2003 GMC Savana
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.
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 11
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- —
Too few to rank
Campaigns on file for 2003
None on file
Not enough data
Complaints per year
2003: 22 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 2 |
| 1996 | 35 |
| 1997 | 46 |
| 1998 | 33 |
| 1999 | 49 |
| 2000 | 49 |
| 2001 | 19 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 7 |
| 2007 | 6 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 7 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 |
Known problem areas
Only 22 complaints on file for this model year — too few to rank by share. Raw counts only, below.
Engine and engine cooling
4 of 22 total reports mention: engine and engine cooling, most commonly citing manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe and engine.
Structure
3 of 22 total reports mention: structure, most commonly citing hinge and attachments and body.
Service brakes
3 of 22 total reports mention: service brakes, most commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Savana. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal malfunctioned and did not properly operate.
NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-17
Also filed under Steering
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, 2013-03-28
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, 2012-06-28
Seats
2 of 22 total reports mention: seats, most commonly citing mid/rear assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Driver seat falls out continuously.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-27
Safety timeline
11 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2002-11-13Wheels02V305000 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.…
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2002-11-27Steering02V326000 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…
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2002-12-10Steering02V330000 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.
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2003-06-03Seat belts03V050000 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…
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…
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2003-07-21Exterior lighting03V217000 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…
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.
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2003-08-20Equipment03V250000 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…
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…
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2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 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…
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…
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2004-09-09Seat belts04V225000 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…
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…
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2006-03-15Seat belts05V558000 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.…
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2012-10-01Fuel system, gasoline12V388000 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…
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…
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2023-05-02Electrical system23V247000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 GMC Savana — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Engine and engine cooling: 4 reports on file for this year.
- Structure: 3 reports on file for this year.
- Service brakes: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 02V305000 · Wheels
- Recall 02V326000 · Steering
- Recall 02V330000 · Steering
- Recall 03V050000 · Seat belts
- Recall 03V217000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 03V250000 · Equipment
- Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 04V225000 · Seat belts
- Recall 05V558000 · Seat belts
- Recall 12V388000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 23V247000 · Electrical system
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 engine and engine cooling, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Savana have?
- 11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.