2003 GMC SAVANA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

23

Owner Complaints

2 Crashes 1 Fire

11

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

23

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2003 GMC SAVANA

The 2003 GMC SAVANA has received a total of 23 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 11 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP, SEAT BELTS. 23 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (2 complaints), Fuelpropulsion System (2 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (1 complaint).

Recalls for the 2003 GMC SAVANA

NHTSA has recorded 11 recalls for the 2003 GMC SAVANA, potentially affecting up to 2,473,015 vehicles.

Recall 23V247000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

| 150,830 vehicles affected

Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.

Consequence: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782....

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Recall 12V388000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

| 9,389 vehicles affected

Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water...

Consequence: Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.

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Recall 05V558000 — SEAT BELTS

| 425,593 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE...

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Recall 04V225000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

| 736 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.

Consequence: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.

Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE...

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Recall 04V045000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

| 68,875 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Consequence: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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Recall 03V250000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

| 1,707,825 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION...

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Recall 03V217000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 50,225 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET COULD INCREASE TO THE POINT THAT...

Consequence: IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

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Recall 03V050000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

| 18,327 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER THE VEHICLE CRASH, OR ALTERNATELY MAY EJECT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH DURING THE VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY...

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Recall 02V330000 — STEERING:LINKAGES

| 4,158 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.

Consequence: A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITH PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN...

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Recall 02V326000 — STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

| 18,648 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.

Consequence: SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STEERING IN SOME MANEUVERS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT...

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Recall 02V305000 — WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

| 18,409 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED...

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Owner Complaints for the 2003 GMC SAVANA

23 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 GMC SAVANA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11208186 | SERVICE BRAKES | | 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
#11208186 | STEERING | | 100,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
#10504823 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 159,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE BUT THE FUEL TANK HAD CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
#10463398 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 109,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED TO THE GROUND WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE, FORCING THE PETAL BACK INTO THE IDLE POSITION AND CAUSING REDUCED BRAKING RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MOMENTS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ

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Safety Rating for the 2003 GMC SAVANA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 GMC SAVANA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 GMC SAVANA

General Motors, LLC has issued 23 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 GMC SAVANA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

SB-12167 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

CHEVROLET/GMC: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. ON SOME TRUCKS, PIPE MAY CORRODE DUE TO ROAD CONTAMINATES AND WATER BECOMING RAPPED IN PROTECTIVE CONDUIT COVERING FUEL FILLER PIPE AND PRESENCE OF FUEL ODOR MIGHT BE OBSERVED DUE TO POSSIBLE PERFORATION IN PIPE. MODELS 2003-2004 SAVANA, EXPRESS. *PE

12167 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:FUEL FILTER

Special Coverage Adjustment - Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion

SB-11359 — FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLING/CHARGING

GM: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT- FUEL FILLER NECK CORROSION. WATER AND ROAD CONTAMINATES MAY BECOME TRAPPED IN THE PROTECTIVE CONDUIT THAT COVERS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND MAY CAUSE THE PIPE TO CORRODE. THE PRESENCE OF FUEL ODOR MAY BE OBSERVED AND, ON SOME...

040604049 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FALSE START WITH MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT ON, P0191. *TT

040604050 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CNG FUEL LEVEL READS HIGHER THAN ACTUAL, INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READING, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED. *TT

01340B — POWER TRAIN

SEIZED 2-PIECE PROPELLER SHAFT WITH THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING PULLED OUT OF THE RUBBER. SIT BULLETIN 1400140. *TT

01919A — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

REPLACEMENT RADIO READS CAL ERROR, HAS NO AUDIO OR WILL NOT PROGRAM. *TT

01086B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DEALERS MAY COMMENT THAT THE ODOMETER HAS RESET TO 0 AFTER THE BATTERY HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED. *TT

3096 — AIR BAGS

INTERMITTENT AIR BAG TELLTALE SETS A FALSE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE OF B0083 AND OR B0084. *SC

01340 — POWER TRAIN

SEIZED 2 - PIECE PROP AND CENTER SUPPORT BEARING PULLED OUT. *TT

Showing 10 of 23 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 GMC SAVANA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the GMC SAVANA

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Other GMC Models

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