RoadVitals

2003 GMC Sierra 2500 Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
160
Latest Feb 12, 2020
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.
11
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Feb 4, 2003

What this page shows

Our database holds 160 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 160 · page 1 of 7

Fuel systemSteering
Filed Feb 12, 2020

HAD INJECTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 50000 MILES AFTER NOTICING EXCESS EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP AND ALSO POWER STEERING HOSES WERE LEAKING, AGAIN AT 105000 MILES THEY TOTALLY FAILED AS I WAS BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ON I-15 IN CA. UP CAJON PASS AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT GM DEALER WOULD NOT COVER INJECTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS TRUCK WAS11 YEARS OLD AND THEIR COVERAGE WAS FOR 7 YEARS ONLY, NOW AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AT 147000 MILES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE ON STARTUP. THIS TIME I WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AS THEY WERE $1000 CHEAPER AND STATED THESE UPGRADED INJECTORS SHOULD LAST 150000 MILES NOT 50000. HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING HOSES REPLACED AGAIN ALSO ALONG WITH POWER BRAKE SERVO BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING AGAIN AT 157000 MILES. I HAVE ALL OF THIS DOCUMENTED IN WRITING BY SERVICE DEPTS.

NHTSA ID
11308791
Incident
Jan 9, 2020
Mileage
157,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 1, 2019

BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR DOES NOT OPERATE. UPON INSPECTION, HARNESS AND FINAL STAGE ARE DAMAGED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS BECAUSE I FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. MANY POSTS ON THE SAME THING. WHY IS THERE NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS? MY BMW HAD SAME ISSUE BUT IT WAS A RECALL ON THEIR CARS. WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL ON GM? IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AN AMERICAN CAR COMPANY?

NHTSA ID
11193104
Incident
Mar 28, 2019
Mileage
180,000 mi
Filed Feb 9, 2019

THE HORN QUITS WORKING AND THIS CREATES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID
11175902
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
2,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Feb 1, 2019

BRAKES ARE SPONGY NOT RIGHT POWER STEERING WHINES AS DO BRAKES

NHTSA ID
11173437
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
170,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED WAS RUSTED, INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (FREEDOM CHEVROLET, 7052 W 48TH ST, FREMONT, MI 49412, 321-403-0016) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CHEAP METAL WAS USED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID
11119742
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Mileage
120,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 5, 2018

COMPLAINT INVOLVES REDUCED POWER MODE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE RAPID DROP IN SPEED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS UNSAFE TRYING TO EXIT TRAFFIC LANES WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THROTTLE PEDAL AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DRIVE BY WIRE VEHICLES PRODUCED BY GENERAL MOTORS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, TIMES OF DAY, TEMPERATURES ETC. IT WILL ENTER REDUCED POWER ONCE TO TWICE A DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ID
11066962
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
217,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 5, 2017

GMC 2500 DIESEL HD SLE SIERRA REARWHEEL DRIVE INSTRUMENT PANAY IS INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO USE IPHONE FOR SPEED AND GUESS AT GAS EFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAN SPEED AND CD PLAYER

NHTSA ID
11031844
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Brakes
Filed Aug 6, 2017

BRAKE FAILURE UPON SLOWING DOWN AT OFF RAMP. AVOIDED ACCIDENT BUT HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, CHECKED FLUID LEVELS, WERE OK, TRIED BRAKES AGAIN AND THEY WERE WORKING. HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE.HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF SIMILAR NATURE. SOME THINK IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE VALVING.HOPE YOU CAN FIND A CURE.

NHTSA ID
11013113
Incident
Jul 16, 2017
Mileage
233,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 28, 2016
1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING ON I 75 DOING 70 MPH I HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP I APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES., I ENDED UP PUTTING TRUCK IN THE DITCH TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT ENDED BOTH BRAKE LINES FROM MASTER CYLINDER BOTH BLEW UP FROM CORROSION THESE LINES WENT TO THE ABS MODULE. I WAS SOME WHAT INJURED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10928370
Incident
Oct 8, 2016
Mileage
350,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2016
Crash reported

ABS COMES ON AT LOW SPEED.. IT INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE.. I HAVE ONCE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE.. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS MAYBE TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH..

NHTSA ID
10913828
Incident
Sep 14, 2016
Mileage
85,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 12, 2016

BRAKE LINE FAILED, NO BRAKES WHILE HEADING FOR A RED LIGHT. DRIVE OFF ROAD TILL VEHICLE STOPPED. BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS CONTROL , ROTTED OUT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, ALL BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED OUT. MY MECHANIC STATES THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
10864659
Incident
Apr 15, 2016
Mileage
142,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST POWER, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ID
10861591
Incident
Jun 15, 2008
Mileage
180,000 mi
BrakesFuel system
Filed Feb 14, 2016

BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. LUCKLY IT HAPPENED PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY! FUEL LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING FUEL PUDDLING ONTO THE GROUND.

NHTSA ID
10826044
Incident
Jul 18, 2015
Mileage
100,010 mi
Fuel system
Filed Feb 2, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS ELEVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES AND THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH NEW FUEL INJECTORS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.

