2003 GMC Sierra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 15%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 62,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 GMC Sierra, 15% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,250 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Gmc Sierra pick-up I was driving today about 45 to 50 miles an hour and was running great and about an hour later, my speedometer went up to 120 miles an hour and would not go back down. When I got home and put my vehicle in park, the speedometer would only go down to 70 miles an hour. I have almost 68,000 miles on it. What is wrong and what can I do to get this fixed immediately before I get a ticket?”
NHTSA complaint #10392427, filed 2011-03, 67,876 miles“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“Day time running light burned out. When I replaced it the bottom of the bulb was burned and the plastic wiring socket was partially melted and brittle around the bulb base. I changed the bulb and the light still works. However, I also had trouble with one of my two horns not working, but after replacing the burned out bulb, both horns worked. Wiring seems to be in series with horn(s) and burned out bulb disables horn.”
NHTSA complaint #10200008, filed 2007-08, 90,000 miles“The speedometer needle on my 2003 Gmc Sierra truck is stuck at 140 MPH. I was stopped by a police officer for an unrelated incident and was issued a citation for having a broken speedometer. I need to get it fixed, but Gmc dealer is not cooperating.”
NHTSA complaint #10177983, filed 2007-01, 21,450 miles“Instrument cluster inoperative. 2003 Gmc Sierra pick up. Received a letter from GM and due to the mileage they will not repair the cluster even though the vehicle is within the date range. The mileage listed is not reasonable since they only allow 10k per year. They were called when I received the letter at 104k and now at 111k they can only apologize for the problem but not fix it under warranty. I feel it is a safety issue but they do not. So I am having it fixed for almost 600 dollars with no help from GM. …”
NHTSA complaint #10216870, filed 2008-02, 95,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10114470Apr 17, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue…
- 10112009Jan 21, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 10112900Mar 13, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that will not move in forward or reverse. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble…
- 10112737Jan 23, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 10112523Oct 30, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing…
- 10038759Apr 1, 2011Gm: onstar is making incomplete calls without the driver knowing. When have a data connection.
- 10027804Nov 1, 2008General motors corp: special coverage adjustment; analog onstar deactivation. *pe updated 2/17/09.
- 10026542Sep 1, 2008Cadillac chevrolet gmc service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Some vehicles could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge…
- 10023585Sep 1, 2008Cadillac chevrolet gmc service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Instrument panel cluster gauge needle function may cause inaccurate readings on some…
- 10022914Oct 4, 2007One of the following concerns when programming the mileage or the hours into an exchange instrument panel cluster that is received from an electronic service center (esc).
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | 10% |
| 2016 | 2 | 33% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 9 | 9% |
| 2013 | 5 | 13% |
| 2012 | 7 | 24% |
| 2011 | 3 | 7% |
| 2010 | 4 | 12% |
| 2009 | 9 | 24% |
| 2008 | 15 | 22% |
| 2007 | 7 | 12% |
| 2006 | 7 | 13% |
| 2005 | 23 | 20% |
| 2004 | 39 | 21% |
| 2003 | 31 | 15% |
| 2002 | 6 | 2% |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% |
| 2000 | 12 | 3% |
| 1999 | 12 | 2% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 12 | 5% |
| 1996 | 5 | 2% |
| 1995 | 4 | 2% |
| 1994 | 4 | 2% |
| 1993 | 5 | 7% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 1 | 6% |
| 1989 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 GMC Sierra
83 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
29 complaintsSteering
27 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsAir bags
5 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 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