Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 GMC Savana 2500
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Wheels
330.0%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Brakes
330.0%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 110,000 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
220.0%
Median failure at 15,500 miles
Seat Belts
110.0%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
Lights
110.0%
Median failure at 6,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
550.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
220.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
110.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
110.0%
150,000+ miles
110.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2006peak 5Mar 2011
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 110,000 milesLynwood, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANNAH 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL IN REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC YET THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER BRAKE FAILURES SINCE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10386035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 110,000 milesLynwood, ILCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANNAH 2500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWNHILL IN REVERSE WHEN THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE WITHIN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC YET THE MECHANIC WAS ALSO UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A BRAKE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER BRAKE FAILURES SINCE THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10386035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 170,000 milesJamestown, RI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SAVANA 2500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH HE HAD TO INCREASE HIS STOPPING DISTANCES DURING BRAKE APPLICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SEARS REPAIR FACILITY AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 117,000.
NHTSA complaint #10297664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesShreveport, LA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10166150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesShreveport, LA
SEAT BELTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10166150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesShreveport, LA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10166150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesShreveport, LA
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10166150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 6,000 milesShreveport, LA
WHEELS:HUB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. AFTER 90,000 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION CEASED TO OPERATE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALER WHO OFFERED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF A WARRANTY PACKAGE WAS PURCHASED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. DURING THIS VISIT TO THE 2ND DEALER, A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED WHERE THE TAIL LIGHT WAS DISCOVERED NOT TO BE WORKING. THERE WAS NO REPAIR WORK PERFORMED FOR THE TAIL LIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPRESSED THAT ONE DAY THE DRIVER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCHED SO THE SEAT BELT WAS BROKEN TO RELEASE THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER FOR RECALL REMEDY #05113 PERTAINING TO THE SEAT BELT. WHILE AT THE DEALER THE REMEDY REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED ON THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUT NOT THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT. AFTER THE REMEDY REPAIR TO THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, IT NO LONGER WORKED PROPERLY. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER THE SERVICE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS FOR ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE LUG NUT ON THE HUB CAP DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE PLASTIC LUG NUTS WERE INSTALLED AND THEY DETACHED AGAIN. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THE SERVICE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THE LUG NUTS BE GLUED ON. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TIRE COMPANY WHO INSTALLED BRAND NEW TIRES AND LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #10166150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 66,054 milesPittsburgh, PA
WHEELS
I HAVE SEVERAL 2003 GMC SAVANA CARGO VANS THAT ARE USED AS SERVICE VEHICLES FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE. I HAVE RECENTLY HAD THREE INCIDENTS WHERE THE OUTER SECTION OF THE OEM WHEELS (RIMS) HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE CENTER SPOKE SECTION ALONG THE WELD LINES THAT JOIN THE TWO. THE WHEELS ON THE VEHICLES AFFECTED HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND I HAVE THE OTHERS INSPECTED FOR POSSIBLE SIGNS OF FAILURE. I HAVE ONE OF THE WHEELS THAT SPLIT IN MY OFFICE. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT WAS 6/23/2006.
NHTSA complaint #10161799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesOroville, CA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALL 4 BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE PADS DRAGGING 1 DAY PRIOR TO LOCK UP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. TOLD COMPUTER ERROR IS PROBLEM FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME ANSWER PENDING. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FOREWORD. BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO PUBLIC STREET-LAG TIME, DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION FROM DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10159840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesOroville, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ALL 4 BRAKES LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. BRAKE PADS DRAGGING 1 DAY PRIOR TO LOCK UP. BRAKE PEDAL GOES HARD. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. TOLD COMPUTER ERROR IS PROBLEM FIRST TIME. SECOND TIME ANSWER PENDING. TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE IMMEDIATELY WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO FOREWORD. BACK OUT OF DRIVEWAY ONTO PUBLIC STREET-LAG TIME, DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. NO RESOLUTION FROM DEALER.
NHTSA complaint #10159840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.