36 of the
193 complaints about the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 are about the
electrical system — 19% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
92,000 miles.
C
36
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Electrical System
2158.3%
Instrument Cluster/Panel
1233.3%
Interior/Under Dash
25.6%
Wiring
12.8%
Electrical System across every GMC Sierra 2500 year
BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR DOES NOT OPERATE. UPON INSPECTION, HARNESS AND FINAL STAGE ARE DAMAGED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT. I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH COMPONENTS BECAUSE I FEAR IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE. MANY POSTS ON THE SAME THING. WHY IS THERE NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS? MY BMW HAD SAME ISSUE BUT IT WAS A RECALL ON THEIR CARS. WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL ON GM? IS IT BECAUSE THEY ARE AN AMERICAN CAR COMPANY?
NHTSA complaint #11193104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reese, MI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GMC 2500 DIESEL HD SLE SIERRA REARWHEEL DRIVE INSTRUMENT PANAY IS INOPERATIVE. HAVE TO USE IPHONE FOR SPEED AND GUESS AT GAS EFFECTING CRUISE CONTROL INTERIOR LIGHTS FAN SPEED AND CD PLAYER
NHTSA complaint #11031844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 142,000 milesGroton, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
(ELECTRICAL) AS AN ONGOING ISSUE, THE DASHBOARD GAUGES/INDICATORS (I.E. TACH, SPEEDOMETER, ETC..) WILL SOMETIMES NOT REGISTER UNTIL SEVERAL MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RUNNING (THIS COULD BE FOR UP TO MILES) IT HAS NOT AFFECTED VEHICLE PERFORMANCE TO DATE. (FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM) I HAVE BEGUN HAVING ISSUES WHERE IT GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER". FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC ATTEMPTS HAVE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS DUE TO A FAULTY THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR (PART OF THE THROTTLE BODY), TAC MODULE, OR APP ASSEMBLY (ACCELERATOR PEDAL). MOST LIKELY CAUSE MAY BE DUE TO THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, AS THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON "CRUISE CONTROL". HOWEVER, DUE TO THE INFERIOR DESIGN OF THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT ITSELF, THE MANUFACTURE HAS MADE IT DIFFICULT OR IF DESIGNED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO REPLACE JUST THE TPS, BY RIVETING THE TPS TO THE THROTTLE BODY, AND MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY. I AM HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED FOR A COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR, AND WILL ELABORATE FURTHER UPON SUCCESSFUL REPAIR IF DESIRED.
NHTSA complaint #10705003 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 226,300 milesBoise, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN PLACED IN PARK THEN TURNED OFF THE KEY WOULDN'T COME OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE WHILE RUNNING THE KEY WOULD COME OUT FREELY.
NHTSA complaint #10592910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,000 milesChehalis, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ABNORMALLY AND THE SPEEDOMETER HAD FAILED. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA complaint #10448234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,000 milesLebanon, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO REGISTER INACCURATELY THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY.
NHTSA complaint #10379354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAS BEEN FAILING ONE GAUGE AT THE TIME SINCE 4 YEARS AGO, FINALLY IT QUIT ALL TOGETHER, I CALLED GM AND MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO BUT TO CHARGE ME FOR CHECK UP AND POSSIBLY GET ME A NEW CLUSTER FOR 400.00 WHAT A JOKE. I KNOW GM HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT NOTHING GETS DONE. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET GM TO GET THIS PROBLEMS SERVICED WITH NO COST, AFTER ALL IT'S THEIR REPUTATION.... I WON'T BUY ANOTHER GM VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10370274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesGoderich, 00
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD EXT. CAB, 8-FT. BOX. IN COOLER WEATHER, FALL, WINTER, SPRING, THE GAUGES MALFUNCTION. THAT IS, THE SPEEDO AND TACH READ WILDLY HIGH OR DON'T ACTIVATE AT ALL, AND THE OTHER GAUGES ALL ARE NON FUNCTIONAL. THIS IS INTERMITTENT AND IS APPARENT WHEN STARTING ON COLD MORNINGS. SO FAR, SYMPTOMS HAVE DISAPPEARED IN WARMER TEMPS. IT HAS OCCURRED EVERY YEAR. THERE IS AN ADVISORY, BUT GMC WON'T ACT ON MY WORD, MUST SEE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10365727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesNelson, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO INACCURATELY READ A SPEED OF 90 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE SPEEDOMETER WAS STILL READING INACCURATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #10361581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 114,000 milesQuincy, MA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AND THE GAUGE WOULD NOT FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AT A DEALERSHIP BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000.
NHTSA complaint #10354128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 134,955 milesRacine, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2003 SIERRA 2500HD BECAME ERRATIC AND THEN STUCK AT ABOUT 140 MPH AND STAYED THERE.
NHTSA complaint #10303328 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,239 milesHouston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GAUGE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DEFECTIVE ON 2003 GMC SIERRA. SPEEDOMETER READING INCORRECT SPEED. CONSIDERED A SAFETY DEFECT. UNABLE TO ACCURATELY DETERMINE VEHICLE SPEED. GENERAL MOTORS DEALERSHIPS UNWILLING TO REPAIR DEFECTIVE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #10279041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 200,000 milesCanyon Lake, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE ELECTRICAL GAUGES ALL OF SUDDEN STOPPED WORKING. THE BATTERY GAUGE CAME ON FIRST , PULLED OVER AND BATTERY WAS FINE. THEN ALL GAUGES JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10278602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 69,000 milesEast Hartland, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATER LIGHT FAILED FIRST FOLLOWED BY THE DRIVER'S SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED LATER AND THE ENTIRE PANEL WENT BLACK. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.UPDATED 06/17/09. *LJ THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND GAUGES FAILED COMPLETELY. UPDATED 06/17/09.
