2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, 2% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,000 miles. 1 a fire, 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.
“I was on my way home from work and I smelled a weird smell. I thought my air conditioning may be messing up so I turned off my air and opened my window. I still smelled the weird smell with the window down so I assumed it was an odor from the car in front or just generally outside. I noticed in my rearview mirror the car behind me was flagging me down. I pulled over and she told me my truck was smoking and she thought she saw a flame out the back. I pulled off the road better and got out to look. I looked in the area between the cab and the bed and I saw flames. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161459, filed 2006-07, 41,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500. The headlights dim and the engine shuts off when the contact depresses the brake pedal. The steering wheel does not move and the contact was almost involved in a crash. The dealer could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer would not assist the dealer in locating the failure. The current and failure mileages were 80,845. Updated 4/2/08 the consumer stated when the engine shuts off and vehicle is still, the steering wheel becomes inoperable. Updated 04/02/08”
NHTSA complaint #10219136, filed 2008-02, 80,845 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical 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…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 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…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 31 | 8% |
| 2023 | 23 | 5% |
| 2022 | 29 | 5% |
| 2021 | 49 | 8% |
| 2020 | 21 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 4% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 2 | 1% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 0% |
| 2014 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2009 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 5% |
| 2004 | 8 | 4% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 5 | 3% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 1% |
| 1996 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500
105 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSteering
15 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsEngine
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 28, 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