2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 2%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, 2% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 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.
“My 2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500 presently has 67,631 miles on it. With about 46,000 miles on my truck at the end of 2011, I noticed low coolant, but could not find a noticeable leak. I continued to add coolant, but could never find the leak. While having my oil changed in june 2016, the dealer (where vehicle had been purchased and serviced) said coolant had leaked into the oil due to a cracked cylinder head, and estimated approx $3500 to fix it. In dec 2016, they recommended replacing the engine at $6600. …”
NHTSA complaint #10994915, filed 2017-06, 46,000 miles“I was driving along and all of a sudden the truck sorta hesitated and lost all engine power at which point I noticed the reduced engine power warning came on and I tried accelerating to try and maybe travel along to pull over at a safe place and come to find I could not accelerate at all, I had to coast to the side onto the grass alongside the road but my fear is that I live close to orlando, fl and travel there at times luckily this has not occurred while there as there are 3-4 lane highways potentially putting me & others in a fatal position if I am caught in a center lane but I try to…”
NHTSA complaint #10660173, filed 2014-11, 202,200 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc sierra. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, a fire erupted from the undercarriage area. The local fire department was called to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence and had not been repaired or diagnosed to determine the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was not made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10535185, filed 2013-08, 150,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This 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…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10082869Aug 29, 2016This informational bulletin provides additional information on how to install pistons and suggest what tools to use.
- 10082814Aug 2, 2016This informational bulletin provides information to gm dealers on the correct cleaning methods when cleaning engine gasket sealing surfaces.
- 10201100Dec 1, 2015New Tool Availability - EN-48974-EGR Cooler Pressure Tester Adapter Set to Diagnose Duramax Diesel Engine EGR Cooler Engine Coolant Leaks into Combustion Chamber
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10201097Dec 1, 2015Information on Diesel Engine Ticking Noise
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 101 | 69% |
| 2025 | 59 | 48% |
| 2024 | 190 | 51% |
| 2023 | 211 | 42% |
| 2022 | 241 | 40% |
| 2021 | 322 | 54% |
| 2020 | 244 | 51% |
| 2019 | 313 | 48% |
| 2018 | 67 | 22% |
| 2017 | 58 | 16% |
| 2016 | 39 | 11% |
| 2015 | 84 | 12% |
| 2014 | 69 | 9% |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% |
| 2012 | 6 | 6% |
| 2011 | 16 | 6% |
| 2010 | 11 | 7% |
| 2009 | 13 | 6% |
| 2008 | 19 | 5% |
| 2007 | 19 | 7% |
| 2006 | 5 | 3% |
| 2005 | 6 | 3% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 1 | 1% |
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 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 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