2003 GMC SIERRA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
248
Owner Complaints
9
Recalls
64
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 GMC SIERRA
The 2003 GMC SIERRA has received a total of 248 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 9 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, PARKING BRAKE. 64 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (45 complaints), Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel (19 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulic (17 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 GMC SIERRA
NHTSA has recorded 9 recalls for the 2003 GMC SIERRA, potentially affecting up to 5,232,713 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 07E066000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
| 175 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.
Consequence: IF THE TRAILER LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, A VEHICLE CRASH CAN OCCUR.
Remedy: ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
View full details →Recall 05V161000 — PARKING BRAKE
| 90,242 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.
Consequence: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY...
View full details →Recall 05V163000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
| 1,359,824 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE...
Consequence: 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 AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY...
View full details →Recall 04V129000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
| 3,662,211 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.
Consequence: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT...
View full details →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...
View full details →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.
View full details →Recall 04E022000 — EQUIPMENT
| 8,000 vehicles affected
Defect: AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.
Consequence: THE BEDLINER CAN BECOME DETACHED FROM THE PICKUP WHILE IT IS MOTION, POSSIBLY ENDANGERING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS OR PEDESTRIANS.
Remedy: DURAKON WILL ISSUE A PRESS RELEASE IN ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY CUSTOMERS THAT COULD HAVE PURCHASED THE DEFECTIVE BEDLINER. IF YOU PURCHASED EITHER A DURAKON ALLSTAR OF PATRIOT OVERRAIL BEDLINER SINCE AUGUST 1, 2003, FOR 1999 TO 2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO OR...
View full details →Recall 03V018000 — VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
| 110 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES LACK A CONTINUOUS URETHANE BONDING BEAD BETWEEN THE BODY SURFACE AND THE WINDSHIELD.
Consequence: IN VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE, RESEAL, AND REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 GMC SIERRA
248 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 GMC SIERRA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE SEAT MOVED FORWARD AND PINNED THE CONTACT TO THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR DRIVE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *TR
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 RESEARCHING ON WEB. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN,THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK AND HEAD FRACTURES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE INJURIES ULTIMATELY LED TO THE CONTACT'S DEATH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ UPDATED 4/4/18*JB *TR
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 THE FLOOR. THIS SLOWED A LITTLE. BUT NOT ENOUGH. I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC LEVER AND STARTING GUIDING THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE STOPPED VEHICLES. I MISSED THE VEHICLES. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 3 MILES FROM HOME. I MANAGED TO LIMP HOME BY DRIVING VERY, VERY SLOW AND USING THE GEAR SHIFTER TO SLOW ME DOWN. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE AT HOME I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE ON THE RIGHT FRONT HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THERE WAS A LEAK. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS TRUCK ARE RUSTED AND IN BAD SHAPE. I CALLED THE DEALER GLENN BUICK GMC WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW IN 2003. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE PERSONAL "COREY" ABOUT REPAIRING THE RUSTED LINES. HE SAID GMC WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND THIS "FAILURE" ! I WAS ON MY OWN ! SEEMS GMC KNOWS OF THESE FAILURES AND SO DO YOU AND YOU HAVE AGREED NOT TO MAKE THEM STAND BEHIND IT AND YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO ALLOW MORE ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN ! YOU = NATIONAL HIGHWAY SAFETY WHAT A SHAME ! SHAME ON YOU AND GMC ! HAD I NOT BEEN "LUCKY" THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT! ANY HELP IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE WOULD BE APPRECIATED! THIS ISSUE WILL ONLY GET WORSE ! AS I AM SURE THERE ARE OTHER TRUCKS WITH THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM WAITING TO HAPPEN!
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, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Safety Rating for the 2003 GMC SIERRA
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 GMC SIERRA in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 GMC SIERRA
General Motors, LLC has issued 64 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 GMC SIERRA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
04039 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:INJECTORS
CHEVROLET GMC SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT - INJECTORS - REPLACE. *MJ UPDATED 2/21/08. *NJ CSC LETTER WAS RECEIVED. UPDATED 3/5/10. *PE
07057 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
CHEVROLET GMC SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - ENGINE GLOW PLUG ON CERTAIN VEHICLES WITH 6.6L DIESEL V8 (RPO LB7 - VIN 1) ENGINE & CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS (YF5/NE1) OR CLEAN FUEL EMISSIONS (VCL). CSC WAS RECEIVED. *NJ
010310010 — SUSPENSION
INSPECTION OF TIRE AND WHEEL SIZE PRIOR TO DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION SHIFTS, POOR PERFORMANCE, SPEEDOMETER, CRUISE CONTROL CONCERNS. *KB
060601003 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
INFORMATION ON LONGER MAIN BEARING CAP BOLTS REQUIRED FOR CERTAIN 2001-2006 LB7, LLY, LBZ DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINES. *TT
030308002 — SUSPENSION
RATTLE/SQUEAK FROM FRONT OF VEHICLE. *TT *AR
708 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
HEATED SEATS TURN OFF. *SC
030730011B — POWER TRAIN
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, DELAYED ENGAGEMENT, COLD HESITATION, INTERMITTENT, POOR PERFORMANCE, POWER, SHIFT, DTCS P0701, P1709, P1711, P1713, P0841, P0843, P0847, P0870, P0872, OR P0875. *TT
050310005 — WHEELS
HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS OF VEHICLES WITH 20 INCH WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED. *TT
050604007 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE - MISFIRE, ROUGH IDLE, STALLS, ENGINE CRANKS BUT DOES NOT RUN, SERVICE ENGINE SOON/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P0300 SET. *TT
0502118001 — STEERING
QUADRASTEER INTERMITTENT SERVICE 4-WHEEL STEER MESSAGE. *TT
Showing 10 of 64 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 GMC SIERRA
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the GMC SIERRA
- 1998 GMC SIERRA — 230 complaints
- 1999 GMC SIERRA — 721 complaints
- 2000 GMC SIERRA — 557 complaints
- 2001 GMC SIERRA — 333 complaints
- 2002 GMC SIERRA — 291 complaints
- 2003 GMC SIERRA (current)
- 2004 GMC SIERRA — 224 complaints
- 2005 GMC SIERRA — 152 complaints
- 2006 GMC SIERRA — 65 complaints
- 2007 GMC SIERRA — 71 complaints
- 2008 GMC SIERRA — 84 complaints
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