2003 GMC Sierra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about brake problems, and by a wide margin the recurring theme is steel brake lines that rust through and cause the pedal to drop to the floor. Secondary themes are steering-shaft clunking, an unstable or dead speedometer and instrument cluster, and rough or delayed shifting in the automatic transmission. Many brake-line reports come at moderate to higher mileage on trucks that were otherwise well kept, and several owners describe the loss of braking as sudden rather than gradual.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Rusted-through brake lines and pedal to the floor

   • 68 complaints (33%)
   • median 85,000 mi at 10.5 yrs old (61 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,041 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2003–2015

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking all the way down with little or no warning, sometimes while approaching a stop sign or merging, and finding brake fluid dripping under the driver's side or along the frame rail. In most accounts a shop or dealer then identifies heavily corroded steel brake lines, often with several lines in similar condition, and replaces some or all of them. Several owners note the truck was maintained and not driven in heavy salt use, and some say the manufacturer declined assistance with the repair. Most reports in the sample fall between roughly 70,000 and 170,000 miles, including trucks described as otherwise clean or garaged.

   Recall 04V0450001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Have the steel brake lines inspected along the frame rail and above the rear axle before buying, and ask for records of any line replacement. A pre-purchase look for heavy surface rust or damp spots near the lines is worth the effort.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car pulled out in front on me slammed on brakes, pedal went to floor, avoided car could not stop and ran into a field with my granddaughter in vehicle. Somebody is going to die as a result of these rusted brake lines. These are brakes we're talking about here. Recall needs to happen now!!!! Shame on you GM, we know your aware of this deadly problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10545415, filed 2013-09, 78,244 miles

   “Was coming up on a single lane bridge . When I started to brake my foot went to the floor. Lucky for me I did not have any oncoming traffic, and drove over the bridge safely. I then noticed check brake system sign on dash board. Pulled over and there was brake fluid dripping from the drivers side around gas tank area. The line was corroded and burst.”

   NHTSA complaint #10481286, filed 2012-10, 115,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Speedometer and instrument cluster faults

   • 30 complaints (15%)
   • median 58,790 mi at 4.4 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • filed 2005–2014

   Owners describe the speedometer sticking, reading well above actual speed, pulsing, or quitting entirely, and in some cases other gauges in the cluster stop working too. Dealers typically quoted a cluster replacement or repair, and some owners mention a notice from the manufacturer covering the condition only within a limited time and mileage window. A few owners also describe electrical oddities such as the blower motor running with the key off. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 100,000 miles in the sample, with several trucks in the 45,000 to 95,000 range.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Compare the speedometer against a GPS reading on the test drive and check that all gauges sweep and settle normally. Ask whether the cluster has been repaired or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving my 2003 Gmc Sierra and the speedometer went out , it was going 100 miles per hour when I was going around 50 - 55 ? Hard to tell it never right any more and I only have 58,000 on the odometer . This a safety problem and Gmc should recall these clusters before people start getting hert because the speed is way of , and the dealers want use to pay around 1200.00 to fix. This is a Gmc fix not.”

   NHTSA complaint #10168331, filed 2006-09, 57,580 miles

   “Summer 2007 we received a notice from Gmc for our 2003 Gmc Sierra that stated your vehicle could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge needles may stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This may cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and the fuel gauge. They offer to correct this problem if it occurs in vehicles within 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever is less. Our Gmc Sierra developed this condition recently at 5 years and 90,000. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10221938, filed 2008-03, 90,000 miles
3. 3
   Steering

   Clunk or rattle in the steering shaft

   • 17 complaints (8%)
   • median 23,500 mi at 2.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2012

