RoadVitals

2003 GMC GMC Truck

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
18
Latest Jan 19, 2011
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 18 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC GMC Truck, most frequently naming the transmission, engine and electrical categories. 21 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Transmission418.2%
  • Engine313.6%
  • Electrical313.6%
  • Tires & wheels313.6%
  • Brakes29.1%
  • Powertrain (other)14.5%
  • Steering14.5%
  • Exterior lighting14.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 19, 2011

BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES AND ENGINE COOLANT LINES ALL FAILING ON 2003 GMC 2500 HD SIERRA AS WELL AS ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO HD 3500. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REPAIR AND REPLACE, AND TODAY THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE ON THE 2003 HD GMC WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THEY WAY THEY ARE ESPECIALLY ON TWO (2) DIFFERENT VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH INADEQUATE PARTS FOR ALL LINES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD NOT BE 1,000 PLUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS REGARDING THE RUSTING OF THESE COMPONENTS, OF WHICH HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL MAJOR AND LIFE SAFETY ISSUES. THE BRAKE LINES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANY VEHICLE AND TO HAVE THEM RUST THRU TO THE DEGREE OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPONENT THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. BETWEEN OUR 2003 AND 2004 GMC AND CHEVY TRUCKS RESPECTIVELY, WE HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINES IN BOTH VEHICLES, OIL ENGINE LINE IN 1 VEHICLE, READY TO CHANGE IN OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO RUST, AND NOW BRAKE LINES IN THE 2003 AND WILL NEED TO REPLACE IN 2004 DUE TO RUST AS WELL. THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE COMPONENTS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. IN ADDITION, THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK ARE ALSO NEEDING TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10377916
Incident
Jan 19, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 1, 2011

I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 4WD TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER IS BAD. I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTER ERRATICALLY AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON 0 MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HERE THE FUEL GAUGE IS NEXT TO GO BAD. THESE TWO PROBLEMS TOGETHER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHERE SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED. GM HAS AGREED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES AND 5 YRS. OLD. THIS DOES NOTHING TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BUT LOWER THE ODDS A LITTLE BIT. WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE BALANCE OF OWNERS OF THE REMAINING VEHICLES AND EVERY PERSON ON US HIGHWAYS? DOESN'T ANYONE CARE? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE SUDDEN. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS AND THEN IT WORKS FINE OFF AND ON OR IT JUST TOTALLY FAILS ALL AT ONCE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE DRIVING WHICH AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON A SNOW COVERED OR DRY FREEWAY OR RTE. AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK CAN DEFINITELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE WHEN OR WHERE THESE PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE ROADS WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES AND OLDER THAN 5YEARS. I AM A CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC AND HAVE BEEN FOR 30 YEARS. WHAT SCARES ME IS THE OLDER THE VEHICLE THE MORE CHANCE OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES FAILING FROM RUST AND NOT KNOWING IF THEY ARE DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS WITH A BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF NOT ALREADY. PLEASE PROTECT EVERYONE AND YOURSELF FROM GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION'S SHOTTY RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10373697
Incident
Dec 24, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 8, 2010

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN 2003 GMC SIERRA, I FEEL THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFTEY DEFECT AND BE COVERED BY THE GM CORP. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THE CORP FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS TO COVER THIS IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTOR IN ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AND THE PART NUMBER WAS XC5-168 THE NEW PART NUMBER IS X25-168 WHY WAS THIS NEVER CONSIDERED A SAFTEY RECALL, IS THE SPEEDOMETER NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE SAFETY RECALLS ON OUR ROADWAYS? THE FACT THAT I CAN DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT "ACCORDING TO MY SPEEDOMETER" AT 120 MPH AND CARS ARE PASSING ME, OR THE FACT THAT I MIGHT BE DOING ONLY 30MPH IN THE SAME SITUATION, IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF A SAFTEY RECALL? IT IS AND HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT THESE STEPPERS MOTORS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS HAS BEEN BAD, AND NOT THE FAULT OF ANY DRIVER BUT THE FAULT OF THE GM CORP., DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BY SOMETHING LIKE THIS THINKING THAT THER ONLY DOING 30MPH BUT IN FACT ARE RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD AT 80MPH.... SURE THE MORE EXPERIENCED DRIVER MIGHT KNOW THE DIFFERENCEBUT WHAT ABOUT THE LESS EXPERIENCED, LIKE YOUR CHILD? I WOULD NEVER WANT THIS TO HAPPEN, AND YOU HAVE TO ADMIT THAT IT COULD, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS... A SAFTEY RECALL, NOT JUST SOME SERVICE BULLETIN, THAT THE DEALER MAILS TO SOME OF THE OWNERS, IF IN FACT THEY HAVE THE NAME ON FILE, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS USED FOR THIER CHILD. UNDER SPEEDOMETERS ON EBAY THERE IS PROOF THAT THE CLUSTERS ARE BAD, GUYS ARE FIXING THEM WITH THE NEW STEPPER MOTORS, WHY IS THIS NOT GM'S RESPONSIBILITY? *TR

