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2003 GMC Sierra 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 181.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Compare all Sierra 1500 years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

162 reports with mileage · 18 unknown

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.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 55 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

An accident has not occurred yet, but it something I'm concerned deeply about. Awhile back there was a recall on the instrument cluster of the gmc Sierra 1500 (possibly othets on the list, im sure). I did wind up having the cluster replaced, there didn't seem to be any issues at the time. Now...the replacement cluster has gone h…

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An accident has not occurred yet, but it something I'm concerned deeply about. Awhile back there was a recall on the instrument cluster of the gmc Sierra 1500 (possibly othets on the list, im sure). I did wind up having the cluster replaced, there didn't seem to be any issues at the time. Now...the replacement cluster has gone haywire. I notice no issues with operations at this time. But the cluster doesn't register certain things or it fluctuates on and off, or doesn't read correctly at all. Is it possible that the replacement could have been bad as well?

NHTSA ODI #11526434

135,000 miles · Nov 25, 2014
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE BOTH INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE BOTH INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI #10660924

72,151 miles · Sep 28, 2012
Electrical SystemFire

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

NHTSA ODI #10477442

120,250 miles · Oct 25, 2011
Electrical System

STARTED VEHICLE IN MORNING AND NOTICED NO READINGS FROM ANY GAGES, (OIL PRESS., TEMP., TACH., FUEL, SPEED) NOR COULD I READ ODOMETER. SURROUNDING DASH LIGHTS FUNCTIONAL. WHILE DRIVING, I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD .... EVERYTHING BEGAN TO WORK. AT END OF DAY LEAVING WORK, NO PROBLEM ..... STOPPED ON WAY HOME, RESTARTED, PROBLEM …

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STARTED VEHICLE IN MORNING AND NOTICED NO READINGS FROM ANY GAGES, (OIL PRESS., TEMP., TACH., FUEL, SPEED) NOR COULD I READ ODOMETER. SURROUNDING DASH LIGHTS FUNCTIONAL. WHILE DRIVING, I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD .... EVERYTHING BEGAN TO WORK. AT END OF DAY LEAVING WORK, NO PROBLEM ..... STOPPED ON WAY HOME, RESTARTED, PROBLEM RETURNED. TURNED STEERING WHEEL, PROBLEM GONE. ARRIVED HOME, TURNED VEHICLE OFF ..... RESTART, PROBLEM BACK AGAIN. SEARCH ON NET SAYS IT IS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHAT IS THE COST FOR NEW/USED CLUSTER? IS IT EASY TO INSTALL? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10432810

71,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT YOU, NOT LISTING A RECALL BY GM ON THE DASH BOARD CLUSTER MINE HAS FAILED, THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GM PARTS BULLETINS & INFORMATION - TO CADILLAC, CHEVROLET AND GMC DEALERS SUBJECT:BULLETIN GMP07-174…

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT YOU, NOT LISTING A RECALL BY GM ON THE DASH BOARD CLUSTER MINE HAS FAILED, THE SPEEDOMETER NO LONGER WORKS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- GM PARTS BULLETINS & INFORMATION - TO CADILLAC, CHEVROLET AND GMC DEALERS SUBJECT:BULLETIN GMP07-174 - SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT #07187' INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGE NEEDLE FUNCTIONMESSAGE #:VSU20071575 CAMPAIGN - INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WARRANTY EXTENDED # 07187C: SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT - INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER GAUGE NEEDLE FUNCTION - (MAR 20, 2009) I LOOKED IN YOUR WEBSITE AND FOUND NOTHING RELATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412286

80,000 miles · Feb 22, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2003 GMC SIERRA PICK-UP HAS ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER READING. SPEEDOMETER READS VARIOUS SPEEDS WHILE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP. IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL SPEED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND OFFERED FREE REPLACEMENT TO ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES. NO NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS. WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SERVI…

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MY 2003 GMC SIERRA PICK-UP HAS ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER READING. SPEEDOMETER READS VARIOUS SPEEDS WHILE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP. IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE ACTUAL SPEED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. GM ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN AND OFFERED FREE REPLACEMENT TO ALL EFFECTED VEHICLES. NO NOTICE WAS SENT TO OWNERS. WHEN I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN, IT WAS TOO LATE. THERE WAS A TIME RESTRICTION ON IT. APPARENTLY MY SPEEDOMETER LASTED A BIT LONGER THAN MANY. HOWEVER MY PROBLEM IS EXACTLY THE ONE REFERENCED IN THE BULLETIN. I THINK GM SHOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER SAID IT WOULD COST ME $470.00. I'VE OWNED MANY VEHICLES, AND NEVER ONCE HAS A SPEEDOMETER FAILED DUE TO "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384020

80,000 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. IT SHOWS HIGH SPEEDS AFTER THE TRUCK IS SHUT OFF. IT SEEMS TO WORK IN WARM WEATHER BUT DOESN'T WORK IN COLD WEATHER. NOT SURE WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER IS ACCURATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339682

20,000 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior LightingParking Brake

2003 GMC SIERRA TRUCK, STEERING, HAS A CLUNKING NOISE STARTED ABOUT 5,000 MILES, TOLD BY MECHANIC TO TAKE TO A DEALER, WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS NOT SOMETHING HE WANTED TO UNDERTAKE DUE TO LIABILITY, ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH TO MUCH PLAY OR (SLAP) IN THE DRIVE SHAFT, TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY REPLACED …

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2003 GMC SIERRA TRUCK, STEERING, HAS A CLUNKING NOISE STARTED ABOUT 5,000 MILES, TOLD BY MECHANIC TO TAKE TO A DEALER, WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME HE HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND WAS NOT SOMETHING HE WANTED TO UNDERTAKE DUE TO LIABILITY, ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH TO MUCH PLAY OR (SLAP) IN THE DRIVE SHAFT, TOOK IT TO DEALER THEY REPLACED DRIVE SHAFT, DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM , SO APPARENTLY THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO SOLVE PROBLEM AND BASICALLY WERE GRABBING AT STRAWS, I STILL HAVE PROBLEM, FRONT RUNNING LIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT (ELECTRICAL PROBLEM). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10315609

158,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Electrical System

VEHICLE REPEATEDLY GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" WITHOUT WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY LOSE POWER. HAS BEEN HAPPENING INFREQUENTLY FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. NOW HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295777

66,667 miles · May 6, 2009
Electrical System

MY 2003 GMC 1500 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T EVEN WORK. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE TO PARK MY TRUCK, OR EVEN GET IT TAKEN FOR SPEEDING. NOT TO MENTION IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE GM HAS A FAULTY PART. THAT IS NOT FAIR. I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEM BUT NO SOL…

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MY 2003 GMC 1500 EXTENDED CAB PICKUP'S INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS NOT WORKING. SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T EVEN WORK. THIS IS NOT SAFE. I HAVE TO PARK MY TRUCK, OR EVEN GET IT TAKEN FOR SPEEDING. NOT TO MENTION IF THERE IS AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE GM HAS A FAULTY PART. THAT IS NOT FAIR. I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED TO THEM BUT NO SOLUTION. PLUS I HAVE LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10267824

Official recalls

1

04V562000 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility

Nov 26, 2004

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

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.