   Owners report a clunk, knocking, or rattle felt in the steering wheel and column, most noticeable at low speed, while turning, or over small bumps. Dealers commonly greased or replaced the intermediate steering shaft, and several owners say the noise returned after some miles. Some also describe a loose or vague feel in the wheel during low-speed cornering. Usually reported at low mileage in the sample, from a few thousand miles up to about 60,000, often within the first couple of years.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive slowly over uneven ground and turn the wheel lock to lock, listening and feeling for a knock in the column. Ask whether the intermediate steering shaft has been replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “At about 20,000 miles I started hearing a slight knocking noise in the steering while slightly turning to the right, and while hitting minor bumps in the road. Now at about 22,500 miles it continues to get worse. Being a former mechanic I checked it out and found the upper steering shaft u-joint, by the firewall, to be the cause. I called the dealer and talked to the parts deparment. The parts guy said it is a common problem and you have to replace the complete shaft and u-joints. There are about 400,000 on back order. It will take months to get it in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10106063, filed 2005-01, 22,000 miles

   “On 08/10/04 rattle or clunk can be felt in steering. Gmc service department verified concern and lubed the steering shaft. On 09/09/04 clunk in steering column came back. Gmc service department replace intermediate steering shaft, reference to bulletin 00-02-35-003f. This is a safety concern when so many vehicles are involved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10178871, filed 2007-01, 10,100 miles
4. 4
   Brakes

   Brake pedal soft or ABS engaging at low speed

   • 13 complaints (6%)
   • median 35,350 mi at 3.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2003–2014

   Some owners describe a spongy or low pedal requiring extra effort to stop, and others report the anti-lock system engaging and grinding at very low speed on dry pavement, with the truck continuing to roll unless the pedal is pumped. Dealers in these accounts sometimes said no fault was found, and one owner was told to pull the ABS fuse. Reported across a wide range in the sample, from a few thousand miles up to about 90,000.

   Recall 04V0450002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test the brakes at walking pace on dry pavement and note any grinding, pulsation, or long pedal travel. Ask whether the hydro-boost unit or ABS components have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While riding with a friend in his 2001 silverado pickup, I noticed what seemed to be a grinding sound from the brakes just before the truck came to a stop. About a week ago, around nov. 1st. My 2003 Gmc Sierra pickup started making the same grinding sound, (anti-lock activation). This happens on clear, dry pavement with no reason for the anti-lock system to activate. This problem does not occur every time I stop and I have not been able to make this happen during intentional hard stops. I notice that my stopping distance is extended when this happens. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10141833, filed 2005-11, 36,700 miles

   “When traveling at a slow speed, less than 10 miles per hour, if brake is applied the pedal rumbles and the truck continues to move unless I pump the brakes. This is happening during clear days no rain, snow or loose gravel. This incident is very similar to the one described in campaign number: 05v379000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10283365, filed 2009-09, 63,329 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or delayed automatic transmission shifting

   Mentioned in 6 of 80 sampled complaints

   Owners describe clunking or jerking between the lower gears, delayed engagement, and occasional slipping or a rev before the truck moves. Dealers in these accounts often could not reproduce the concern, or replaced solenoids and fluid with only temporary improvement, and some owners say the behavior was described as normal. Many reports involve very low mileage trucks in the sample, from a few hundred miles up to about 5,000.

   4 related service bulletins

   What to check: Test drive from cold and note any clunk or delay going into drive, reverse, and between the first three gears. Ask about fluid and filter service history and any valve body work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own a 2003 Gmc Sierra 1500 z71 off road truck. I've had it in the shop four times now due to the same problem. The problem consists of excessive play/backlash in the rearend/differential according to the dealer. This excessive play/backlash is causing the truck to jerk after shifting from first to second and second to third gears. The dealer and manufacturer say this is normal according to GM specs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10051433, filed 2003-12, 1,654 miles

   “I have a 2003 Gmc Sierra pickup.my problem is the transmission does not work properly.I had 150 miles on the vehicle when the trans blew,now a clunkling noise every time the vehicle shifts.GM calls this a downshift clunk noise and has issued a TSB requesting dealers not to attempt repair.this is a loud clunk which slams into the differential.I have contacted GM to no avail etc runaround. Is there any place to get help for me and possibly many others?”

   NHTSA complaint #10098231, filed 2004-11, 150 miles

Buying note. Brake-line corrosion is the issue owners raise most often on this model year, so a careful underbody inspection of the lines and a service history are the most useful checks. Steering-shaft noise and cluster faults are common but usually more of an annoyance than a stopping problem.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 80 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.