The truck has low mileage for it's age but it 3 times starting in 2005 it has caught fire in and around the battery/alternator. I've given gmc multiple times to fix the problem but it just happened again. It happened on the highway at first and it happened in my driveway the other day.
The worst 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes16
- Engine9
- Fuel system8
- Body2
- Tires2
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
- Locks1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500
Recalls 2
Equipment adaptive/mobility
- 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
Interior lighting
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: certain pickup trucks equipped with 6.6l diesel engines fail to comply with requirements of fmvss no. 105, "hydraulic and electric brake systems." these vehicles have a brake system warning light in the instrument cluster that may not illuminate when the brake fluid is low. In addition, when the brake fluid is low, the vehicle may not meet the partial system requirements of fmvss no. 105.
- Risk
- These conditions could result in reduced braking capability, which could lead to a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will change the location of a wire connection in the underhood bussed electrical center. Owner notification began july 9, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 01V220000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500
Defect investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
In a letter dated november 7, 2007, general motors (gm) reported to the office of defects investigation (odi) that it will conduct a safety recall (07v‑521) to replace the crank position sensor (ckp) in approximately 12,000 model year (my) 2001 chevrolet silverado and gmc sierra vehicles equipped with 8.1 liter engines manufactured on or before november 15, 2000.according to gm, the ckp can fail intermittently or permanently.a permanent ckp failure would result in an engine stall without restart.an intermittent ckp failure could cause the service engine soon light to illuminate, the vehicle to run rough or the engine to stall but allows restart.as a remedy, an improved ckp will be installed in the subject vehicles.the recall campaign will start in december 2007. During the preliminary evaluation (pe06-016), and this ea investigation, gm and odi independently conducted detailed reviews of certain field data to understand the nature and rate of subject vehicle stalling due to ckp failures.gm and odi reviewed gm's warranty claims for the ckp with the objective of ascertaining an estimate of those claims representing an engine stall while driving.the ckp warranty claims without verbatim text were the largest segment of warranty claims.using those claims, gm surveyed vehicle owners to gather additional information to determine if the claim was associated with a stall while driving event.based on the survey, gm estimated that approximately 49% of all warranty repairs for the ckp involved a stall while driving.odi?s review of gm's survey data produced a higher estimate (71%) for stall while driving.gm further estimated the rate of stall while driving for the subject vehicles over time.it estimated stalling while driving rates of 1.6%, 4.6% and 8.9% at 1, 3 and 6 years in service respectively.odi's review of the gm's survey data finds higher estimated stall while driving rates of 2.2%, 6.8% and 13% at 1, 3 and 6 years in service respectively. Odi also conducted a survey of vehicle owners using consumer complaints reported to both odi and gm.the objective was to ascertain the potential safety consequences of an engine stall due to the alleged defect.with respect to the ability to restart the vehicle after a stall, 11% reported immediate restart, 69% reported delayed restart and 20% reported no restart.over half noted at least one engine stall incident at speeds in excess of 40mph. About one-third noted the vehicle was stranded either partially or fully in a lane of traffic after the engine stall.all of the consumers surveyed noted multiple stalling events prior to proper diagnosis and replacement of the ckp.based on gm's decision to conduct a safety recall, this investigation is closed.
EA06016
Hydraulic pump shaft failures
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 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 164
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific...
- This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake...
- This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil...
What 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Sold me a "good running vehicle" that the fuel system failed cause engine to shutdown, caused no braking, vehicle pulled out of center do to steering components, no safety belts in rear of vehicle
I almost ran into another car because the other driver stopped suddenly and I had to pump the brakes over and over to stop when the rusted line broke. I was on a city street driving speed limit and was lucky to be able to stop. I was towing my trailer last week and almost lost the trailer because the entire underbody is rusted. I have had several trucks and never have seen this happen. It was a scary situation in both cases.
Brake line ruptured leading to complete loss of braking. Hit car in front of me as it came to a stop. This is the second time that the brakes have failed due to brake line rupture due to excessive corrosion of the brake line metal. Please force gm to issue a recall.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc 3500. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the injection pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred two years later. The dealer stated that the injection pump needed to be replaced again. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
Three weeks ago noticed low brake fluid. Filled reservoir and didn't see and leaks. Yesterday I was in town shopping and when I came out of store and leaving brake peddle went to floor when I tried to stop had enough brake to stop before hitting car in front of me. Bought a quart of fluid and refilled tank and cautiously made it the 25 miles home after refilling twice. Looked under truck and saw leak above the fuel filter. The whole line under truck is terribly corroded and will need replacing. I live in hawaii and have had the truck for 5 years so no salt damage here.
My 2001 gmc sierra 3500 with a 8.1l v8 engine stalled while on the freeway. It would not restart until a "cool" down period. This problem surfaced as not being able to start the engine after it had run and then set for 30 - 60 minutes and would not start until several attempts were made to start it. This has been an ongoing problem for the last year and has progressed to the stall on the freeway. I was finally able to get an engine failure code from the vehicle listed as crankshaft position sensor failure. Upon doing some research I found the recall from gmc (06083 -- crankshaft position sensor engine stall) and called the dealer which informed me that my VIN was not covered under the recall. I then called gmc's customer service and explained that I'm having the exact problems listed on the exact vehicle with the exact engine listed. Also I have since found 3 other complaints with the federal safety agency of this exact same problem on other vehicles that were not covered. It is evident to me that this problem exists beyond the block of VIN's gmc recalled and should be extended to cover these other vehicles. Gmc does not seem to be interested in extending this recall and it should be looked into as a vehicle stalling on the freeway is an extremely dangerous situation that should be resolved.
Brakes failed due to rupture of rusted brake line, no warning light while driving on the interstate. Was barely able to stop by pressing brake pedal to the floor. Abs did not activate. Took vehicle to mechanic. Multiple brake lines rusted out.
Exhaust manifold bolts broke on driver side, back two. These bolts are far too small for the job and this exposes heat and exhaust gases to the environment. Creating a fire danger too.
While driving I had my brakes fail, the pedal went to the floor. It was a result of a broken steel brake line under the drivers seat. What I found when I looked under the truck was all the lines that went to the ABS unit were badly rusted. One of my coworkers had the same problem on his 2001 gmc suburban but he chucked it up to all the camping trips he went on where he left his truck parked off road. My truck however only has 30,000 miles and it has never been taken off road. I also flush the brake fluid once a year as preventative maintenance, so they can't claim they rusted from the inside out. I drive my truck every day to work about one mile away. My driveway is paved and the parking lot at my place of work is also paved. I don't pull any heavy trailers or do anything else that would contribute to the line failure. I am not putting down gm products because all my vehicles are gm vehicles including two antiques. One a 1955 chevy which had original brake lines until I did a disc brake conversion several years back. The other a 1970 chevelle which is currently a restoration project but the line are still original. There is obvious a problem with the material used to make these lines. I was researching the problem online and it appears that there are to many other people with the same problem. Also gm no longer sells the lines which makes it a much more troublesome repair. I also don't own a boat, jet ski or anything else that would require me to put my vehicle in salt water.
Compare the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500
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Questions about the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500
Is the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 36 complaints about the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500, 1.9 times a typical Sierra 3500 model year.
What is the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 year score?
The 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 scores 50 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500?
Brakes, with 16 complaints, typically around 61,580 miles. Next is engine (9).
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
2 recalls, covering equipment adaptive/mobility and interior lighting.
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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