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GMC SavanaModel year report

2003 GMC Savana Problems

Complaints
22filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
24,750miles, 16 complaints with mileage
Recalls
11campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
15 mpgcombined, 4.3L 6-cyl RWD · 13 city / 17 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 GMC Savana (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Savana. The part named most often is brakes, with 4 complaints (18% of the total), followed by engine cooling (4) and fuel system (4). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 63% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 24,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns and 477 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 19 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 69 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).

Example complaints

Brakes: “I bought this Gmc Savana used (22,000 miles) and the parking brake did not work at that time. The dealer refused to fix it under warrantee, claiming it was a wear item. I have not had it repaired yet. Parking brakes should not wear out in that short a time. No crashes yet, but I saw that Gmc pickups are being recalled for the same problem and this van probably has the same parking brake system.”

NHTSA complaint #10126340, filed 2005-06, 22,500 miles

Engine cooling: “Virginia tech owns a 2003 Gmc Savana. The vehicle caught fire under the hood in the middle of the night. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The current and failure mileages were 75,128. Updated 04/03/08.”

NHTSA complaint #10221059, filed 2008-03, 75,128 miles

Fuel system: “Consumer was unable to fill the fuel tank with fuel because the fuel tank sensor malfunctioned. This resulted in the gasoline pump nozzle clicking off before the tank was full. Dealership in an attempt to correct the problem changed the filler neck, its valve and other fuel tank components, but the problem still exists.”

NHTSA complaint #10061057, filed 2004-03, 20 miles

Body and structure: “The contact stated the running boards are too narrow. While stepping out of the vehicle the contact missed the narrow running board which could result in a fall. Also, there are no safety handles on the inside of the vehicle. The manufacturer has been contacted. Updated 01/25/06.”

NHTSA complaint #10147440, filed 2006-01, 500 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

63% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 3,300 and 75,128 miles.

31%0–1019%10–2513%25–506%50–756%75–10019%100–1506%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (16 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 24,750 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

520042006200820122019
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 GMC Savana version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800
Savana 15/25 AWD Conversion (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121613$5,150
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (Passenger)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121714$4,800
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)4.3L 6-cyl4-speed automatic131815$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 2WD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic131715$4,450
Savana 1500/2500 AWD (cargo)5.3L 8-cyl4-speed automatic121614$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 11 recalls for the 2003 GMC Savana → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 477 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 477 bulletins →

Other model years of the GMC Savana

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019564,0005———Not enough data
2017724,0006—13—Not enough data
2016637,1007—13—Not enough data
2007664,2073—14—Not enough data
2006771,0007—15—Not enough data
20051337,0006—15—Not enough data
20041245,9257—15—Not enough data
20032224,75011—15—Stable
20021217,5000—15—Not enough data
20011952,0000—14—Rising
20004953,7002—14Not compared (before 2008)Rising
19994962,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19983363,0001—15Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19974669,7071—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19963566,1752—14Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All GMC Savana model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 GMC Savana have?

NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Savana as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 GMC Savana is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 4 complaints (18% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 4.

Has the 2003 GMC Savana been recalled?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Savana get?

The EPA rates the 2003 GMC Savana (Savana 15/25 2WD Conversion (cargo), 4.3L 6-cyl) at 15 mpg combined, 13 city and 17 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,450 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 GMC Savana reported?

Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 24,750 miles and the middle half falls between 3,300 and 75,128 miles; 63% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.