When my issues started, I would fill my gas tank and the gas gauge would plummet to empty. While driving, it would go to full, back to empty or be anywhere in between. At that time, there no no mechanical issues, just the annoying fact that you had no idea how much fuel you actually had. This went on until this spring, when I had the first potentially dangerous incident. I was driving down a county highway at approximately the speed limit and the truck's engine just shut off. No power steering, nothing. It happened just as I was coming to a stop sign thankfully. I was about 50 miles from home and was able to call a friend that manages the collision center of a local car dealership to see about getting a tow or his opinion as to what was wrong. After about ten minutes and after numerous attempts, it restarted. I talked to several mechanics and got the same answer from all of them: the fuel pump and sending unit fail in gmc trucks around the mileage, 95,000 miles, that I currently have on the truck. The gas gauge is still erratic, I have had two episodes of the vehicle stalling and now the service engine soon light is coming on and when it is put on an analyzer it says emissions, but there is nothing wrong with the emissions system. I have also talked to owners who have had theirs replaced and everyone says to get a factory made pump because the cheap aftermarkets break down even quicker. I googled the information and the problem appears to be widespread.
2001 GMC Sierra engine problems
23 complaints (9% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 46,000. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 23
- of this car's complaints
- 9%
- typical mileage
- 46,000
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Engine8
- Engine: gasoline5
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
- Exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)1
- Exhaust system1
- Cooling system: radiator assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Sierra engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 GMC Sierra engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
- Risk
- If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 07V521000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Crank position sensor failure - stall
The office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation (pe06-016) on may 4, 2006 based on eleven vehicle owner questionnaires (voqs) and early warning (ewr) data alleging sudden engine shutdown while driving as a result of crank position sensor failures in my 2001-2002 general motors c/k platform vehicles equipped with 8.1l engines.in response to an information request letter sent by odi, general motors (gm) provided owner complaint information, field reports and warranty claim data based on a population of 108,338 vehicles. The data was categorized by engine stalls while driving, engine stalls with an unknown driving condition, no start conditions and claims where it was indeterminate if an engine stall occurred while driving.general motor's response included 1,213 owner complaints and field reports of which 289 were categorized as engine stalls while driving allegedly caused by crank position sensor failures. General motors also submitted warranty claims from its regular warranty (5 years/50,000 miles) and from its extended warranty database. From the regular warranty database there were 3,140 claims of crank position sensor replacement of which 147 claims were from consumers alleging engine stall while driving.gm stated that 2,841 of the claims were indeterminate if an engine stall occurred while driving.from its extended warranty database, gm submitted 1,561 claims of crank position sensor failure that it also stated were indeterminate as to whether an engine stall occurred while driving.in total, gm reports 4,701 claims of crank position sensor failure combining regular warranty and extended warranty.similar to gm's statistical analysis, odi's analysis showed that the failure rate for warranty claims of engine stall while driving at three years in service is low (less than 1%).however, further analysis determined that the my 2001 vehicle build period from may 2000 through october 2000 had significantly higher (more than four times) crank position failure rates in both consumer complaint data and warranty claim data than in the build period from november 2000 through july 2001.adding the claims of known engine stall while driving and claims where engine stall was indeterminate, the failure rate at three years in service for this population is over 6%.an engineering analysis (ea06-016) has been opened to further assess the frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect in vehicles built from may 2000 through october 2000.
PE06016
What 2001 GMC Sierra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 2001 gmc sierra that has been losing coolant for about 2 years now. I was told it was a common problem with these trucks just wandering why nothing has been done.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra. The contact was driving 40 MPH when the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the contacts home. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the crankshaft needed to replaced. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed the VIN failed to qualify for a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v521000(engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 29,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly shut off so the contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and taken to an authorized dealership; the dealer stated that the crankshaft sensor was the cause for failure. The dealer also informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in recall 07v521000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,320.
I was driving down the road, and the vehicle stopped running, some seconds later it restarted. Twice since then the vehicle would not start, but then started sometime later. I had the vehicle repaired at sharon chevrolet, they found a code that indicated the crank position sensor (ckp) was at fault. This has corrected the problem. I spoke to gm and they said it was not on recall. This cost me $356.30 to repair, and it is exactly was is on id #07v521000 recall.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 gmc sierra. While driving approximately 15 MPH on normal road conditions, the engine stalled. All of the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The engine immediately restarted without assistance and the vehicle began to operate normally. The service engine warning indicator remained lit until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the crankshaft position sensor. Through research, the contact discovered the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v521000 (engine and engine cooling). He was informed that the VIN was excluded from the recall, although the failures were identical. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 50,000 and current mileage was 65,000.
Disc rotor delamination, anti-lock control. I was pulling a 3/4 ton van stuck in his yard, as I got him close to the hard surface ( driveway) I put on the brakes and the truck wouldn't stop, it hit the corner of his block house. No damage to the house however I had to replace all but hood and one headlight assy. 10 MPH and neither bag deployed. I thought it was my own stupidity until reading all the issues on here w/ gm's braking problems. I feel a bit better about myself. The big issue !! All four rotors delaminated w/ 46,000 miles this is the 1st new truck I've owned and believe me it's been babied for sure. I was told by my service dealer there was nothing gm would do about this problem it was my problem for not driving it as much as I should (b.s.) dealer wanted to charge me a grand to replace all the rotors and pads I did it for 500.00 and still have the old parts. I'm sure gm should issue a recall on this, it is a definite safety issue did I fail to mention the muffler had a rattle in it and was replaced within the 1st 1000 miles, the thump in the steering column that has no way to be lubricated. Man I am disappointed in gm products.
Vehicle experienced sudden stalling at various low speeds. Taken to dealer for testing, but the cause was undetermined at this time.*ak the dealer replaced the crank sensor.
My 2001 gmc sierra has a tendency to use oil. It happens after about 3000 kms after an oil change. I brought it up to the service department at the dealership and they told me to try a different brand of oil. I also complained about my truck rolls ahead when I start it in cold weather. They said that this is normal. That is their answer for everything!!! As far as I am concerned, when a vehicle is in park it should not move when you start it!!!!
While parking on an icy pavement, the ABS failed and caused the vehicle to hit and roll over the concrete parking divider. Vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer cleaned the corrosion off both front wheel sensors. The consumer stated that his brakes failed 3 times under 5mph. The consumer stated that the vehicle also has engine trouble and has had trouble since purchase.
Questions about the 2001 GMC Sierra engine
Does the 2001 GMC Sierra have engine problems?
Owners have filed 23 complaints about the engine of the 2001 GMC Sierra, 9% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 46,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2001 GMC Sierra engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V521000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Sierra have bad engine?
The GMC Sierra model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (25 complaints), 2001 (23 complaints) and 2000 (22 complaints).
Other 2001 GMC Sierra problems
Brakes 150Tires 17Fuel system 16Suspension 15Transmission 14Body 13Electrical 13Airbags 12Acceleration 11Steering 10Seat belts 7Visibility 5Lights 3Locks 1Wheels 1
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