NHTSA ID
10823719
Incident
Jun 15, 2014
Mileage
209,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 15, 2015

SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES THAT SPLIT. MAIN LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS MODULE AND REAR LINE JUST INBOARD OF LH REAR TIRE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON CITY STREET WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
10810278
Incident
Dec 13, 2015
Mileage
119,222 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 30, 2015

I WAS MOVING THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BREAK PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK STOPPED SO I GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER IT AND SAW BREAK FLUID POURING OUT OF A BREAK LINE THAT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE FORMER OWNER HAD ALREADY HAD ANOTHER BREAK LINE REPLACED BECAUSE HIS BREAKS HAD RUPTURED DUE TO THE LINES RUSTING THROUGH WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND TOWING A FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER. HE WAS ABLE TO AVOID WRECKING AND CAME TO A STOP. THIS TRUCK HAS LOW MILES AND ABOUT 90% OF ITS USE HAS BEEN DURING THE SUMMER SO IT HAS HAD LIMITED CONTACT WITH SALTED ROADS YET THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AT AN INCREDIBLE RATE. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I WAS SIMPLY MOVING THE TRUCK RATHER THAN HAULING MY CAMPER ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS IT'S TYPICAL USE; I AND/OR OTHERS COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. THE RUSTING THROUGH OF THE BREAK LINES IS A SAFETY ISSUE!

NHTSA ID
10731294
Incident
Jun 27, 2015
Mileage
89,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 10, 2015

(ELECTRICAL) AS AN ONGOING ISSUE, THE DASHBOARD GAUGES/INDICATORS (I.E. TACH, SPEEDOMETER, ETC..) WILL SOMETIMES NOT REGISTER UNTIL SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING (THIS COULD BE FOR UP TO MILES) IT HAS NOT AFFECTED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE TO DATE. (FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM) I HAVE BEGUN HAVING ISSUES WHERE IT GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC ATTEMPTS HAVE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY), TAC MODULE, OR APP ASSEMBLY (ACCELERATOR PEDAL). MOST LIKELY CAUSE MAY BE DUE TO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, AS THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON "CRUISE CONTROL". HOWEVER, DUE TO THE INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT ITSELF, THE MANUFACTURE HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT OR IF DESIGNED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE JUST THE TPS, BY RIVETING THE TPS TO THE THROTTLE BODY, AND MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR, AND WILL ELABORATE FURTHER UPON SUCCESSFUL REPAIR IF DESIRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705003
Incident
Apr 9, 2015
Mileage
142,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 5, 2015

CAME TO INTERSECTION FOR TURN, BROKE AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10681397
Incident
Feb 3, 2015
Mileage
106,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 13, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE FUMES COMING FROM THE EXHAUST OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT FOUR FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,736.

NHTSA ID
10672150
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
118,736 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 29, 2014

THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS HAVE RUSTED SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE BIG HOLES IN THEM. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH BEFORE I CAN GET AN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE PICK UP, AT THE COST OF OVER $1000.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I HAVE SEEN MANY MORE PICK UPS WITH THE SAME RUSTED BUMPERS. IS THERE A RECALL FOR BUMPER REPLACEMENT ON THESE PICKUPS?? *TR

NHTSA ID
10650937
Incident
Oct 29, 2014
BrakesFuel systemTransmission
Filed Oct 26, 2014

BRAKE LINE LEAKS, BRAKE STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRAKE LINES. ALSO FUEL AND TRANSMISSION LINES ARE RUSTED BADLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10650027
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2014

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE PULLING A 10000 POUND TRAILER IN CAMP GROUND. THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE APPEARED TO BE CORROSION. TRUCK WAS TOWED TO REPAIR LOCATION. ALL BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED, COST $ 950 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639142
Incident
Sep 18, 2014
Mileage
1,115,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 13, 2014

II PUT NEW BRAKE CALIPERS ON MY TRUCK TODAY AND HAD MY WIFE PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDDLE AS I BLED THE BRAKES AND GOT TO THE LAST CALIPER REARS THEN THE 2 FRONTS WHEN SHE TOLD ME THE BRAKE PEDDLE WAS NOT HOLDING LIKE IT WAS , AND THEN SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND I LOOKED UNDERNEATH & SEEN BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE BELOW DRIVERS DOOR THE FLUID UNDER PRESSURE BLEW OVER AGAINST THE HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS AS U HAVE TO RUN ENGINE WHEN BLEEDING THE LINES LUCKY I GUESS IT DID NOT CATCH FIRE, BUT AFTER I GOT ON THE INTERNET TRYING TO FIND A REPLACEMENT I FOUND THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM , I DID SEE THE OTHER LINES LOOKED BAD ALSO THE FUEL LINES LOOKED THE SAME GOOD THING IT HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME . MAYBE WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER OFF IF IT BURNT DOWN , G.M SHOULD FIX ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH THESE TRUCKS ON THEIR DIME AS MUCH AS THESE TRUCKS COST. !! *TR

NHTSA ID
10610210
Incident
Jul 13, 2014
Mileage
120,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 11, 2014

I OWN A 2003 GMC DURAMAX 167000 MILES, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT TRUCK UNTIL RECENTLY, AFTER ENGINE GETS HOT IT WILL NOT START BACK UP UNTIL IT HAS COOLED OFF! HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM YET, BUT FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE FROM PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, [INJECTORS], VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR!!! THIS PROBLEM IS VERY FRUSTRATING, WOULD BE GREAT IF GENERAL MOTORS WOULD CORRECT THIS PROBLEM!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10597728
Incident
Mar 3, 2014
Mileage
162,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 08/12/2014*LJ

NHTSA ID
10595883
Incident
Jan 1, 2014
Mileage
150,000 mi

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.

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