Vehicle randomly goes into reduce engine power mode and stalls while driving. This has happened multiple times while driving on a highway and going up a hill where it nearly caused a three catastrophic accidents. Basic research shows that gm has known about this issue since the vehicles were a few years old and it affects many years of gm vehicles. There is a problem with bad grounding connectors related to the throttle body sensor and and wiring harness.
2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 electrical problems
24 complaints (38% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 95,000. 1 crash reported.
- owner complaints
- 24
- of this car's complaints
- 38%
- typical mileage
- 95,000
- crashes
- 1
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Instrument cluster/panel12
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
GMC Yukon XL 1500 electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon xl 1500. The contact mentioned that the previous owner of the vehicle experienced a failure with the reduced engine power warning indicator. The dealer replaced the throttle body, but the failure continued before the contact owned the vehicle. The contact experienced the warning light randomly flashing, which drastically reduced the speed to less than 20 MPH. The contact had to constantly turn off and restart the vehicle, but the failure continued to progress randomly. The dealer replaced the wiring, 02 sensor, the throttle body was replaced a second time, the battery, and the alternator. The repairs failed to provide a permanent solution and the warning light continued to illuminate for the reduced engine power. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 188,000.
Reduced engine power mode on hwy at 70 MPH
While traveling to work my vehicles check engine light came on and the reduced power warning came on at which time I had complete loss of acceleration, complete loss of braking, and complete loss of steering power. I then had to coast to a stop and attempted to restart the vehicle 6 times before I was able to get the reduced power warning to go off and was able to drive although the check engine light stayed on. This is the 2nd time this has happened to me in 2 days with the loss of power. I have had the reduced power warning on numerous occasions years past but never have I lost total / absolute power to control the vehicle, this is a total death trap for anyone who has had this experience, especially on the freeway or highways at high speeds. I have read numerous accounts of this same issue affecting other gmc owners and have seen no resolutions or any recalls from gmc. I have already replaced the throttle housing and harness components, acceleration pedal sensor and yet the issue continues, someone is going to ( die ) because of gmc's lack of concern and responsibility to owners of their products. I will never ever own another gmc associated product.
When traveling at any rate of speed, the reduce engine power light comes on at I lose all power. I must try and pull over at a safe place, stop the car, turn off ignition and wait 10-15 second before starting and just hope it will return to normal mode. This can happen many times in one day and then it may not happen at all for long periods of time. Very dangerous! I have been driving 70 MPH and had to immediately try and pull over out of speeding traffic, onto a shoulder and stop my car with my children.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon xl k1500. The contact stated that the speedometer was reading inaccurately and remained stuck on a specific speed. She was unable to determine how fast or slow she was traveling. The failure occurred intermittently. In may 2011, the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic and repaired. The dealer advised the contact that a special policy bulletin was issued; however, the vehicle mileage exceeded the limitations and did not perform any repairs. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The current mileage was 141,000. The approximate failure mileage was unknown. Updated 09/15/11 *bf updated 09/26/11
I was just driving my yukon and the speedometer was reading 100 miles I knew something was wrong because when I stop and turn it off the speedometer stayed at 40 miles and I dont know at what speed am at when am on the freeway, I as a mechanic shop an they told me that I had to go to the dealer for that.
2003 gmc yukon xl. Truck shut off at 35 to 40 mileages an hour, brake light, ABS and 4 wheel drive service came on the dash board. Its really dangerous due to I wasn't able to control the vehicle. It was very scary. I could it kill someone, fortunately no cars or people around me. I took it to a mechanic, so I drive it one more time. But it did the same thing all over again. I'm planning on towing it to the dealership. I hope hey can help me figure out what's wrong with it.
Instrument panel failed.
In late august 2009, the speedometer on our 2003 gmc yukon xl stopped working. When reported to the dealer, his response was this is a common problem with gmc vehicles of this vintage and requires replacement of the instrument cluster. Cost to repair is $550. It is not safe to drive without a working speedometer, the dealer knows it is a common problem, but refuses to fix it.
Questions about the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 electrical
Does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 24 complaints about the electrical of the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500, 38% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 95,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the GMC Yukon XL 1500 have the most electrical problems?
The GMC Yukon XL 1500 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (24 complaints), 2004 (18 complaints) and 2007 (11 complaints).
Other 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 problems
Brakes 17Acceleration 8Engine 8Steering 7Transmission 6Body 4Visibility 3Driver assistance 2Airbags 1Fuel system 1Suspension 1Wheels 1
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