SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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.

Counts are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. A lower count does not establish that a car is problem-free.

About this comparison →
180Owner complaints

Model-year median: 181

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗ Model-level counts do not show whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Inspection summary

2003 GMC Sierra 1500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 180 owner complaints · 1 recall campaigns · 0 investigations.

Counts are not failure probabilities and are not adjusted for sales, age, mileage exposure or reporting. One report may name several categories. Comparison method and limitations.

Top reported categories (up to 5)

  • Service Brakes: 55 reports
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 50 reports
  • Electrical System: 43 reports
  • Steering: 15 reports
  • Air Bags: 7 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

Check a VIN with NHTSA. Model-level history does not establish whether a particular VIN is affected or repaired.

Print the top reported categories, recall links, snapshot date and comparison limits.

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
181
2000140
2001166
2002180
2003212
2004177
2005145
2006
Compare all Sierra 1500 years →

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

What owners reported most

Service Brakes
55Service Brakes, Hydraulic
50Electrical System
43Steering
15Air Bags
7
All reported categories
Power Train
6Fuel System, Gasoline
5Structure
4Visibility
4Engine
3Engine And Engine Cooling
3Exterior Lighting
2Fuel/propulsion System
2Parking Brake
2Seat Belts
2Suspension
2Unknown Or Other
2Tires
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

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

Steering complaints

15 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

2003 GMC SIERRA WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR BROKE, SPEEDOMETER FAILED DUE TO STEPPER MOTOR FAILURE, TRUCK IS ON THE THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, AND UPPER SUPPORT COLUMN BEARINGS, AND MORE PROBLEMS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE T…

Read full complaint

2003 GMC SIERRA WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR BROKE, SPEEDOMETER FAILED DUE TO STEPPER MOTOR FAILURE, TRUCK IS ON THE THIRD SET OF FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, AND UPPER SUPPORT COLUMN BEARINGS, AND MORE PROBLEMS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE UPPER SUPPORT BEARING, BUT REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT INSTEAD. THE REAR PLANATERY FORWARD CLUTCH WAS BURNT, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10220598

80,845 miles · Feb 25, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingExterior LightingSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE AND THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST THE DEALER IN LOCATING…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE HEADLIGHTS DIM AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSES THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT MOVE AND THE CONTACT WAS ALMOST INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST THE DEALER IN LOCATING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,845. UPDATED 4/2/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF AND VEHICLE IS STILL, THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES INOPERABLE. UPDATED 04/02/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10219136

24,000 miles · Nov 22, 2006
Steering

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 ONLY LASTING FOR ABOUT 20,000…

Read full complaint

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 ONLY LASTING FOR ABOUT 20,000 MILES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10174078

51,000 miles · Sep 6, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON ANY ROAD CONDITIONS, WHENEVER THE VEHICLE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING GEAR BOX. THE NOISE GOT LOUDER WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO EITHER DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE.

NHTSA ODI #10167482

60,980 miles · Jul 21, 2006
Steering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, AND A SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER REMOVED THE SHAFT SECTOR, REGREASED IT, AND REINSTALLED IT.

NHTSA ODI #10163081

Recall campaigns

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 ↗

Defect investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and closure does not prove a vehicle is problem-free.