2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 2%of 180 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500, 2% of the 180 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,000 miles. 1 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.
“While slowing down for a light on a 4 lane highway my brake lines burst in two places failed from being weaken by rust....I had no chance to stop or advert the car and crashed into and totaled a new buick.....the driver was taken to the hospital...the front of my truck need repair....GM made the lines out of steel even thought the exhaust system and fuel line were made out of rust resistant material ( go figure)....I have my truck serviced at the local GM dealers and they never mentioned the potential hazard....when searching the internet I found that many other owners had the same experience. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573404, filed 2014-03, 100,000 miles“I previously had to have the power steering cooler replaced because of leaking corroded lines. Just recently had to have trans cooler replaced because of leaking corroded lines. Mechanic said all lines underneath (brake, steering, etc) are terribly corroded and we will definitely pay attention to all corroded lines, etc in future oil change visits. The undercarriage of my truck is a corroded disaster. The rocker panels are gone. Corroded railer hitch was replaced. Luckily nothing has totally failed yet to cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10427191, filed 2011-09“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500. The vehicle was taken to a state inspection station where the contact was informed by the technician that the brake lines exhibited severe rust. The dealer was notified of the failure but because the vehicle was outside of warranty, the vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the main frame also exhibited rust and corrosion. The contact was in the process of taking the vehicle to an independent mechanic for repair. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 72,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10361538, filed 2010-10, 72,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213818May 31, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint…
- 10154601Dec 17, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10151874Nov 26, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with weight capacity for the tailgate and cargo loops in the bed.
- 10151839Nov 14, 2018This Preliminary Information communicates an issues with the headliner sagging and how to reattach the velcro using Hardman Double Bubble Epoxy part number 04001.
- 10190934Jan 1, 2014Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more…
- 10190933Jan 1, 2014Underbody Component Corrosion The following information may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers. Some customers may comment that one or more…
- 10037570Apr 1, 2012Gm: on some truck models there is some frame corrosion. *rm updated on 5/2/2012.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 1% |
| 2025 | 3 | 2% |
| 2024 | 30 | 8% |
| 2023 | 92 | 19% |
| 2022 | 106 | 18% |
| 2021 | 13 | 2% |
| 2020 | 13 | 3% |
| 2019 | 15 | 2% |
| 2018 | 6 | 2% |
| 2017 | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 | 7 | 2% |
| 2015 | 28 | 4% |
| 2014 | 31 | 4% |
| 2013 | 25 | 22% |
| 2012 | 21 | 20% |
| 2011 | 45 | 16% |
| 2010 | 34 | 20% |
| 2009 | 20 | 9% |
| 2008 | 25 | 7% |
| 2007 | 17 | 6% |
| 2006 | 9 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 7% |
| 1997 | 3 | 4% |
| 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 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 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