VehicleVerdict

2003 GMC Sierra 2500 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 193 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Sierra 2500 year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 31 Sierra 2500 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 75 reports (39% of the total).

193

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

4

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other Sierra 2500 years?

Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted193 complaints1994: 2 complaints1997: 14 complaints1998: 19 complaints1999: 42 complaints2000: 62 complaints2001: 171 complaints2002: 164 complaints2003: 193 complaints2004: 175 complaints2005: 159 complaints2006: 78 complaints2007: 98 complaints2008: 78 complaints2009: 37 complaints2010: 11 complaints2011: 81 complaints2012: 39 complaints2013: 57 complaints2014: 39 complaints2015: 100 complaints2016: 75 complaints2017: 51 complaints2018: 46 complaints2019: 38 complaints2020: 106 complaints2021: 63 complaints2022: 52 complaints2023: 34 complaints2024: 133 complaints2025: 34 complaints2026: 9 complaints
Sierra 2500 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sierra 2500 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes7539%
Electrical System3820%
Transmission168%
Fuel System158%
Engine116%
Steering105%
Suspension74%
Body & Structure53%
Speed Control42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Tires & Wheels32%
Other21%
Seat Belts11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Lighting11%
Airbags11%

Does the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

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

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).

06E010000SteeringFebruary 1, 2006 · 1,360 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH WITH POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“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..”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · September 14, 2016 · crash

“THE VEHICLE HAS HAD FAILURE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HEATING. RESULTED IN FIRED IN THE DASH BOARD WIRING TWICE. HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONER EIGHT TIMES. *JB ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 4, 2006 · fire

“THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE TRANSFER CASE THAT RESULTED IN VEHICLE ENGAGING INTO 2-WHEEL DRIVE OR 4-WHEEL DRIVE BY ITSELF. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAILED PART. ALSO, FRONT DRIVESHAFT WAS LOOSE, CAUSING THE FRONT WHEEL TO VIBRATE/SHAKE.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS ELEVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · June 15, 2014 · fire

“WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 DISPLAYED A "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WARNING ON MY DASHBOARD. MY VEHICLE LOST ALL SPEED CONTROL, DECELERATING FROM 65 MPH TO 20 MPH IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND SHUT MY TRUCK OFF. ONCE I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 2, 2011 · crash

2003 GMC Sierra 2500 — common questions

Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 193 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 31 Sierra 2500 years. It is one of the Sierra 2500 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 Sierra 2500 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (75 complaints), electrical system (38 complaints), transmission (16 complaints).

Does the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which GMC Sierra 2500 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sierra 2500 years to avoid are 2003, 2004, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2024, 2020, 2015, 2007, 2011, 2008, 2013, 2012, 2014, 2009, 2010. The cleanest record among Sierra 2500 years belongs to 1994.

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.