Driving on the freeway going approx 70 MPH and the ABS warning light, and Stabilitrak warning light suddenly turned on. I’m sure you can imagine how panicked I was going that fast on the freeway and having my brake warnings suddenly turn on. Especially with my entire family in the vehicle with me at the time. Could feel a difference when I was attempting to brake and exit the freeway. Had to apply tons of pressure to get the brake pedal to engage. The cruise control would no longer work, and the trailer brake monitoring system also began flashing. Truck has been to 2 GMC dealerships the ABS module was replaced made it approximately 2 miles and it came back on. Truck is currently waiting for another part to attempt to fix the problem. Truck has 86,000 miles on it.
GMC Sierra 3500 abs comes on
27 of the 586 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra 3500 describe aBS light or ABS activating, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 27
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 49,100
By model year
- 20221
- 20211
- 20201
- 20182
- 20171
- 20131
- 20071
- 20051
- 20041
- 20023
- 20019
- 20003
- 19991
- 19971
Often reported together
Brake failure 5Tire blowout 1Headlights 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2013 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at 50 MPH, the ABS independently engaged. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure, and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 14,000.
Various warning lights are coming on sincve I purchased this vehicle, such as ABS, engine power reduced, oil changing service, service engine light, service trailer brake system, wheel tracking, service ESC, passing gear cuts out. My vehicle has been in the shop many times and is in the shop now. I have a deep concerned for the safety performance of this vehicle for myself and my family.
The contact owns a 2005 GMC Sierra 3500. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to come to a stop while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the brake pedal felt loose. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop and the contact became aware of a brake fluid leak coming from under the hood, and that both front and rear brake lines were rusted. An appointment with the dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
When starting the vehicle, I got a message to service the parking brake (this is the second time I’ve had this warning appear in the 21,000 miles I’ve owned it, first was approximately 5,000 miles ago). When this warning is active the parking brake does not engage, and can’t be used to stop the vehicle when the brakes fail as they did today. With 42,774 miles on the vehicle, and the onboard monitor for brake wear showing remaining brake life at 94% front and 96% rear, brake fluid reservoir between Max and Min the brake pedal went soft and the vehicle would not stop. I resorted to putting the vehicle in neutral and pumping the brakes until the pedal got hard. As soon as I let off the brake my vehicle began to roll backwards, stepped on the brake pedal again and the pedal again went to the floor without stopping or slowing the vehicle (pumping the brakes got it stopped again inches away from running into my house). The myGMC app notified me that I need to service the ABS system. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership for diagnostics and repair. Possibly related, this afternoon before the brakes stopped working I felt a mild vibration when traveling 20-35mph that resembled the vibration that occurs when a wheel bearing has begun to fail. Tow truck driver witnessed the vehicles inability to stop when putting it in neutral to load vehicle. It is unimaginable that a vehicle can be placed on the highway that has no backup system in the event of brake failure. Had a kid run out in front of me there would have been no way to avoid the accident (no other warnings appeared to indicate the vehicle was unsafe to drive. Brakes worked correctly and stopped appropriately until they didn’t).
I had a blow out on my rear tire on my 2020 GMC Sierra 3500 AT4 truck while travelling down the highway while pulling my 43 foot RV fifth wheel toy hauler. The vehicle had 21,000 miles on it. The tires and wheels are Goodyear Wrangler LT275/65R20 E rated tires. The problem is i changed the tire to find i had a a MICHEllin LT 275/70R18 tire for a spare that i changed. This effected the ABS and was hard pulling my RV back home for another 40 miles. Under the federal safety agency Campaign number 21V578000 GM recall number N212329780 there was an issue with the spare tire in the sierra 1500 and 2500 trucks but not mentioned in the 3500. This was a huge safety issue for us to pull the truck home as we had to drive at 35 mph for 40 miles on the highway. GM should not be putting a smaller tire/wheel as a spare on a large truck. One side is significanlty lower than the other when the two different tires are on the back of the vehicle.
