Grinding noise and braking diminished along with smoking wheel. Front wheel bearing hub assembly is coming apart inside with only 36000 miles.
GMC Sierra grinding brakes problems
49 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe grinding or squealing brakes, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 49
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 45,000
Is there a fix? There are 8 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Brake failure 5ABS 5Slipping 2Pulling 1Steering noise 1Seat belt 1
What owners say
I took my truck in for a grinding noise the steering rack was making when turning at low speeds, the dealership said it was a power steering gear, common problem and they would fix it because it was under warranty, they solved the problem. The issue is that the re-manufactured part they used leaks, took it back a second time, they said it was a bad seal and they would replace the seal. Had to take it in a third time because it leaked again, so they said they would replace the rack again, come to find out, the last time they had it they replaced the steering rack again, so this is the third steering rack they have put on a 2013 truck, and it still leaks, they game me a service bulletin that says it is normal for it to leak from that area and it goes away in a few months, also the service bulletin says a drip from there does not warrant a active leak, I say a drip on the ground is a active leak. I live in texas and by state law a vehicle cannot pass state safety inspection with any leaks on the power steering system. How do I know that this leak will even go away? My truck won't even pass inspection later this year when I have to go because of this leak. I believe this is a safety concern, they should not be re issuing such a important part to the steering system and it leak, I have followed up with gm and said I want a brand new on put on and no leaks, it didn't leak when I bought it, it shouldn't leak now. I have lost faith in the reliability of the vehicle because they have replace the same part three times( a key part to the steering system), it leaks, and all three times the part was re-manufactured( used), I have no idea how many miles are on that part, they should be using brand new ones and no leaks.
I own a 2000 gmc sierra crew cab short box 4 by 4. I was driving down the road and heard a grinding sound, so I thought to limp it home. Bad idea, I was the two bolts that hold your caliper on, so that is your whole brake system, well it made my wheel lock up and caused me to loose control and hit the curb where I bent my rim and popped my tire, so I replaced the two bolts on driver back side and checked the passenger back side and those two bolts where loose. Very scary. So I tighten them both and like I said replaced the other two on the driver side. When I seen the way it was set up I was shocked because it was not a good idea and never seen calipers bolted like that, this happened three months ago well today I was driven and heard the same noise again and before I could stop all the way my tire locked up again but this time I was in control and stopped ok. I am freaking out because I have a five year old special needs daughter and don't want her to be in my truck if it decides to lock up and flip.so I went to the same auto shop and had it replaced again. Like I said I seen a lot of brake systems and this way they have it is not same and I imagine has caused deaths, if not yet it will, it about made me roll and screwed up my rims and new tires, I don't know if I should sell it because I do not have money to get them all replaced. So im going to see if there is a recall and if not there needs to be. My mom have a 2004 silverado chevy and I owned a 2002 before and both trucks brake system are different. I want to know why they are like this and why they change a good thing. I hope this was helpful. So if you hear grinding in tires make sure you stop and get it towed.
Truck was extremely hard to steer the evening of 12/03/2012. There was a grinding type noise when turns were attempted. Took vehicle to a shop for a power steering pump replacement. The shop change the pump and the solid metal power steering hose. It turned out that the hose was the cause of the problem. The repair went fine and I picked up the truck and drove it for approximately 3 months. It seems the replacement solid metal power steering hose broke in the same place, where it screws into the pump. It is now may 2013, and the second replacement power steering hose has broken again. I willtake it to the shop monday, may 21, 2013. I am hoping this hose will last. What could be causing this problem?
I lost my brakes while pulling out onto the road. Pedal went to the floor before truck began to slow down, ABS kicked on and grinding rotors before a full stop. Brake line failed leaking fluid under driver's side door - most likely due to rust.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra denali. While driving 35 MPH, the contact heard a squeaking sound in the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised the contact that the rear axle bearing needed to be replaced; however, the contact was informed by the dealer that the part was not being manufactured and the failure could not be repaired. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 gmc sierra. While traveling 35 MPH, the contact noticed a grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle. After examining the vehicle, the contact discovered that the a frame was fractured in half on both sides of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The current and the failure mileages were 37,000. Updated 4/2/12 *cn updated 04/16/12
The rear brake pads squealed & were grinding & the truck had very poor stopping power. The truck was taken to my mechanic & he was doing the brake job; he replaced all four rotors because they were rusted beyond repair. The pads were replaced as well. While he was doing the brakes he observed the brake lines were rusted to a point that it alarmed him & he said they should be changed. He also commented that the brakes had worn very uneven. The front pads were barely worn & were only making contact at a small area of the rotor (about 1/2" of the full face on the rotor). The back pads & rotors were completely worn down & the rotors were ruined. Some of the areas under the truck look as new & other places; mainly the a-frames, brake lines, some frame members, etc. Look like they are 15 years or more older. The brakes were put back together & now they are so tight & won't release the rotors, causing the rotors to over heat. I am now having him replace the back two calipers with replacement calipers that use phenolic pistons rather than steel & are not gm parts.
