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2000 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

The most common problem on the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 is brakes, typically around 74,000 miles. It has 1.4 times the complaints of a typical Sierra 3500 model year.

Typical year1.4x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
26
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
112
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    12
  • Body
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Tires
    2

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    12
  • Body
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Transmission
    3
  • Tires
    2
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Steering
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Visibility
    1

Recalls 2

Equipment adaptive/mobilityReported November 26, 2004 · 1,660 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Risk
In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1‑908‑231‑1804 or mobilityworks at 1‑800‑769‑8267.

Recall number 04V562000 · Recall details

Steering: linkages: drag: link: connectionReported February 28, 2000 · 1,462 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: chassis cabs. The tapered hole in the drag link end that attaches to the pitman arm tapered ball stud may be machined too deep causing the hole to be oversized. A drag link with an oversized hole may not "seat" the pitman arm tapered ball when assembled. This could cause higher than normal friction between components during operation, and possibly result in joint separation or a broken ball stud.
Risk
If the joint separated or the ball stud brake while the vehicle was moving, steering control would be lost.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect the steering linkage assembly and, if necessary, replace the drag link and the pitman arm.

Recall number 00V054000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500

Defect investigations

Hydraulic pump shaft failuresOpened January 8, 2004, closed April 30, 2004

The preliminary evaulation is being upgraded.during the ea odi will limitits investigation to only those vehicles equipped with a hydro-boost system, which provides power assist to the braking and steering sytems.vaccuum brake booster vehicles are excluded.odi hasexpanded the scope of the ea to include model years2003 and 2004, asduring the pe, odi learned that the hydroboast pumps were modified in febraury 2004.therefore,odi has expanded the scope to include the additional model years.odi's is concerned because thisisa sudden failure that affects two critical systems of the vehicle, brakes and steering, at the same time.the ability of the operator to handle the dual failures is a concern. Further, these vehicles tend to be work vehicles, with some over 10,000 pounds gvwr and many equipped to pull large trailers.dual failures of heavily loaded vehicles and vehicles pulling trailers further increases the safety risk.odi plans to conduct testing to quantify the braking and steering performance degradation and the impact on safe vehicle control, when a hydroboast pump fails.

PE04004

Technical service bulletins for the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 112

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 112 bulletins for the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500

What 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Apr 21, 2025 · Transmission · MS

Previous years of my truck with the Allison “branded” transmission have been reported to lock up while driving. From what I can gather there was a recall. Instead of fixing the issues with the transmission a program was installed to put the transmission in limp mode during the failure. My model, a 2023 apparently came with the limp mode feature already installed. When my transmission failed it took the truck out of gear and locked up for a moment before I could safely pull over.

Filed Mar 21, 2018 · 260,000 miles · IA

Faulty inside door handles and mechanicisms.the door handle itself will break or the connecting mechanism will break not allowing the occupants any ability to leave from the vehicle in case of an emergency or otherwise causing them to be trapped inside. This is particularly dangerous in a fire, submerged in water or windows freezing shut from ice or snow.

Filed Oct 5, 2012 · Tires · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 gmc 3500 equipped with bf goodrich tires, size lt245/75/r16. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12t019000 (tires:tread/belt) and went to a local tire shop to have the tires changed however, the contact was advised that they were not aware of the recall. The contact notified the manufacturer who advised him to return to the tire shop to have the tires replaced. The tires were never replaced. The dot number was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Brakes · PA

Exiting the highway on an off ramp, applied the brakes and the peddle went to the floor. Found a brake line had corroded and burst. Had to repair along the road.

