4 pickup was designed with the rear brake calipers installed on the front of the rotors. Any road debris thrown-up by the front wheels causes the rear brakes to malfunction. The truck has 44600 miles on it. The front brake pads are in excellent shape. The rear pads, on the outside, are in excellent shape. The rear pads, on the inside, are worn to the metal. I complained about a noise in the rear end while it was under warranty.the rear brakes always hang when you stop, then make twin popping sounds when you start-off again. The problem was never found or fixed. This is not easy to detect and could lead to severe brake failure.

- Pine Bluff, AR, USA