VehicleVerdict

2003 Hummer H2 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 186 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 7.4 times the median H2 year — the 2003 model ranks #1 of 8 H2 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 11 injuries in total across these filings.

Visibility & Wipers leads the complaint categories with 57 reports (31% of the total).

186

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

3

Investigations

15

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other H2 years?

H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted186 complaints2002: 3 complaints2003: 186 complaints2004: 74 complaints2005: 103 complaints2006: 35 complaints2007: 15 complaints2008: 10 complaints2009: 3 complaints
H2 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all H2 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Hummer H2 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers5731%
Electrical System2513%
Brakes1910%
Steering179%
Body & Structure148%
Transmission126%
Suspension116%
Engine95%
Tires & Wheels63%
Seats53%
Speed Control32%
Seat Belts32%
Fuel System21%
Airbags11%
Other11%
Lighting11%

Does the 2003 Hummer H2 have recalls?

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

08V456000Visibility & WipersSeptember 9, 2008 · 13,358 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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> .

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.

04V045000BrakesFebruary 4, 2004 · 68,875 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

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 HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

03V075000TransmissionMarch 6, 2003 · 511,167 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THESE OVERRIDES ARE NOT PERMITTED UNLESS THE VEHICLE HAS A LOCKING STEERING COLUMN.

Remedy

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.

02V283000Visibility & WipersOctober 29, 2002 · 1,448 units

Defect

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY AND PASSENGER VEHICLES EXHIBIT A CONDITION IN WHICH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR COULD FAIL DURING USE BECAUSE OF IMPROPER MANUFACTURE.

Consequence

IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR IN SEVERE WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY COULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WINDSHIELD WIPER / WASHER FAILS DURING OPERATION, 2003 HUMMER H2, THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT HUMMER SAYS THAT RECALL DID NOT EFFECT MY SPECIFIC VEHICLE AND IT IS A COINCIDENCE THAT I HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM THAT A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE, YEAR, MODEL, AND MAKE WAS FOR. *NM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · August 1, 2003 · crash

“I WENT TO CRANK UP MY HUMMER TO WARM IT UP DUE TO THE VERY COLD WEATHER ONCE I CRANKED THE HUMMER I IMMEDIATELY SMELLED A VERY STRONG BURNING ODOR. IT BEGIN TO SMOKE AND MY HUSBAND YELLED IT YOUR TRUCK AND I LOOKED AND SAW THE SMOKE GETTING WORSE AND THICKER. I UNHOOKED MY INFANT SON'S CAR SEAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 13, 2015 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 HUMMER H2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED OUT. WHILE TOWING A THIRTY FOOT BOAT, THE PARKING BRAKE ABNORMALLY TRAVELED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 3, 2014

“2003 HUMMER H2 WITH STEERING KNUCKLE FAILURE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE STEERING KNUCKLE FAILED CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. HIS INSURANCE AND THE MANUFACTURER SAY IT WASN'T A VEHICLE FAILURE AND HE IS AT FAULT. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED DOES NOT WANT VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT WANTS A FULL REFUND TO PURCHASE A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · August 23, 2007 · crash

“WE PURCHASED THIS H2 IN DECEMBER 2014 AND BY FEB 2015 NOTICED A GRUMBLY SOUND IN THE BRAKES. WE TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THE TECH TOLD US THE WHOLE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS RUSTED AND ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED THRU AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE SOME OF THE LINES WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, THEY HAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 7, 2015

2003 Hummer H2 — common questions

Is the 2003 Hummer H2 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 186 complaints put the 2003 model at #1 of 8 H2 years. It is one of the H2 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 H2 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (57 complaints), electrical system (25 complaints), brakes (19 complaints).

Does the 2003 Hummer H2 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Hummer H2. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2003 Hummer H2 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Hummer H2 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the H2 years to avoid are 2003, 2005, 2004. The cleanest record among H2 years belongs to 2009.

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.