VehicleVerdict

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 sits mid-pack among Sierra 1500 years: 210 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 219, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: brakes issues account for 51% of all reports (107 of 210), far ahead of electrical system at 43.

210

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sierra 1500 years?

See all Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes10751%
Electrical System4320%
Steering157%
Transmission73%
Fuel System73%
Airbags73%
Engine63%
Visibility & Wipers42%
Body & Structure42%
Seat Belts21%
Lighting21%
Suspension21%
Other21%
Tires & Wheels10%
Speed Control10%

Does the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07E106000Tires & WheelsDecember 17, 2007 · 130,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06E050000BrakesJune 6, 2006 · 6,800 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

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.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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).

04V562000OtherNovember 26, 2004 · 1,660 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

LOW SPEED CRASH IN DRIVEWAY DUE TO SUDDEN RUPTURE OF RT. FRONT BRAKE LINE METAL SECTION AT BANJO BOLT. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE TRUCK BY A MECHANIC I WAS INFORMED THAT 4 OTHER STEEL LINES ARE LEAKING DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION AND THAT EVERY STEEL LINE ON THE TRUCK IS IN DANGER OF FAILURE DUE TO SEVERE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 17, 2012 · crash

SPEEDOMETER STICKING AND GOING CRAZY ,CLUSTER LIGHTING IN/OUT THEN GAUGES STOPPED WORKING THEN WHOLE CLUSTER SHORTED AND HAD DASH FIRE. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 11, 2010 · fire

I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA EXT CAB SHORT BED PICKUP. AT 24,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING SHAFT REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS WORE OUT AND CAUSING A POPPING NOISE WHEN I TURNED OR WENT OVER A BUMP. I NOW HAVE 44,000 MILES ON THE TRUCK AND THE SHAFT IS ALREADY WORN OUT AGAIN! IT SEEMS LIKE THESE ARE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 22, 2006

A BRAKE LINE BURST UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES WITH SUBSTANTIAL PRESSURE (NOT ENOUGH TO ENGAGE ABS ON THE DRY PAVEMENT). WAS ABLE TO SWERVE TO AVOID VEHICLE THAT CUT US OFF AND USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW/STOP VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE. ALL BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED/CORRODED…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 21, 2011

MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 SLE HAS CORRODED BRAKE, TRANSMISSION AND FUEL LINES. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY ALL NEED REPLACED OR BREAKAGE AND LEAKAGE WILL OCCUR WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING BREAK, TRANSMISSION OR FUEL DELIVERY OR FIRE DAMAGES. PLEASE HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM ASAP. 00. *TR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 9, 2011

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 — common questions

Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sierra 1500: 210 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2003 Sierra 1500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (107 complaints), electrical system (43 complaints), steering (15 complaints).

Does the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 1500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 1500 years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2020, 2023, 2017, 2016, 2008, 2024, 2018, 2011, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2012. The cleanest record among Sierra 1500 years belongs to 1995.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.