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2003 GMC Sierra 1500Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 180 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

2003 GMC Sierra 1500
55
CarFlaw IndexSolid year19% below the Sierra 1500 median · #17 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18023 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage90kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 8, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 has problems

180 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes555
Service brakes, hydraulic503
Electrical system431
Steering150
Air bags75
Power train60
Fuel system, gasoline50
Visibility41
Structure41
9 other systems183

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V-562 · Nov 26, 2004 · 1,660 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with GMC.

Mileage at failure

When do service brakes problems start?

90kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 54 service brakes complaints. 59% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles32under 100k miles22100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Sierra 1500 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sierra 1500 median. How we score

'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Sierra 1500 owners report

Recent service brakes complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

76000 MILES; ISSUE ONGOING BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER 2018 ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEED (UNDER 10 MPH) BRAKING IS COMPROMISED BY ABS SYSTEM ENGAGEMENT ISSUE. BELOW 10 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING DRY PAVEMENT BRAKING TO BE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE TO STOP PRIOR TO THE ABS ISSUE. THIS…
Complaint 11173659 · Feb 2, 2019 · 76,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN TOWN, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SIGNALED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND THEN I LOST ALL BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE! THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS LIGHTS OR WARNING…
Complaint 11110091 · Jul 8, 2018 · 203,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE…
Complaint 11100027 · Jun 5, 2018 · 127,600 miles

Own a 2003 Sierra 1500?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.