2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 4%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, 4% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,500 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Dear NHTSA, I was involved in a three car mva on 2 feb on I-95 southbound near mile marker 131.2. I was traveling in the slow lane during the evening traffic commute when my vehicle was struck from behind from an infinity SUV which collided and impacted with the rear of my vehicle and pushed my vehicle Gmc 2003 sierra ext cab into a late model ford fusion. The impact and force from the SUV behind me caused rear and frontal damage to my vehicle and is est to cost over $8900.00 for repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #10381356, filed 2011-02, 130,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500. While driving 40 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the passenger side of another vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the face, knee, and back that required medical attention. In addition, the passenger sustained hip and shoulder injuries that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 177,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10672170, filed 2015-01, 177,000 miles“The contact stated while accelerating from a stop sign at 3 MPH, the vehicle collided with the front left door of another vehicle. The other vehicle ran the stop sign. Both the front air bags failed to deploy. The contact was wearing the seat belt, but fractured a bone in the neck and incurred bruising to the body. The contact was taken to the hospital and a police report was filed. The service dealer and manufacturer was not notified. Updated 10/31/2006 -”
NHTSA complaint #10170342, filed 2006-10, 38,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact crashed into a tree. The vehicle was completely destroyed and none of the air bags deployed. The seat belt system also failed to properly secure her in the vehicle. The impact ejected her from the vehicle. The contact sustained major injuries, such as a punctured kidney and lungs, broken ribs, multiple contusions to the head, a broken left hand, and a broken right finger. A police report was filed. She is in the process of filing arbitration against the manufacturer. The VIN and powertrain were unknown. …”
NHTSA complaint #10219920, filed 2008-03, 45,000 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 0% |
| 2022 | 3 | 1% |
| 2021 | 6 | 1% |
| 2020 | 6 | 1% |
| 2019 | 7 | 1% |
| 2018 | 8 | 3% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 12 | 4% |
| 2015 | 37 | 5% |
| 2014 | 26 | 4% |
| 2013 | 36 | 31% |
| 2012 | 42 | 39% |
| 2011 | 113 | 40% |
| 2010 | 77 | 46% |
| 2009 | 122 | 52% |
| 2008 | 243 | 64% |
| 2007 | 146 | 56% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 8% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
105 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
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