NHTSA ID
10298759
Incident
Jan 6, 2010
Mileage
85,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 5, 2007

TRANSFER CASE HAS HOLES IN IT & FLUID LEAKED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210872
Incident
Dec 4, 2007
Mileage
114,200 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 23, 2007

I PURCHASED A 2003 GMC SONOMA FOR MY SON, IN JULY OF 2003 AND WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD YESTERDAY WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE FROM $1,500.00-$2,500.00. WE ARE GOING TO PAY IT BECAUSE WE STILL ARE PAYING A PAYMENT ON IT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS ISN'T GENERAL MOTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL. I DO NOT HAVE AN AMERICAN VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUY AMERICAN BUT THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *JB

NHTSA ID
10206696
Incident
Oct 22, 2007
Mileage
85,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 8, 2007

SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO WORK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10202239
Incident
May 17, 2007
Steering
Filed Jun 11, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC TRUCK. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SHOCK THAT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE BEARINGS AND SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. OVER ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS MADE NINE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE STEERING GEARS AND ADVISED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM INSTEAD OF LOOPING THE GEARS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE SHOCK AND SPRING MOUNTS. THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE BEARING GEAR INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF THE RELATED INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.

NHTSA ID
10192931
Incident
Jun 7, 2007
Mileage
12,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 29, 2006

MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD JUST STARTED HAVING SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS. ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH BUT MY SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS GOING 90 MPH. THEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO 120 MPH AND EVENTUALLY IT PEGGED OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN I TURN MY ENGINE OFF ALL OF THE OTHER GAGES GO OFF BUT THE SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 120 MPH +. SOMETIMES IT FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 70 AND 120 + BUT IT IS NEVER CORRECT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT APPEARS FROM READING ONLINE THAT THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THA GMC SHOULD FIX FOR FREE CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUES. WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE MANUFACUTRERS FAULT.

NHTSA ID
10177377
Incident
Dec 27, 2006

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIT-3749D

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

GM: ON SOME TRUCK MODELS THERE IS SOME FRAME CORROSION. *RM UPDATED ON 5/2/2012. *KB

SB-10-08-50-003B

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT

GENERAL MOTORS: INFORMATION PROVIDED BY BULLETIN FOR ALL 2012 AND PRIOR GENERAL MOTOR TRUCKS AND PASSENGER VEHICLES REGARDING THE ADJUSTABLE COMFORT AND CUSTOM UPHOLSTERY OF THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGER HEAD RESTRAINT. *PE

SB-06-02-32-013B

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

SAAB/HUMMER/GM: DIAGNOSTIC TIPS/RECOMMENDATIONS WHEN POWER STEERING PUMP REPLACEMENT IS NECESSARY. ANALYSIS OF RETURNED POWER STEERING (PS) PUMPS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED FOR NOISE, NO POWER ASSIST, NO OR LOW PRESSURE AND LEAKING CONDITIONS HAS INDICATED A HIGH NUMBER OF NO TROUBLE FOUND RESULTS. ALL 1997-2010 VEHICLES AND LIGHT TRUCKS; 2010 AND PRIOR HUMMERS H2/H3 AND SAAB 9-7X VEHICLES. *PE

063003

TIRES

REPLACEMENT OF FACTORY-EQUIPPED TIRES WITH LT RATED TIRES. FULL-SIZE 1500 SERIES UTILITY TRUCKS. *TT

050703

INTERIOR LIGHTING

NEW TECH LINE SOFTWARE AVAILABLE TO REDUCE INDICATOR BULB ILLUMINATION BY 65% DUE TO REPORTS THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HIGHBEAM INDICATOR IS TOO BRIGHT. 2003 CHEVROLET, GMC AND CADILLAC FULL-SIZE PICK-UP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. *TT

032703

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

ENGINE FAN RUBBING NOISE DURING TURNS, MORE COMMONLY FOUND ON LEFT TURNS ON 2003 ST PICK-UPS AND CLASS STYLE UTILITIES. *TT *JB

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

GMC GMC Truck by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003Viewing180026.5
2002900
2001200
2000130033.4
1999130028.4
1998100034.6
1997800
1996700
1994900
1991200
1990100
1989100
1987200
1986200
1983100
1975000
1974300

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.