2003 GMC Sierra 1500: harsh or hard shifting

Q: Is harsh or hard shifting a common problem on the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500?

5 of 180 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 (3%) mention harsh or hard shifting. The model year with the most reports is 2017.

Q: Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500?

There are 0 recalls and 7 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

5 of the 180 complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 3%
typical mileage: 20,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 7 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2026
1
2025
1
2024
3
2023
8
2022
9
2021
13
2020
11
2019
26
2018
27
2017
28
2016
18
2015
17
2014
16
2012
1
2011
1
2009
2
2007
1
2006
5
2005
2
2004
9
2003
5
2002
1
2000
1
1999
1
1997
1

What owners say

Filed Apr 12, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 4,500 miles · MD

Starting at <5k miles the vehicle power train clunked when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. Now at 70k miles it clunks when shifting between all gears except final drive. The dealership replaced the output shaft on the tranny, then the u-joints, and modified the electrical shift patern. It still clunks. Power steering intermittently locks up at slow speed turns, especially when braking. Light bulbs burn out almost every three months. Had to pay ($486.00) for replacing the intake manifold gasket when vehicle had little over 40k miles. Brakes fade and the pedal almost goes to the floor, again intermittent. I have almost caused several accidents due to the steering and brake issues. Gmc issued a letter stating "this is a normal occurance and will not cause damage." well, it's getting worse in sound and clunking harder during shifting.

Filed Apr 9, 2010 · Brakes, Steering · 15,000 miles · WA

2003 gmc half ton sierra truck. 3 time since 2003 that I've had to take it in for clunking noise felt thru steering wheel. Lubed a couple times then replaced the intermediate steering shaft. Still no guarantees that it won't happen again. Also very hard to steer when braking and brakes don't respond well when applied quickly. The first time the intermediate steering shaft needed attention the truck only had 15,000 miles on it. The second time was 30,000 miles and the last time was 45,000 miles and occurred in march 2010.

Filed Mar 2, 2010 · Brakes, Electrical · 20,000 miles · CA

2003 gmc sierra truck, steering, has a clunking noise started about 5,000 miles, told by mechanic to take to a dealer, was not the first time he had heard of this problem and was not something he wanted to undertake due to liability, another problem with to much play or (slap) in the drive shaft, took it to dealer they replaced drive shaft, did not solve problem , so apparently they did not know how to solve problem and basically were grabbing at straws, I still have problem, front running lights keep burning out (electrical problem).

Filed Jun 9, 2008 · Steering · 60,000 miles · 00

Clunking noise and vibration in steering column at low speeds on bumpy roads, especially when turning corners. Feels like serious front-end mechanical problems. Current mileage on my 2003 gmc sierra is 60,000. I learned from gm that the intermediate steering shaft had already been replaced at 24,000 miles under warranty, but it needed replacing again. $207 for new shaft and $92 labor. New, improved part # is 19153614. If gm knew the original shaft was defective, why didn't they have to recall it?

Filed Jul 21, 2006 · Steering · 60,980 miles · OH

Dt*: the contact stated that while driving 15 MPH and making a right turn, there was a clunking noise under the hood, and a shaking in the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer removed the shaft sector, regreased it, and reinstalled it.