2003 Gmc SIERRA 1500 HD: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
97,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 37.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 6.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 1 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 1 |
Service Brakes: 4; Electrical System: 3; Engine: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 1; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 1; 2011: 3; 2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 2; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10171901 · 2006-10-26 (October 26, 2006)
TRUCK WAS PARKED OUTSIDE AT WORK DURING THE DAY. WHEN I ENTERED THE TRUCK AND CLOSED THE DRIVER DOOR TO LEAVE, THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WHEN THE DOOR CLOSED. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY OBJECTS HITTING THE WINDOW PRIOR TO THIS, OR DEFECTS, ETC. CONTACTED LOCAL GMC DEALER WHO CLAIMED TO HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS AND THEREFORE DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. IT IS BEING REPAIRED AT A GLASS SHOP AT MY EXPENSE WITH A NEW WINDOW. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171901 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206599 · 2007-10-23 (October 23, 2007)
OUTSIDE PASSENGER SIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR DEFROST DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206599 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10206609 · 2007-10-23 (October 23, 2007)
HVAC SYSTEM WILL HANG UP ON DEFROST, IT WILL NOT RETURN TO ANY OTHER POSITION UNTIL VEHICLE IS RESTARTED WITH SWITCH IN DIFFERENT POSITION. ALSO WHEN USING VENT ON THE HIGHER FAN SETTINGS YOU CAN HEAR AND FEEL A SURGING OF AIR THE FAN IS NOT A PRODUCING A CONSTANT FLOW OF AIR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206609 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261401 · 2009-03-10 (March 10, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER ACTIVATES AUTOMATICALLY AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. SHE MUST OPEN THE HOOD AND REMOVE THE FUSE FROM THE FUSE BOX TO TURN OFF THE HEAT. BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED, SHE MUST REINSTALL THE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX ONCE AGAIN. THE DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS ONLY A TSB FOR THIS FAILURE AND NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9…
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340304 · 2010-06-27 (June 27, 2010)
BRAKES FAILED DUE TO BRAKE LINE BEING CORRODED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10375299 · 2011-01-09 (January 9, 2011)
NO WARNING ON MY 2003 GMC TRUCK SPEEDOMETER STARTED GOING FROM 70 MPH TO 120 AND BEYOND WHEN IN REALITY I WAS GOING PROBABLY 30 MPH. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE A MAN NEEDS TO KNOW HOW FAST HE'S REALLY GOING AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH THERE'S ALOT OF GM OWNERS WHO DON'T KNOW HOW FAST THERE GOING RECALL ANYONE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 135,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10375299 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10416444 · 2011-08-01 (August 1, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GENERAL MOTOR SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED REPEATEDLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BREAK FLUID WHICH LED TO THE DISCOVERY OF A RUSTING BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10416444 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10424324 · 2011-09-08 (September 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BOLTS ON THE MANIFOLD WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED LEAKAGE THROUGH THE EXHAUST EMISSION BEFORE GOING TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE BOLTS AND MANIFOLD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,500. THE CONSUMER STATED HE FIRST HEARD A TICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. HE EVENTUALLY FOUND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HEADS BROKEN OFF THE BOLT SH…
Owner-reported narrative. 99,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10424324 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.