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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 180 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the brakes (58% of complaints, typically around 76,500 miles). It is 18th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints and has 1 recall.
Most common 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 problems
Brakes
105 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving in reverse and attempting to depress the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floor. He stated that the brake light also illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was forced to apply continuous pressure to the brakes in order to stop the vehicle. When the…
A brake line burst underneath the truck when I applied the brakes with substantial pressure (not enough to engage ABS on the dry pavement). Was able to swerve to avoid vehicle that cut US off and use emergency brake to slow/stop vehicle in a safe place. All brake lines were severely rusted/corroded and needed to be…
Electrical
43 complaints · 24%Half of these problems showed up before 72,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
Speedometer sticking and going crazy ,cluster lighting in/out then gauges stopped working then whole cluster shorted and had dash fire.
This is a complaint about you, not listing a recall by gm on the dash board cluster mine has failed, the speedometer no longer works -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- gm parts bulletins & information - to cadillac, chevrolet and GMC dealers subject:bulletin gmp07-174 -…
Steering
15 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: gear box, column.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact heard a rubbing sound coming from the steering column. The dealer stated that the steering column needed to be replaced and they replaced the column with the original design. One year later, the failure recurred. The dealer stated that there was a new design for the…
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on any road conditions, whenever the vehicle hit a bump in the road there was a knocking noise in the steering gear box. The noise got louder when the steering wheel was turned to either direction. The vehicle was not taken in for service.
Air bags
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 100,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
This is a complaint about you, not listing a recall by gm on the dash board cluster mine has failed, the speedometer no longer works -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- gm parts bulletins & information - to cadillac, chevrolet and GMC dealers subject:bulletin gmp07-174 -…
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact crashed into a tree. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. The seat belt system also failed to properly secure her in the vehicle. The impact ejected her from the vehicle. The contact sustained…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles.
A brake line burst underneath the truck when I applied the brakes with substantial pressure (not enough to engage ABS on the dry pavement). Was able to swerve to avoid vehicle that cut US off and use emergency brake to slow/stop vehicle in a safe place. All brake lines were severely rusted/corroded and needed to be…
While having my vehicle check over for the winter, the mechanic inform me that the front brake lines are very rusty as well as the fuel lines and the cooling lines going to the transmission. This situation is very disturbing since I have very low mileage. The tubing used for the brake as well as the fuel lines should…
Engine
6 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. When the vehicle was started, exhaust fumes entered the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to john paul's buick GMC (3615 s 108th st, greenfield, wi 53228 ([phone]) where it was diagnosed that there was a fractured exhaust manifold…
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. The headlights dim and the engine shuts off when the contact depresses the brake pedal. The steering wheel does not move and the contact was almost involved in a crash. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer would not assist the dealer in…
Transmission
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
2003 GMC sierra truck, steering, has a clunking noise started about 5,000 miles, told by mechanic to take to a dealer, was not the first time he had heard of this problem and was not something he wanted to undertake due to liability, another problem with to much play or (slap) in the drive shaft, took it to dealer…
Starting at <5k miles the vehicle power train clunked when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Now at 70k miles it clunks when shifting between all gears except final drive. The dealership replaced the output shaft on the tranny, then the u-joints, and modified the electrical shift patern. It still clunks. Power steering…
Visibility and wipers
4 complaints · 2%Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact heard a grinding noise coming from the front driver side of the vehicle. The noise was heard when the vehicle was shut off. He also felt a vibration coming from the ABS unit. The dealer has not inspected the vehicle to determine the cause of failure. The contact…
The contact owns 2003 GMC sierra. The contact stated that while driving, a burning odor emitted and the heater blower motor failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where contact was informed that the blower motor resister module connection had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer informed the contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, the wheelchair may not be adequately secured possibly resulting in injuries to a wheelchair occupant.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the wheelchair securement retractors as necessary. Sure-lok will handle the repairs for this campaign. Owners should contact sure-lock at 1-908-231-1804 or mobilityworks at 1-800-769-8267.
Full defect summary
On certain vans equipped with sure-lok wheelchair securement systems, the sprocket teeth of the retractor assembly is out of alignment.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (105 complaints, typically around 76,500 miles); electrical (43 complaints, typically around 72,000 miles); steering (15 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 have?
- 1 recall listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 26, 2004 (equipment Adaptive/Mobility). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the GMC Sierra 1500?
- It is 18th of 27 Sierra 1500 model years by number of complaints, with 180 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.