KnownCarProblems2003 Hummer H2 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 141 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Hummer H2, most often about the visibility and wipers (37% of complaints, typically around 65,000 miles). It is the most complained-about H2 model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Hummer H2 problems
Visibility and wipers
52 complaints · 37%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, sun/moon roof assembly, rear window wiper/washer, rearview mirrors/devices.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hummer H2. While driving approximately 5 MPH in the rain, the windshield motor stopped working. The dealer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 02v283000 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor); therefore, they would not replace the motor. The contact insisted that…
I have purchased a 2003 Hummer h-2 last year in arizona. I now live in florida. My trucks steering vibrates and makes a clicking type noise when driving on poor pavement. Then the windshield wiper stopped working. I turned the vehicle off and on. The windshield wiper started working, but the windshield wiper washer…
Electrical
24 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
The contact owns a 2003 Hummer H2. The contact stated that the windshield wipers only functioned on an intermittent basis. The speedometer would also stick at a certain speed and whenever the vehicle decelerated, the speedometer would not reflect the actual speed the vehicle was traveling at. The speedometer would…
My windshield wipers, and washer failed.this design flaw callback is only covered on some vins. But it appears all are defective. This causes great disappointment on a high end vehicle like a Hummer.
Brakes
18 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
I was driving down the highway interstate 70 in maryland and went to apply my brakes . As I applied the brakes , the truck pulled hard to the right ,and the brake pedal went to the floor . If I would not have swerved onto the median , I would have ran into the back of another vehicle . After stopping , I looked under…
Failure of braking system due to complete erosion of brake lines. Extremely dangerous safety issue along with very costly repairs for a vehicle consumers believed to be "well-made". I can't understand why the substandard defective parts and associated repairs have not been a determined as a recall. Based upon the…
Steering
17 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, hydraulic power assist, electric power assist system.
There were no events leading up to the failure. I pulled into my office parking lot on the morning of 2-20-2006. There was snow on the ground. I turned the wheel to the left, and with a little throttle, spun around into my parking place. I have since discovered that by doing that little maneuver, you can, and I did…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hummer H2. While driving 1-5 MPH, the power steering malfunctioned intermittently. When attempting to park, the steering wheel was difficult to turn. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v045000 (service…
Body and structure
13 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The contact owns a 2003 Hummer H2. While barely moving at less than 1 MPH, the contact experienced a failure in the braking system due to the rusted brake lines. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the hoses and calipers were replaced. The failure mileage was 28,071. The current mileage was 29,000.…
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, there was a clunking noise coming from the left front side. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the left front upper control arm was loose, and wore a hole through the frame where it connected. Also, the dealer determined the upper…
Suspension
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: front.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Hummer H2. While driving 35 MPH, the front passenger side tire fell off and the contact crashed into a parked vehicle. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The insurance investigator stated that the steering knuckle failed at the ball joint. The current and failure mileages were 56,000.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds on the highway, there was a clunking noise coming from the left front side. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer, who determined the left front upper control arm was loose, and wore a hole through the frame where it connected. Also, the dealer determined the upper…
Transmission
11 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 61,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle assembly, axle hubs, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
2003 Hummer H2 transmission cooler ruptured which leaked transmission fluid into engine coolant. Required replacement of radiator, all coolant hoses and flushing both the transmission fluid and engine coolant. Cost was $1,400. Unknown if transmission was damaged from contamination of fluid.
The contact owns a 2003 H2 Hummer. While driving 1 MPH, the front driver side wheel fractured and detached from the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the drive shaft and spindle were fractured and the casing behind the wheel was also fractured. The contact was awaiting repairs. The manufacturer was not…
Engine
9 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 67,500 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
A parked Hummer H2 2003 was spontaneously combusted and destroyed. The SUV was driven that fateful day for about 15 minutes back and forth to a grocery store and parked in our driveway. Engine was off and key was out. About 10 minutes later, my daughter noticed the engine on fire and panicked. Called 911. Fire engine…
Exhaust manifold bolts rusted off and the vehicle makes a ticking sound. I just observed a video explaining that this is a common problem. It also may cause other emissions related problems. Call me day or night for any further information. This vehicle has had nothing but problems and an unrelated engine fire due to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Hummer H2 recalls
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: If this were to occur, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the windshield wiper module cover, and replace the windshield wiper module cover free of charge. The recall began on november 7, 2008. Owners may contact hummer at 1-800-732-5493 or through their website at <a href=http://www.gmownercenter.com>http://www.gmownercenter.com</a> .
Full defect summary
Gm is recalling 13,358 my 2003 hummer h2 vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which water can enter the windshield wiper motor module. If a sufficient amount of water enters the module, over time, the front windshield wipers may work intermittently or they may become inoperative.
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.
Transmission: automatic transmission
Risk: These overrides are not permitted unless the vehicle has a locking steering column.
Fix: Dealers will eliminate these conditions by disabling the overrides. Owner notification began on may 29, 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, gmc at 1-800-462-8782, oldsmobile at 1-800-442-6537, or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 114, "theft protection." these vehicles are equipped with a mechanical override that could allow the ignition key to be removed with the shift lever in a position other than park. In addition, these vehicles have an override that can allow the transmission to be shifted out of park with the ignition in the off position.
Visibility and wipers: motor
Risk: If this were to occur in severe weather, driver visibility could be reduced, which could result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper motor assembly. Owner notification began november 6, 2002. 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 saturn at 1-800-553-6000, prompt #3 or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility and passenger vehicles exhibit a condition in which the windshield wiper motor could fail during use because of improper manufacture.
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
Windshield wiper motor module failure
Summary
This investigation disclosed that water intrusion into the wiper motor module of the subject vehicles may lead to intermittent operation or subsequent total system failure.analysis of data disclosed that the subject vehicles built between february 2003 and may 2003 exhibited high warranty claim rates.the manufactured notified NHTSA by letter dated september 8, 2008, that a safety recall program has been initiated for the 13,358 vehicles built during this time period.NHTSA has assigned no. 08v-456 to this safety recall campaign.corrective action will consist of replacing the wiper module cover, where evidence of water intrusion exists.to correspond with parts availability, the dealer bulletin
Hummer h2 steering knuckle failures
Summary
Odi upgraded this investigation at the conclusion of pe04-080.the alleged defect involves the failure of the steering knuckle at the lower ball joint boss, resulting in a separation of the lower ball joint from the knuckle.a lower ball joint separation could result in a loss of steering and/or a disabled vehicle. It appears that the fractures of h2 steering knuckles can be attributed to wheel/tire collision forces being transferred directly to the steering knuckle.the original knuckle design appears to be sufficient for the h2 application.evidence from inspected vehicles, photographs, police reports and edr data indicates collision impact events placed stress on the steering knuckle causing
Steering knuckle fracture
Summary
During the pe, odi investigated the hummer h2 for fractures which were occurring at the front steering knuckle lower boss.when the knuckle lower boss fractures, the lower ball joint stud is released and the entire knuckle and wheel/tire assembly separates from the vehicle.odi is upgrading this investigation to gain a full technical understanding of the factors which contributed to these failures.
Questions about the 2003 Hummer H2
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Hummer H2?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (52 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); electrical (24 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); brakes (18 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Hummer H2 have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 9, 2008 (visibility and wipers). 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 Hummer H2?
- It is the most complained-about H2 model year since 2000, with 141 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.