RoadVitals

2003 GMC Savana 3500 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
3
Latest Mar 21, 2009
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
5
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.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Savana 3500, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Electrical233.3%
  • Brakes116.7%
  • Engine116.7%
  • Other / unspecified116.7%
  • Suspension116.7%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN EARLY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. NO RAIN, 45 DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP., HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER FIRST NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKER & ALTERNATOR GAUGE SHOWING A DISCHARGE, THEN THESE ISSUES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VAN CONTINUED BEING DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES TO DESTINATION W/O FURTHER ISSUES. UPON DEPARTING VAN, DRIVER NOTICED UNUSUAL SMELL AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AT ABOUT MIDPOINT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER SAW FLAMES EMANATING FROM SAID POINT UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND LIQUIDS ON THE GROUND. EMERGENCY CALL TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE & A THIRD PERSON BROUGHT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO THE SCENE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT REIGNITED AS THE FIREMEN ARRIVED TO COMPLETE THE JOB. VEHICLE NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION. DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE TO THE BATTERY HAD NOT ORIGINALLY BEEN SECURED OR SHIELDED PROPERLY AND WAS RUBBING ON A BOLT HEAD SECURING TWO A/C CHARGING TUBES. OVER AN EXTENDED TIME THE WIRES INSULATION WORE THROUGH & VOLTAGE WAS SUPPLIED TO THE A/C FREON TRANSFER TUBES RUNNING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE TO THE REAR OF THE VAN WHERE THEY CROSSED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE BODY. THE CROSS TUBES ARE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES BODY & LONG SHIELD. THIS IS WHERE THE POSITIVELY CHARGED REAR A/C TRANSFER TUBES MADE CONTACT WITH THE NEGATIVE/GROUNDED REAR HEATER TRANSFER TUBES, SPARKED & IGNITED THE COMBUSTIBLE FLUIDS WITHIN THE FREON. THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE WAS REPAIRED, SHIELDED & SECURED. THE DAMAGED REAR TRANSFER, CROSSOVER A/C/HEATER TUBES SET WAS ORDERED FOR REPLACEMENT. REAR HEATER TUBES WERE BYPASSED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT A/C OR REAR HEAT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING SYSTEM, A/C OR REAR A/C/HEATER IS SUSPECTED AT PRESENT. CONFIRMATION WILL OCCUR WHEN PART IS INSTALLED AND A/C IS RECHARGED, COOLANT SYSTEM IS SERVICED AND TESTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10262640 · filed Mar 21, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 3500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE PARKED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE NOISE, SOMEONE PRESSED THE HORN TO COUNTERACT THE FAILURE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE HOOD AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ASSESSING THE DAMAGE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS BURNED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,000.

NHTSA ID 10230563 · filed Jun 11, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FROZE UP, AND THE TIRES DID NOT TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE BRAKE ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ID 10175302 · filed Dec 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN EARLY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. NO RAIN, 45 DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP., HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER FIRST NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKER & ALTERNATOR GAUGE SHOWING A DISCHARGE, THEN THESE ISSUES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VAN CONTINUED BEING DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES TO DESTINATION W/O FURTHER ISSUES. UPON DEPARTING VAN, DRIVER NOTICED UNUSUAL SMELL AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AT ABOUT MIDPOINT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER SAW FLAMES EMANATING FROM SAID POINT UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND LIQUIDS ON THE GROUND. EMERGENCY CALL TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE & A THIRD PERSON BROUGHT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO THE SCENE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT REIGNITED AS THE FIREMEN ARRIVED TO COMPLETE THE JOB. VEHICLE NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION. DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE TO THE BATTERY HAD NOT ORIGINALLY BEEN SECURED OR SHIELDED PROPERLY AND WAS RUBBING ON A BOLT HEAD SECURING TWO A/C CHARGING TUBES. OVER AN EXTENDED TIME THE WIRES INSULATION WORE THROUGH & VOLTAGE WAS SUPPLIED TO THE A/C FREON TRANSFER TUBES RUNNING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE TO THE REAR OF THE VAN WHERE THEY CROSSED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE BODY. THE CROSS TUBES ARE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES BODY & LONG SHIELD. THIS IS WHERE THE POSITIVELY CHARGED REAR A/C TRANSFER TUBES MADE CONTACT WITH THE NEGATIVE/GROUNDED REAR HEATER TRANSFER TUBES, SPARKED & IGNITED THE COMBUSTIBLE FLUIDS WITHIN THE FREON. THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE WAS REPAIRED, SHIELDED & SECURED. THE DAMAGED REAR TRANSFER, CROSSOVER A/C/HEATER TUBES SET WAS ORDERED FOR REPLACEMENT. REAR HEATER TUBES WERE BYPASSED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT A/C OR REAR HEAT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING SYSTEM, A/C OR REAR A/C/HEATER IS SUSPECTED AT PRESENT. CONFIRMATION WILL OCCUR WHEN PART IS INSTALLED AND A/C IS RECHARGED, COOLANT SYSTEM IS SERVICED AND TESTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10262640 · filed Mar 21, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN EARLY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. NO RAIN, 45 DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP., HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER FIRST NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKER & ALTERNATOR GAUGE SHOWING A DISCHARGE, THEN THESE ISSUES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VAN CONTINUED BEING DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES TO DESTINATION W/O FURTHER ISSUES. UPON DEPARTING VAN, DRIVER NOTICED UNUSUAL SMELL AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AT ABOUT MIDPOINT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER SAW FLAMES EMANATING FROM SAID POINT UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND LIQUIDS ON THE GROUND. EMERGENCY CALL TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE & A THIRD PERSON BROUGHT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO THE SCENE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT REIGNITED AS THE FIREMEN ARRIVED TO COMPLETE THE JOB. VEHICLE NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION. DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE TO THE BATTERY HAD NOT ORIGINALLY BEEN SECURED OR SHIELDED PROPERLY AND WAS RUBBING ON A BOLT HEAD SECURING TWO A/C CHARGING TUBES. OVER AN EXTENDED TIME THE WIRES INSULATION WORE THROUGH & VOLTAGE WAS SUPPLIED TO THE A/C FREON TRANSFER TUBES RUNNING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE TO THE REAR OF THE VAN WHERE THEY CROSSED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE BODY. THE CROSS TUBES ARE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES BODY & LONG SHIELD. THIS IS WHERE THE POSITIVELY CHARGED REAR A/C TRANSFER TUBES MADE CONTACT WITH THE NEGATIVE/GROUNDED REAR HEATER TRANSFER TUBES, SPARKED & IGNITED THE COMBUSTIBLE FLUIDS WITHIN THE FREON. THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE WAS REPAIRED, SHIELDED & SECURED. THE DAMAGED REAR TRANSFER, CROSSOVER A/C/HEATER TUBES SET WAS ORDERED FOR REPLACEMENT. REAR HEATER TUBES WERE BYPASSED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT A/C OR REAR HEAT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING SYSTEM, A/C OR REAR A/C/HEATER IS SUSPECTED AT PRESENT. CONFIRMATION WILL OCCUR WHEN PART IS INSTALLED AND A/C IS RECHARGED, COOLANT SYSTEM IS SERVICED AND TESTED. *TR

NHTSA ID 10262640 · filed Mar 21, 2009

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FROZE UP, AND THE TIRES DID NOT TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE BRAKE ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/07. *JB

NHTSA ID 10175302 · filed Dec 6, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .