Three problems related to brake antilock wheel speed sensor have been reported for the 2001 Chevrolet 2500. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Safety recall for low speed abs activation 2001 chevy silverado 2500hd.
Wheel speed sensor failure - salt contamination - abs engages erroneously - low speed increases stopping distance - my neighbor has the same issue and was just repaired at a dealer at his cost.
I purchased a new 2001 chevy crew cab 2500 hd truck in August 2001. The truck now (oct 2010) has 50,300 miles on it and has been maintained and serviced regularly. At approximately 20,000 miles I had to replace both rear rotors and brakes, then at approximately 36,400 miles I had to replace both front rotors, brakes and the alternator. At approximately 40,000 miles the drivers door power window motor had to be replaced and all the brake lines and speed sensors on the truck had to be replaced. Now with 50,300 miles, the truck is sitting in my drive way needing another alternator and the rear brakes / rotors are worn out again. Since I purchased this truck I have already spent approximately $2800 on brakes, brake lines, wheel / speed sensors and new rotors and replaced the alternator and power door motor. The truck has stranded me two times when the brakes failed and once when the alternator went out. It appears that the dealerships and gm know about these problems but just try to get them past the warranty period. When I had to replace the front rotors I offered to have the metal / rotors analyzed to determine why they failed but gm wasn't interested. They paid half on that repair and requested that I leave the rotors with the dealership. I was lucky both times when the brakes failed because we were going slow and on rural roads with minimal traffic, the other time the truck stranded us we camping on a holiday weekend and the alternator went out when we were about 10 miles from the camp. These trucks entire brake systems are very dangerous. I think that there needs to be a technical review conducted to evaluate the materials used for the rotors and the brake lines. When my brake lines were replaced they crumbled like flakes of rust and the rotors both front and back were damaged from what appeared to be overheating. There were surface stress flaws on both sides of the rotors. I have owned other gm products, and currently have a 1997 chevy truck with no brake issues.