RoadVitals

2003 GMC Sierra 3500

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.
7
Latest Nov 12, 2014
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and airbags categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 165 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

  • Brakes333.3%
  • Electrical111.1%
  • Airbags111.1%
  • Powertrain (other)111.1%
  • Seat belts111.1%
  • Steering111.1%
  • Fuel system111.1%

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 Nov 12, 2014

BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, TRUCK IS BEYOND WARRANTY, DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10654338
Incident
Nov 12, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2013

I ONLY HAD 27050 MILES WHEN BRAKE LINES, BURST LUCKILY TRAVELING ONLY 5 MPH. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THEN AT 28,640 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GM DOING? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY OF GM? *TR

NHTSA ID
10491894
Incident
Jan 5, 2012
Mileage
27,050 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 25, 2012

I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 3500 SERIES TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING A PARKED CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT FOR A $4200. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED LAST FEBRUARY AND PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WHICH WERE REPLACED THEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT EACH TIME BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK ENOUGH. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO REASONS 1. IT MIGHT NOT STOP WHEN I NEED IT TO AND 2. EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT ENDS UP COSTING ME MORE MONEY. THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE REPLACED LAST SUMMER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS COST ME OVER $20,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE 2005 NOT INCLUDING MAINTENANCE ISSUES. WHEN I CONTACTED GM CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY WERE ABSOLUTELY NO HELP. I WAS TOLD I DO NOT DRIVE IT ENOUGH AND THE FACT THAT THE TRUCK IS OLDER IT IS A PART OF LIFE. THEY WOULD NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE NHTSA IS CONDUCTING AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER WITH GM. IF YOU NEED ANY HELP PLEASE CALL ME I WOULD GLADLY HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10445199
Incident
Jan 10, 2012
Mileage
21,503 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 26, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC 3500 DURAMAX . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 UPDATED 9/20/11 *CN UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10421632
Incident
Aug 18, 2011
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 25, 2011

POWER STEERING AND/OR BRAKING MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE OR DRASTICALLY REDUCED PERFORMANCE WHEN USED AT SAME TIME BECAUSE POWER STEERING PUMP IS ALSO POWER BRAKE PUMP AND SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE OR FLOW CAPACITY TO SUPPLY BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING TOGETHER. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10408894
Incident
Jun 23, 2011
Electrical
Filed Feb 12, 2007

2003 GMC SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10182300
Incident
Jan 25, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Feb 15, 2006
Crash reported1 injury reported

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, IT FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS BUCKLED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND HOLD THE CONTACT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AT SUCH FORCE THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND BROKE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD WAS LYING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE ASPHALT. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE SEAT BELT AND CLIMBED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID AN ASSESSMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. UPDATED 03/03/06.

NHTSA ID
10150304
Incident
Feb 9, 2006
Mileage
71,000 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.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

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.

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 Sierra 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026220—
2025161042.5
2024433051.6
2023281055.9
2022303061.5
2021205152.6
2020518162.6
2019137063.0
2018146049.9
2017137062.4
2016196042.0
2015307155.2
2014731—
2013144158.5
2012941—
2011205150.3
2010251—
2009551—
2008253355.8
2007163352.4
2006110049.5
2005241035.0
2004241038.9
2003Viewing710—
2002203157.4
2001363259.7
2000264157.8
1999193049.5
1998124052.4
1997103059.7
1996100—
1995000—
1994000—

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.