NHTSA complaint #10269356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,592 milesRexburg, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY SPEEDOMETER, READS120MPH MOST OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10249458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesBethel Park, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER , FUEL GAUGE ETC. WENT AT 93,000 MILES. GMC KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND WILL ONLY FIX IT ON A LIMITED BASIS. NOT EVERY ONE WAS INFORMED OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL ONLY FIX IT IF YOU ARE UNDER 70K MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10248972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,571 milesDeforest, WI
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 45 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED 120 MPH. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT TO SEE IF THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD RESET ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM REPAIRS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 104,571.
NHTSA complaint #10244642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. NO LIGHTS, NO ODOMETER, NO INFORMATION AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #10242860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesMedina, OHFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTINUED TO FLASH ON AND OFF. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED AND SMOKE WAS NOTICED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE NOTICING THE SMOKE. THE HOOD COULD NOT BE OPENED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TEN MINUTES LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000. UPDATED 09/25/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED IT WAS A POSSIBLE FUEL LINE FAILURE. UPDATED 09/26/08.
NHTSA complaint #10239033 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMorton, MS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND PREVENTED HIM FROM KNOWING HOW FAST HE IS TRAVELING, OR ANY OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND RECALL NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10232912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesEagle River, AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
AT AROUND 102K MILES, SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE QUIT RETURNING TO ZERO WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS MOVING. NEEDLE MAY COME TO REST AT ANY POINT ON THE DIAL WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED, AND THE REST POINT MAY OR MAY NOT CHANGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS UNDERWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO ESTIMATE SPEED (E.G., NEEDLE MAY INITIALLY INDICATE 30 MPH AT REST, BUT ACTUAL SPEED UNDERWAY ISN'T NECESSARILY 30 MPH LESS THAN INDICATED BECAUSE THE REST POINT MAY HAVE CHANGED). AND WHEN THE DIAL ZEROS AT 120 MPH, THE TRUCK EFFECTIVELY HAS NO SPEEDOMETER AT ALL RATHER THAN JUST AN INACCURATE ONE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM GM WARNING OF POTENTIAL INSTRUMENT FAILURES AND OFFERING FREE REPAIR ON VEHICLES WITH LESS THAN 70K MILES; AN EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE WITH GM CONFIRMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR MINE FOR FREE OR AT REDUCED COST. INTERNET DISCUSSIONS AND ADS FOR INSTRUMENT REPAIRS REVEAL THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ON A RANGE OF '03-'06 GM VEHICLES. THE GM DEALER I CALLED WILL FIX THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR $500 -- ROUGHLY 3 TIMES WHAT REPAIR SERVICES ADVERTISING ON THE INTERNET CHARGE TO REPLACE ALL THE DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTORS IN THE CLUSTER. THIS PROBLEM IS CERTAINLY SAFETY-RELATED (THINK OF MISJUDGING SPEED IN A ROLLOVER-PRONE VEHICLE GOING INTO A SHARP CURVE), AND TO THE DEGREE THAT IS VIRTUALLY INEVITABLE ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, GM SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL RATHER THAN A LIMITED "SECRET WARRANTY".
NHTSA complaint #10219280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesIowa City, IA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER WORKS SOMETIMES BUT OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SPEED IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10217592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,000 milesDeer Park, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER READS HIGH & LOW NO RELATION TO ACTUAL SPEED. CONSTANT PROBLEM. EXCESSIVE COST TO REPAIR USING HAND HELD GPS FOR NOW. 2003 GMC 2500 SIERRA HD 4X4.
NHTSA complaint #10197709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,001 milesHammett, ID
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T READ CORRECT SPEED. SPEEDOMETER NEEDLE STICKS AND THEN WHEN YOU START AGAIN IT WILL START READING FROM WHERE IT WAS STOPPED SO IF IT STICKS AT 30 MPH AND YOU RESUME SPEED TO 60 MPH IT WILL READ 90 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #10186681 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,400 milesLaplata, MD
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER; WILL NOT RESET TO 0; WILL NOT CORRECTLY MEASURE SPEED .
NHTSA complaint #10184879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesLemoore, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
OIL PRESSURE GAUGE FAILURE, ERRATIC SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER.
NHTSA complaint #10181982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 50,000 milesGlenside, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
MY 2003 GMC SIERRA PICK-UP SPEEDOMETER BROKE WITH 50000 MILES AND NOW I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST IM GOING. GM HAS NOT OFFERED A RECALL AND NEEDS TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10181708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesRichland, WA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER IN MY 2003 GMC SIERRA HAS GONE ERRATIC. ZERO TO 120 MPH FLUCTUATIONS, STICKS.
NHTSA complaint #10175886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dammeron Valley, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD W/DURAMAX TRANS SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN READING ACCURATE SPEEDS STUCK AT 120 MPH PERHAPS LEADING TO TRANS FAILURE/ LEAKING FLUIDS DUE TO IMPROPER SHIFTING.
NHTSA complaint #10175660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 49,000 milesWest Columbia, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2003 GMC SIERRA PICKUP W/49000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER HAS STARTED ERRATIC READINGS WHICH PRESENTS A SAFETY HAZZARD WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10171520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.