GMC · Savana · 2003
11
Recalls
33
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2003 GMC Savana has 11 recalls and 33 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes, hydraulic (4 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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.
Remedy Status
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. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
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 and road contaminants may become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may cause the pipe to corrode.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 IT MAY BEGIN TO SOFTEN AND MELT.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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.
Remedy Status
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 BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.
Remedy Status
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 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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Remedy Status
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 FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
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.
GAS TANK LEAKS WHEN FULL. THE SEAM WHERE THE FILLER NECK MEETS THE TANK'S NIPPLE IS CRACKED. GM DOES NOT MANUFACTURE A REPLACEMENT TANK, NO USED TANKS AVAILABLE. I'M FORCED TO DRIVE A VAN THAT LEAKS FUEL IF FULL, OR HITS A BUMP IN THE ROAD. HELP! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO CORROSION OF FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. UPDATED 01/27/16*LJ
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY HIGH IMPACT ACCIDENT 55 TO 65 MPH HIT CONCRETE WALL BOUGHT VAN NEW 2003 SAVANNA 1500. *TR
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.
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 SAVANNAH 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL IN REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC YET THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER BRAKE FAILURES SINCE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 2500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE HAD TO INCREASE HIS STOPPING DISTANCES DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SEARS REPAIR FACILITY AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
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
VAN WAS BEING DRIVEN EARLY MORNING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. NO RAIN, 45 DEGREE OUTSIDE TEMP., HEADLIGHTS ON. DRIVER FIRST NOTICED DASH LIGHTS FLICKER & ALTERNATOR GAUGE SHOWING A DISCHARGE, THEN THESE ISSUES RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VAN CONTINUED BEING DRIVEN FOR 15 MINUTES TO DESTINATION W/O FURTHER ISSUES. UPON DEPARTING VAN, DRIVER NOTICED UNUSUAL SMELL AND WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER PERSON THAT SMOKE AND FIRE WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VAN AT ABOUT MIDPOINT. UPON INSPECTION THE DRIVER SAW FLAMES EMANATING FROM SAID POINT UNDERNEATH THE VAN AND LIQUIDS ON THE GROUND. EMERGENCY CALL TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS MADE & A THIRD PERSON BROUGHT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO THE SCENE. FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT REIGNITED AS THE FIREMEN ARRIVED TO COMPLETE THE JOB. VEHICLE NOT SEVERELY DAMAGED AND NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED FOR INSPECTION. DISCOVERED THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE TO THE BATTERY HAD NOT ORIGINALLY BEEN SECURED OR SHIELDED PROPERLY AND WAS RUBBING ON A BOLT HEAD SECURING TWO A/C CHARGING TUBES. OVER AN EXTENDED TIME THE WIRES INSULATION WORE THROUGH & VOLTAGE WAS SUPPLIED TO THE A/C FREON TRANSFER TUBES RUNNING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE TO THE REAR OF THE VAN WHERE THEY CROSSED OVER TO THE DRIVER SIDE AT ABOUT MIDPOINT ON THE BODY. THE CROSS TUBES ARE BETWEEN THE VEHICLES BODY & LONG SHIELD. THIS IS WHERE THE POSITIVELY CHARGED REAR A/C TRANSFER TUBES MADE CONTACT WITH THE NEGATIVE/GROUNDED REAR HEATER TRANSFER TUBES, SPARKED & IGNITED THE COMBUSTIBLE FLUIDS WITHIN THE FREON. THE ALTERNATOR CHARGING WIRE WAS REPAIRED, SHIELDED & SECURED. THE DAMAGED REAR TRANSFER, CROSSOVER A/C/HEATER TUBES SET WAS ORDERED FOR REPLACEMENT. REAR HEATER TUBES WERE BYPASSED AND THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT A/C OR REAR HEAT UNTIL THE PARTS ARRIVE. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE CHARGING SYSTEM, A/C OR REAR A/C/HEATER IS SUSPECTED AT PRESENT. CONFIRMATION WILL OCCUR WHEN PART IS INSTALLED AND A/C IS RECHARGED, COOLANT SYSTEM IS SERVICED AND TESTED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 3500. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HORN IN THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AUTOMATICALLY WHILE PARKED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE NOISE, SOMEONE PRESSED THE HORN TO COUNTERACT THE FAILURE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM THE HOOD AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WENT UP IN FLAMES WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT, THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ASSESSING THE DAMAGE TO DETERMINE IF THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS BURNED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 89,000.
TL*VIRGINIA TECH OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,128. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
1. WAS DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY (DURING 1ST FAILURE OD 15,403 AND 2ND FAILURE OD 55576 ), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN TO HIGHER GEAR AND FAILED. WAS DRIVING VAN ON STREET WHEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE (DURING 3RD FAILURE OD 56676). 2. DURING FAILURE 1 VAN WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE TWO VAN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE IN LOW GEAR TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE 3 VAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT ALL AND OBSTRUCTED TRAFFIC ON A MAIN STREET UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. 3. DURING FAILURE ONE SUNSHELL STRIPPED, 3-4 CLUTCHES BURNED, 2-4 BAND BURNED. SUN SHELL & GEAR REPLACED ALL CLUTCHES & 2-4 BAND REPLACED. DURING FAILURE TWO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE 4/4 CLUTCH, INPUT HOUSING, PUMP, SHAFT AND DRUM. CORE REASSEMBLED AND SRTA TRANS INSTALLED. DURING FAILURE THREE TRANSMISSION WAS SHREDDED AWAITING REPLACEMENT AT THIS TIME. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FROZE UP, AND THE TIRES DID NOT TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE BRAKE ROTORS. UPDATED 02/12/07. *JB
I HAVE SEVERAL 2003 GMC SAVANA CARGO VANS THAT ARE USED AS SERVICE VEHICLES FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE THE OUTER SECTION OF THE OEM WHEELS (RIMS) HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CENTER SPOKE SECTION ALONG THE WELD LINES THAT JOIN THE TWO. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLES AFFECTED HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I HAVE THE OTHERS INSPECTED FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF FAILURE. I HAVE ONE OF THE WHEELS THAT SPLIT IN MY OFFICE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 6/23/2006. *NM
ALL 4 BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE PADS DRAGGING 1 DAY PRIOR TO LOCK UP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. TOLD COMPUTER ERROR IS PROBLEM FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME ANSWER PENDING. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FOREWORD. BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO PUBLIC STREET-LAG TIME, DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION FROM DEALER. *NM
I HAVE A LEAK COMING FROM MUFFLER, DRIPPING BLACK LIQUID. I COMPLAINED AT MY DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. *NM
THE RUNNING BOARDS ON THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SHORT AND WERE UNABLE TO BE SEEN WHEN THE DRIVER GETS OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ANTICIPATES THAT IT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO EITHER FOOT WHILE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. *SC *JB
I BOUGHT THIS GMC SAVANA USED (22,000 MILES) AND THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTEE, CLAIMING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. PARKING BRAKES SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT IN THAT SHORT A TIME. NO CRASHES YET, BUT I SAW THAT GMC PICKUPS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS VAN PROBABLY HAS THE SAME PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2003 GMC Savana has 11 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 33 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC Savana.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2003 GMC Savana.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2003 GMC Savana are service brakes, hydraulic (4 reports), engine and engine cooling (4 reports), fuel system, gasoline (3 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 11 recalls on record for the 2003 GMC Savana. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.