Complaints
248
Crashes
16
Fires
3
Injuries
11
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2003 GMC Sierra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#145 complaints
Brakes
Avg mileage:97,892 mi
Crash-related:5
#219 complaints
Instrument Cluster
Avg mileage:52,503 mi
#317 complaints
Hydraulic Brakes
Avg mileage:75,139 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 GMC Sierra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 45 | 5 | — | 97,892 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 19 | — | — | 52,503 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 17 | — | — | 75,139 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 15 | — | — | 9,574 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 14 | — | — | 46,043 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 11 | — | — | 23,657 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 1 | — | 49,005 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 8 | — | — | 128,941 mi | |
| Steering:Column | 6 | — | — | 16,278 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 2,225 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 5 | 1 | 1 | 43,756 mi | |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 5 | — | — | 48,408 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Steering:Linkages | 2 | — | — | — |
Brakes
45
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
97,892
Instrument Cluster
19
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,503
Hydraulic Brakes
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
75,139
Automatic Transmission
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
9,574
Steering Defects
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,043
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
23,657
Unintended Acceleration
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
49,005
Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
128,941
Steering:Column
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
16,278
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
2,225
Transmission / Drivetrain
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
43,756
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
48,408
Engine & Cooling
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Gear Box:Shaft Sector
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Tailgate:Hinge And Attachments
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension Failures
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Diesel Fuel System
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 GMC Sierra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other GMC Sierra Years
2003 GMC Sierra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2003 GMC Sierra has 248 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Brakes with 45 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra?
Top reported problems: Brakes (45 complaints, avg 97,892 mi); Instrument Cluster (19 complaints, avg 52,503 mi); Hydraulic Brakes (17 complaints, avg 75,139 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2003 GMC Sierra?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 61,373 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2003 GMC Sierra?
NHTSA complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra include 16 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 11 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2003 GMC Sierra have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2003 GMC Sierra as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2003 GMC Sierra?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full GMC Sierra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 GMC Sierra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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