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2003 GMC Sierra 2500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Sierra 2500 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 46.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

142 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, Hydraulic. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

7 crash reports4 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

13 reports
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180,000 miles · Apr 26, 2016
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST POWER, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED, LOST POWER, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861591

170,000 miles · Oct 26, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainService Brakes

BRAKE LINE LEAKS, BRAKE STOPPED WORKING BECAUSE OF RUSTED BRAKE LINES. ALSO FUEL AND TRANSMISSION LINES ARE RUSTED BADLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650027

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR LOSS OF POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO ACCELERATE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CONT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOSS OF POWER WHILE TRAVELING AT ANY SPEED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR LOSS OF POWER INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATION PEDAL TO THE FLOORBOARD TO ACCELERATE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER MORE THAN FIVE TIMES, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALSO BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10587114

41,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKE LINES FAILED ON BOAT RAMP ON 9/15/2010 REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED ON 7/20/2011, TRANSMISSION LINES FAIL ON 5/10/2012 I AM SURE GAS LINES ARE NEXT. TRUCK IS A COMPLETE RUST BUCKET UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ODI #10459420

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2011
Power Train

TRANSFER CASE MADE A GRINDING NOISE. NOTICE CUT ON OUTSIDE OF THE CASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440190

75,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Power Train

TRANSFER CASE BURT UP DUE TO FAULTY CLIP DESIGN, SNAP RING WORE INTO CASE, VERY POOR CASE DESIGN. AN AFTERMARKET MANUFACTURER HAS COME UP WITH A BETTER BACK HALF OF THE CASE AND UPGRADED PUMP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.*CN

NHTSA ODI #10213394

104,000 miles · May 2, 2007
Power Train

I ENTERED THE TRUCK STEPPED ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND STARTED TO EASE THE CLUTCH OUT WHEN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CHIRPED THE BACK TIRES AT NO MORE THAN 950 R.P.M.'S AND BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY GO BACKWARDS TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I QUICKLY STEPPED…

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I ENTERED THE TRUCK STEPPED ON THE CLUTCH PEDAL, SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND STARTED TO EASE THE CLUTCH OUT WHEN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY CHIRPED THE BACK TIRES AT NO MORE THAN 950 R.P.M.'S AND BEGAN TO IMMEDIATELY GO BACKWARDS TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. I QUICKLY STEPPED ONTO THE BRAKE AND STALLED THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. I THEN PROCEEDED TO LOOK UNDER THE DASH TO SEE WHAT HAD "POPPED" AND FOUND THAT I COULD SEE LIGHT THROUGHOUT THE FIREWALL, AS I MOVED THE PEDAL UP AND DOWN. I OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND THAT THE BLACK PLASTIC FLANGE THAT THE CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER MOUNTS TO HAD BROKEN OR SHATTERED RELEASING THE MASTER CYLINDER THEREFORE, COMPLETELY DISENGAGING THE CLUTCH. HAD I NOT BEEN QUICK TO REACT, I WOULD HAVE STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE SIDE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. HAD I BEEN IN 1ST GEAR WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED I WOULD HAVE LUNGED FOWARD AT THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY AND OFF A 10' LEDGE STRAIGHT DOWN INTO MY NEIGHBORS BACKYARD, RESULTING IN PERSONAL AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROX 104 THOUSAND MILES. THIS WAS A POOR DESIGN AND HAS FAILED IN A VERY DANGEROUS MANNER. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189552

43,000 miles · Nov 15, 2004
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED. FRONT TIRE AXLE NUT WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE. ALSO, THE ROTORS AND BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10099933

34,800 miles · Oct 17, 2004
Power Train

2003 GMC SIERRA 3/4 TON, 8.1 LITRE ENGINE WITH ALLISON TRANSMISSION-GM SAYS THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHERE IT GOES IN TO THE REAR END. EVERY 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES IT MUST BE REMOVED AND CLEANED, GREASED AND REPLACED. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PLACE THIS ON A RECALL LIST AND SAY IN THE FUTURE IT WILL BE …

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2003 GMC SIERRA 3/4 TON, 8.1 LITRE ENGINE WITH ALLISON TRANSMISSION-GM SAYS THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHERE IT GOES IN TO THE REAR END. EVERY 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES IT MUST BE REMOVED AND CLEANED, GREASED AND REPLACED. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PLACE THIS ON A RECALL LIST AND SAY IN THE FUTURE IT WILL BE A MAINTENANCE ITEM AND IT WILL BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE EVERY 2 OR 3 OIL CHANGES. AS FOR MINE THEY WILL DO IT FOR A SHORT TIME LONGER AND THEN IT WILL BE MY PROBLEM-THIS IS A DEFINITE DEFECT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT ALREADY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, IF YOU ARE ALREADY OUT OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND DID NOT PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO PAY OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET,THEM KNOWING FULLY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10095897

1,041 miles · Jan 22, 2004
Power Train

I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO GMC DOCUMENT ID#1400441 THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM NOW. HOWEVER, THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM AND AS SOON AS A FIX IS AVAILABLE THEY WILL MAKE THE REPAIRS IN THE TRUCKS. THIS PROBLEM APPLIES TO 2003 AND 2004 K SERIES. THESE TR…

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I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY. ACCORDING TO GMC DOCUMENT ID#1400441 THERE IS NO FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM NOW. HOWEVER, THEY ARE WORKING ON THE PROBLEM AND AS SOON AS A FIX IS AVAILABLE THEY WILL MAKE THE REPAIRS IN THE TRUCKS. THIS PROBLEM APPLIES TO 2003 AND 2004 K SERIES. THESE TRUCKS ARE NOT ONLY USED PERSONAL BUT IN SOME CASES, ALSO IN EMERGENCY RESCUE AND FIRE SERVICES WHERE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE MAY BE NEEDED TO GAIN ACCESS TO PATIENTS. I CAN BE CONTACTED FOR FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10054704

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.