Filed Dec 28, 2010 · Brakes · 29,567 miles · NY · crash

2000 gmc k3500 reg. Cab pickup 4x4 -- brake pedal goes to floor and ABS system engages. Vehicle has extended braking distances on dry pavement. Brake light comes on and goes off after re-application of brakes by "pumping" them. Pedal also goes to floor without engagement of ABS system and vehicle will not stop. Problem has been recurring for three (3) years but this time vehicle was intentionally driven into a snowbank to prevent a collision with another vehicle. On 06/24/2010 driver rear brake line (steel) rotted through where it touched frame and expelled all brake fluid from master cylinder also causing brake failure.other lines also showing premature corrosion. Brakes always have a soft and spongy feel even after replacement of fluid and bleeding of entire system. Parking brake cable (front) also snapped due to corrosion at underside of cab.

Filed Sep 7, 2010 · Brakes · 48,000 miles · NH

Brake lines have rusted and ruptured in my 2000 gmc 3500 3 times. I am the original owner. Last replacement lasted only 23 months.

Filed Jun 24, 2010 · Brakes · 88,000 miles · MI

Steel brake pipe that carries fluid to the rear brakes ruptured next to the fuel tank. Fluid is leaking and pooling on the flange of frame. Stopping performance is degraded, and no warning has registered via the instrument cluster or idiot lights. Line is badly corroded, which perhaps is to be expected given the age of the vehicle. However, I find it ironic that the exhaust system is made of stainless steel yet the brake lines are not. This vehicle has had other brake-related failures that gm refused to correct, despite having recalled contemporary vehicles with identical problems. It is an unusual build - old (gmt400)bodystyle, model year 2000, 1 ton crew cab longbox. I believe gm forgot they built these and thus they neglect to include trucks of this type in their prior recalls. Registering this complaint in hopes that gm will remember to include such trucks in the ongoing pe over the brake pipe corrosion issue.

Filed May 28, 2010 · Brakes · 57,007 miles · 00

Brake lines have corroded to the point the vehicle fails local safety inspection cause was said to be bad material used in brake line construction.

Filed Feb 26, 2009 · Engine · 58,000 miles · IN

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 gmc 3500. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle shut off and the braking and steering functions became inoperable. When the failure occurs, the contact must jumpstart the vehicle or wait until the vehicle cools down in order for it to be restarted. The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure because it could not be duplicated. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 58,000 and current mileage was 62,000.

Filed Nov 6, 2008 · Brakes · 74,000 miles · MI

Abs brakes activate inappropriately at low speeds (under 10 MPH) on smooth dry surfaces. This lengthens the stopping distance and creates the potential for a crash when available stopping distance is limited. The design is flawed in that 1) normal corrosion, expected during the life of the vehicle, frequently leads to this failure of the brake system, and 2) when this normal, expected corrosion occurs, the ABS system does not 'fail to safe', but instead fails in a manner that reduces brake system performance and increases stopping distance once problem began, it happens all the time. Dealer removed the front wheel speed sensors from the wheel bearings, cleaned corrosion off the mounting surface, and reinstalled the sensors. This is exactly the same failure mode, same root cause, same corrective action as described in gm's existing product safety recall #05068c, however gm refused to repair the vehicle under the terms of the recall because, as it is currently written, the recall does not cover the small number of trucks built at the flint plant. My vehicle was built in the affected time frame, with the suspect components, and exhibits exactly the same safety defect as described in the recall, but gm has their head in the sand with regard to the fact that there were a batch of affected vehicles built at flint. The recall needs to be expanded and gm should be assessed punitive damages for the shameful way they are treating customers who request assistance in getting their vehicle fixed. I had the vehicle repaired at my own expense and gm has refused to assist with the cost of the repair. Gm rep actually suggested that I file this complaint, as he claimed that he was not empowered to resolve the problem without a the federal safety agency complaint history to justify action.

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Questions about the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500

Is the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?

Owners have filed 26 complaints about the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500, 1.4 times a typical Sierra 3500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500?

Brakes, with 12 complaints, typically around 74,000 miles. Next is body (3).

How many recalls does the 2000 GMC Sierra 3500 have?

2 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility and steering.

What year does the GMC Sierra 3500 have bad brakes?

The GMC Sierra 3500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (16 complaints), 2004 (14 complaints) and 2000 (12 complaints).

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