2003 GMC Sierra 2500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 160 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500, 8% of the 160 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,000 miles.
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 entered the truck stepped on the clutch pedal, shifted into reverse and started to ease the clutch out when the pedal went all the way to the floor board. The vehicle immediately chirped the back tires at no more than 950 r.p.m.'s and began to immediately go backwards towards another vehicle in my driveway. I quickly stepped onto the brake and stalled the vehicle to a stop. I then proceeded to look under the dash to see what had popped and found that I could see light throughout the firewall, as I moved the pedal up and down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10189552, filed 2007-05, 104,000 miles“Front brake lines failed on boat ramp on 9/15/2010 rear brake lines failed on 7/20/2011, transmission lines fail on 5/10/2012 I am sure gas lines are next. Truck is a complete rust bucket underneath.”
NHTSA complaint #10459420, filed 2012-05, 41,000 miles“2003 Gmc sierra 3/4 ton, 8.1 litre engine with allison transmission-GM says they are aware there is a problem with the driveshaft where it goes in to the rear end. Every 10,000 to 15,000 miles it must be removed and cleaned, greased and replaced. They are unwilling to place this on a recall list and say in the future it will be a maintenance item and it will be done at the owners expense every 2 or 3 oil changes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10095897, filed 2004-10, 34,800 miles“Transfer case burt up due to faulty clip design, snap ring wore into case, very poor case design. An aftermarket manufacturer has come up with a better back half of the case and upgraded pump to fix this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10213394, filed 2008-01, 75,000 miles“There was an electrical short in the transfer case that resulted in vehicle engaging into 2-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive by itself. Dealership replaced the failed part. Also, front driveshaft was loose, causing the front wheel to vibrate/shake.”
NHTSA complaint #10055514, filed 2004-01, 10,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM 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…
- 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10145478Sep 12, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have not engagement into drive, delayed, no engagement into reverse, and or…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 7% |
| 2025 | 3 | 11% |
| 2024 | 27 | 25% |
| 2023 | 20 | 61% |
| 2022 | 7 | 16% |
| 2021 | 13 | 25% |
| 2020 | 25 | 31% |
| 2019 | 2 | 6% |
| 2018 | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 8 | 9% |
| 2014 | 3 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 11% |
| 2012 | 4 | 13% |
| 2011 | 6 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 18% |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 6% |
| 2003 | 13 | 8% |
| 2002 | 14 | 10% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 2% |
| 1999 | 1 | 3% |
| 1998 | 3 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500
73 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsFuel system
15 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsEngine cooling
5 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsTires
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500
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