Total Complaints
193 filings
GMC SIERRA 2500 · model year
193 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003GMCSIERRA 2500 carries 193 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 5 fires, 4 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 SIERRA 2500 is service brakes, hydraulic with 33 filings, followed by service brakes (28) and electrical system (21). 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 3 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 2500. 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.
Total Complaints
193 filings
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 33 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 28 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 21 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 12 |
| STEERING | 8 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 6 |
| ENGINE | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 5 |
| POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) | 4 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 4 |
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
| TIRES | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS | 2 |
| STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR | 2 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE B
STEERING
CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS
HAD INJECTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 50000 MILES AFTER NOTICING EXCESS EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP AND ALSO POWER STEERING HOSES WERE LEAKING, AGAIN AT 105000 MILES THEY TOTALLY FAILED AS I WAS BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ON I-15 IN CA. UP CAJON PASS AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT GM DEALER WOULD NOT COVER INJECTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS TRUCK WAS11 YEARS OLD AND THEIR COVERAGE WAS FOR 7 YEARS ONLY, NOW AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AT 147000 MILES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE ON STARTUP. THIS TIME I WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AS THEY WERE $1000 CHEAPER AND STATED THESE UPGRADED INJECTORS SHOULD LAST 150000 MILES NOT 50000. HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING HOSES REPLACED AGAIN ALSO ALONG WITH POWER BRAKE SERVO BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING AGAIN AT 157000 MILES. I HAVE ALL OF THIS DOCUMENTED IN WRITING BY SERVICE DEPTS.
Mileage: 157,000
HAD INJECTORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AT 50000 MILES AFTER NOTICING EXCESS EXHAUST SMOKE ON STARTUP AND ALSO POWER STEERING HOSES WERE LEAKING, AGAIN AT 105000 MILES THEY TOTALLY FAILED AS I WAS BRINGING MY WIFE HOME FROM HOSPITAL ON I-15 IN CA. UP CAJON PASS AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER, BUT GM DEALER WOULD NOT COVER INJECTORS UNDER WARRANTY AS TRUCK WAS11 YEARS OLD AND THEIR COVERAGE WAS FOR 7 YEARS ONLY, NOW AGAIN HAD TO HAVE THEM REPLACED AT 147000 MILES BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE SMOKE ON STARTUP. THIS TIME I WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP AS THEY WERE $1000 CHEAPER AND STATED THESE UPGRADED INJECTORS SHOULD LAST 150000 MILES NOT 50000. HAD TO HAVE POWER STEERING HOSES REPLACED AGAIN ALSO ALONG WITH POWER BRAKE SERVO BECAUSE THEY WERE LEAKING AGAIN AT 157000 MILES. I HAVE ALL OF THIS DOCUMENTED IN WRITING BY SERVICE DEPTS.
Mileage: 157,000
BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR DOES NOT OPERATE. UPON INSPECTION, HARNESS AND FINAL STAGE ARE DAMAGED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS BECAUSE I FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. MANY POSTS ON THE SAME THING. WHY IS THERE NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS? MY BMW HAD SAME ISSUE BUT IT WAS A RECALL ON THEIR CARS. WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL ON GM? IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AN AMERICAN CAR COMPANY?
Mileage: 180,000
THE HORN QUITS WORKING AND THIS CREATES A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX IT.
Mileage: 2,000
BRAKES ARE SPONGY NOT RIGHT POWER STEERING WHINES AS DO BRAKES
Mileage: 170,000
BRAKES ARE SPONGY NOT RIGHT POWER STEERING WHINES AS DO BRAKES
Mileage: 170,000
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.
Mileage: 120,000
COMPLAINT INVOLVES REDUCED POWER MODE WHILE DRIVING. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE OF THE RAPID DROP IN SPEED WHILE DRIVING. IT IS UNSAFE TRYING TO EXIT TRAFFIC LANES WITH NO RESPONSE FROM THROTTLE PEDAL AND APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH DRIVE BY WIRE VEHICLES PRODUCED BY GENERAL MOTORS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH NO RESOLUTION OF THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, TIMES OF DAY, TEMPERATURES ETC. IT WILL ENTER REDUCED POWER ONCE TO TWICE A DAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
Mileage: 217,000
GMC 2500 DIESEL HD SLE SIERRA REARWHEEL DRIVE INSTRUMENT PANAY IS INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO USE IPHONE FOR SPEED AND GUESS AT GAS EFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAN SPEED AND CD PLAYER
GMC 2500 DIESEL HD SLE SIERRA REARWHEEL DRIVE INSTRUMENT PANAY IS INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO USE IPHONE FOR SPEED AND GUESS AT GAS EFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAN SPEED AND CD PLAYER
GMC 2500 DIESEL HD SLE SIERRA REARWHEEL DRIVE INSTRUMENT PANAY IS INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO USE IPHONE FOR SPEED AND GUESS AT GAS EFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAN SPEED AND CD PLAYER
BRAKE FAILURE UPON SLOWING DOWN AT OFF RAMP. AVOIDED ACCIDENT BUT HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, CHECKED FLUID LEVELS, WERE OK, TRIED BRAKES AGAIN AND THEY WERE WORKING. HAVE NOT HAD A PROBLEM SINCE.HAVE HEARD REPORTS OF SIMILAR NATURE. SOME THINK IT IS A PROBLEM IN THE VALVING.HOPE YOU CAN FIND A CURE.
Mileage: 233,000
I WAS DRIVING ON I 75 DOING 70 MPH I HAD TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP I APPLIED BRAKES AND THERE WAS NO BRAKES., I ENDED UP PUTTING TRUCK IN THE DITCH TO AVOID SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IT ENDED BOTH BRAKE LINES FROM MASTER CYLINDER BOTH BLEW UP FROM CORROSION THESE LINES WENT TO THE ABS MODULE. I WAS SOME WHAT INJURED. *TR
Mileage: 350,000
ABS COMES ON AT LOW SPEED.. IT INCREASES STOPPING DISTANCE.. I HAVE ONCE REAR ENDED A VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THIS. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER VEHICLE.. ALSO MY ABS LIGHT COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS MAYBE TWO OR THREE TIMES A MONTH..
Mileage: 85,000
BRAKE LINE FAILED, NO BRAKES WHILE HEADING FOR A RED LIGHT. DRIVE OFF ROAD TILL VEHICLE STOPPED. BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS CONTROL , ROTTED OUT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, ALL BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED OUT. MY MECHANIC STATES THEY ALL NEED TO BE REPLACED, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
Mileage: 142,000
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.
Mileage: 180,000
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.
Mileage: 180,000
BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. LUCKLY IT HAPPENED PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY! FUEL LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING FUEL PUDDLING ONTO THE GROUND.
Mileage: 100,010
BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILITY. LUCKLY IT HAPPENED PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY! FUEL LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND LEAKING FUEL PUDDLING ONTO THE GROUND.
Mileage: 100,010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS ELEVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER APPROXIMATELY 30,000 MILES AND THE VEHICLE WAS EMITTING SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH NEW FUEL INJECTORS BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000.
Mileage: 209,000
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.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.