MYRModel Year Report

2003 GMC Sierra 2500

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 GMC Sierra 2500
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:16:54.552Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, GMC Sierra 2500 Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1994: 1 complaints 1994 1997: 14 complaints 1998: 15 complaints 1999: 36 complaints 2000: 47 complaints 2000 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 134 complaints 2003: 160 complaints 2003 2004: 143 complaints 2004 2005: 115 complaints 2006: 66 complaints 2007: 83 complaints 2008: 63 complaints 2008 2009: 31 complaints 2010: 10 complaints 2011: 63 complaints 2012: 30 complaints 2012 2013: 46 complaints 2014: 30 complaints 2015: 89 complaints 2016: 59 complaints 2016 2017: 37 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 31 complaints 2020: 73 complaints 2020 2021: 49 complaints 2022: 42 complaints 2023: 28 complaints 2024: 96 complaints 2024 2025: 24 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2003: 160 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19941
199714
199815
199936
200047
2001134
2002134
2003160
2004143
2005115
200666
200783
200863
200931
201010
201163
201230
201346
201430
201589
201659
201737
201835
201931
202073
202149
202242
202328
202496
202524
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 21%

21% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I WAS DRIVING ON I 75 DOING 70 MPH I HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP I APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES., I ENDED UP PUTTING TRUCK IN THE DITCH TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20161128

ABS COMES ON AT LOW SPEED.. IT INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE.. I HAVE ONCE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE.. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS MAYBE TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH..

NHTSA ODI report, 20161004

BRAKES ARE SPONGY NOT RIGHT POWER STEERING WHINES AS DO BRAKES

NHTSA ODI report, 20190201

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 12 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 5%

5% of complaints: steering — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2003 GMC 2500HD DURMAX TRUCK. WHEN YOU APPLY BRAKES HARD THE STEERING LOCKS UP AND YOU CAN'T TURN. GM SAYS THIS IS STANDARD OPERATING FOR THIS TRUCK. THIS TRUCK HAS ABS. ABS GIVES YOU THE ABILITY TO STEER WHILE BREAKING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20040111

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 160
R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURE

Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — steering

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.

Remedy: FABTECH WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PITMAN AND IDLER ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FABTECH AT 909-597-7800.

Campaign 06E010000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — service brakes, air

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS.

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

Campaign 06E050000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 GMC Sierra 2500 — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (33 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (21 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E010000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E050000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2012 ▲ 2014 ▲ 2009

WORST YEARS

■ 2004 ■ 2001 ■ 2002

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic, accounting for 21% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 have?

3 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.