Model year record

2003 Hummer H2 recalls & problems

The 2003 Hummer H2 has 5 safety recalls and 141 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (50 complaints).

Recalls5safety recalls

Complaints141filed by owners

Crashes · fires13 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths9 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

VisibilitySep 9, 2008

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 08V45600013,358 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: GM IS RECALLING 13,358 MY 2003 HUMMER H2 VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER CAN ENTER THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MODULE. IF A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF WATER ENTERS THE MODULE, OVER TIME, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS MAY WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR THEY MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE COVER, AND REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MODULE COVER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 7, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493 OR THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM>HTTP://WWW.GMOWNERCENTER.COM</A> .

SteeringFeb 1, 2006

Steering

Recall 06E0100001,360 vehicles

Problem: 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. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL.
Risk: LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: 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.

Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 04V04500068,875 vehicles

Problem: 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 VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Risk: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Fix: 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 HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Power trainMar 6, 2003

Automatic transmission

Recall 03V075000511,167 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 114, "THEFT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A MECHANICAL OVERRIDE THAT COULD ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WITH THE SHIFT LEVER IN A POSITION OTHER THAN PARK. IN ADDITION, THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN OVERRIDE THAT CAN ALLOW THE TRANSMISSION TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK WITH THE IGNITION IN THE OFF POSITION.
Risk: THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.
Fix: DEALERS WILL ELIMINATE THESE CONDITIONS BY DISABLING THE OVERRIDES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MAY 29, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

VisibilityOct 29, 2002

Windshield wiper/washer › Motor

Recall 02V2830001,448 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.
Risk: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SATURN AT 1-800-553-6000, PROMPT #3 OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

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.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer › Motor; Windshield wiper/washer	50	1	0	1	62,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; 12v/24v/48v battery	24	0	1	0	55,894 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm	17	6	1	2	50,570 mi
StructureBody; Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments	14	0	0	1	40,035 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	12	0	0	0	61,500 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower arm	11	4	0	2	56,000 mi
Service brakes	11	0	0	0	90,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Foundation components › Master cylinder	7	0	0	0	85,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	7	0	0	0	126,057 mi
Wheels	5	2	0	2	17,250 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	5	0	0	0	80,000 mi
Seats	5	0	2	0	80,500 mi

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

Recent owner complaints

Visibility/wiper
While driving in extreme rain downfall at night my windshield wipers stopped functioning. I could not see the road. Luckily I had just exited the highway when this happened. Therefore I was able to move over to the side of the road turn on my hazards and wait an hour for the rain to settle before driving to a near by gas station. Otherwise a fatality would have been likely being on a busy interstate should the wipers failed to function then. That wipers do not work and the Hummer can not be driven when rain is expected. I heard a recall had been issued for wiper malfunction. However when pulling up any recalls from my vin nothing shows but I have seen recalls for this situation and for the…
May 28, 2023
Visibility/wiper
drivers seat goes toward dash when key is turned on. have not been able to reset it in any way. cruise control wont activate. front washer pump wont pump. front wiper motor would not shut off. disconnected battery and then wiper motor would not restart. removed the wiper motor and found corosion in printed circuit board. trying to purchase a new front wiper motor. have found that the wai part number wpm 1063 that fits the hummer is currently on backorder. will purchase new wiper motor asap. need better parts availibility for safety.
Apr 1, 2023
Electrical system
THE PASS LOCK KEEPS MY VEHICLE FROM STARTING AND STOPPING IT AT RANDOM, AND HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR YEARS. SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO AT LEAST 85% OF HUMMERS OUT THERE IF YOU CHECK AROUND, HUMMER FORUM AND OTHER PLACES. THIS IS VERY SERIOUS. STOPS AT INTERSECTIONS, AND COULD ON RAILROAD TRACKS. I KNOW THAT YOU'VE HAD COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS AND IGNORED THEM, SAYING THAT YOU HAVEN'T HAD OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY YOUR AGENCY, AS YOUR JOB IS TO KEEP THE CITIZENS SAFE. NOT PASS THEM OFF AS YOU'VE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS ON THIS ISSUE WITH THE GM PASS LOCK SYSTEM. THIS NEEDS RECALLED BEFORE MORE PEOPLE ARE KILLED DUE TO THIS MISS FUNCTION ON HUMMERS. MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS…
Feb 24, 2021 · 32,000 miles
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT VEHICLE MOVED INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO SAFETY. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Feb 15, 2021 · 160,000 miles
SeatsFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT THERE WAS SMOKE SMOLDERING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE OCCUPANT NOTICED FIRE UNDER THE SEAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS BLINKING WEEKS PRIOR. THERE WERE NO REPORTED INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED HE MAY HAVE INHALED TOXIC FUMES. THE CONTACT, OCCUPANT, AND A STRANGER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND BOTTLES OF WATER. THE CONTACT STATED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT THE BATTERY WAS DRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE INFORMED THERE WAS A SHORTAGE WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ON THE SCENE AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THERE WAS NO…
Aug 12, 2020 · 206,450 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. IT TOOK THE CONTACT UP TO THIRTY MINUTES TO START THE VEHICLE AND THE LOCK WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000. *DT
Feb 1, 2019 · 45,000 miles
Visibility/wiper
ONE EVENING WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN ON A LOCAL ROAD HEADED HOME MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WHICH OFCOURSE WERE IN OPERATION SUDDENLY STOPPED STUCK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION I IMMEDIATELY HEARD A SOMEWHAT LOUD HUMMING NOISE SOUNDING AS IF IT WERE COMING FROM INSIDE THE UPPER DASHBOARD I COULDN'T SEE TO DRIVE AS I NATURALLY RESPONDED TO THE WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPING AND IN THE UPWARD POSITION MAKING IT HARD FOR ME TO SEE WHILE DRIVING, I QUICKLY TURNED THE KNOB ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHICH OPERATES THE WIPERS SPEED AND ON & OFF FUNCTION IN HOPES IT WOULD BRING THE WIPERS DOWN TO THE RESTING POSITION ESPECIALLY IF TURNED OFF HOWEVER EVEN THOUGH I TURNED THE KNOB TO THE OFF POSITION…
Nov 20, 2018 · 130,114 miles
Visibility/wiper
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH ON A RAINY DAY, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 205-588-4478. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT PART OF A RECALL AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jun 22, 2017

