Total Complaints
9 filings
GMC Sierra 3500 · model year
2003 GMC Sierra 3500
9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports, and 1 recall campaign listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
- Complaints
- 9
- Recalls
- 1
The verdict
The 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 posts top-10% complaint standing among its own model-year siblings.
- Top 10%
- fewest complaints, own model years
- 1
- recall campaign
The 2003GMCSierra 3500 carries 9 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2003 Sierra 3500 is service brakes with 2 filings, followed by seat belts:front:retractor (1) and air bags:frontal (1). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 Sierra 3500. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
9
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
F
PlainCars Safety Score
0/100
2003 GMC Sierra 3500
PlainCars' own composite of NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings and rollover-risk assessment, each dimension normalized against the federal scale or the full national model-year corpus. Not an official NHTSA figure, and not a substitute for a specific vehicle's VIN-level recall check.
NHTSA Overall Rating N/A
Not rated
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program overall crash-test rating.
Front Crash N/A
Not rated
Frontal barrier crash-test rating.
Side Crash N/A
Not rated
Side barrier and pole crash-test rating.
Rollover Resistance N/A
Not rated
Static stability factor + dynamic rollover test rating.
Rollover Risk N/A
Not reported
NHTSA single-vehicle rollover probability, dynamic test.
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
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
Recalls (1)
06E04300019/05/2006
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
Recent Complaints
20141112SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES ARE HEAVILY RUSTED, TRUCK IS BEYOND WARRANTY, DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS RECALLED. *TR
Mileage: 110,000
20130108SERVICE BRAKES
I ONLY HAD 27050 MILES WHEN BRAKE LINES, BURST LUCKILY TRAVELING ONLY 5 MPH. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES, REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THEN AT 28,640 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GM DOING? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE QUALITY OF GM? *TR
Mileage: 27,050
20120125POWER TRAIN
I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 3500 SERIES TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING A PARKED CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT FOR A $4200. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED LAST FEBRUARY AND PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WHICH WERE REPLACED THEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT EACH TIME BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK ENOUGH. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO REASONS 1. IT MIGHT NOT STOP WHEN I NEED IT TO AND 2. EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT ENDS UP COSTING ME MORE MONEY. THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE REPLACED LAST SUMMER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS COST ME OVER $20,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE 2005 NOT INCLUDING MAINTENANCE ISSUES. WHEN
Mileage: 21,503
20120125SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
I RECENTLY HAD A BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 3500 SERIES TRUCK. I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKES GAVE OUT. THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO STOP BEFORE STRIKING A PARKED CAR. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY BRAKE LINES AND CALIPERS ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT FOR A $4200. I HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED LAST FEBRUARY AND PUT LESS THAN 1000 MILES BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WHICH WERE REPLACED THEN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES ON THIS TRUCK 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED IT EACH TIME BECAUSE OF CORROSION ISSUES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY GM THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE TRUCK ENOUGH. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FOR TWO REASONS 1. IT MIGHT NOT STOP WHEN I NEED IT TO AND 2. EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT ENDS UP COSTING ME MORE MONEY. THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE REPLACED LAST SUMMER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS TRUCK HAS COST ME OVER $20,000 IN REPAIRS SINCE 2005 NOT INCLUDING MAINTENANCE ISSUES. WHEN
Mileage: 21,503
20110826FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC 3500 DURAMAX . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 UPDATED 9/20/11 *CN UPDATED 2/23/12 *CN
Mileage: 80,000
20110625STEERING
POWER STEERING AND/OR BRAKING MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE OR DRASTICALLY REDUCED PERFORMANCE WHEN USED AT SAME TIME BECAUSE POWER STEERING PUMP IS ALSO POWER BRAKE PUMP AND SYSTEM DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH PRESSURE OR FLOW CAPACITY TO SUPPLY BOTH STEERING AND BRAKING TOGETHER. THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *TR
20070212ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 GMC SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH GMC AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *NM
Mileage: 50,000
20060215CrashSEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, IT FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS BUCKLED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND HOLD THE CONTACT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AT SUCH FORCE THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND BROKE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD WAS LYING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE ASPHALT. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE SEAT BELT AND CLIMBED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID AN ASSESSMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. UPDATED 03/03/06.
Mileage: 71,000
20060215CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STRUCK, IT FLIPPED UPSIDE DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS BUCKLED IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. HOWEVER, THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT AND HOLD THE CONTACT IN THE SEAT AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE PASSENGER DOOR WINDOW AT SUCH FORCE THE WINDOW SHATTERED AND BROKE. THE CONTACT'S HEAD WAS LYING OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE ON THE ASPHALT. AFTER THE INITIAL IMPACT, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE SEAT BELT AND CLIMBED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. INJURIES TO THE HEAD AND NECK WERE SUSTAINED. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DID AN ASSESSMENT OF THE VEHICLE AND DEEMED IT TOTALED. UPDATED 03/03/06.
Mileage: 71,000
Compare 2003GMCSierra 3500 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Vehicle Safety Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 have?▼
The 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 has 9 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500?▼
Yes, the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 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.
Data vintage: August 2026. 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.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.