Conventional Parking Brake problems of the 2001 GMC Sierra

Purchased from dealership with a 2-yr inspection sticker. After sticker expired, went to have vehicle inspected. Failed due to vehicle will move forward even though emergency brake is engaged. Inspector commented that many GMC Sierras are failing due to this reason. Contacted dealership service advisor who also agreed with statement. He said GMC was repairing at no cost those vehicles that had 36,000 miles or less. Since ours has 55,000 miles recommended contacting GMC. Contacted GMC who said they have no evidence of this being a common problem, but are repairing vehichles if less than 23. 000 miles with this problem at no charge. In addition GMC said problem is due to the wearing of emergency brake pads. Complaint #8006225 is similar to ours.

When parking brake is applied on a slight incline, the vehicle will roll. Dealer examined vehicle and found no problem with the parking brake. The brakes have been serviced and they still do not hold.

The parking brake has never operated properly. It goes all the way to the floor. Owner has had the parking brake changed and it still did not work. Owner thought the cable assembly was the problem. He found this information in the consumer reports in July 2005 issue. The owner contacted gm and the dealership, and they have not done anything to help him. When the truck was unloading a boat on a ramp, the parking brake was not holding the truck. It has worked for the past 4 years. Owner complained to the dealership, but the dealership said they would not fix the problem. Phone interview update (April 4, 2006): the complainant (driver) was behind the wheel when he found that the parking brakes alone would not immobilize the vehicle. The vehicle did not roll back into the water.