2003 GMC Sierra Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 206 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,326miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 GMC Sierra, 3% of the 206 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,326 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“I am an attorney in akron, ohio and I represent the family of a man that died and a man who suffered serious brain injuries while riding on the tailgate of a 2003 Gmc Sierra when the tailgate straps broke.”
NHTSA complaint #10093939, filed 2004-10“I got a new 2003 Gmc Sierra 1500 the front bumper start to show rust in under 4000 miles then I got oil change the mechanic call me and told me that my brake are solid rust both front ones the frame is rusting all over the place at 10000 the steering column knuckle near the steering box is solid rust and he says it is very dangerous to have that rusted so bad I have sent 4 emails to Gmc about it and go to marina Gmc in san leandro where I got it from they told me that all of them are rusting and they not going to do any thing about it.”
NHTSA complaint #10016467, filed 2003-04“While driving 35 to 40 MPH the four-wheeler which was on the bed of the vehicle fell off. Consumer pulled off the road to inspect the damage, and noticed that both tailgate cables snapped off, which caused the tailgate to fail. Consumer took vehicle and the four-wheeler to the dealership for inspection; however, the dealership will not inspect the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10083816, filed 2004-07Related recalls
- 04V129000Mar 17, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal)…Covers: GMC Sierra 2000–2004, Chevrolet Silverado 2000–2004, Avalanche 2002–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10037570Apr 1, 2012Gm: on some truck models there is some frame corrosion. *rm updated on 5/2/2012.
- 10011755Oct 4, 2006Tailgate cable slack. This includes 1998-2006 chevrolet and gmc full and mid size trucks. *eh updated.
- 10014808May 10, 2005Door hinge replacement kit.
- 10015770Oct 1, 2004Rattle type noise coming from the rear of the cab during body twist maneuvers or over bumps. Gm tech link.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% |
| 2014 | 8 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 8% |
| 2012 | 6 | 21% |
| 2011 | 8 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 21% |
| 2009 | 6 | 16% |
| 2008 | 12 | 18% |
| 2007 | 6 | 10% |
| 2006 | 1 | 2% |
| 2005 | 7 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 17 | 7% |
| 2001 | 13 | 5% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 5% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 5 | 2% |
| 1996 | 3 | 1% |
| 1995 | 5 | 2% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 6% |
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 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 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