2003 Gmc GMC TRUCK problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
18 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
28,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 18 complaints (22.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 22.2% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 4 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Tires:Tread/Belt | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Equipment | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 1 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 4; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Tires:Tread/Belt: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Equipment: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 7 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 7; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (7). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 3 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2005: 3; 2006: 3; 2007: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 2
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10144992 · 2005-12-12 (December 12, 2005)
LOUD CLUNK IN DRIVETRAIN WHEN TRANSMISSION UPSHIFTS 2-3 AND DOWNSHIFTS 3-2. VEHICLE IS 2003 GMC PICK-UP TRUCK 4X4. DEALER #1 REPLACED DRIVESHAFT. NO CHANGE. DEALER #2 DIAGNOSED THE CLUNK AS A MOMENTARY TORQUE REVERSAL OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT WHEN THE CLUTCH IS APPLIED AND THE 2-4 BAND RELEASED. SEE GM INFORMATION BULLETIN #01-07-30-042C (SEPT. 27, 2005) GM SAYS THIS IS NORMAL AND NO REPAIRS SHOULD BE ATTEMPTED. THIS CONSTANT CLUNKING IS NOT NORMAL AND IS AGGRAVATING TO THE DRIVER AND OWNER. A NEW VEHICLE SHOULD BE FREE OF MECHANI…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,977 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144992 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174628 · 2006-11-28 (November 28, 2006)
03 GMC SIERRA GOT USED IN AUG 06 WITH 31000 MILES NOW HAS 36000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION HAS CLUNK BETWEEN 2 &3 GEARS FROM ALL THE RESEARCH I HAVE DONE IT SEEMS THIS IS HAPPENING TO LOTS OF PEOPLE I WILL BRING THIS TO GM`S ATTENTION BECAUSE IT STILL UNDER GMC CERTIFIED WARRANTY BUT I DON`T THINK IT WILL GET ME ANYWHERE PLEASE HELP. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174628 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123736 · 2005-06-01 (June 1, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER STATES: PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, IT WILL NOT WORK WHEN INCLINED ON A HILL, FACING BACKWARDS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL, THEY SAID THEY USED A DIFFERENT SYSTEM FROM THE DISC BRAKES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10373697 · 2011-01-01 (January 1, 2011)
I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 4WD TRUCK AND THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER IS BAD. I SEE THAT THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTER ERRATICALLY AND SOMETIMES STAYS ON 0 MPH WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I HERE THE FUEL GAUGE IS NEXT TO GO BAD. THESE TWO PROBLEMS TOGETHER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CAN AND WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS WHERE SOMEONE WILL GET HURT OR KILLED. GM HAS AGREED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES WITH UNDER 70,000 MILES AND 5 YRS. OLD. THIS DOES NOTHING TO THIS SAFETY PROBLEM BUT LOWER THE ODDS A LITTLE BIT. WHAT ABOUT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 82,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10373697 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192931 · 2007-06-11 (June 11, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC TRUCK. THE CONTACT HEARD A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SOUND IS SIMILAR TO THAT OF A SHOCK THAT HAS FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE RACK AND PINION HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE BEARINGS AND SHOCKS HAVE ALSO BEEN REPLACED. OVER ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER HAS MADE NINE UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. GM STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE STEERING GEARS AND ADVISED TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10377916 · 2011-01-19 (January 19, 2011)
BRAKE LINES, TRANSMISSION LINES AND ENGINE COOLANT LINES ALL FAILING ON 2003 GMC 2500 HD SIERRA AS WELL AS ON 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO HD 3500. THESE PROBLEMS HAVE CAUSED NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF TIME TO REPAIR AND REPLACE, AND TODAY THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC BRAKE FAILURE ON THE 2003 HD GMC WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A DEADLY ACCIDENT. THESE LINES SHOULD NOT HAVE RUSTED THEY WAY THEY ARE ESPECIALLY ON TWO (2) DIFFERENT VEHICLES FROM THE SAME MANUFACTURER. THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH INADEQUATE PARTS FOR ALL LINES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE.…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10377916 at NHTSA ↗