Model year
2003 GMC Sierra
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 206 complaints for the 2003 GMC Sierra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 364 complaints under SIERRA 1500, SIERRA 1500 HD, SIERRA 2500, SIERRA 3500, and SIERRA CLASSIC. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (45), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (19), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (17). NHTSA lists 5 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,200–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 443 complaints
- 2001 264 complaints
- 2002 249 complaints
- 2003 206 complaints
- 2004 188 complaints
- 2005 117 complaints
- 2006 53 complaints
- 2007 59 complaints
- 2008 68 complaints
- 2009 37 complaints
- 2010 34 complaints
- 2011 43 complaints
- 2012 29 complaints
- 2013 39 complaints
- 2014 101 complaints
- 2015 53 complaints
- 2016 6 complaints
- 2017 61 complaints
- 2018 371 complaints
- 2019 729 complaints
- 2020 622 complaints
- 2021 668 complaints
- 2022 673 complaints
- 2023 555 complaints
- 2024 534 complaints
- 2025 177 complaints
- 2026 167 complaints
Recalls
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
05V161000 · Apr 22, 2005
PARKING BRAKE
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.
04V225000 · May 11, 2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
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…
04V129000 · Mar 17, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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…
04V045000 · Feb 4, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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…
03V018000 · Jan 23, 2003
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
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.
Complaints
206 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 8, fire flag on 1, injury field 5, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SIERRA 1500 | 1 | 180 |
| SIERRA 1500 HD | 0 | 16 |
| SIERRA 2500 | 0 | 160 |
| SIERRA 3500 | 0 | 7 |
| SIERRA CLASSIC | 0 | 1 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03057 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE | Dec 8, 2003 | Apr 9, 2004 |
| EA04005 | TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE · LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE; STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS | Feb 19, 2004 | Sep 28, 2004 |
| EA04011 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND… | Apr 9, 2004 | May 10, 2005 |
| DP05009 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE | Dec 20, 2005 | May 31, 2006 |
| PE10010 | Brake line corrosion failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Mar 30, 2010 | Jan 5, 2011 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 4.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 4.3L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 4.8L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 4.8L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD · 4.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD · 4.3L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD · 4.8L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD · 4.8L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Sierra 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 13 | 16 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Sierra Denali 1500 AWD · 6L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 11 | 15 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Sierra 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 18 | 15 | — | — | $4,450 |
1 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 GMC Sierra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.