RoadVitals

2003 GMC Savana 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.
22
Latest May 17, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Savana, 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

  • Brakes417.4%
  • Engine417.4%
  • Fuel system417.4%
  • Body & structure313.0%
  • Interior & seats28.7%
  • Airbags14.3%
  • Visibility14.3%
  • Electrical14.3%
  • Steering14.3%
  • Suspension14.3%
  • Transmission14.3%

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

Brakes

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

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11208186 · filed May 17, 2019

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE, FORCING THE PETAL BACK INTO THE IDLE POSITION AND CAUSING REDUCED BRAKING RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MOMENTS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID 10325799 · filed Apr 15, 2010

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*VIRGINIA TECH OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,128. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID 10221059 · filed Mar 13, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ID 10217114 · filed Feb 6, 2008

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

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE BUT THE FUEL TANK HAD CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID 10504823 · filed Mar 28, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED TO THE GROUND WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID 10463398 · filed Jun 28, 2012

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

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RUNNING BOARDS ARE TOO NARROW. WHILE STEPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT MISSED THE NARROW RUNNING BOARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FALL. ALSO, THERE ARE NO SAFETY HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID 10147440 · filed Jan 11, 2006

I HAVE A 3500 SAVANA GMC VAN, WHEN OPENING THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE SIDE DOOR IS OPEN THE SIDE DOOR HITS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHICH HAS CAUSED A DENT IN THE SIDE DOOR. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WHEN SOMEONE OPENS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND HAS THEIR HAND IN THE SAME LOCATION WHERE THE TWO DOOR MEET IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE HAND.*JB

NHTSA ID 10146944 · filed Jan 5, 2006

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

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TWO CAPTAIN CHAIRS LOCATED BEHIND THE FRONT SEATS ARE UNSTABLE, AND COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID 10042648 · filed Oct 9, 2003

DRIVER SEAT FALLS OUT CONTINUOUSLY. *NLM

NHTSA ID 10016575 · filed Apr 27, 2003

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

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE TWO BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *TT *JB

NHTSA ID 10046506 · filed Dec 2, 2003

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

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 SAVANAH VAN MISSED ON RECALL.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SAME DEFECTIVE WIPER MODULE BEING RECALLED ON OTHER GMC VEHICLE'S IS THE SAME PART IN HIS VEHICLE WHICH ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO IT'S VIN.

NHTSA ID 10089370 · filed Aug 19, 2004

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

Electrical

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

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2003 GMC SAVANNA 2500 EXT VAN 6.0 H.O. ENGINE. MALFUNCTION FUEL GAUGE, ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL FROM DASH. RADIO FAILED FOUR TIMES AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. CAN NOT TURN RADIO OFF WITHOUT OPENING HOOD AND PULLING FUSE. BROKEN DASHBOARD ALL FOUR TIMES. NO RADIO SINCE SEPTEMBER 2005 IN OPERATION, AND DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL NEW UNIT. THEY WILL ONLY HAVE IT REBUILT?. TRUCK HAS RUN OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE READS 1/2 TANK ON MANY OCCASSIONS!*JB

NHTSA ID 10145654 · filed Dec 19, 2005

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

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID 11208186 · filed May 17, 2019

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

ONE OF THE RETAINING KNOTS, WHICH WAS APART OF THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ID 10055870 · filed Jan 27, 2004

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

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

1. WAS DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY (DURING 1ST FAILURE OD 15,403 AND 2ND FAILURE OD 55576 ), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN TO HIGHER GEAR AND FAILED. WAS DRIVING VAN ON STREET WHEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE (DURING 3RD FAILURE OD 56676). 2. DURING FAILURE 1 VAN WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE TWO VAN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE IN LOW GEAR TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE 3 VAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT ALL AND OBSTRUCTED TRAFFIC ON A MAIN STREET UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. 3. DURING FAILURE ONE SUNSHELL STRIPPED, 3-4 CLUTCHES BURNED, 2-4 BAND BURNED. SUN SHELL & GEAR REPLACED ALL CLUTCHES & 2-4 BAND REPLACED. DURING FAILURE TWO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE 4/4 CLUTCH, INPUT HOUSING, PUMP, SHAFT AND DRUM. CORE REASSEMBLED AND SRTA TRANS INSTALLED. DURING FAILURE THREE TRANSMISSION WAS SHREDDED AWAITING REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10196031 · filed Jul 10, 2007

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 .