2003 Gmc SAVANA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
22 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
24,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 22 complaints (9.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 18.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 4.5% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap | 1 |
Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Filler Pipe And Cap: 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 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 6 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 | 5 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 2 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2003: 5; 2004: 4; 2005: 4; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 2; 2010: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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 10046154 · 2003-11-03 (November 3, 2003)
CONSUMER FEELS THAT THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS FLAW RESULTS IN EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD WEAR. ONLY THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS WEAR. AS A RESULT, BRAKE PADS NEED TO BE CONTINUOUSLY REPLACED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10046154 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10126340 · 2005-06-23 (June 23, 2005)
I BOUGHT THIS GMC SAVANA USED (22,000 MILES) AND THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK AT THAT TIME. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX IT UNDER WARRANTEE, CLAIMING IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. I HAVE NOT HAD IT REPAIRED YET. PARKING BRAKES SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT IN THAT SHORT A TIME. NO CRASHES YET, BUT I SAW THAT GMC PICKUPS ARE BEING RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS VAN PROBABLY HAS THE SAME PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10126340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061057 · 2004-03-01 (March 1, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO FILL THE FUEL TANK WITH FUEL BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THIS RESULTED IN THE GASOLINE PUMP NOZZLE CLICKING OFF BEFORE THE TANK WAS FULL. DEALERSHIP IN AN ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CHANGED THE FILLER NECK, ITS VALVE AND OTHER FUEL TANK COMPONENTS, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10504823 · 2013-03-28 (March 28, 2013)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND FUEL LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A HILL. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06E043000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THERE WAS NO CORROSION ON THE FUEL FILLER …
Owner-reported narrative. 159,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10504823 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10196031 · 2007-07-10 (July 10, 2007)
1. WAS DRIVING VAN ON THE HIGHWAY (DURING 1ST FAILURE OD 15,403 AND 2ND FAILURE OD 55576 ), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT IN TO HIGHER GEAR AND FAILED. WAS DRIVING VAN ON STREET WHEN VEHICLE BECAME UNDRIVEABLE (DURING 3RD FAILURE OD 56676). 2. DURING FAILURE 1 VAN WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEED AND HAD TO BE MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE TWO VAN UNABLE TO MAINTAIN HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE IN LOW GEAR TO THE DEALER. DURING FAILURE 3 VAN WAS UNAB…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,576 miles reported. Look up ODI 10196031 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10145654 · 2005-12-19 (December 19, 2005)
2003 GMC SAVANNA 2500 EXT VAN 6.0 H.O. ENGINE. MALFUNCTION FUEL GAUGE, ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL FROM DASH. RADIO FAILED FOUR TIMES AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. CAN NOT TURN RADIO OFF WITHOUT OPENING HOOD AND PULLING FUSE. BROKEN DASHBOARD ALL FOUR TIMES. NO RADIO SINCE SEPTEMBER 2005 IN OPERATION, AND DEALER WILL NOT INSTALL NEW UNIT. THEY WILL ONLY HAVE IT REBUILT?. TRUCK HAS RUN OUT OF GAS WHEN GAUGE READS 1/2 TANK ON MANY OCCASSIONS!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10145654 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11208186 · 2019-05-17 (May 17, 2019)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKE PEDAL MALFUNCTIONED AND DID NOT PROPERLY OPERATE. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD JERK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS HARD TO DEPRESS, WHICH AFFECTED THE VEHICLE STOPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE HYDRO PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURES CONTINUED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE HYDRO PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS. THE MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11208186 at NHTSA ↗