KnownCarProblems2003 GMC Sierra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 206 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Sierra, most often about the brakes (40% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 4th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 GMC Sierra problems
Brakes
82 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, fluid.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra. While applying the brakes, the brake pedal was depressed straight into the floorboard. The contact stated that the defect was a result of rusted brake lines. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and…
First incident was a brake line bursting in my driveway. I had it repaired at my local garage. At that time he told me that all of the brake lines were in bad shape. Second incident, while I was driving up the road at approx 55 MPH with my 19' boat in tow I realized I had no steering or brakes. I was able to coast to…
Electrical
31 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 62,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
The speedometer in the truck registers false MPH. For example when parked the speedometer reads 50 MPH, when traveling on the road the speedometer will register 80 MPH and the actual speed may be only 30 MPH.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra. The contact stated that all the gauges on the instrumental panel failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the panel cluster failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000 updated…
Transmission
29 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 4,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, manual transmission.
Transmission has "clunking" noise when vehicle shifts from second to third gear when starting and down shifting when stopping. The noise started at approximately 4000 miles and continues to progressively get louder as the vehicle continues to be driven. The transmission has not failed to operate at this time but…
I own a 2003 GMC seirra 4x4 sle (ext) cab and the transmission is very jerky between first and second gear and between second and third gear also , but at times there is a cluck noise between second and third gear. Which sounds like a universal joint that is bad.first time I took it to the dealer they said they…
Steering
27 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 22,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box, linkages, hydraulic power assist system.
At about 20,000 miles I started hearing a slight knocking noise in the steering while slightly turning to the right, and while hitting minor bumps in the road. Now at about 22,500 miles it continues to get worse. Being a former mechanic I checked it out and found the upper steering shaft u-joint, by the firewall, to…
When the ABS brakes were pressed hard the steering locked and made it difficult to control the steering wheel. The consumer contacted the manufacturer, and informed consumer that it was the characteristic of vehicle. The dealership mechanic will not repair vehicle based on information from manufacturer. The anti-lock…
Speed control
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 53,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Driving my 2003 GMC Sierra and the speedometer went out , it was going 100 miles per hour when I was going around 50 - 55 ? Hard to tell it never right any more and I only have 58,000 on the odometer . This a safety problem and GMC should recall these clusters before people start getting hert because the speed is way…
After sitting in stop-and-go traffic I noticed that the speedometer was reading at 100 MPH and I was at a stop light. At the time, I had less than 50,000 miles on my truck. Since then the speedometer was almost always incorrect. It has occasionally fixed" itself, but usually did not last more than a day or two. The…
Engine
12 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 18,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
I own a 2003 GMC Sierra with a diesel engine. I have had to replace the block heater 5x in the last 3 years. It quits about every 4 months during the "winter months" or the first time I plug it in after the summer it fails to work.
Truck was entering major highway,traffic begins too slow due to rush hour ,seeing this occur I stepped on brakes expecting to slow down ,until I realized pedal had gone all the way to floor,then I let up an pushed to floor again-no brakes no room to go left or right impact was unavoidable,impacted car twice which…
Fuel system
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system.
Failed component 1: driving at slow speed, reduced power light energized and engines goes to idle speed with no fuel pedal response. Failed component #2: exhaust manifold bolts in cylinder heads broken on both sides of engine, passenger exhaust manifold cracked, exhaust is loud with exhaust fumes in cab. Depending on…
2003 GMC Sierra duramax 3 injectors failed and replaced under warranty @ 25,000 miles 8 injectors failed and replaced @ 35,000 miles and replaced under warranty 4 injectors failed @ 120,000 and no warranty coverage obviously there is an injector problem.
Body and structure
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I was parked on a sloped driveway (about 10 - 15 degrees). I started the engine, stepped on the brake pedal and took the car out of park into drive. Brake pedal was normal. I started to roll forward and when I pushed the brake pedal the car did not slow. I slammed the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floor.…
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 recalls
Brakes: parking brake
Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
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 can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Seat belts: anchorage
Risk: The standard requires child seat lower anchorages in two seating positions for vehicles with three rear seating positions. The standard cab and cargo van vehicles, which only have front seating positions, have an air bag off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have child restraint lower anchorages in the passenger seat. The standard requires passenger seat child seat lower anchorages in vehicles with an air bag off switch. However, the standard does not require vehicles with only front seating positions to have lower anchorage provisions if the vehicle is not equipped with
Fix: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a cover over the resulting opening. The sun visor label and owner's manual will also be changed. The correction for the extended cab vehicle will consist of changing the front passenger seat to a seat that has child restraint lower anchorages. The recall began on september 9, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Full defect summary
Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have one seating position, the center rear seat, equipped with child restraint lower anchorages.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Full defect summary
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. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: In vehicles with this condition, the windshield may not be retained in accordance with the safety standard during a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on january 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received defect petition dp10-003 on march 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (my) 2003 chevrolet silverado 2500hd 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.dp10-003 was granted and on march 30, 2010, preliminary evaluation pe10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by general motors corporation (gm).on july 2, 2010, odi received gm's response to an information request, which included gm's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Gm stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject veh
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Parking brake failure
Summary
In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned park
Tailgate cable breakage
Summary
General motors filed a defect notice 04v-129 on march 17, 2004, which outlines a program to replace the tailgate cables installed in affected model year 2000-2004 vehicles.refer to odi's closing report for ea04-005 for additional information.odi is aware of reports of tailgate cable breakage occurring in model year 1999 and earlier vehicles.these vehicles were equipped with similar tailgate cables as addressed by 04v-129, but are not being addressed by campaign o4v-129.odi is initiating a separate investigation to address these vehicles.the complaint-injury-fatality statistics summarized above pertain to model year 2000-2004 vehicles. The complaint-injury statistics for model year 1999 and e
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake system's torque below that needed to immobilize the vehicle.gm has attributed this accelerated wear to foreign material intrusion and a failure of the brake shoe to properly self-center within its brake drum.effective with the start of my 2003 production, a newer reduced force hold-
Questions about the 2003 GMC Sierra
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (82 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); electrical (31 complaints, typically around 62,500 miles); transmission (29 complaints, typically around 4,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (brakes). 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?
- It is 4th of 18 Sierra model years by number of complaints, with 206 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.