GMC SIERRA · model year

2003 GMC SIERRA

248 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 9 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003GMCSIERRA carries 248 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries, and 2 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 SIERRA is service brakes with 45 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (19) and service brakes, hydraulic (17). 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 9 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 SIERRA. 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.

248
Complaints
16
Crashes
3
Fires
11
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

248 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES45
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL19
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC17
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15
STEERING14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8
STEERING:COLUMN6
POWER TRAIN5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS4

Recalls (9)

07E06600028/08/2007

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

CERTAIN CEQUENT 90 DEGREE 7-WAY RIGHT ANGLE ADAPTORS SOLD BY DISTRIBUTORS IN TOW PACKAGES FOR AFTERMARKET SALES TO TOW 5TH WHEEL RV TRAVEL TRAILERS. DUE TO INCORRECT WIRING OF THE HARNESS, THE TRAILER LIGHTS MAY NOT OPERATE PROPERLY.

04E02200023/03/2004

EQUIPMENT

AFTERMARKET PICKUP TRUCK OVER-THE-RAIL BEDLINERS MANUFACTURED FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2004 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND GMC SIERRA PICKUP TRUCKS. THE TOGGLE WING ASSEMBLY USED TO ATTACH THE BEDLINER TO THE TRUCK BED IS NOT ENGAGING FULLY IN THE STAKE POCKET OF THE PICKUP TRUCK.

03V01800023/01/2003

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES LACK A CONTINUOUS URETHANE BONDING BEAD BETWEEN THE BODY SURFACE AND THE WINDSHIELD.

05V16300022/04/2005

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT

05V16100022/04/2005

PARKING BRAKE

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

04V12900017/03/2004

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF TH

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

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

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.

Recent Complaints

20151217SEATS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHEN INSERTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE SEAT MOVED FORWARD AND PINNED THE CONTACT TO THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MOTOR DRIVE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 04/06/16*LJ *TR

Mileage: 96,000

20151028SERVICE BRAKES

EXITING OFF FREEWAY RAMP IN INDIANAPOLIS BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT NOTICE AND NO BRAKE FLUID LOSS, NEARLY CRASHED CROSSING 5 LANES OF CROSS TRAFFIC JUST LUCKY I WASN'T BROADSIDED BY CROSS TRAFFIC. I RECEIVED NO NOTICE OF HAZARD FROM GM, NO RECALL AND ONLY LEARNED OF THIS PROBLEM ONCE RESEARCHING ON WEB. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.

Mileage: 150,000

20150923CrashFatalAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN,THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD ON. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE FRONT END WAS COMPLETELY DAMAGED AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BROKEN NECK AND HEAD FRACTURES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE INJURIES ULTIMATELY LED TO THE CONTACT'S DEATH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT END NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ UPDATED 4/4/18*JB *TR

Mileage: 38,000

20150804SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT DRIVING ON A 4 LANE 55 MPH SPEED ZONE. AS I WAS APPROACHING THE STOP LIGHT I STARTING PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL HAD NO RESISTANCE IT KEPT GOING TO THE FLOOR. I STARTED PUMPING THE PEDAL TRYING TO SLOW MY TRUCK DOWN, NO USE. I PUSHED PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THIS SLOWED A LITTLE. BUT NOT ENOUGH. I DOWN SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC LEVER AND STARTING GUIDING THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID THE STOPPED VEHICLES. I MISSED THE VEHICLES. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 3 MILES FROM HOME. I MANAGED TO LIMP HOME BY DRIVING VERY, VERY SLOW AND USING THE GEAR SHIFTER TO SLOW ME DOWN. WHEN INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE AT HOME I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE ON THE RIGHT FRONT HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THERE WAS A LEAK. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS TRUCK ARE RUSTED AND IN BAD SHAPE. I CALLED THE DEALER GLENN BUICK GMC WHERE I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW IN 2003. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE PERSONAL "COREY" ABOUT REPAIRING THE RUSTED LINES. HE SAID GMC WAS NOT STANDING BEHIND THIS "FAILUR

Mileage: 105,985

20150715SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT TOOK A LONGER DISTANCE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC MULTIPLE TIMES WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 46,000

20150629FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 3,500 WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED, FRACTURED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

Mileage: 157,000

20150320SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED ABRUPTLY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COME TO A STOP UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.

Mileage: 73,000

20150112SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE TRAVELING IN MY 2003 GMC SIERRA TRUCK AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN AND THE PEDAL WENT 3/4 OF THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, THEN THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP AS QUICKLY AS IT USUALLY DOES ( GLAD I WAS NOT GOING ANY FASTER) . UPON CHECKING THE TRUCK IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD A HOLE IN IT DUE TO CORROSION AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER . *TR

Mileage: 106,000

20141217SERVICE BRAKES

ON 11/11/2014, TRUCK SUDDENLY VEERED TO LEFT, CROSSED MIDDLE OF ROAD AND WENT HALFWAY INTO DITCH, ROAD DID HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF SNOW[1/2 INCH], THIS HAPPENED JUST AS I TOPPED A SMALL HILL. ON 11/16/2014 AGAIN AS I TOPPED A HILL ON A CURVE THE TRUCK SUDDENLY VEERED TO THE LEFT, CROSSED THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND DID GO COMPLETELY IN THE DITCH. ON 11/30/2014 AS I BACKED OUT OF THE GARAGE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND HAD A HORRIBLE NOISE WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THE BRAKE CALIPER WAS FROZE UP AND SHEARED OFF THE BRAKEPAD AND THIS RUINED THE BRAKE ROTOR, THIS OF COURSE CAUSED THE LOSS OF BRAKES ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE, WHICH MUST HAVE BEEN PULLING ME OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY WE SUFFERED NO SERIOUS INJURIES AND NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE ON THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 70,200

