2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Electrical Problems

Which parts fail

• Instrument cluster/panel
  32

Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  13%
• 25k–50k
  411%
• 50k–75k
  1337%
• 75k–100k
  1029%
• 100k–150k
  514%
• 150k+
  26%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

An accident has not occurred yet, but it something I'm concerned deeply about. Awhile back there was a recall on the instrument cluster of the gmc Sierra 1500 (possibly othets on the list, im sure). I did wind up having the cluster replaced, there didn't seem to be any issues at the time. Now...the replacement cluster has gone haywire. I notice no issues with operations at this time. But the cluster doesn't register certain things or it fluctuates on and off, or doesn't read correctly at all. Is it possible that the replacement could have been bad as well?

While going down the road my speedometer was showing 120mph and I was only running 75mph. When I stop and shut off my vehical the speedometer reads 45mph instead of 0mph. If you switch the ignistion off and on several times it will eventually go back to 0mph. I was doing some research on it and found this web site www.topix.net. I found out pretty quick this is nothing new. There were so many listings on there for the same problem that it was unrealistic. I have always owned Chrysler products unitll I purchased my GMC. I have done nothing but bragg about howw I don't never have problems with this truck but now seeing all of these complaints for the same thing I kinda feel like an idiot. This is a very big safety issue exspecially when traveling the interstates. This could cause some prety serious wrecks when your showing your running 100mph and only doing 60mph. …

My speedometer on my 2003 GMC speedometer has not worked properly for over a year. I now have 75,000 miles on my truck and GMC says it will not cover the expense of repairing it. This is an extremely dangerous situation that is occurring across the country and general motors is screwing its loyal customers. After numerous calls to customer service I was told that the company extended its warranty to seven years or 70000 miles in sept. And all GM owners were notified. I then asked them when they mailed my notification because I have not received a letter from GM notifying me of the extended coverage as of nov. 8 2007. They were not able to tell me when they mailed a notification to me. My point is that if the company had notified me in sept. I would not be over the 70000 limit and would not have to pay for the repairs. …

Received letter from GMC about cluster panel gauges sticking or fluttering. I did not have any problems at that time and mileage was over the 70,000 stated in letter. Later the oil gauge started fluttering and battery gauge registers battery as dead. Contacted GMC on 1/17/08, was told the instrument panel had be diagnosed by certified GMC service personal. I was given a reference number to use when contacting GMC. I had hpr automotive in sulllivan,il. Diagnose the panel.-cost $85. Diagnosis was cluster panel defective. GMC contacted hpr to verify panel was defective. The cost would be $600 plus for the repair. After several conversations with two GMC service representatives .I was told on 2/29/08 by a third representative that GMC would not cover the panel replacement. I have read several forums on the defective cluster panel. …

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 speedometer failed -- drifted fully upscale. No precursor - was driving steady at 45 MPH. 93000 miles on vehicle. First time failure - but it is a hard failure - reading >120 MPH with car shutoff in driveway. I adjusted my speed down to be below what I hoped would meet the speed limit. It appears GMC has issued service notices on this ... I found the following on the internet: subject:bulletin gmp07-174 - special coverage adjustment #07187 --- some customers of 2003-2004 model year Cadillac escalade, escalade esv, and escalade ext; Chevrolet avalanche, silverado, suburban, and tahoe; and GMC Sierra, envoy, yukon, and yukon xl vehicles have reported that the instrument panel (ip) cluster gauges stick, flutter, or become inoperative. This May cause inaccurate readings, including the speedometer and fuel gauge.

The speedometer on my 2003 GMC Sierra sle is faulty. It began at approximately 37,000 miles and reads between 20-60 MPH higher than my actual speed. The problem was initially isolated to the speedometer, but now my tachometer is now reading 800-2000 RPM higher than actual and the amp meter has also started to reading high. I contacted a local GMC dealership and got an estimate of around $600 dollars to fix the problem. The technician I spoke to at the GMC dealership informed me that there have been many similar complaints from GMC owners but no recall has been initiated. I did some research online and found discussion forums where many other GMC owners are experiencing the same problems. I believe this to be a safety issue that needs to be addressed and GMC confronted with a solution.

Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. On September 27, 2005, the speedometer began displaying inaccurate readings. The speedometer sporadically failed for the next couple of years. On October 5, 2007, the speedometer displayed an inaccurate speed of 125 MPH. The contact received a notice regarding a voluntary recall for the speedometer. Only vehicles less than six years old or with fewer than 70,000 miles would receive a free remedy. The contact's mileage was 115,000; therefore, he was ineligible for the free remedy. No repairs were made. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The purchase date, recall number, and speed were unknown. The failure mileage was 64,999 and current mileage was 115,000. Updated 3/25/08

Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that the speedometer stopped working. He took the vehicle to the dealer and was informed that he was no longer eligible to receive a free repair. The qualifications for the free repair were seven years or 70,000 miles. The contact stated that he was never notified and, when he brought his vehicle in for repair, it was too late. The manufacturer stated that they would not cover the repair, even though the vehicle is only five years old. The contact stated that he had been to the dealer about the failure before the vehicle exceeded the mileage, but the failure had not been diagnosed until February 11, 2008. The VIN was invalid. The current and failure mileages were 110,000.

My 2003 GMC Sierra pick-up has erratic speedometer reading. Speedometer reads various speeds while vehicle is at a stop. Impossible to determine actual speed due to this problem. GM issued a service bulletin and offered free replacement to all effected vehicles. No notice was sent to owners. When I found out about the service bulletin, it was too late. There was a time restriction on it. Apparently my speedometer lasted a bit longer than many. However my problem is exactly the one referenced in the bulletin. I think GM should pay for the repair. The local dealer said it would cost me $470.00. I've owned many vehicles, and never once has a speedometer failed due to "normal wear and tear."

Tl contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the speedometer and oil gauges stopped reading oil pressure, speed, and temperature gauge the vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the sensor was replaced; however, this did not correct the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and they stated that the repair would be expensive. As a result, the contact did not have the repair performed. The contact received a recall notice in August of 2007, but the vehicle exceeded the mileage requirement. The recall number was unavailable. The current mileage was 76,000 and failure mileage was 45,000. Updated 01/03/08 . Updated 12/12/07

Electrical complaints in other Sierra 1500 years