KnownCarProblems2003 GMC Yukon Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Yukon, most often about the brakes (29% of complaints, typically around 114,000 miles). It is 6th of 28 Yukon model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 GMC Yukon problems
Brakes
59 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 114,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the ABS warning indicator illuminated as the anti lock brakes failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the pump and the modulator had to be replaced. The dealer was notified of the problem. However, the part was…
I have a 2003 GMC Yukon and the electronic brake control module (ecbm) has failed. The ecbm is the feature that controls the anti-lock brake system (ABS) on cars and trucks. Without the ecbm working, a car/truck will not have ABS braking, which is a safety hazard for stopping and braking, especially since all new cars…
Electrical
53 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 68,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring.
The instrument panel gauges are sticking the odometer is not working at all the oil gauge is pinned and the other gauges also stick. The odometer and oil gauge is all the time and nothing has been done to repair the problem gm has informed me that they will not help me get this very dangerous defect repaired. This is…
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the instrument cluster failed to function. The lights on the instrument cluster failed to illuminate and none of the gauges functioned. In addition, the digital display was not functioning due to the failure. The dealer was notified of the failure and the…
Engine
24 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 116,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system.
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was coasted to the shoulder of the road. The engine restarted after several attempts, but the failure recurred. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the…
Car looses power and goes into reduced engine power. Unable to drive over 2mph. Happens at random times, in all modes of travel, uphill, downhill, from a stop and acceleration. The worst was when it happened going 55mph on a highway. Two separate mechanics have been unable to pinpoint the problem even after $1,300…
Fuel system
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 21,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
I have a 2003 GMC Yukon. It now has 20,000 miles. Gm has had to replace the fuel pump twice so far and will have to every time I run low on gasoline. It seems that the pump is located in the gas tank and the pump depends on the tank having enough liquid to keep the electric pump cool. Otherwise it overheats and burns…
Driving 60 MPH on a 20 mile bridge, the engine failed (engine light and traction control light were on. No power steering or power brakes. Nothing appeared to be overheated. 2 hrs later it started, 5 minutes later it killed again. Towed to nearest dealership. They road tested it and car failed again. Found 1 broken…
Speed control
13 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
Speedometer isn't registering correct speed while driving. Stopped and it registered 55 MPH while standing still. Has trouble returning to zero. Problem started at 200 miles.
Dt: contact stated the speedometer and gas gauge failed. The needle on the speedometer moved, but it said 100 MPH when going only 5 MPH. He took the vehicle to the dealership, and they stated it was a common problem and usually happened at 30,000 miles. They were able to diagnose the problem without looking at the…
Steering
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box.
: the contact stated the steering shaft was replaced under recall january 2005. While driving at various speeds and when the steering wheel is turned there is a popping and grinding nose. There is also an extreme amount of play in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the shaft was greased.…
Excessive "play" in steering column of 2003 GMC Yukon, after 26,000 miles and 8 months of driving was repaired under warranty or maintenance service agreement. Dealer indicated that repair involved a lube kit for "interim steering shaft". Dealer advised that GMC issued a maintenance circular regarding this problem…
Wheels and tires
10 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 46,000 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt.
I took delivery of my 2003 GMC Yukon slt on 22 december 2003. It has chassis problems since it had 500 miles on the odometer. I have taken it to the dealership service department for the following chassis related complaints multiple times: front end vibration and highway speeds (50+ MPH), steering wheel pull at all…
I took delivery of my 2003 GMC Yukon slt on 22 december 2003. It has chassis problems since it had 500 miles on the odometer. I have taken it to the dealership service department for the following chassis related complaints multiple times: front end vibration and highway speeds (50+ MPH), steering wheel pull at all…
Visibility and wipers
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 61,000 miles. Parts named most often: defroster/defogger/hvac system, sun/moon roof assembly, power window devices and controls.
Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that the brakes failed while approaching a stop sign. After 20 feet, the vehicle stopped. She pulled over to the shoulder, and waited approximately ten minutes. The dealer performed a diagnostic, but no failure could be identified. This was the second occurrence of…
Rear heater not working. On july 25, 2006, the dealer replaced:" compressor assembly-replace sensor, inside air temperature-replace, case, auxiliary heater one piece-replace" at 38,371 miles. Today, I returned to the dealer. Rear A/C is working but no heat through the rear heater. They replaced the actuator, but that…
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 Yukon recalls
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.
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.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 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 southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 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 cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "side impact protection." these vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the welds may not be to specification.
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
Questions about the 2003 GMC Yukon
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Yukon?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (59 complaints, typically around 114,000 miles); electrical (53 complaints, typically around 68,500 miles); engine (24 complaints, typically around 116,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). 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 Yukon?
- It is 6th of 28 Yukon model years by number of complaints, with 204 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.