The Lemon Index2001 GMC Sierra.
The 2001 GMC Sierra is better than average by owner complaints: 141 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 63, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 11 to 17 mpg combined. The best GMC Sierra year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 581 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Sierra year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 113K miles on the car (445 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- brakes complaints mostly came at 39K–93K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 52K–89K miles
- tires complaints mostly came at 30K–103K miles
Recalls 12
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- engine 2007
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY.
Show all 12 recalls
- equipment 2007
CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS.
- service brakes, air 2006
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- brakes 2005
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION.
- parking brake 2005
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 C…
- equipment adaptive/mobility 2004
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
- equipment 2004
AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS.
- body structure 2004
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE.
- equipment 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN 2-WHEEL DRIVE PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 120, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS." THE PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER ERR…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 623 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Front suspension coil spring noise
- Loss of turbo boost producing heavy black smoke and loss of power
- Heavy black smoke and loss of turbo boost power
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedCrank position sensor failure - stall2006
- ClosedCrank position sensor failure - stall2006–2007
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★☆☆ · side — · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–5850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Large chunks of rubber is coming off vehicle's tires. The dealership indicated this is caused by vehicle being driven over a gravel surface.
2001 GMC Sierra owner · NHTSA complaint 10031486
More owner reports
While applying brakes at 35 mph brake pedal went to the floor, vehicle slowed down, but continue on until it hit another vehicle. Dealer / manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.
NHTSA complaint 897765
Tires on a 3500 GMC Sierra were not the correct tires for the consumer's vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 10025052
Quick answers
Is the 2001 GMC Sierra reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 63; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Sierra year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2001 GMC Sierra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (20%), tires (13%) and engine (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 GMC Sierra have?
12 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 GMC Sierra get?
11 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 GMC Sierra problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,600 and 113,000 miles. The middle report was at 73,900 miles, from 445 complaints.
Does the 2001 GMC Sierra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 9% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 GMC Sierra cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $5850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 GMC Sierra have?
4.3L 6-cyl, 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Sierra year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works