GMC YUKON · model year

2003 GMC YUKON

251 NHTSA complaints, 11 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003GMCYUKON carries 251 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 11 crashes, 2 fires, 22 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 YUKON is service brakes with 40 filings, followed by electrical system: instrument cluster/panel (28) and electrical system (25). 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 6 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 YUKON. 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.

251
Complaints
11
Crashes
2
Fires
22
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

251 filings

Crashes Reported

11 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume, review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES40
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL28
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM25
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC12
ENGINE12
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING6
STEERING6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
TIRES5
AIR BAGS5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4

Recalls (6)

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

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

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

03V09400007/03/2003

STRUCTURE

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EX

03V03700006/02/2003

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

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

20250502ENGINE

My 03 Yukon Denali is experiencing all of the same things that the recall on the 2021 Yukon is experiencing. What do I do? The recall notice I am referring to is N252494000

20250502FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My 03 Yukon Denali is experiencing all of the same things that the recall on the 2021 Yukon is experiencing. What do I do? The recall notice I am referring to is N252494000

20221006POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the vehicle would stall as the battery warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shake upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The vehicle was taken to the independent where the vehicle was purchased and was offered no assistance. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20220418ENGINE

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the stabilizers and shocks were replaced. The independent mechanic then took the vehicle to an electrical failure specialist where it was diagnosed that the front end of the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. Additionally, the contact stated that a warning message stating that the air bags were not working was displayed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Consumer stated in 2016 the odometer was at 175,000 miles per car fax. When consumer bought the vehicle on March 25th 2022 the odometer read 202,575.

Mileage: 150,000

20220418ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the stabilizers and shocks were replaced. The independent mechanic then took the vehicle to an electrical failure specialist where it was diagnosed that the front end of the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. Additionally, the contact stated that a warning message stating that the air bags were not working was displayed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Consumer stated in 2016 the odometer was at 175,000 miles per car fax. When consumer bought the vehicle on March 25th 2022 the odometer read 202,575.

Mileage: 150,000

20220418SUSPENSION

The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the stabilizers and shocks were replaced. The independent mechanic then took the vehicle to an electrical failure specialist where it was diagnosed that the front end of the vehicle was experiencing electrical failures. Additionally, the contact stated that a warning message stating that the air bags were not working was displayed. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Consumer stated in 2016 the odometer was at 175,000 miles per car fax. When consumer bought the vehicle on March 25th 2022 the odometer read 202,575.

Mileage: 150,000

20210711SUSPENSION

When I turn out of a parking spot it clicks and pops replaced ball joints shocks tie rods everything it won't go away and it does it when I pull into a parking spot

20201213ENGINE

FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING I'VE REPLACED FUEL PUMP. KNOCK SENSORS COILS AND PLUGS AND IT STILL DOES IT AND DOES NOT THROW A TROUBLE CODE.

Mileage: 175,000

20191210ENGINE

CAR LOOSES POWER AND GOES INTO REDUCED ENGINE POWER. UNABLE TO DRIVE OVER 2MPH. HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES, IN ALL MODES OF TRAVEL, UPHILL, DOWNHILL, FROM A STOP AND ACCELERATION. THE WORST WAS WHEN IT HAPPENED GOING 55MPH ON A HIGHWAY. TWO SEPARATE MECHANICS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER $1,300 WORTH OF WORK AND NEW PARTS. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SINCE MID OCTOBER 2019

Mileage: 118,000

20190110UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ALL METERS ON THE DASH BOARD IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. METERS SUCH AS THE SPEEDOMETER, GAS METER, RPM METER, ETC ARE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. WHEN DRIVING ON SMALL ROADS, HIGHWAYS, AND FREEWAYS, IT DOES NOT INDICATE THE SPEED ACCURATELY. THE GAS METER DOES NOT INDICATE HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE GAS TANK WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED OR WHEN ITS DRIVING. RPM METER ALSO IS NOT FUNCTIONING WHILE WE'RE DRIVING.

20181014SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS LEAVING MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL ON MY GMC YUKON BLEW OUT. THE LINE HAD RUSTED THOROUGH. THIS OCCURRED IN 2012. SINCE THEN AS A GM TECHNICIAN I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD OF CUSTOMERS, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WITH GM TRUCKS HAVE THEIR BRAKE LINES BLOW OUT FROM RUST. GM HAS A REAL ISSUE WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE BRAKES LINES ON THEIR TRUCK MODELS TEND TO RUST OUT. GM HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL BUT OFFERED A NEW BRAKE LINE KIT. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS WHY? I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS ISSUE ON THE SAME MODEL YEAR GM CARS. AS FAR AS I KNOW NO ONE HAS DIED AS A RESULT BUT THERE HAS TO HAVE BEEN INJURIES. IS IT NOT YOUR JOB TO INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE? ONCE AGAIN WHY?

Mileage: 156,000

20180702SERVICE BRAKES

THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HUBS WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF AND MY ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 109,000

20180702WHEELS

THE RIGHT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE HUBS WAS ABOUT TO COME OFF AND MY ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

Mileage: 109,000

20180210ENGINE

THE FACTORY INSTALLED HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN SAID TO BE A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS APPARENTLY IS A "COMMON" PROBLEM.

Mileage: 120,000

20180207STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AS THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMEMBERED THAT THE REAR DEFOGGER WAS TURNED ON; HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNSURE IF IT WAS ON AT THE TIME THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS WAS REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20180207VISIBILITY/WIPER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD AS THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS SHATTERED. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REMEMBERED THAT THE REAR DEFOGGER WAS TURNED ON; HOWEVER, SHE WAS UNSURE IF IT WAS ON AT THE TIME THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR TAILGATE GLASS WAS REPLACED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND A CASE WAS OPENED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.

Mileage: 225,000

20171018AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL

20170828ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT DECELERATION AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20170828FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT DECELERATION AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20170828POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC YUKON. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INDEPENDENT DECELERATION AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP, SPARK PLUGS, TRANSMISSION, AND ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TRANSFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

Compare 2003GMCYUKON to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 GMC YUKON have?
The 2003 GMC YUKON has 251 NHTSA complaints, 11 crashes, 2 fires, 22 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 GMC YUKON?
Yes, the 2003 GMC YUKON has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC YUKON?
The most-complained component for the 2003 GMC YUKON is SERVICE BRAKES with 40 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 GMC YUKON 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.