2003 GMC Sierra Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 GMC Sierra, 2% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,000 miles. 3 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.
“I was parked on a sloped driveway (about 10 - 15 degrees). I started the engine, stepped on the brake pedal and took the car out of park into drive. Brake pedal was normal. I started to roll forward and when I pushed the brake pedal the car did not slow. I slammed the brake pedal and it went all the way to the floor. At this point I went off the end of the driveway onto a 45 degree downward sloped lawn; then into a wooded area at the top of a ravine. I slammed into a tree. The car was judged a total loss by my insurance company. I did not get a brake warning light. The airbags did not deploy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10632173, filed 2014-09, 134,652 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Gmc Sierra. While accelerating from a stop sign,the contact's vehicle collided with another vehicle head on. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. The front end was completely damaged and the air bags failed to deploy. Due to the failure of the air bags not deploying, the contact sustained a broken neck and head fractures that required medical attention. The injuries ultimately LED to the contact's death. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the entire front end needed to be repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10774697, filed 2015-09, 38,000 miles“Consumer was traveling 70 MPH, and was unable able to maintain control of the vehicle. It crashed into ditch. Both frontal air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. Consumer had after market product foose wheel. While driving passenger's side wheel sheared off. This caused the accident. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10097790, filed 2004-10Related service bulletins
- 10021016Feb 22, 2007Dual stage passenger air bag used in single stage application.
- 10013523Apr 21, 2005Sir light on steady after bulb test and no diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs).
- 10012542Jun 1, 2004Proper use of labor operation code when diagnosis leads to sir passenger presence system replacement.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 2 | 33% |
| 2015 | 4 | 8% |
| 2014 | 5 | 5% |
| 2013 | 7 | 18% |
| 2012 | 4 | 14% |
| 2011 | 10 | 23% |
| 2010 | 8 | 24% |
| 2009 | 9 | 24% |
| 2008 | 29 | 43% |
| 2007 | 13 | 22% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 6 | 5% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 12 | 5% |
| 2000 | 17 | 4% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 6 | 3% |
| 1997 | 4 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 7% |
| 1995 | 12 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Sierra
83 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTires
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsEngine
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Sierra
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