Model year record

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 recalls & problems

The 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 has 4 safety recalls and 180 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes (55 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints180filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

WheelsDec 17, 2007

Hub

Recall 07E106000130,000 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service brakes, airJun 6, 2006

Service brakes, air

Recall 06E0500006,800 vehicles

Problem: 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. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.
Risk: IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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.

Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 06E04300088,303 vehicles

Problem: 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 MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Fix: 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).

Equipment adaptive/mobilityNov 26, 2004

Equipment adaptive/mobility

Recall 04V5620001,660 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 2WD FFV

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.8 L · 8 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD

14mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

Sierra 1500 4WD FFV

14mpg combined

City / highway	12 / 16 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Service brakes	55	5	0	1	89,862 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	50	3	0	0	63,987 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel	43	0	1	0	72,151 mi
SteeringGear box › Shaft sector; Column	15	0	0	0	40,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	7	5	0	8	100,500 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	7	0	0	0	20,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	5	0	0	0	60,968 mi
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Switch/wiring	4	0	1	0	68,000 mi
StructureFrame and members; Body	4	1	0	1	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	3	0	1	0	80,000 mi
Engine	3	0	1	0	150,000 mi
Unknown or other	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
UNKNOWN
Jan 2, 2024
Electrical system
An accident has not occurred yet, but it something I'm concerned deeply about. Awhile back there was a recall on the instrument cluster of the gmc Sierra 1500 (possibly othets on the list, im sure). I did wind up having the cluster replaced, there didn't seem to be any issues at the time. Now...the replacement cluster has gone haywire. I notice no issues with operations at this time. But the cluster doesn't register certain things or it fluctuates on and off, or doesn't read correctly at all. Is it possible that the replacement could have been bad as well?
Jun 1, 2017
Service brakes
HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED CAUSING LEAKS AND BRAKE FAILURE
Apr 15, 2019 · 90,000 miles
Service brakes
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 THE ABS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ABS SYSTEM PULSING OF THE BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT IS UNEXPECTED. AT A STOP SIGN/CROSSWALK, THIS HAS CAUSED A VERY CLOSE ENCOUNTER. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 80000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED ROUTINELY BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. REPLACEMENT/SERVICE OF ABS SPEED SENSORS AND RUST ISSUE DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THE RECALL THAT…
Nov 1, 2018 · 76,000 miles
Service brakesCrash
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 PREVIOUS LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNALS NOTIFYING OF A BRAKE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS FULL. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING THE BRAKE FAILURE.
Jul 7, 2018 · 203,000 miles
Service brakes
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 IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THAT HE COULD REPAIR THE FAILURE BY CUTTING OUT THE ROTTED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW SECTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,600. THE VIN WAS NOT…
Jun 4, 2018 · 127,600 miles
Service brakes
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 LINES. ALREADY REPLACED. ALSO, RUSTED TRANS COOLER LINES. WILL NEED TO REPLACE SOON.
Apr 28, 2018 · 82,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN PAUL'S BUICK GMC (3615 S 108TH ST, GREENFIELD, WI 53228 (414) 482-6246) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. .*BF CONSUMER STATED WIFE SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES, CONSUMER CANNOT SMELL AND WAS GETTING HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING. PROBLEM IS FROM THE EXHAUST FUMES. UPDATED 8/15/18*JB
Nov 26, 2010 · 80,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.