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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.

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 →
160Owner complaints

Model-year median: 46

0Recall 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 2500

NHTSA snapshot: September 18, 2026. 160 owner complaints · 0 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, Hydraulic: 43 reports
  • Electrical System: 36 reports
  • Service Brakes: 28 reports
  • Power Train: 13 reports
  • Steering: 10 reports

Full reported-category list and vehicle report

Recall links

    No recall campaigns in this snapshot.

    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
    48
    2000    134
    2001    134
    2002    160
    2003    143
    2004    115
    2005    66
    2006
    Compare all Sierra 2500 years →

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

    What owners reported most

    Service Brakes, Hydraulic
    43    Electrical System
    36    Service Brakes
    28    Power Train
    13    Steering
    10
    All reported categories
    Engine
    6    Fuel System, Diesel
    6    Engine And Engine Cooling
    5    Fuel/propulsion System
    5    Structure
    5    Suspension
    5    Vehicle Speed Control
    4    Fuel System, Gasoline
    3    Tires
    3    Visibility
    3    Equipment
    2    Parking Brake
    2    Unknown Or Other
    2    Air Bags
    1    Electronic Stability Control (esc)
    1    Exterior Lighting
    1    Fuel System, Other
    1    Seat Belts
    1    Service Brakes, Electric
    1

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

    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

    Structure complaints

    5 reports
    Clear category filter
    120,000 miles · Aug 13, 2018
    Structure

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED WAS RUSTED, INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (FREEDOM CHEVROLET, 7052 W 48TH ST, FREMONT, MI 49412, 321-403-0016) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CHEAP METAL WAS USED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…

    Read full complaint

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED WAS RUSTED, INCLUDING THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER (FREEDOM CHEVROLET, 7052 W 48TH ST, FREMONT, MI 49412, 321-403-0016) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT CHEAP METAL WAS USED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

    NHTSA ODI #11119742

    Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2014
    Structure

    THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS HAVE RUSTED SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE BIG HOLES IN THEM. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH BEFORE I CAN GET AN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE PICK UP, AT THE COST OF OVER $1000.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I HAVE SEEN MANY MORE PICK UPS WITH THE SAME RUSTED BUMPERS. IS THERE A RECALL FOR BUMPER REPLACEMENT ON T…

    Read full complaint

    THE FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS HAVE RUSTED SO BAD THAT THEY HAVE BIG HOLES IN THEM. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM BOTH BEFORE I CAN GET AN INSPECTION STICKER ON THE PICK UP, AT THE COST OF OVER $1000.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I HAVE SEEN MANY MORE PICK UPS WITH THE SAME RUSTED BUMPERS. IS THERE A RECALL FOR BUMPER REPLACEMENT ON THESE PICKUPS?? *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10650937

    99,000 miles · Dec 26, 2011
    Service Brakes, HydraulicSteeringStructure

    MANY COMPONENTS UNDER THE TRUCK ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. TWO BRAKE LINES FAILED IN AUGUST 2011 DUE TO RUST. THE REST ARE READY TO FAIL SOON. THE POWER STEERING LINE RUSTED OUT THIS MONTH (DECEMBER). RUST AT SENSORS OF ABS SYSTEM CAUSES ERRATIC ABS OPERATION. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10441253

    65,800 miles · Nov 28, 2007
    Structure

    FRONT BUMPER ROTTING OFF,UNSAFE AIRBAGS MAY NOT WORK IN THE EVENT OF COLLISION. *TR

    NHTSA ODI #10210221

    Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2003
    Structure

    FRONT BUMPER IS RUSTING, WITHIN THE FIRST 3 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP / LESS THAN 6,000 MILES. *NLM

    NHTSA ODI #10020955

    Recall campaigns

    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 ↗

    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.