Most common 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 problems
Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
GMC Sierra 3500 complaints by model year
Best Sierra 3500 years: 2012, 2014, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025, 2022. Compare all years →
What 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 owners say
Brakes
I recently had a brake failure on my 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 series truck. I was driving when my brakes gave out. The pedal went to the floor and I was barely able to stop before striking a parked car. I took it to the dealer and was told that my brake lines and calipers are corroded and in need of replacement for a $4200. I had the brakes replaced last February and put less than 1000 miles before this incident. The rear brake pads which were replaced then needed to be replaced because of corrosion issues. I have had to replace the brakes on this truck 4 times since I purchased it each time because of corrosion issues. I have been told by GM that I do not drive the truck enough. I am afraid to drive it for two reasons 1. It might not stop when I need it to and 2. Everytime I drive it ends up costing me more money. The transmission lines were replaced last summer for the same issue. …
I only had 27050 miles when brake lines, burst luckily traveling only 5 MPH. I had to replace all brake lines, rear brake calipers. Then at 28,640 miles I had to replace the master cylinder. What in the world is GM doing? What happened to the quality of GM?
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 a good car?
Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Sierra 3500 rates better than average: 55% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Sierra 3500 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500?
The brakes — 3 complaints, 43% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the seat belts (1) and air bags (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 GMC Sierra 3500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the GMC Sierra 3500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2020, 2023, 2025 and 2022. See the full GMC Sierra 3500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Sierra 3500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 71,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.