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2003 GMC SierraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 206 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra, most often about the service brakes. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

2003 GMC Sierra
35
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.8× the Sierra median · #10 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20613 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage99kService brakes, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 17, 2015. Updated daily. Photo: Bull-Doser, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Sierra has problems

206 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 brakes455
Service brakes, hydraulic381
Electrical system311
Power train293
Steering270
Vehicle speed control121
Engine and engine cooling91
Structure62
Suspension60
14 other systems345

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

6 recalls

2003 GMC Sierra 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

Parking brake

Recall 05V-161 · Apr 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles

Risk. IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 05V-163 · Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles

Risk. A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Front: anchorage

Recall 04V-225 · May 11, 2004 · 736 vehicles

Risk. THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tailgate: hinge and attachments

Recall 04V-129 · Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles

Risk. ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Visibility: windshield

Recall 03V-018 · Jan 23, 2003 · 110 vehicles

Risk. IN VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

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?

99kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 44 service brakes complaints. 52% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
0under 30k miles23under 100k miles21100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Sierra 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 median. How we score

'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 GMC Sierra safety ratings

2003 GMC Sierra Crew Cab in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
5 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 GMC Sierra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGEEA04005 · closed Sep 28, 2004
    Led to recall 04E-067
  3. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREEA04011 · closed May 10, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-161
  4. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREPE03057 · closed Apr 9, 2004
    No recall
  5. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Sierra owners report

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

EXITING OFF FREEWAY RAMP IN INDIANAPOLIS BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT NOTICE AND NO BRAKE FLUID LOSS, NEARLY CRASHED CROSSING 5 LANES OF CROSS TRAFFIC JUST LUCKY I WASN'T BROADSIDED BY CROSS TRAFFIC. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF HAZARD FROM GM, NO RECALL AND ONLY LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM ONCE…
Complaint 10786611 · Oct 28, 2015 · 150,000 miles
I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT DRIVING ON A 4 LANE 55 MPH SPEED ZONE. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP LIGHT I STARTING PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL HAD NO RESISTANCE IT KEPT GOING TO THE FLOOR. I STARTED PUMPING THE PEDAL TRYING TO SLOW MY TRUCK DOWN, NO USE. I PUSHED PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO…
Complaint 10746026 · Aug 4, 2015 · 105,985 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER,…
Complaint 10734293 · Jul 15, 2015 · 46,000 miles

Own a 2003 Sierra?

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