2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD Problems
- Complaints
- 16filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 97,250miles, 16 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and visibility (3). 16 of the complaints include a mileage, and 25% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 97,250 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 111 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 2 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 23 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.
- Brakes6 38%
- Electrical system4 25%
- Engine2 13%
- Engine cooling1 6.3%
- Equipment1 6.3%
- Steering1 6.3%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I am an ase master technician, I own an auto/truck repair facility. We are a state of oregon authorized deq repair facility, state of oregon das fleet repair facility, us army base vehicle repair shop and more. Driving my truck to tacoma washington. I was towing a vehicle on in the right slow lane, and reduced engine power light came on. Engine vibrated and runs on 1/2 cylinders. Cannot brake or steer, total lack of power. Semi-truck nearly rear ends me as I cannot go over 10 MPH. No throttle response, period. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679355, filed 2015-01, 165,000 milesElectrical system: “No warning on my 2003 Gmc truck speedometer started going from 70 MPH to 120 and beyond when in reality I was going probably 30 MPH. This could be a safety issue because a man needs to know how fast he's really going after a little research there's alot of GM owners who don't know how fast there going recall anyone.”
NHTSA complaint #10375299, filed 2011-01, 135,000 milesVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Truck was parked outside at work during the day. When I entered the truck and closed the driver door to leave, the rear window exploded when the door closed. I am not aware of any objects hitting the window prior to this, or defects, etc. Contacted local Gmc dealer who claimed to have no knowledge of this and therefore did not offer any assistance. It is being repaired at a glass shop at my expense with a new window.”
NHTSA complaint #10171901, filed 2006-10, 62,000 milesEngine: “I experience an intermittent problem with my truck that flashes an error code reduced engine power . This is tied to error code p1516. Usually this problem occurs in colder parts of the year, and on a cold soaked engine, but it has happened other times as well. As soon as the error occurs the throttle shuts and leaves the vehicle with only inertia to attempt to get off the road. This has happened to me on the interstate, and though I have not had an accident yet, I do consider it dangerous. …”
NHTSA complaint #10576587, filed 2014-04, 115,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
25% of the 16 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,000 and 120,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by 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. 111 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11020816Jul 18, 2025Other or unknown. This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025Electrical system, Other or unknown. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024Engine. This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11007208Sep 6, 2024Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Electrical system. Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need…
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024Transmission and drivetrain. GM 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 inadequate packaging…
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024Fuel system, Engine. This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with…
- 11004557Jun 17, 2024Other or unknown. This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024Electrical system. This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414, E4423, E4491, E4492…
Other model years of the GMC Sierra 1500 HD
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 11 | 85,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 16 | 97,250 | 0 | — | — | — | Stable |
| 2002 | 9 | 104,000 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2001 | 9 | 94,001 | 0 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All GMC Sierra 1500 HD model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD have?
NHTSA recorded 16 consumer complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (38% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD reported?
Among the 16 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 97,250 miles and the middle half falls between 62,000 and 120,000 miles; 25% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
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.