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2003 GMC YukonProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 204 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Yukon, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 GMC Yukon
40
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.5× the Yukon median · #10 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints20420 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage69kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 2, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Yukon has problems

204 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
Electrical system530
Service brakes400
Service brakes, hydraulic182
Vehicle speed control131
Engine120
Fuel system, gasoline120
Engine and engine cooling121
Steering110
Tires92
17 other systems6510

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

4 recalls

2003 GMC Yukon 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

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 →

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 electrical system problems start?

69kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 39 electrical system complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
4under 30k miles30under 100k miles9100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Yukon 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 Yukon median. How we score

'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 GMC Yukon safety ratings

2003 GMC Yukon 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

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

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREEA04011 · closed May 10, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-161
  3. Brake line corrosion failurePE10010 · closed Jan 5, 2011
    No recall
In owners' words

What Yukon owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an…
Complaint 11461202 · Apr 18, 2022 · 150,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT DECELERATION AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS,…
Complaint 11020099 · Aug 28, 2017 · 100,000 miles
SPEEDOMETER AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS ARE INACCURATELY READING. SPEEDOMETER RANGES FROM 25 - 70 MPH OVERSTATED. FUEL GAUGE REMAINS WELL IN EXCESS OF FULL UNTIL ABOUT 7 GALLONS ARE LEFT IN TANK. OIL PRESSURE IS REGISTERING WELL TO THE RIGHT OF THE HIGHEST READING. PROBLEM BEGAN DURING COLD TEMPERATURE…
Complaint 10945133 · Jan 13, 2017 · 64,500 miles

Own a 2003 Yukon?

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