2003 GMC Sierra recalls and problems

The 2003 GMC Sierra has 6 safety recalls and 206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any GMC dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

206

Crashes / fires

8 / 1

Injuries / deaths

5 / 2

Recalls may cover only some 2003 GMC Sierra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2003 GMC Sierra recalls

Recall 05V-161: Parking Brake

Reported Apr 22, 2005 · 90,242 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.

Fix: 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 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 05V-163: Seat Belts

Reported Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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 the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (With child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.

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 around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.

Fix: 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 contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.

Recall 04V-225: Seat Belts

Reported May 11, 2004 · 736 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 resulting opening. The sun visor label and owner's manual will also be changed. The correction for the extended cab vehicle will consist of changing the front passenger seat to a seat that has child restraint lower anchorages. The recall began on september 9, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.

Recall 04V-129: Structure

Reported Mar 17, 2004 · 3,662,211 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.

Recall 04V-045: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Feb 4, 2004 · 68,875 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-018: Visibility

Reported Jan 23, 2003 · 110 vehicles affected · GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Problem: 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.

Risk: In vehicles with this condition, the windshield may not be retained in accordance with the safety standard during a vehicle crash.

Fix: 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 time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.

2003 GMC Sierra problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Service Brakes	45
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	40
Power Train	31
Electrical System	31
Steering	28
Vehicle Speed Control	12
Engine and Engine Cooling	10
Structure	6
Suspension	6
Tires	6
Air Bags	5
Unknown or Other	4

Most reported parts

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 19
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 15
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 11
Steering › Column — 6
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 5
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) — 5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings — 4
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 56,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2003 GMC Sierra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Seats · at 96,000 miles · reported Dec 17, 2015

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

Service Brakes · at 150,000 miles · reported Oct 28, 2015

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.

Air Bags · at 38,000 miles · reported Sep 23, 2015

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.…

Service Brakes · at 105,985 miles · reported Aug 4, 2015

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…

Service Brakes · at 46,000 miles · reported Jul 15, 2015

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.

Other GMC Sierra years

2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 200420032002 2001 2000

Compare all GMC Sierra years · All GMC models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 GMC Sierra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2003 GMC Sierra: 05V-161 (parking brake), 05V-163 (seat belts), 04V-225 (seat belts), 04V-129 (structure), 04V-045 (service brakes, hydraulic) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Sierra?

Owners report service brakes problems most often (45 reports), followed by service brakes, hydraulic (40). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 56,500 miles.

Are GMC recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized GMC dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.