RecallMyCar

2003 GMC Sierra Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2003 GMC Sierra, and owners have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

6
safety recalls
206
owner complaints to NHTSA
8 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
13–16
MPG combined (EPA)

6 safety recalls for the 2003 GMC Sierra

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Parking brake

    NHTSA 05V161000 Reported 90,242 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable…

  2. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 05V163000 Reported 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for…

    Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may…

  3. Anchorage (seat belts)

    NHTSA 04V225000 Reported 736 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have one seating position, the center rear seat, equipped with child restraint lower anchorages.

    Remedy: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a…

  4. Hinge and attachments (structure)

    NHTSA 04V129000 Reported 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners…

  5. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 04V045000 Reported 68,875 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.

    Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.

  6. Windshield (visibility)

    NHTSA 03V018000 Reported 110 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.

    Remedy: Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on january 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

206 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 GMC Sierra have filed 206 complaints with NHTSA; 8 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 62,102 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 31 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC sierra. When inserting the key into the ignition, the seat moved forward and pinned the contact to the dashboard. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 17, 2015 · Seats

“Exiting off freeway ramp in indianapolis brake pedal went to the floor without notice and no brake fluid loss, nearly crashed crossing 5 lanes of cross traffic just lucky i wasn't broadsided by cross”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, October 28, 2015 · Service brakes

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 GMC Sierra (Sierra 1500 2WD, Sierra 1500 4WD, Sierra Denali 1500 AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined13–16 mpg
City / Highway11–14 / 15–19
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classStandard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engine6/8 cyl, 4.3/4.8/5.3/6 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd

Compare GMC Sierra model years

Recall and complaint counts for every GMC Sierra model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1976 GMC Sierra02
1977 GMC Sierra02
1982 GMC Sierra01
1983 GMC Sierra02
1987 GMC Sierra01
1988 GMC Sierra16
1989 GMC Sierra116
1990 GMC Sierra118
1991 GMC Sierra112
1992 GMC Sierra330
1993 GMC Sierra272
1994 GMC Sierra3190
1995 GMC Sierra6261
1996 GMC Sierra2246
1997 GMC Sierra0238
1998 GMC Sierra0190
1999 GMC Sierra5600
2000 GMC Sierra8443
2001 GMC Sierra4264
2002 GMC Sierra4249
2003 GMC Sierra6206
2004 GMC Sierra7188
2005 GMC Sierra9117
2006 GMC Sierra453
2007 GMC Sierra259
2008 GMC Sierra268
2009 GMC Sierra137
2010 GMC Sierra034
2011 GMC Sierra243
2012 GMC Sierra229
2013 GMC Sierra339
2014 GMC Sierra11101
2015 GMC Sierra653
2016 GMC Sierra26
2017 GMC Sierra061

Checking a specific 2003 GMC Sierra

How do I know if my 2003 GMC Sierra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 6 campaigns currently list the 2003 GMC Sierra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised GMC dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V018000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other GMC models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.