Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 9.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
140Complaints
5Recalls
10Crashes
0Fires
2Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (28.6% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Service Brakes complaints here are 9.6× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
4 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 2 rest on owner reports alone.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Service Brakes
40 · 28.6%
Recalled
Recall 06E050000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
37 · 26.4%
Recalled
Recall 06E050000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
19 · 13.6%
Recalled
Recall 06E050000
Parking Brake
13 · 9.3%
Investigation closed
EA04011 → recall 05V161000 · PE03057
Fuel System, Gasoline
11 · 7.9%
Recalled
Recall 06E043000
Electrical System
6 · 4.3%
No official action
—
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP19 · 13.6%
PARKING BRAKE13 · 9.3%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE11 · 7.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6 · 4.3%
WHEELS4 · 2.9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM4 · 2.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR3 · 2.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING3 · 2.1%
Percentages are the share of the 140 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
IF THE TIRES ARE UNDER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE, AND THE TIRE COULD DEGRADE TO A POINT OF ALLOWING SUDDEN AIR LOSS. IF THE TIRES ARE OVER-INFLATED, IT COULD REDUCE THE TREAD LIFE OF THE TIRE AND INCREASE SUSCEPTIBILITY TO ROAD HAZARD DAMAGE.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“Truck has just over 150k miles. Maintained well and garaged when possible. 1) Noticed a fuel smell from the driver side door area and after…”NHTSA complaint 11443624 — filed 12/13/2021 · SERVICE BRAKES
“ABS MESSAGE LIGHT CAME ON CONSISTENTLY AND DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE EXPLAINED BY MY MECHANIC SHOP, I HAD THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR CHANGED AND…”NHTSA complaint 11096402 — filed 05/16/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
“BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT UNDER DRIVERS SIDE CAB. TRUCK STUCK IN DRIVEWAY. LUCKY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY WILL COST ALMOST AS MUSH AS…”NHTSA complaint 11092738 — filed 05/09/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500?
Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 40 of 140 NHTSA complaints (28.6%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (37), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (19), parking brake (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
140 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 04V562000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 GMC Sierra 1500's reported problems?
4 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
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