Brake are very spongy all the time we’ll While driving in parking lot at low speed we lost brakes happen to hit person in front. This has been a continuous problem to point we are scared to even use the truck to go to store. Took it to Firestone. They told me it was the master cylinder. So they replaced that, replaced the front rotors and pads, did a fluid exchange abs as well? Don’t know what that is. On the internet there is tons of this issue. I even see GMC 1500 is having this issue and there is a recall for the recalibration electric brake controller? Couldn’t it include the full Sierra line?. Why not on the 2500, 3500? Looks to be same system? Rotors and calipers are different thats it If anyone can help please let me know. It’s not covered under warranty and they want to replace some pump for $1500. I just paid $1500 for something totally different
Tl* the contact owns a 2018 gmc sierra 3500. While driving approximately 60 MPH and hauling a trailer, the ABS, service trailer brake, service power steering, and service stabilitrak warning indicators illuminated. Also, the vehicle lost braking functionality. The contact also stated that the failure occurred while not towing a trailer. The vehicle was taken to buster miles chevrolet (1884 almon st, heflin, al 36264, (256) 781-4536) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to retrieve a fault code. The contact was informed that the failure may be due to a wheel speed sensor. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,068.
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.
This morning I noticed the brake pedal traveling down further than normal and little to no stopping power. Once arriving at work I tried to pump the brake pedal and it kept going to the floor. Upon looking under the truck I discovered a puddle of brake fluid. After further inspection I found one of brake lines had rusted through and blown out in front of the ABS module. The general condition of all the brake lines in this area is very rusty. I will likely have to replace all the brake lines due to this.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: electric: control module
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500, and Sierra 3500 vehicles with electronic brake control modules (EBCM) replaced during vehicle assembly. The bolts that attach the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV) assembly may not be properly tightened, which could fail to seal the two sub-assemblies and allow water intrusion.
- Risk
- Water in the BPMV may cause an electrical short circuit and increase the risk of fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised to park outside and away from other structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will replace the BPMV assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 20, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212349181.
Recall number 21V758000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 3500, 1500 Crew Cab Special Service, Tahoe Police Pursuit/Special Service, GMC Sierra 2500, and 3500 vehicles. The brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
- Risk
- If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the nut and reinstall the nut with increased tightness, free of charge. The recall began October 3, 2018. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 18278. Note: The vehicles in this recall need this additional remedy despite being covered by recall 16V069 for brake pedal loosening.
Recall number 18V578000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 1, 2013, to February 1, 2016, 2015-2016 Chevrolet Tahoe Police Pursuit Vehicles (PPV) manufactured March 1, 2014, to February 1, 2016, and 2015-2016 GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 heavy duty trucks manufactured October 29, 2013, to February 1, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the brake pedal pivot nut may loosen, causing the brake pedal to be loose or inoperative.
- Risk
- If the brake pedal becomes loose or inoperative, the driver may be unable to stop the vehicle by using the brake pedal. Additionally, a loose pedal may also interfere with the accelerator pedal. Either condition may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will add adhesive to the brake pedal pivot nut and reinstall with an increased torque, free of charge. The recall began on March 14, 2016. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 20760.
Recall number 16V069000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and multi-purpose passenger vehicles. One or both front brake rotor/hubs were built with an out-of-specification gray iron that can fail during the life of the vehicle.
- Risk
- If a driver continues to drive with a cracked rotor, the cracks could continue around the wheel mounting bolt circle and ultimately result in a wheel separation.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rotors for a core date of "287" and, if found, replace the rotor.
Recall number 98V033000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra 3500 abs
Why does the abs come on in the GMC Sierra 3500?
Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, soft or spongy brake pedal and tire blowout or tread separation.
Which GMC Sierra 3500 years have aBS light or ABS activating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (9 complaints), 2000 (3 complaints) and 2002 (3 complaints).
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