MYRModel Year Report

2003 GMC Sierra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 GMC Sierra
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
206
Recalls
9

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
5

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

42% of complaints

Complaints per year

1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2001 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017
1982: 1 complaint 1982 1983: 2 complaints 1987: 1 complaint 1987 1988: 6 complaints 1989: 16 complaints 1989 1990: 18 complaints 1991: 12 complaints 1991 1992: 30 complaints 1993: 72 complaints 1993 1994: 190 complaints 1995: 261 complaints 1995 1996: 246 complaints 1997: 238 complaints 1997 1998: 190 complaints 1999: 600 complaints 1999 2000: 443 complaints 2001: 264 complaints 2001 2002: 249 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 206 2004: 188 complaints 2005: 117 complaints 2005 2006: 53 complaints 2007: 59 complaints 2007 2008: 68 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2009 2010: 34 complaints 2011: 43 complaints 2011 2012: 29 complaints 2013: 39 complaints 2013 2014: 101 complaints 2015: 53 complaints 2015 2016: 6 complaints 2017: 61 complaints 2017

2003: 206 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19821
19832
19871
19886
198916
199018
199112
199230
199372
1994190
1995261
1996246
1997238
1998190
1999600
2000443
2001264
2002249
2003206
2004188
2005117
200653
200759
200868
200937
201034
201143
201229
201339
2014101
201553
20166
201761

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

42% · 86 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Truck was entering major highway,traffic begins too slow due to rush hour ,seeing this occur I stepped on brakes expecting to slow down ,until I realized pedal had gone all the way to floor,then I let up an pushed to floor again-no brakes no room to...

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-17

Also filed under Power train and engine and engine cooling

Electrical system

15% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

On May 31ST, the rear end differential assembly exploded sending the pinon thru the housing and the rear axle caught on fire. The truck was in the shop (Perry cheverolet, inc., columbia, mo)until 6-9-03.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-22

Also filed under Power train

Power train

15% · 31 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Steering

14% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing column and shaft sector.

Vehicle speed control

6% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing cruise control and accelerator pedal.

CRASH

Safety timeline

9 recalls · 5 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 206 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-01-28Visibility03V018000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2003-12-08Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-04-09 Parking brake failure
  4. I
    2004-02-19Engineering analysisClosed 2004-09-28 Tailgate cable breakage
  5. R
    2004-03-31Equipment04E022000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2004-04-09Engineering analysisClosed 2005-05-10 Parking brake failure
  7. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2004-09-18Structure04V129000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2005-07-29Parking brake05V161000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
  13. R
    2007-09-05Equipment07E066000 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…

    Remedy: All of the defective tow packages are still at the distributor level and have not been sold to any consumers.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2003 GMC Sierra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 86 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 31 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 31 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V018000 · Visibility
  • Recall 04E022000 · Equipment
  • Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V225000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 04V129000 · Structure
  • Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 05V161000 · Parking brake
  • Recall 07E066000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 GMC Sierra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 GMC Sierra is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 42% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.