GMC SAVANA · model year

2003 GMC SAVANA

23 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 11 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003GMCSAVANA carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SAVANA is engine and engine cooling with 2 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (2) and seats (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 11 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SAVANA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

23
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

23 filings

Crashes Reported

2 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
SEATS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY1
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER1
STRUCTURE1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE1

Recalls (11)

05V55800019/12/2005

SEAT BELTS

ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.

03V25000015/07/2003

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE

02V30500014/11/2002

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.

03V05000014/02/2003

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER THE VEHICLE CRASH, OR ALTERNATELY MAY EJECT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH DURING THE VEHICLE CRASH.

02V33000012/12/2002

STEERING:LINKAGES

ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.

04V22500011/05/2004

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE

CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED

03V21700010/06/2003

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE

12V38800008/08/2012

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,

23V24700006/04/2023

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors

04V04500004/02/2004

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

02V32600002/12/2002

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.

Recent Complaints

20190517SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20190517STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20130328FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE BUT THE FUEL TANK HAD CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 159,000

20120628FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL LEAKED TO THE GROUND WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

20100415SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT SPEEDS OF AT LEAST 50 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WOULD ENGAGE, FORCING THE PETAL BACK INTO THE IDLE POSITION AND CAUSING REDUCED BRAKING RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL MOMENTS BEFORE THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/19/10. *LJ

Mileage: 37,000

20080313FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*VIRGINIA TECH OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,128. UPDATED 04/03/08. *LJ

Mileage: 75,128

20080206ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER FIVE MINUTES. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PREVIOUS FAILURES. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

Mileage: 20,000

20070710POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

1. WAS DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY (DURING 1ST FAILURE OD 15,403 AND 2ND FAILURE OD 55576 ), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN TO HIGHER GEAR AND FAILED. WAS DRIVING VAN ON STREET WHEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE (DURING 3RD FAILURE OD 56676). 2. DURING FAILURE 1 VAN WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE TWO VAN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE IN LOW GEAR TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE 3 VAN WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AT ALL AND OBSTRUCTED TRAFFIC ON A MAIN STREET UNTIL IT WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. 3. DURING FAILURE ONE SUNSHELL STRIPPED, 3-4 CLUTCHES BURNED, 2-4 BAND BURNED. SUN SHELL & GEAR REPLACED ALL CLUTCHES & 2-4 BAND REPLACED. DURING FAILURE TWO EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE 4/4 CLUTCH, INPUT HOUSING, PUMP, SHAFT AND DRUM. CORE REASSEMBLED AND SRTA TRANS INSTALLED. DURING FAILURE THREE TRANSMISSION WAS SHREDDED AWAITING REPLACEMENT AT THIS

Mileage: 55,576

20060111STRUCTURE:BODY

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RUNNING BOARDS ARE TOO NARROW. WHILE STEPPING OUT OF THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT MISSED THE NARROW RUNNING BOARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FALL. ALSO, THERE ARE NO SAFETY HANDLES ON THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

Mileage: 500

20060105STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

I HAVE A 3500 SAVANA GMC VAN, WHEN OPENING THE RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE SIDE DOOR IS OPEN THE SIDE DOOR HITS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WHICH HAS CAUSED A DENT IN THE SIDE DOOR. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WHEN SOMEONE OPENS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND HAS THEIR HAND IN THE SAME LOCATION WHERE THE TWO DOOR MEET IT COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE HAND.*JB

20051228ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

I HAVE A LEAK COMING FROM MUFFLER, DRIPPING BLACK LIQUID. I COMPLAINED AT MY DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM. *NM

Mileage: 27,000

20051219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

2003 GMC SAVANNA 2500 EXT VAN 6.0 H.O. ENGINE. MALFUNCTION FUEL GAUGE, ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL FROM DASH. RADIO FAILED FOUR TIMES AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. CAN NOT TURN RADIO OFF WITHOUT OPENING HOOD AND PULLING FUSE. BROKEN DASHBOARD ALL FOUR TIMES. NO RADIO SINCE SEPTEMBER 2005 IN OPERATION, AND DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL NEW UNIT. THEY WILL ONLY HAVE IT REBUILT?. TRUCK HAS RUN OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE READS 1/2 TANK ON MANY OCCASSIONS!*JB

Mileage: 3,300

20050623PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

I BOUGHT THIS GMC SAVANA USED (22,000 MILES) AND THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTEE, CLAIMING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. PARKING BRAKES SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT IN THAT SHORT A TIME. NO CRASHES YET, BUT I SAW THAT GMC PICKUPS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS VAN PROBABLY HAS THE SAME PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.

Mileage: 22,500

20050321STRUCTURE

THE RUNNING BOARDS ON THE VEHICLE ARE TOO SHORT AND WERE UNABLE TO BE SEEN WHEN THE DRIVER GETS OUT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER ANTICIPATES THAT IT COULD CAUSE INJURY TO EITHER FOOT WHILE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE. *SC *JB

20040830CrashVISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

2003 SAVANAH VAN MISSED ON RECALL.*MR THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE SAME DEFECTIVE WIPER MODULE BEING RECALLED ON OTHER GMC VEHICLE'S IS THE SAME PART IN HIS VEHICLE WHICH ALSO FAILED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE DUE TO IT'S VIN.

20040506FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT EXCESSIVE FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STORAGE TANK FELL OUT. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 21,000

20040301FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITH FUEL BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THIS RESULTED IN THE GASOLINE PUMP NOZZLE CLICKING OFF BEFORE THE TANK WAS FULL. DEALERSHIP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CHANGED THE FILLER NECK, ITS VALVE AND OTHER FUEL TANK COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Mileage: 20

20040127SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

ONE OF THE RETAINING KNOTS, WHICH WAS APART OF THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WAS MISSING WHICH CAUSED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO FALL OFF. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

Mileage: 135,000

20031106CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AT 30 MPH, THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE AN ILLEGAL TURN. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE TWO BACK AND NECK INJURIES. *AK *TT *JB

20031103SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS

CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS FLAW RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD WEAR. ONLY THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS WEAR. AS A RESULT, BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED. *AK

Compare 2003GMCSAVANA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 GMC SAVANA have?
The 2003 GMC SAVANA has 23 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 GMC SAVANA?
Yes, the 2003 GMC SAVANA has 11 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC SAVANA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 GMC SAVANA is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and SEATS.
Is the 2003 GMC SAVANA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.