GMC · Sierra · 2003
9
Recalls
573
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2003 GMC Sierra has 9 recalls and 573 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: service brakes (123 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
The 2003 GMC Sierra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is service brakes with 123 reported complaints.
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.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
ALL OF THE DEFECTIVE TOW PACKAGES ARE STILL AT THE DISTRIBUTOR LEVEL AND HAVE NOT BEEN SOLD TO ANY CONSUMERS.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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 GMC SIERRA TRUCKS, OR PURCHASED ONE OF THESE PICKUP TRUCKS WITH EITHER BRAND BEDLINER ALREADY INSTALLED, YOU SHOULD RETURN TO AN AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER SO THAT THE BEDLINER CAN BE INSPECTED AND, IF NECESSARY, REPAIRED WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED TOGGLE WING FASTENING SYSTEM, OR IF REQUIRED, REPLACED WITH A NEW BEDLINER FREE OF CHARGE. PLEASE CALL THE DURAKON HOTLINE AT 1-800-933-4200 TO FIND THE NEAREST AUTHORIZED DURAKON DEALER.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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 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.
Remedy Status
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.
UNKNOWN
HAD INJECTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 50000 MILES AFTER NOTICING EXCESS EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP AND ALSO POWER STEERING HOSES WERE LEAKING, AGAIN AT 105000 MILES THEY TOTALLY FAILED AS I WAS BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ON I-15 IN CA. UP CAJON PASS AND HAD TO BE TOWED ...
Preview excerpt
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED CAUSING LEAKS AND BRAKE FAILURE
BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR DOES NOT OPERATE. UPON INSPECTION, HARNESS AND FINAL STAGE ARE DAMAGED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS BECAUSE I FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. MANY POSTS ON THE SAME THING. WHY IS THERE NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS? MY BMW HAD SAME ISSUE BU...
Preview excerpt
THE HORN QUITS WORKING AND THIS CREATES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX IT.
76000 MILES; ISSUE ONGOING BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER 2018 ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEED (UNDER 10 MPH) BRAKING IS COMPROMISED BY ABS SYSTEM ENGAGEMENT ISSUE. BELOW 10 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING DRY PAVEMENT BRAKING TO BE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE TO STOP PRIOR TO...
Preview excerpt
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN TOWN, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SIGNALED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND THEN I LOST ALL BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE! THERE WERE NO PREVIOU...
Preview excerpt
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE IMMED...
Preview excerpt
LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES. WHILE PULLING A TRAILER WITH PONTOON BOAT, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN STOPPING I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES. JUST CAME OFF THE FREEWAY BUT WAS GOING SLOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. NEED TO REPLACE NOW. ALSO, RUSTED THROUGH POWER STEERING L...
Preview excerpt
COMPLAINT INVOLVES REDUCED POWER MODE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE RAPID DROP IN SPEED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS UNSAFE TRYING TO EXIT TRAFFIC LANES WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THROTTLE PEDAL AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DRIVE BY WIRE VEHICLES PR...
Preview excerpt
Showing 10 recent complaints from 573 total
View Full Complaint LogThe strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2003 GMC models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
The 2003 GMC Sierra has 9 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 573 owner-reported complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2003 GMC Sierra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2003 GMC Sierra are service brakes (123 reports), service brakes, hydraulic (109 reports), electrical system (96 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 9 recalls on record for the 2003 GMC Sierra. 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.