The contact owns 2015 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving on several occasions at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated for approximately a month. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed the high-pressure fuel pump was leaking fuel into the crank case, and the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred approximately 1 year and 5 months later. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, there was a loud sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel injectors on one side of the engine were not working properly, and that the fuel injectors needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 178,137.
GMC Sierra fuel pump problems
48 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe fuel pump failure, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 48
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 84,000
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 15Fuel gauge 7Won't start 4Fire or smoke 4Check engine light 4Loss of power 3Engine failure 3Wipers 2
What owners say
We were driving up a slight incline in a parking garage when the engine started sputtering and shut off. After several attempts it started and we were able to make it to a parking space with the engine still sputtering. I received a notification from the truck, decreased engine power. The next day I brought it to be checked by the local gmc dealer. Their diagnosis is vapor lock when the fuel pump gets near or over 100 degree. Its my opinion that gmc placed a faulty part when manufacturing the vehicle. I would like this to be considered for recall.
Rusted out/ corroded brake lines burst while stopping for a deer running out on the road. Was warned of this problem upon purchase of the vehicle in 2010 and personally coated all brake lines b4 winter every year...never saw worse lines! I own classic cars that are twice as old with shiney original brake lines. The fuel lines also rotted out spilling fuel over the top of the fuel tank and on the ground while filling up. All fuel lines and fuel pump connections were severely rotted. Worst I have seen. Dash consistently changes languages rendering odometer non functional. Speedometer is inaccurate some times not even working especially on cold days. Hmmmm rotted brakes+no speedometer+leaky fuel lines=crash,bang boom!..and I have a car seat in my vehicle! Luckly I perform preventative maintenance and drive safely. Still wonder how these issues got swept under the rug.
Began to smell faint raw gas fumes around the vehicle in the summer. In the autumn months the raw gas odor smell intensified and was very strong with an overcoming presence in the cabin while driving. I brought the vehicle to my shop for diagnostic. The mechanic (non gmc garage) called back several hours later and said I had been driving a potentially disaster. He asked me to see for myself. I was able to view this first hand after he had removed the fuel tank from the vehicle. The fuel pump is mounted into a deep sump on the top of the gas tank. The sump well is rather deep and collects mud, silt, debris and water while driving and that collects and build up over time into the sump and that stays moist at all times. Over the course of 6 years the fuel pump housing and mount ring rusted, rotted out and started leaking raw gas that was spilling onto the hot exhaust pipe alongside the fuel tank. I do not go off road with the vehicle nor do I plow snow with it. The vehicle is used principally in highway driving. A few weeks later I was talking to a friend who owns a 2010 gmc suburban and he had the exact same problem. I subsequently went on line, searched on google, and discovered a number of other owners that had the same problem with their vehicles. This is a design flaw in which the tank is designed with the deep circular depression (a perfect sump condition) for the mounting of the fuel pump and with normal road driving (most notably in the northeast or northwest where rain and snow is prevalent) the sump will stay moist with mud and debris collecting causing rust in the fuel pump housing/mounting ring.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra. The contact stated that the brake lines and fuel pump was corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician verified the failure and replaced both the brake lines and fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 60,000.
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.
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.
Tl*- the contact has a 2002 gmc sierra and stated that the vehicle keeps shutting off completely. When the vehicle loses power it also loses steering and braking ability. This failure has happened to the contact 20 or more within the past year. The stalling had happened while driving anywhere between 5-65 MPH. The contact stated that they have replaced the fuel pump four times and replaced the sending unit twice within a year. The contact recently had vehicle at the dealer and they stated that they can't pinpoint the failure. On 03/01/07 while driving on the highway the vehicle completely shut off at highway speed between (50-65 MPH). The contact was able to pulled to the side of the road wait ten minute and to restart the vehicle. He looked up the history of the vehicle and stated that the previous owner also experience the same failure. The contact can provide invoice repairs if needed. The failure mileage was 40000 and the current mileage was 71715.
The fuel gauge on my 1999 gmc sierra ext. Cab does not work. It has never worked. I did not see the problem as urgent until my brother-in-law, who has the exact same truck, got stranded in mexico because his fuel pump went out. He has had the same problem since he has had his truck and it cost him $300.00 dollars to change the fuel pump out. That was cheap because he did the work himself. I have done some research on the internet and have seen the same problem with several trucks of the same model and year. I went to the local dealership and there is no recall on the fuel pump for my truck and would respectfully request that the fuel gauge/pump for the 1999 gmc/chevy 1500 truck be looked into for consideration for a recall.
Dt: the contact complained about many defects with this vehicle. The speedometer continually had an inaccurate read out while driving. The dealership believed this failure could be related to the wiring harness. Since they were unable to duplicate the problem no repairs were done. Also, the vehicle stalled at various speeds without warning. While the stalling occurred the contact pressed hard on the brakes to elevate the stalling. He believed this was due to the power brakes. The vehicle stalled on occasion and would not immediately restart. The dealership made numerous attempts to correct this problem w and all attempts have been unsuccessful. This included replacing the fuel pump and electrical control module.
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 pump
Which GMC Sierra years have fuel pump failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (10 complaints), 1996 (7 complaints) and 1999 (6 complaints).
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