20141209ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PANEL CLUSTER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 UPDATED 1/28/15*CN

Mileage: 60,000

20141125SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS TRAVELING IN RULE AREA OF MICH. AFTER DARK,A DEER JUMP OUT IN FRONT OF ME! I HIT THE BRAKES,A BRIEF BRAKE SURGE, THEN THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR! NO BRAKES! THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AREA WERE RUSTED THROUGH! I STOP AT A GAS STATION. I FOUND BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER AND A MAN ASKED ME WHAT HAD HAPPENED,I TOLD HIM WHAT I FOUND , HE AND I COULDN'T BELIEVE THEY WERE SO RUSTED OUT ! MY TRUCK IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE! EXCEPT FOR THE BRAKE LINES! IT'S GOT A STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST SYSTEM BUT THEY SCRIMP ON ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL SYSTEMS FOR SAFETY ! UNBELIEVABLE! BY THE GRACE OF GOD I DIDN'T HIT THE DEER! BUT WHAT IF IT HAD HAPPENED IN TOWN OR IF THE DEER WAS A CHILD! THANK GOD IT HAPPENED THE WAY IT DID AND NO ONE GOT HURT! *TR

Mileage: 84,586

20141119SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

20141117SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO ENGAGE. THE BRAKE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A TRAIL OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DETERMINED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE EXCESSIVELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20141016ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

2003 GMC SIERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO A SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING 55 MPH. HOWEVER, THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED 100 MPH. IT WENT ON FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE NEXT DAY, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRATIC AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, HOPING IT WOULD BE SOMETHING SMALL, BUT IT TURNED OUT TO BE A $700 EXPENSE. *JB

20140911SERVICE BRAKES

AS I STATED PULLING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE. I PRESSED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I QUICKLY PUT IT IN PARK. THEN CHECKED UNDER THE TRUCK TO FIND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ALL OVER. THE LINE HAD RUSTED APART. *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20140910CrashSTRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS PARKED ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 10 - 15 DEGREES). I STARTED THE ENGINE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL. I STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT I WENT OFF THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARD SLOPED LAWN; THEN INTO A WOODED AREA AT THE TOP OF A RAVINE. I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS JUDGED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A UNION PARK GMC (WILMINGTON, DE) TWO DAYS PRIOR. INCLUDING BRAKE INSPECTION. CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 134,652

20140910CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I WAS PARKED ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 10 - 15 DEGREES). I STARTED THE ENGINE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL. I STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT I WENT OFF THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARD SLOPED LAWN; THEN INTO A WOODED AREA AT THE TOP OF A RAVINE. I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS JUDGED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A UNION PARK GMC (WILMINGTON, DE) TWO DAYS PRIOR. INCLUDING BRAKE INSPECTION. CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 134,652

20140910CrashENGINE

I WAS PARKED ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 10 - 15 DEGREES). I STARTED THE ENGINE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL. I STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT I WENT OFF THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARD SLOPED LAWN; THEN INTO A WOODED AREA AT THE TOP OF A RAVINE. I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS JUDGED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A UNION PARK GMC (WILMINGTON, DE) TWO DAYS PRIOR. INCLUDING BRAKE INSPECTION. CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 134,652

20140910CrashPOWER TRAIN

I WAS PARKED ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 10 - 15 DEGREES). I STARTED THE ENGINE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL. I STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT I WENT OFF THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARD SLOPED LAWN; THEN INTO A WOODED AREA AT THE TOP OF A RAVINE. I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS JUDGED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A UNION PARK GMC (WILMINGTON, DE) TWO DAYS PRIOR. INCLUDING BRAKE INSPECTION. CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 134,652

20140910CrashAIR BAGS

I WAS PARKED ON A SLOPED DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 10 - 15 DEGREES). I STARTED THE ENGINE, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND TOOK THE CAR OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE. BRAKE PEDAL WAS NORMAL. I STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD AND WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT SLOW. I SLAMMED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THIS POINT I WENT OFF THE END OF THE DRIVEWAY ONTO A 45 DEGREE DOWNWARD SLOPED LAWN; THEN INTO A WOODED AREA AT THE TOP OF A RAVINE. I SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE CAR WAS JUDGED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I DID NOT GET A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A UNION PARK GMC (WILMINGTON, DE) TWO DAYS PRIOR. INCLUDING BRAKE INSPECTION. CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE FAILED. *TR

Mileage: 134,652

Compare 2003GMCSIERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 GMC SIERRA have?
The 2003 GMC SIERRA has 248 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 GMC SIERRA?
Yes, the 2003 GMC SIERRA has 9 recall(s). The most common affected component is EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC SIERRA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 GMC SIERRA is SERVICE BRAKES with 45 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2003 GMC SIERRA 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.