The Used Car Index

2003 GMC Sierra problems

NHTSA lists 206 complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra, 8 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 4 complaints mention an injury, with 5 injuries and 2 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as GMC SIERRA.

At a glance

Complaints
206
With crash
8
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
4
Injuries
5
Deaths
2
Recalls
6
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
3,662,211
Investigations
5
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
580

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
SERVICE BRAKES4521.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC3818.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3115.0%
POWER TRAIN2914.1%
STEERING2713.1%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL125.8%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING94.4%
STRUCTURE62.9%
SUSPENSION62.9%
AIR BAGS52.4%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEMINSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL19
POWER TRAINAUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICFOUNDATION COMPONENTS9
STEERINGCOLUMN6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGENGINE5
POWER TRAINTRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)5
STRUCTUREBODY5
POWER TRAINDRIVELINE3
STEERINGGEAR BOX3

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

6 recalls.

05V163000

Date: 2005-04-22. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

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 THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GRO (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

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 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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

05V161000

Date: 2005-04-22. Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

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 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V225000

Date: 2004-05-11. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

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. (excerpt)

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 A (excerpt)

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 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 PASSEN (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V129000

Date: 2004-03-17. Systems: STRUCTURE.

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 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

04V045000

Date: 2004-02-04. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

03V018000

Date: 2003-01-23. Systems: VISIBILITY.

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 TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

5 investigations; 0 open.

PE10010

Opened: 2010-03-30. Closed: 2011-01-05.

Brake line corrosion failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received Defect Petition DP10-003 on March 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (MY) 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.DP10-003 was granted and on March 30, 2010, Preliminary Evaluation PE10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and

Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

DP05009

Opened: 2005-12-20. Closed: 2006-05-31.

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.

Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

EA04011

Opened: 2004-04-09. Closed: 2005-05-10.

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LINING

Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

Linked campaign numbers: 05V161000.

EA04005

Opened: 2004-02-19. Closed: 2004-09-28.

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE

GENERAL MOTORS FILED A DEFECT NOTICE 04V-129 ON MARCH 17, 2004, WHICH OUTLINES A PROGRAM TO REPLACE THE TAILGATE CABLES INSTALLED IN AFFECTED MODEL YEAR 2000-2004 VEHICLES.REFER TO ODI'S CLOSING REPORT FOR EA04-005 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.ODI IS AWARE OF REPORTS OF TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE OCCURRING IN MODEL YEAR 1999 AND EARLIER VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH SIMILAR TAILGATE CABLES

Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, STRUCTURE.

Linked campaign numbers: 04E067000, 04V129000.

PE03057

Opened: 2003-12-08. Closed: 2004-04-09.

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

ODI OPENED PE03-057 TO ASSESS PARKING BRAKE INEFFECTIVENESS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES THAT INCORPORATE A SINGLE-SHOE DRUM-IN-HAT PARKING BRAKE INDEPENDENT OF THE SERVICE BRAKES.COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA INDICATE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE LININGS TEND TO WEAR OUT EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE (AT AN AVERAGE OF 24 MONTHS IN SERVICE), REDUCING T

Systems: PARKING BRAKE.

Linked campaign numbers: None listed.

Manufacturer communications

580 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING158
POWER TRAIN113
EQUIPMENT62
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
VISIBILITY25
STEERING23
STRUCTURE22
SUSPENSION20

10108599

Date: 2017-07-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.

This technical bulletin provides a procedure to lube the rear leaf springs on vehicles with the condition of a squeak noise originating from the rear of the vehicle.

10113406

Date: 2017-02-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. Please communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of thei

10113364

Date: 2017-01-31. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.

This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its own at a full turn.

10114431

Date: 2016-02-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have an issue when using Bluetooth voice recognition with an iPhone. Technician should work with the customer to insure the phone contacts to not have any Emojis loaded to any contact.

10112299

Date: 2016-01-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This informational bulletin provides information on Part Restriction and Ordering Process Information for OnStar Vehicle Communication Interface Modules (VCIM) (GMNA Only)

10113664

Date: 2015-05-29. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlowA?.

10113662

Date: 2015-05-27. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.

This informational bulletin provides dealership personnel with information on flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) and the usage of E85 fuel in GM vehicles.

10113654

Date: 2015-05-15. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This informational bulletin provides information on a GM of Canada OnStarA? cellular communication upgrade.

10114470

Date: 2015-04-17. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT.

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue or red button. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center with the scan tool data from the OnS

10113722

Date: 2015-03-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT.

This informational bulletin provides information on communication with OnStarA? module after Canadian cellular upgrade.

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
SIERRA206

Same model, other years

All model years | All GMC models

Other GMC models, 2003

Sources

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