Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 14 of 18 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
18 reports
70,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES AND ENGINE COOLANT LINES ALL FAILING ON 2003 GMC 2500 HD SIERRA AS WELL AS ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO HD 3500. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REPAIR AND REPLACE, AND TODAY THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE ON THE 2003 HD GMC WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT.…
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BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES AND ENGINE COOLANT LINES ALL FAILING ON 2003 GMC 2500 HD SIERRA AS WELL AS ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO HD 3500. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REPAIR AND REPLACE, AND TODAY THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE ON THE 2003 HD GMC WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THEY WAY THEY ARE ESPECIALLY ON TWO (2) DIFFERENT VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH INADEQUATE PARTS FOR ALL LINES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THERE SHOULD NOT BE 1,000 PLUS COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS REGARDING THE RUSTING OF THESE COMPONENTS, OF WHICH HAVE CAUSED SEVERAL MAJOR AND LIFE SAFETY ISSUES. THE BRAKE LINES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF ANY VEHICLE AND TO HAVE THEM RUST THRU TO THE DEGREE OF ALL THE COMPLAINTS THERE IS OBVIOUSLY AN ISSUE WITH THE COMPONENT THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED ON THESE VEHICLES. BETWEEN OUR 2003 AND 2004 GMC AND CHEVY TRUCKS RESPECTIVELY, WE HAVE REPLACED ALL OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINES IN BOTH VEHICLES, OIL ENGINE LINE IN 1 VEHICLE, READY TO CHANGE IN OTHER VEHICLE DUE TO RUST, AND NOW BRAKE LINES IN THE 2003 AND WILL NEED TO REPLACE IN 2004 DUE TO RUST AS WELL. THE ENTIRE UNDERSIDE COMPONENTS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. IN ADDITION, THE STRAPS THAT HOLD THE FUEL TANK ARE ALSO NEEDING TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10377916
82,000 miles · Jan 1, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 4WD TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER IS BAD. I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTER ERRATICALLY AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON 0 MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HERE THE FUEL GAUGE IS NEXT TO GO BAD. THESE TWO PROBLEMS TOGETHER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CAN AND WILL C…
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I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 4WD TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER IS BAD. I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTER ERRATICALLY AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON 0 MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HERE THE FUEL GAUGE IS NEXT TO GO BAD. THESE TWO PROBLEMS TOGETHER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHERE SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED. GM HAS AGREED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES AND 5 YRS. OLD. THIS DOES NOTHING TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BUT LOWER THE ODDS A LITTLE BIT. WHAT ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE BALANCE OF OWNERS OF THE REMAINING VEHICLES AND EVERY PERSON ON US HIGHWAYS? DOESN'T ANYONE CARE? PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM FOR IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE SUDDEN. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS AND THEN IT WORKS FINE OFF AND ON OR IT JUST TOTALLY FAILS ALL AT ONCE. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE DRIVING WHICH AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON A SNOW COVERED OR DRY FREEWAY OR RTE. AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STEER THE TRUCK CAN DEFINITELY CAUSE ACCIDENTS. PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE WHEN OR WHERE THESE PROBLEMS WILL OCCUR. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THE ROADS WITH MORE THAN 70,000 MILES AND OLDER THAN 5YEARS. I AM A CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE MECHANIC AND HAVE BEEN FOR 30 YEARS. WHAT SCARES ME IS THE OLDER THE VEHICLE THE MORE CHANCE OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES FAILING FROM RUST AND NOT KNOWING IF THEY ARE DRIVING TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS WITH A BRAKE LINE FAILURE IS GOING TO HAPPEN IF NOT ALREADY. PLEASE PROTECT EVERYONE AND YOURSELF FROM GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION'S SHOTTY RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373697
85,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN 2003 GMC SIERRA, I FEEL THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFTEY DEFECT AND BE COVERED BY THE GM CORP. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THE CORP FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS TO COVER THIS IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTOR IN ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AND THE PART NUMBER WAS XC5-168 THE NEW PART NUMBE…
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SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN 2003 GMC SIERRA, I FEEL THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A SAFTEY DEFECT AND BE COVERED BY THE GM CORP. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH THE CORP FOR THE PAST THREE MONTHS TO COVER THIS IT WAS A DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTOR IN ALL THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS AND THE PART NUMBER WAS XC5-168 THE NEW PART NUMBER IS X25-168 WHY WAS THIS NEVER CONSIDERED A SAFTEY RECALL, IS THE SPEEDOMETER NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE SAFETY RECALLS ON OUR ROADWAYS? THE FACT THAT I CAN DRIVE DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT "ACCORDING TO MY SPEEDOMETER" AT 120 MPH AND CARS ARE PASSING ME, OR THE FACT THAT I MIGHT BE DOING ONLY 30MPH IN THE SAME SITUATION, IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF A SAFTEY RECALL? IT IS AND HAS BEEN KNOWN THAT THESE STEPPERS MOTORS IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS HAS BEEN BAD, AND NOT THE FAULT OF ANY DRIVER BUT THE FAULT OF THE GM CORP., DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED BY SOMETHING LIKE THIS THINKING THAT THER ONLY DOING 30MPH BUT IN FACT ARE RUNNING DOWN THE ROAD AT 80MPH.... SURE THE MORE EXPERIENCED DRIVER MIGHT KNOW THE DIFFERENCEBUT WHAT ABOUT THE LESS EXPERIENCED, LIKE YOUR CHILD? I WOULD NEVER WANT THIS TO HAPPEN, AND YOU HAVE TO ADMIT THAT IT COULD, SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS... A SAFTEY RECALL, NOT JUST SOME SERVICE BULLETIN, THAT THE DEALER MAILS TO SOME OF THE OWNERS, IF IN FACT THEY HAVE THE NAME ON FILE, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BOUGHT THIS USED FOR THIER CHILD. UNDER SPEEDOMETERS ON EBAY THERE IS PROOF THAT THE CLUSTERS ARE BAD, GUYS ARE FIXING THEM WITH THE NEW STEPPER MOTORS, WHY IS THIS NOT GM'S RESPONSIBILITY? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10298759
