Model year record

2003 GMC Sierra

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 248 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V161000

Parking brake

Component: Parking brake
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 90,242
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-04-22
Owners notified: 2005-07-29

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V163000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component: Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 1,359,824
Reported to NHTSA: 2005-04-22
Owners notified: 2005-07-21

Defect description

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 USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Safety risk

A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V225000

Seat belts: front: anchorage

Component: Seat belts: front: anchorage
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 736
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-05-11
Owners notified: 2004-09-09

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 04V129000

Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments

Component: Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 3,662,211
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-03-17
Owners notified: 2004-09-18

Defect description

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 THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Safety risk

ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V045000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 68,875
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-02-04
Owners notified: 2004-06-18

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 campaignNHTSA 03V018000

Visibility: windshield

Component: Visibility: windshield
Manufacturer: GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected: 110
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-01-23
Owners notified: 2003-01-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE, RESEAL, AND REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Service brakes	45	98,500 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	19	55,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	17	76,667 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	15	3,000 mi
Steering	14	42,671 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	11	15,869 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	49,000 mi
Electrical system	8	111,000 mi
Steering: column	6	11,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	5	3,000 mi
Power train	5	3,945 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	5	20,630 mi
Engine and engine cooling	4	4,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	37,597 mi
Unknown or other	4	374 mi
Air bags	3	38,000 mi
Engine	3	83,502 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	102,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	3	7,700 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	3	11,000 mi
Structure: body: tailgate: hinge and attachments	3	—
Suspension	3	4,517 mi
Tires	3	59,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	—
Electrical system: wiring	2	90,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel	2	21,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit	2	300 mi
Seats	2	21,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	2	45,878 mi
Steering: linkages	2	12,000 mi
Structure: body	2	44,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	2	27,805 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	2,184 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	175 mi
Equipment	1	1,300 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	51,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	120,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	38,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	1	157,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines	1	33,338 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	2,800 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint	1	2,800 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	2,800 mi
Seat belts	1	100 mi
Seat belts: rear/other	1	—
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	—
Service brakes, electric	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring	1	87,974 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: fluid	1	—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device	1	9,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	1,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	1	—
Structure: frame and members	1	—
Suspension: front: hub	1	35,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	4,486 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	27,805 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	—
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	45,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	—
Wheels	1	—

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.