2003 GMC Savana 2500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 40%of 5 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 GMC Savana 2500, 40% of the 5 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“All 4 brakes lock up while driving. Brake pads dragging 1 day prior to lock up. Brake pedal goes hard. Extremely dangerous. Told computer error is problem first time. Second time answer pending. Transmission does not engage immediately when shifting from reverse to foreword. Back out of driveway onto public street-lag time, dangerous. Intermittent problem. No resolution from dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10159840, filed 2006-06, 25,000 miles“The contact stated while driving 35 MPH the transmission failed. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer where parts in the transmission were replaced. After 90,000 miles, the transmission ceased to operate again. The vehicle was taken to a different service dealer who offered to replace the transmission if a warranty package was purchased and the transmission was replaced. During this visit to the 2nd dealer, a diagnostic test was performed where the tail light was discovered not to be working. There was no repair work performed for the tail light. …”
NHTSA complaint #10166150, filed 2006-08, 6,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 40% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Savana 2500
← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Savana 2500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology