My speedometer quit working around 78,000 miles. Slowly but surely all my other gauges have quit working over time. The RPM gauge, speedometer, oil temp, and gas gauge. Only one works now. The rest either don't work or fluctuate back and forth. I would have reported this earlier if I knew about this site. It's not the first complaint so there is something up with these models. They should be recalled and fixed by the dealers. I won't ever buy another gmc vehicle. That's for sure.
GMC Sierra fuel gauge problems
41 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe wrong fuel gauge reading, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 41
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical mileage
- 57,000
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
The speedometer,oil pressure gauge, alt meter, fuel gauge have all failed over the last several years. None of them read correctly.
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.
Upon low speed panic stopping with the fuel gauge reading 3/4 of a tank and below, there is a violent/noticeable bump. Like being rearended at low speed. It is a situation that gm has a bulletin out on #pit5161 or doc id:2851139 for the 2007-2012 chev. Silverado and gmc sierra p/u with the 34 or 36 gallon tanks. I feel the brakes are challenged by this condition, and even more so on slippery, steep terrain.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 gmc sierra. The contact stated the fuel gauge malfunctioned and he was unable to read the amount of fuel that was in the vehicle. The dealer stated that the reader inside the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The contact did not replace the reader although the vehicle could shut off when the fuel tank was empty without any warning. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 gmc sierra. The contact stated the fuel gauge malfunctioned. The contact stated that he was unable to determine how much fuel was in the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer or a local mechanic for diagnostic testing or repairs. The failure mileage was 41,000. Updated 03/07/12
Gm mailed a notice that the instrument panel in 2004 sieera trucks is subject to failure including fuel gauge, speedometer, etc. These can be very serious safety concerns depending on driving conditions. Gm has offer to extend the warranty to 70,000 miles or 7 years. This totally unacceptable from a safety standpoint.
Fuel pump/sending unit faulty. Gauge does not read proper fuel levels. One minute while going down road you have a full tank next minute light comes on fuel gauge reads empty. Sometimes gauge will not read fuel in tank at all. I have come across other gmc owners who have the same complaint. Guys at shop say it is common to replace the fuel pump/sending unit.
Summer 2007 we received a notice from gmc for our 2003 gmc sierra that stated "your vehicle could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge needles may stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and the fuel gauge." they offer to correct this problem if it occurs in vehicles within 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever is less. Our gmc sierra developed this condition recently at 5 years and 90,000. The speedometer began to display inaccurate speeds and eventually started erratically pulsing and sometimes displaying no speed. This is very unsafe to have this happen when you are driving. There are numerous entries online indicating that this has happened to many of the vehicles in the 5 year range, many just after the mileage cut off. Displaying proper speed is important to safety and if their instrument panels are failing on multiple vehicles the manufacturer should be responsible for replacing them regardless of age or mileage.
Fuel gauge has been malfunctioning for several months now - sometimes works properly, but other times reads empty when tank is full, reads more fuel than in tank, etc. I have several friends who have this generation of gm full-size truck (gmc sierra, chevy silverado, gmc yukon, chevy tahoe - gmt800 series), and most of them have the same problem. I am told that the issue is with the fuel sending unit.
Related recalls
Fuel system, diesel
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD vehicles, equipped with 6.6L diesel engines and dual fuel tanks. In the affected vehicles, the transfer pump which moves fuel from the rear tank to the front tank could malfunction and cause the fuel gauge to indicate an inaccurate reading.
- Risk
- If the fuel gauge indicates an inaccurate reading it may result in the vehicle unexpectedly stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel transfer pump, as necessary, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is 13420.
Recall number 13V615000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks equipped with 5.3l (rpo l59) v8 engines, the engine fuel rail crossover tube retainer screws were not manufactured to specifications and may break.
- Risk
- If the tube retainer screw breaks, fuel could leak from the fuel rail crossover joint, the engine may stall and, if an ignition source were present, an engine compartment fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel rail crossover tube and, if necessary, replace the retainer screws. Owners were notified by telephone on july 30, 2004, with a followup owner letter began august 5, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463. Note: the gm bulletin lists the tahoe and yukon models because canadian vehicles are included in the bulletin. No u.s. Tahoe or yukon vehicles are included in the u.s. Campaign.
Recall number 04V376000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery
- What is wrong
- Some 2wd and 4wd pickup trucks, converted to either dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (cng) fuel usage, were assembled with a throttle cable that can contact and rub through the flexible pressurized fuel line creating a pinhole leak of natural gas to the atmosphere.
- Risk
- A strong odor of natural gas may be detected from inside the vehicle, possibly accompanied by a hissing noise. If the natural gas were accidentally ignited, serious injury could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will secure the throttle cable to eliminate the possibility of contact with the cng fuel line. The cng fuel line, throttle cable, and cruise control cable are also to be inspected and replaced if necessary. Owner notification began on december 11, 2003. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 03V435000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicles altered by pas, inc. Have compressed natural gas fuel tanks that can develop stress corrosion, which crack the e-glass wrapping. This stress corrosion cracking can lead to tank ruptures.
- Risk
- If the tank ruptures, personal injury to individuals in or near the vehicle may occur.
- Remedy
- Gm is offering to exchange these vehicles with a comparably equipped 1994 gasoline 1/2 or 3/4 ton gm pickup. If the owner chooses not to exchange the natural gas vehicle, gm will repurchase the vehicle.
Recall number 94V044001 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra fuel gauge
Which GMC Sierra years have wrong fuel gauge reading problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (10 complaints), 2000 (9 complaints) and 2001 (8 complaints).
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