RoadVitals

2003 GMC Savana 2500

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.
5
Latest Mar 1, 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.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 5 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC Savana 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, other / unspecified and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 90 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

  • Brakes330.0%
  • Other / unspecified220.0%
  • Transmission220.0%
  • Exterior lighting110.0%
  • Seat belts110.0%
  • Tires & wheels110.0%

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

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Mar 1, 2011
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANNAH 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL IN REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC YET THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER BRAKE FAILURES SINCE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10386035
Incident
Nov 9, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 31, 2009

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 2500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE HAD TO INCREASE HIS STOPPING DISTANCES DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SEARS REPAIR FACILITY AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.

NHTSA ID
10297664
Incident
Dec 20, 2009
Mileage
170,000 mi
Exterior lightingOther / unspecifiedSeat belts+2 more
Filed Aug 21, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.

NHTSA ID
10166150
Incident
Feb 21, 2003
Mileage
6,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 7, 2006

I HAVE SEVERAL 2003 GMC SAVANA CARGO VANS THAT ARE USED AS SERVICE VEHICLES FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE THE OUTER SECTION OF THE OEM WHEELS (RIMS) HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CENTER SPOKE SECTION ALONG THE WELD LINES THAT JOIN THE TWO. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLES AFFECTED HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I HAVE THE OTHERS INSPECTED FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF FAILURE. I HAVE ONE OF THE WHEELS THAT SPLIT IN MY OFFICE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 6/23/2006. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161799
Incident
Jun 23, 2006
Mileage
66,054 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Jun 14, 2006

ALL 4 BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE PADS DRAGGING 1 DAY PRIOR TO LOCK UP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. TOLD COMPUTER ERROR IS PROBLEM FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME ANSWER PENDING. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FOREWORD. BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO PUBLIC STREET-LAG TIME, DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION FROM DEALER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159840
Incident
Jun 14, 2006
Mileage
25,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT3271P

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

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 Savana 2500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2023000—
2018000—
2017000—
2016000—
2015100—
2014000—
2013000—
2012000—
2011000—
2010100—
2009200—
2008100—
2007200—
2006100—
2005410—
2004110—
2003Viewing510—
2002210—
2001010—
2000110—
1999110—
1998000—
1997000—
1996000—

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.