Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
ABS comes on at low speed.. It increases stopping distance.. I have once rear ended a vehicle because of this. There was no damage to either vehicle.. Also my ABS light come on for a few seconds maybe two or three times a month..
2003 GMC Sierra denali with brake line failure problems. The consumer complained of a very soft pedal and sometimes the pedal would go to the floor before stopping. The dealer claimed nothing was wrong. The consumers wife was driving the vehicle and when she applied the brakes, on an incline, she traveled backwards out of control and struck the neighborhood sign. She experienced neck and back pain. The consumer arrived at the scene to find massive amounts of brake fluid dripping down the frame from one of the brake lines located on the drivers side. The consumer was informed the brake lines had excessive corrosion and failed. The consumer stated when he attempted to stop, the brakes completely failed. The brake lines were rusted with a hole completely through. The consumer stated the right rear brake line was replaced under warranty. …
I was moving the vehicle in the driveway when the break pedal went to the floor. The truck stopped so I got out and looked under it and saw break fluid pouring out of a break line that had completely rusted through. The former owner had already had another break line replaced because his breaks had ruptured due to the lines rusting through while driving at highway speeds and towing a fifth wheel camper. He was able to avoid wrecking and came to a stop. This truck has low miles and about 90% of its use has been during the summer so it has had limited contact with salted roads yet the entire undercarriage of the vehicle is rusting at an incredible rate. I am fortunate that I was simply moving the truck rather than hauling my camper on the highway which is it's typical use; I and/or others could have been severely injured or killed. The rusting through of the break lines is a safety issue!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the brakes were depressed, but the vehicle did not stop until coasting into a tree. The contact also stated that the vehicle was not destroyed and he did not consider the incident to be a crash. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and the failure diagnostic test indicated that the ABS system failed to operate sufficiently. The manufacturer was notified and the vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 41,692 and the current mileage was 41,750. Updated 09/21/11 the dealer repalced the left and front speed sensor. Updated 11/04/11
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 hd. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH and applying the brake they extended to the floor. He also saw smoke underneath the hood. He drove into a parking lot, checked under the hood and notice that the brake line was broken and sprayed fuel on top of the exhaust. The vehicle was driven to his home. The contact notified the dealer who stated there were no recalls related to the failure and the vehicle will be repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Brake failure upon slowing down at off ramp. Avoided accident but had total brake failure. Pulled into parking lot, checked fluid levels, were OK, tried brakes again and they were working. Have not had a problem since.have heard reports of similar nature. Some think it is a problem in the valving.hope you can find a cure.
I was driving on I 75 doing 70 MPH I had to come to a sudden stop I applied brakes and there was no brakes., I ended up putting truck in the ditch to avoid serious accident. It ended both brake lines from master cylinder both blew up from corrosion these lines went to the ABS module. I was some what injured.
Brake line failed, no brakes while heading for a red light. Drive off road till vehicle stopped. Brake line from master cylinder to ABS control , rotted out. Upon further inspection, all brake lines are rotted out. My mechanic states they all need to be replaced, it will happen again.
Brake line rusted through and lost all braking capability. Luckly it happened pulling into my driveway and not on the highway! Fuel lines rusted through and leaking fuel puddling onto the ground.
Trip from long island new york to freeport maine. Traveling 65-70 MPH during trip on highway 95. Arrived in freeport. Checked into hotel. Went out to truck 2 hours later with the intention of attending an event. Stepped on brake, started truck, brake pedal went to the floor. Pumped the brake pedal but it would not recover from the floor. Checked under truck for leaks and found badly rusted brake lines had burst releasing copious amounts of brake fluid. The truck was towed to sears auto department who had to rebuild the entire brake system from the master cylinder to each wheel. Sears had to replace brake lines and calipers since the calipers were also so rusted that they could not be bled. If these lines had burst on the highway; my wife, my son and me would have possibly been killed or severely injured and others on the road May have suffered the same fate. …
Brake complaints in other Sierra 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500, 46% of the model year's 160 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 GMC Sierra 2500. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Sierra 2500 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.