2000 gmc sierra front passenger seat belt not working properly. Customer states that the seat belt is hard to pull and does not retract properly. *kb the consumer initially reported the seat belt was making a squeaking noise. The dealer replaced the seat belt, but the new seat belt locked up on passengers restricting their ability to lean forward and was very tight. The dealer replaced the seat belt two more times and the restriction problem was still present. The dealer stated the belt was suppose to work that way. The consumer stated the original belt never worked that way. The consumer stated the last seat belt that was replaced not only restricted movement, but it did not retract smoothly. Once the seat belt was in use, it did not recoil leaving the belt loose and useless. In addition, the arm rest kept falling off and the seat no longer reclined.
Dt*: the contact stated that there were problems with the break pads, rotors, shoes, and drums. At only 30,000 miles, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for repairs on 5 occassion to grind down the brakes and rotors. None of the repairs fixed the problem. The first time the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the problem was at 20,000 miles. The contact expressed concerns that the vehicle should not need this many repairs at this mileage . There were no incidents prior to this problem that caused the brakes to go bad.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles may experience unwanted antilock brake system (ABS) activation. This condition is more likely to occur in environmentally corrosive areas. This recall will be launched in the "salt belt" states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maryland, massachusetts, maine, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia only.
- Risk
- This can cause increased stopping distances during low-speed brake applications, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to remove the wheel speed sensor and thoroughly clean the wheel speed sensor mounting surface on the bearing, apply rust inhibitor to the cleaned surface, grease the mounting surface, reinstall the wheel speed sensor, and check the peak-to-peak output voltage to ensure the wheel speed signal is within specifications. The recall began september 22, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V379000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
- Risk
- If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans equipped with bosch hydro-boost brake assemblies, the hydraulic brake booster pressure accumulator may crack and separate from the hydro-boost assembly during normal operating conditions.
- Risk
- If a separation occurred and the hood of the vehicle were open, fragments from the accumulator could cause injury to people in the immediate area. The presence of this crack or fractured surface could allow the hydraulic fluid to leak from the accumulator circuit of the booster assembly. The loss of fluid would cause increased steering and braking effort and a crash may occur without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will test the hydro-boost assembly for functional operation of the two-function valve. If the hydro-boost assembly fails the test, dealers will replace the assembly free of charge. The recall began on march 23, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463 and hummer at 1‑800‑732‑5493.
Recall number 05V043000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a clearance condition between the front right-hand brake pipe and the body cross sill that could decrease to the point of allowing contact during the life of the vehicle. If contact occurs and the brake pipe becomes damaged, in half of the brake system there can be a loss of brake fluid and pressure. The brake warning lamp will be activated when the brake fluid level reaches the indicator limit.
- Risk
- During braking, the pedal will be lower than normal and stopping distances will be longer. If this occurs when stopping distance is limited, a crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the front right-hand brake pipe for wear. If there are signs of wear, this section of the brake pipe will be replaced with a new designed brake pipe section. If there are not signs of wear on the brake pipe, the dealer will install a spacer clip to ensure sufficient clearance between the brake pipe and the body cross sill.
Recall number 00V345000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: light duty pickup trucks equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. Some of these vehicles have an antilock brake system (ABS) motor containing an out-of-specification spring clip. This clip could allow the motor bearing to become misaligned. If misalignment occurs, eventually the ABS would be non-functional.
- Risk
- The base brakes would remain fully functional, but the dynamic rear proportioning (drp) system, which optimizes front to rear brake balance, would become inoperative.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the brake pressure module valve assembly.
Recall number 00V055000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
- What is wrong
- Severe corrosion due to road salt at the joint of the stamped steel center section and the cast outer section can cause the sections to separate.
- Risk
- Separation of the rotor sections can cause loss ofbraking ability in the affected wheel. This could result in increased stoppingdistance and/or loss of vehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- Replace the front brake rotors with new rotors with a corrosion protection coating. However, if replacement of brake linings are necessary, it will be done at owner's expense since brake linings are normal maintenance items.
Recall number 93V119000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is wrong
- The pivot bolt holding the brake pedal to its support bracket may be improperly tightened and may not have engaged the locking material on the bolt. The bolt can disengage from the nut.
- Risk
- If the pivot bolt disengages from the nut while thevehicle is in motion, there will be a loss of brake control and could result ina vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers should inspect the hand started brake pedal bolts and torque them to specification.
Recall number 92V056000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra grinding brakes
Which GMC Sierra years have grinding or squealing brakes problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (10 complaints), 2000 (9 complaints) and 2002 (7 complaints).
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