2003 GMC Savana

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2003 GMC Savana
RENDERED 2026-08-02T13:16:34.945Z

Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

Only 22 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict. The data below is complete but unranked.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Savana Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1995: 2 complaints 1996: 35 complaints 1997: 46 complaints 1998: 33 complaints 1998 1999: 49 complaints 2000: 49 complaints 2001: 19 complaints 2002: 12 complaints 2002 2003: 22 complaints 2003 2004: 12 complaints 2005: 12 complaints 2006: 7 complaints 2006 2007: 6 complaints 2008: 3 complaints 2009: 2 complaints 2010: 3 complaints 2010 2011: 1 complaints 2012: 3 complaints 2013: 2 complaints 2014: 1 complaints 2014 2015: 2 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 6 complaints 2018: 3 complaints 2018 2019: 5 complaints 2020: 0 complaints 2021: 2 complaints 2022: 2 complaints 2022 2023: 0 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2026: 0 complaints 2026
2003: 22 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
19952
199635
199746
199833
199949
200049
200119
200212
200322
200412
200512
20067
20076
20083
20092
20103
20111
20123
20132
20141
20152
20166
20176
20183
20195
20200
20212
20222
20230
20250
20260

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Only 22 complaints on file for this model year -- too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 of 22 total reports mention: fuel/propulsion system.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130328

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120628

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

2 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling.

FIRE
VISIBILITY

1 of 22 total reports mentions: visibility.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

2003 SAVANAH VAN MISSED ON RECALL.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SAME DEFECTIVE WIPER MODULE BEING RECALLED ON OTHER GMC VEHICLE'S IS THE SAME PART IN HIS VEHICLE WHICH ALSO FAILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040830

SUSPENSION

1 of 22 total reports mentions: suspension.

STRUCTURE

1 of 22 total reports mentions: structure.

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20021113 — wheels

CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.

Remedy: 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

Campaign 02V305000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20021127 — steering

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: 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 U

Campaign 02V326000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20021210 — steering

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: 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.

Campaign 02V330000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030603 — seat belts

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 AF

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030721 — exterior lighting

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 NO

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 03V217000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030820 — equipment

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 DO

Remedy: 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

Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040618 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 V

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 HUM

Campaign 04V045000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040909 — seat belts

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 RES

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 A

Campaign 04V225000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060315 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

Remedy: 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. TH

Campaign 05V558000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20121001 — fuel system, gasoline

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 Connecticu

Remedy: 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 an

Campaign 12V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20230502 — electrical system

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 23V247000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 GMC Savana — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (2 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for visibility issues (1 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V305000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V326000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V330000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V050000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V217000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V225000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V558000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V388000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 23V247000 (electrical system) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2003 GMC Savana reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Savana?

The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Savana have?

11 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.