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

NHTSA defect investigations

WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MODULE FAILUREClosedLed to recall 08V456000
THIS INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED THAT WATER INTRUSION INTO THE WIPER MOTOR MODULE OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY LEAD TO INTERMITTENT OPERATION OR SUBSEQUENT TOTAL SYSTEM FAILURE.ANALYSIS OF DATA DISCLOSED THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2003 AND MAY 2003 EXHIBITED HIGH WARRANTY CLAIM RATES.THE MANUFACTURED NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED SEPTEMBER 8, 2008, THAT A SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR THE 13,358 VEHICLES BUILT DURING THIS TIME PERIOD.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NO. 08V-456 TO THIS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN.CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE WIPER MODULE COVER, WHERE EVIDENCE OF WATER INTRUSION EXISTS.TO CORRESPOND WITH PARTS AVAILABILITY, THE DEALER BULLETIN AND OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER ARE SCHEDULED FOR ISSUANCE IN NOVEMBER 2008.
PE08042 · opened Jul 16, 2008 · closed Oct 15, 2008
HUMMER H2 STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURESClosed
ODI UPGRADED THIS INVESTIGATION AT THE CONCLUSION OF PE04-080.THE ALLEGED DEFECT INVOLVES THE FAILURE OF THE STEERING KNUCKLE AT THE LOWER BALL JOINT BOSS, RESULTING IN A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER BALL JOINT FROM THE KNUCKLE.A LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF STEERING AND/OR A DISABLED VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT THE FRACTURES OF H2 STEERING KNUCKLES CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO WHEEL/TIRE COLLISION FORCES BEING TRANSFERRED DIRECTLY TO THE STEERING KNUCKLE.THE ORIGINAL KNUCKLE DESIGN APPEARS TO BE SUFFICIENT FOR THE H2 APPLICATION.EVIDENCE FROM INSPECTED VEHICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS, POLICE REPORTS AND EDR DATA INDICATES COLLISION IMPACT EVENTS PLACED STRESS ON THE STEERING KNUCKLE CAUSING IT TO FRACTURE.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS WITH…
EA05017 · opened Oct 28, 2005 · closed Apr 30, 2007
STEERING KNUCKLE FRACTUREClosed
DURING THE PE, ODI INVESTIGATED THE HUMMER H2 FOR FRACTURES WHICH WERE OCCURRING AT THE FRONT STEERING KNUCKLE LOWER BOSS.WHEN THE KNUCKLE LOWER BOSS FRACTURES, THE LOWER BALL JOINT STUD IS RELEASED AND THE ENTIRE KNUCKLE AND WHEEL/TIRE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS INVESTIGATION TO GAIN A FULL TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THESE FAILURES.
PE04080 · opened Dec 2, 2004 · closed Oct 28, 2005