Brake lines are heavily rusted, truck is beyond warranty, dealer will not replace unless recalled.
The worst 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes3
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes3
- Airbags1
- Electrical1
- Fuel system1
- Seat belts1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 165
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.
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 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...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
What 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I only had 27050 miles when brake lines, burst luckily traveling only 5 MPH. I had to replace all brake lines, rear brake calipers. Then at 28,640 miles I had to replace the master cylinder. What in the world is gm doing? What happened to the quality of gm?
I recently had a brake failure on my 2003 gmc sierra 3500 series truck. I was driving when my brakes gave out. The pedal went to the floor and I was barely able to stop before striking a parked car. I took it to the dealer and was told that my brake lines and calipers are corroded and in need of replacement for a $4200. I had the brakes replaced last february and put less than 1000 miles before this incident. The rear brake pads which were replaced then needed to be replaced because of corrosion issues. I have had to replace the brakes on this truck 4 times since I purchased it each time because of corrosion issues. I have been told by gm that I do not drive the truck enough. I am afraid to drive it for two reasons 1. It might not stop when I need it to and 2. Everytime I drive it ends up costing me more money. The transmission lines were replaced last summer for the same issue. This truck has cost me over $20,000 in repairs since 2005 not including maintenance issues. When I contacted gm customer service they were absolutely no help. I was told I do not drive it enough and the fact that the truck is older it is a part of life. They would not even acknowledge that they have a problem. I was told that the federal safety agency is conducting an investigation into this matter with gm. If you need any help please call me I would gladly help in this matter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc 3500 duramax . The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning. The fuel injectors were replaced but the failure recurred and caused damage to the engine. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000 updated 9/20/11 *cn updated 2/23/12
Power steering and/or braking may become inoperative or drastically reduced performance when used at same time because power steering pump is also power brake pump and system does not have enough pressure or flow capacity to supply both steering and braking together. This could result in loss of control of vehicle.
2003 gmc speedometer not working. This is a very common problem with gmc and there should be a recall.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle was involved in a crash. The vehicle was hit on the driver's side rear quarter panel by another vehicle. After the vehicle was struck, it flipped upside down. The contact was buckled in the driver's seat. However, the seat belt did not retract and hold the contact in the seat and the air bags did not deploy. The contact's head hit the passenger door window at such force the window shattered and broke. The contact's head was lying outside the vehicle on the asphalt. After the initial impact, the contact released the seat belt and climbed out of the vehicle. Injuries to the head and neck were sustained. The police filed a report at the scene. The insurance company did an assessment of the vehicle and deemed it totaled. Updated 03/03/06.
Compare the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
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Questions about the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500, fewer than a typical Sierra 3500 model year.
What is the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 year score?
The 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 scores 89 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the GMC Sierra 3500: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500?
Brakes, with 3 complaints. Next is airbags (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the GMC Sierra 3500 have bad brakes?
The GMC Sierra 3500 model years with the most brakes complaints are 2001 (16 complaints), 2004 (14 complaints) and 2000 (12 complaints).
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