2003 GMC Sierra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,077miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2003 GMC Sierra, 1% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,077 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.
“I wrote GM on october 26, 2013 about my 2003 Gmc Sierra duramax diesel 6.6l 6l that just recently started billowing bluish black smoke constantly from the exhaust and costing an exorbitant amount of money in gas. I took it to the dealer (quality by dilorenzo in albuquerque, new mexico) and they informed me that there was a bulletin issued in october 2006 for leaking fuel injectors. They diagnosed my truck with the exact fuel injector problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10611064, filed 2014-07, 83,502 miles“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“My vehicle began losing coolant. I took the vehicle to a mechanic, who has told me that the cylinder head is cracked and leaking. This is due to faulty casting on the cylinder head.the coolant is leaking into the heads, and causing the oil to lose it's ability to protect the engine from wear. I have seen that there are many people with this issue, and it is a very costly repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10543678, filed 2013-09Related service bulletins
- 10056354Sep 1, 2014Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with egr system, has leakage from egr cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber. Model 2002-15 silverado, sierra, 2004-09 kodiak c4500-c5500…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 7% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 8% |
| 2012 | 5 | 17% |
| 2011 | 7 | 16% |
| 2010 | 2 | 6% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2005 | 8 | 7% |
| 2004 | 5 | 3% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
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 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 GMC Sierra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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