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 manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 100,000.
The worst 2003 GMC Savana problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes4
- Engine4
- Fuel system4
- Body3
- Seats2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes4
- Engine4
- Fuel system4
- Body3
- Seats2
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
- Steering1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
Recalls 11
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
Recall number 23V247000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water and road contaminants may become trapped in the protective conduit that covers the fuel filler pipe and may cause the pipe to corrode.
- Risk
- Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1‑866‑694‑6546 and GMC at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 12V388000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- On certain full-size passenger, cargo, or cutaway vans, the front and rear seat belt buckles will not latch or will not unlatch.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, a seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the buckles and, if found to be inoperative, the entire buckle assembly would be replaced. For buckles found to be operative, dealer will replace only the upper buckle cover. The recall will be conducted in phases. The first phase mailing began during march 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V558000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: anchorage
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The standard requires child seat lower anchorages in two seating positions for vehicles with three rear seating positions. The standard cab and cargo van vehicles, which only have front seating positions, have an air bag off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have child restraint lower anchorages in the passenger seat. The standard requires passenger seat child seat lower anchorages in vehicles with an air bag off switch. However, the standard does not require vehicles with only front seating positions to have lower anchorage provisions if the vehicle is not equipped with an air bag off switch.
- 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 cover over the resulting opening. The sun visor label and owner's manual will also be changed. The correction for the extended cab vehicle will consist of changing the front passenger seat to a seat that has child restraint lower anchorages. The recall began on september 9, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 04V225000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- 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.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- Certain minivans, passenger and sport utility vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, "child restraint anchorage system." the owner's manual does not explain the meaning of the location symbols for the child restraint lower universal anchorage system.
- Risk
- This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
- Remedy
- Owners will be provided with a supplement for their owner's manual. This supplement describes and shows the location symbols for the child restraint anchors that are located in the vehicle and on the child restraint or booster cushion. Owner notification began august 18, 2003. Owners should contact buick at 1‑866‑608‑8080, cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339, chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438, gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463, pontiac at 1‑800‑620‑7668, or oldsmobile at 1‑800‑630‑6537.
Recall number 03V250000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting
- What is wrong
- Certain vans have a condition in which water may enter and corrode the rear license plate lamp socket. If the lamp socket were to corrode, the rear license plate lamp may operate intermittently or not at all, and the left rear tail lamp may become inoperative. The temperature of the license plate lamp socket could increase to the point that it may begin to soften and melt.
- Risk
- If the socket assembly were to reach the point of melting, the occupants of the vehicle may notice an odor and smoke at the rear doors of the vehicle. If this odor and smoke were ignored, the plastic could ignite and a fire could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new sealed rear license plate lamp socket assembly. Owner notification began july 21, 2003. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 03V217000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain vans with a gross vehicle weight of less than 8,500 pounds, during a vehicle crash sufficient enough to deploy the safety belt pretensioner, the front safety belt buckles may not release after the vehicle crash, or alternately may eject the safety belt latch during the vehicle crash.
- Risk
- This could result in increased risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the front driver and passenger side safety belt buckle. Owner notification began june 3, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 03V050000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages
- What is wrong
- On certain vans with an 8,500 lb. Or 8,600 lb. Gross vehicle weight rating, the nut attaching the pitman arm to the steering linkage may not be tightened adequately resulting in a possible separation.
- Risk
- A separation could result in loss of vehicle control, and a crash could occur with prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the pitman arm nut to the proper specification. If the nut is missing, the dealer will install a new nut and tighten it correctly. Owner notification began december 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 02V330000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain vans, the right-hand tie rod end nut may not be tightened adequately. The nut can loosen resulting in separation of the tie rod from the steering knuckle.
- Risk
- Separation of a tie rod can cause unexpected vehicle steering in some maneuvers and could cause a crash without prior warning.
- Remedy
- Dealers will tighten the tie rod end nut and, if necessary, replace the tie rod end. Owner notification began november 27, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 02V326000 · Recall details
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
- What is wrong
- Certain vans were built without a wheel bearing assembly retaining nut, which could lead to a possible bearing separation.
- Risk
- If this were to occur, the amber-colored ABS tell-tale lamp in the instrument panel would illuminate and the ABS system would be disabled. The driver would also notice a grinding noise, a decrease in the vehicle speed, and the steering will pull in the direction of the affected brake assembly. This could result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the wheel bearing assembly. If the inspection reveals a missing retaining nut, the wheel bearing assembly will be replaced. Owner notification began november 13, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑222‑1020 or gmc at 1‑800‑462‑8782.
Recall number 02V305000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC Savana 586
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Electrical system
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
2003 GMC Savana fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 13 | 17-18 | 15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | RWD | 12-13 | 17 | 14-15 |
| 5.3L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 16 | 13-14 |
What 2003 GMC Savana owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 pipe but the fuel tank had corrosion and needed to be replaced, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 159,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. The contact stated that fuel leaked to the ground while refueling the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure and the current mileage was 109,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. The contact stated that when applying the brakes at speeds of at least 50 MPH, the anti-lock brake would engage, forcing the petal back into the idle position and causing reduced braking response. The contact confirmed that the anti-lock braking light would illuminate on the instrument panel moments before the failure would occur. The failure mileage was 37,000 and the current mileage was 50,000. The VIN was not available. Updated 05/19/10.
Tl*virginia tech owns a 2003 gmc savana. The vehicle caught fire under the hood in the middle of the night. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The current and failure mileages were 75,128. Updated 04/03/08.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. While driving 65 MPH, the engine suddenly stopped. The vehicle was able to be restarted after five minutes. The dealer was unable to diagnose the previous failures. The most recent failure was diagnosed as the crankshaft position sensor. The dealer stated that the failure is similar to the federal safety agency campaign id number 07v521000 (engine and engine cooling). The VIN was unknown. The current mileage was 66,000 and failure mileage was 20,000.
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 unable to be driven at all and obstructed traffic on a main street until it was towed to a dealer. 3. During failure one sunshell stripped, 3-4 clutches burned, 2-4 band burned. Sun shell & gear replaced all clutches & 2-4 band replaced. During failure two extensive damage to the 4/4 clutch, input housing, pump, shaft and drum. Core reassembled and srta trans installed. During failure three transmission was shredded awaiting replacement at this time.
Dt*: the contact stated the running boards are too narrow. While stepping out of the vehicle the contact missed the narrow running board which could result in a fall. Also, there are no safety handles on the inside of the vehicle. The manufacturer has been contacted.*ak updated 01/25/06.
I have a 3500 savana gmc van, when opening the right passenger door at the same time that the side door is open the side door hits the front passenger door which has caused a dent in the side door. The other issue is when someone opens the front passenger door and has their hand in the same location where the two door meet it could cause damage to the hand.
I have a leak coming from muffler, dripping black liquid. I complained at my dealer, they said it was not a problem.
Compare the 2003 GMC Savana
Other model years
1994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920212022
Questions about the 2003 GMC Savana
Is the 2003 GMC Savana reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2003 GMC Savana, 7.3 times a typical Savana model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Savana?
Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is engine (4).
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Savana have?
11 recalls, covering electrical system, fuel system, gasoline and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Savana brakes?
Yes, 1 recall: 04V045000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the GMC Savana have bad brakes?
The GMC Savana model years with the most brakes complaints are 2000 (21 complaints) and 1999 (13 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Savana get?
Official estimates for the 2003 GMC Savana range from 13 to 15 mpg combined. The most efficient version (4.3L 6-cyl, RWD) gets 13 city and 17-18 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 GMC Savana?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history