1997 gmc sierra. Consumer writes in regards to issues with the engine. The consumer stated, according to the owner's manual, the vehicle should be able to pull 6,000lb load. But, the vehicle misfired, lost speed, and stalled while pulling less than 4,000lbs. The failure occured at speeds of 55-65mph.
GMC Sierra stalling problems
58 of the 3,904 owner complaints about the GMC Sierra describe engine stalls while driving, most of them for the 2002 model year.
- owner complaints
- 58
- worst model year
- 2002
- typical mileage
- 50,800
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 15Loss of power 4Check engine light 4Won't start 3Wipers 2Won't shift 2Power steering loss 2Misfire 2
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving at any speed, the service traction control and the stabilizer track control warning lights illuminated. In addition when driving over 50 MPH, the engine made a clinking noise and then stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 58 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The contact waited five minutes before restarting the vehicle and resumed normally. The failure recurred four times. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where a diagnostic testing was performed. The dealer was unable to locate a problem. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 11,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was ble to be restarted after the contact shifted into neutral. The failure was recurring over a period of two years. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who could not duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
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.
Vehicle hesitates and stalls upon acceleration. According to gm document id number [xxx] this is a normal condition and they have programmed the vehicle to do this. If going into traffic and trying to accelerate, the built in delay can cause close calls at best and worst case an accident. This coupled with the transmission issues mentioned in document id number 3575856 creates the perfect storm for injury and / or death. Gm refuses to address the issue other than to say they feel it is not a problem. This covers virtually all gm vehicles since 2007 with the 6 speed transmission. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Vehicle stalls losing all power to steering and braking capabilities. There is no advanced warning of power loss, it simply quits rendering the driver incapable of steering, moving out of the way of traffic. Has been in certified gmc shop three times, they keep insisting they cannot find problem and the vehicle be picked up. Potential death trap. Not only unsafe for driver but also anyone behind the vehicle.
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 2002 gmc sierra. While driving varios speeds the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The engine was turned off for a few moments. The vehicle restarted after five attempts and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The failure was contributed to the crank shaft sensor. The identical failure occurred on twelve different occasions. The vehicle has not been repaired for the malfunction. The failure mileage was 54,000. The current mileage was 56,798. Updated 01/26/11*lj updated 03/31/11
Our 2002 sierra 3500 gmc pickup truck is equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine and the crankshaft position sensor causes the truck's engine to operate intermittently which in turn causes the engine to fail completely. When the engine operates intermittently, the message light illuminates 'reduced engine power' and the vehicle runs rough and ultimately stalls. The engine may re-start immediately or after a period of time. Because this sensor has failed on the expressway at a high rate of speed (70 MPH) on several occasions, we were very fortunate that we (or someone else) were not seriously injured. Because the federal safety agency recalled the 2001 gmc suvs/trucks that had this defective crankshaft position sensor and because there are numerous other 2002 suvs/trucks that are also having their engines fail due to this same defect, the federal safety agency should immediately investigate having gmc recall the 2002 models as well. There are several complaints listed on the federal safety agency's website that deal with this same issue (e.g., complaint numbers 10038110, 10009727, 1009569, 10009556, 10001480, 10054217, 10069780, etc.) that are identified under various 2002 gmc models (I.e., sierra, gmc truck, c series). Additionally, since consumers frequently purchase gmc trucks with the 8.1l v8 engine to tow large trailers, this situation can create a serious hazard on the highways that the federal safety agency must address expeditiously. Thus, since we are a consumer that purchased our truck to tow a large trailer and our truck has stalled on the highway on numerous occasions, we had no choice but to replace the crankshaft position sensor out-of-pocket.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
- What is wrong
- General Motors is recalling certain 2014 model year Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, and 2015 model year Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV; Chevrolet Silverado HD; and GMC Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL, equipped with a 4.3L engine or 5.3L engine.
- Risk
- The overheated exhaust components may melt nearby plastic parts and may result in an engine fire.
- Remedy
- General Motors will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the engine control module, free of charge. The recall began on January 16, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 and GMC at 1‑800‑462‑8782. General Motors' number for this recall is 14008.
Recall number 14V007000 · Recall details
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
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
- Risk
- If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details
Questions about the GMC Sierra stalling
Which GMC Sierra years have engine stalls while driving problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2002 (10 complaints), 1996 (7 complaints) and 1997 (7 complaints).
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