114,200 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Power Train
TRANSFER CASE HAS HOLES IN IT & FLUID LEAKED OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210872
85,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Power Train
I PURCHASED A 2003 GMC SONOMA FOR MY SON, IN JULY OF 2003 AND WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD YESTERDAY WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE FROM $1,500.00-$2,500.00. WE ARE GOING TO PAY IT BECAUSE WE STILL ARE PAYING A PAYMENT ON IT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS …
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I PURCHASED A 2003 GMC SONOMA FOR MY SON, IN JULY OF 2003 AND WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. WE WERE TOLD YESTERDAY WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WAS QUOTED A PRICE FROM $1,500.00-$2,500.00. WE ARE GOING TO PAY IT BECAUSE WE STILL ARE PAYING A PAYMENT ON IT AND CANNOT AFFORD TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY QUESTION IS ISN'T GENERAL MOTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL. I DO NOT HAVE AN AMERICAN VEHICLE AND I WOULD LIKE TO BUY AMERICAN BUT THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10206696
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2007
Electrical System
SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202239
12,000 miles · Jun 11, 2007
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC TRUCK. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SHOCK THAT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE BEARINGS AND SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC TRUCK. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SHOCK THAT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE BEARINGS AND SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. OVER ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS MADE NINE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE STEERING GEARS AND ADVISED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THEM INSTEAD OF LOOPING THE GEARS. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO AUTHORIZED THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE SHOCK AND SPRING MOUNTS. THERE WAS AN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE BEARING GEAR INSIDE THE RACK AND PINION, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VIN AND FUEL SYSTEM WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAS COPIES OF THE RELATED INVOICES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000.
NHTSA ODI #10192931
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2006
Equipment
MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD JUST STARTED HAVING SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS. ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH BUT MY SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS GOING 90 MPH. THEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO 120 MPH AND EVENTUALLY IT PEGGED OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN I TURN MY ENGINE OFF ALL OF THE OTHER GAGES GO OFF BUT THE …
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MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD JUST STARTED HAVING SPEEDOMETER PROBLEMS. ALL OF A SUDDEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH BUT MY SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS GOING 90 MPH. THEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN WENT TO 120 MPH AND EVENTUALLY IT PEGGED OUT COMPLETELY. WHEN I TURN MY ENGINE OFF ALL OF THE OTHER GAGES GO OFF BUT THE SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 120 MPH +. SOMETIMES IT FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 70 AND 120 + BUT IT IS NEVER CORRECT. THIS SEEMS LIKE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND IT APPEARS FROM READING ONLINE THAT THERE ARE TONS OF OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING THA GMC SHOULD FIX FOR FREE CONSIDERING THE SAFETY ISSUES. WE DONT HAVE THE MONEY TO SPEND ON SOMETHING THAT IS OBVIOUSLY THE MANUFACUTRERS FAULT.
NHTSA ODI #10177377
33,000 miles · Nov 28, 2006
Power Train
03 GMC SIERRA GOT USED IN AUG 06 WITH 31000 MILES NOW HAS 36000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION HAS CLUNK BETWEEN 2 &3 GEARS FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT SEEMS THIS IS HAPPENING TO LOTS OF PEOPLE I WILL BRING THIS TO GM`S ATTENTION BECAUSE IT STILL UNDER GMC CERTIFIED WARRANTY BUT I DON`T THINK IT WILL GET ME ANYWHERE PLEASE HELP…
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03 GMC SIERRA GOT USED IN AUG 06 WITH 31000 MILES NOW HAS 36000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION HAS CLUNK BETWEEN 2 &3 GEARS FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT SEEMS THIS IS HAPPENING TO LOTS OF PEOPLE I WILL BRING THIS TO GM`S ATTENTION BECAUSE IT STILL UNDER GMC CERTIFIED WARRANTY BUT I DON`T THINK IT WILL GET ME ANYWHERE PLEASE HELP. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10174628
24,000 miles · Sep 13, 2006
Tires
FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRES LT245-75-R16 ISN'T ANYBODY LISTENING TO ALL OF US REGARDING THESE TIRES? I HAVE JUST SPENT HRS. READING COMPLAINTS AND I KNOW WE HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED EXCEPT THROUGH FIRESTONE (OF COURSE THEY WANT TO STOP WHAT EVER COMPLAINTS CONTINUE) A TRIP TO FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP ENDED WITH BLAME ON TH…
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FIRESTONE STEELTEX RADIAL TIRES LT245-75-R16 ISN'T ANYBODY LISTENING TO ALL OF US REGARDING THESE TIRES? I HAVE JUST SPENT HRS. READING COMPLAINTS AND I KNOW WE HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED EXCEPT THROUGH FIRESTONE (OF COURSE THEY WANT TO STOP WHAT EVER COMPLAINTS CONTINUE) A TRIP TO FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP ENDED WITH BLAME ON THE TRUCK. I HAVE A COMPLAINT ODI #10166588. I AM AMAZED THAT THESE TIRES HAVE NOT BEEN RECALLED. FIRESTONE DID TELL ME THEY WERE "DISCONTINUED" LAST YEAR. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMEONE DOES SOMETHING??????? *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168201
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2003 GMC GMC Truck Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year