2003 GMC Sierra 1500

Routine

Owners filed 180 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.

Not among the GMC Sierra 1500 years to avoid. Which GMC Sierra 1500 years to avoid →

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
75,000 milesMedian miles at failure

162 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,000–75,000 miles.

Most common 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 problems

100 of the 180 complaints (56%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes · brakes54
501
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel31
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes29
200
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes11
000
Electrical System9
010
Steering7
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · brakes5
100
Air Bags · airbags4
204
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Sector3
000
Fuel System, Gasoline · fuel system3
000

4 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Wheels › Hub07E106000
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.

Risk. WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Service Brakes, Air06E050000
Filed Jun 6, 20066,800 vehiclesFederal-Mogul Corporation

Defect. CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL NATIONAL AND CARQUEST AFTERMARKET HUB ASSEMBLIES, P/N 515058, SOLD FOR USE ON 2001-2006 GENERAL MOTORS 1500 AND 2500 4WD TRUCKS. ON THE SUBJECT HUB ASSEMBLIES, THE ABS SENSOR CORD DEPARTS FROM THE HUB ASSEMBLY AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. AS A RESULT, THERE IS A FIT ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE ROTOR DUST SHIELD INTERFERING WITH THE ABS SENSOR CORD. IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY IS INSTALLED DESPITE THIS INTERFERENCE, THE GAP BETWEEN THE ABS SENSOR AND THE TONE WHEEL MAY BE ALTERED. THIS MAY WEAKEN THE OUTPUT OF THE ABS SENSOR. DIMINISHED OUTPUT COULD RESULT IN AN UNWANTED ABS ACTIVATION AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPING DISTANCE COULD BE AFFECTED.

Risk. IF STOPPING DISTANCE IS LIMITED, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY ITS OWNERS AND WILL EITHER CREDIT THE CUSTOMERS ACCOUNT OR REPLACE THE UNIT. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2006. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-563-8507 EXT 3530.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E043000
Filed May 19, 200688,303 vehiclesHoneywell International, Inc.

Defect. CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Equipment Adaptive/Mobility04V562000
Filed Nov 26, 20041,660 vehiclesMobility Works

Defect. ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH SURE-LOK WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT SYSTEMS, THE SPROCKET TEETH OF THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, THE WHEELCHAIR MAY NOT BE ADEQUATELY SECURED POSSIBLY RESULTING IN INJURIES TO A WHEELCHAIR OCCUPANT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE WHEELCHAIR SECUREMENT RETRACTORS AS NECESSARY. SURE-LOK WILL HANDLE THE REPAIRS FOR THIS CAMPAIGN. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT SURE-LOCK AT 1-908-231-1804 OR MOBILITYWORKS AT 1-800-769-8267.

All 4 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Jan 8, 2024MI

UNKNOWN

Electrical System
Filed Jun 11, 2023NM

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?

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 20, 201990,000 milesMD

HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES CORRODED CAUSING LEAKS AND BRAKE FAILURE

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 2, 201976,000 milesTN

76000 MILES; ISSUE ONGOING BEGINNING IN NOVEMBER 2018 ON DRY PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEED (UNDER 10 MPH) BRAKING IS COMPROMISED BY ABS SYSTEM ENGAGEMENT ISSUE. BELOW 10 MPH, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGES CAUSING DRY PAVEMENT BRAKING TO BE DOUBLE OR TRIPLE THE NORMAL DISTANCE TO STOP PRIOR TO THE ABS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE ABS SYSTEM PULSING OF THE BRAKES AT SLOW SPEEDS ON DRY PAVEMENT IS UNEXPECTED. AT A STOP SIGN/CROSSWALK, THIS HAS CAUSED A VERY CLOSE ENCOUNTER. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 80000 MILES AND HAS BEEN SERVICED ROUTINELY BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. REPLACEMENT/SERVICE OF ABS SPEED SENSORS AND RUST ISSUE DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NEVER BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THE RECALL THAT EXISTS FOR THIS ISSUE. REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO DETERMINE WHY A VEHICLE WITH THIS MILEAGE HAS THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND GM HAS PROVIDED NO RELIEF.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jul 8, 2018203,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH IN TOWN, THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SIGNALED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE AND THEN I LOST ALL BRAKE PRESSURE. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE! THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS LIGHTS OR WARNING SIGNALS NOTIFYING OF A BRAKE PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS. THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THE ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS FULL. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION, IT APPEARS THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED CAUSING THE BRAKE FAILURE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2018127,600 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE CONTACT SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT ABRUPTLY PULLED IN FRONT OF HIS VEHICLE. THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THAT HE COULD REPAIR THE FAILURE BY CUTTING OUT THE ROTTED SECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE AND REPLACING IT WITH A NEW SECTION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,600. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 30, 201882,000 milesMI

LOSS OF BRAKES DUE TO RUSTED THROUGH BRAKE LINES. WHILE PULLING A TRAILER WITH PONTOON BOAT, ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN STOPPING I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES. JUST CAME OFF THE FREEWAY BUT WAS GOING SLOW WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. NEED TO REPLACE NOW. ALSO, RUSTED THROUGH POWER STEERING LINES. ALREADY REPLACED. ALSO, RUSTED TRANS COOLER LINES. WILL NEED TO REPLACE SOON.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Nov 30, 201780,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JOHN PAUL'S BUICK GMC (3615 S 108TH ST, GREENFIELD, WI 53228 (414) 482-6246) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURED EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKET. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. .*BF CONSUMER STATED WIFE SMELLED EXHAUST FUMES, CONSUMER CANNOT SMELL AND WAS GETTING HEADACHES AFTER DRIVING. PROBLEM IS FROM THE EXHAUST FUMES. UPDATED 8/15/18*JB

Engine
Filed Jun 13, 201746,000 milesVA

MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 PRESENTLY HAS 67,631 MILES ON IT. WITH ABOUT 46,000 MILES ON MY TRUCK AT THE END OF 2011, I NOTICED LOW COOLANT, BUT COULD NOT FIND A NOTICEABLE LEAK. I CONTINUED TO ADD COOLANT, BUT COULD NEVER FIND THE LEAK. WHILE HAVING MY OIL CHANGED IN JUNE 2016, THE DEALER (WHERE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PURCHASED AND SERVICED) SAID COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO THE OIL DUE TO A CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD, AND ESTIMATED APPROX $3500 TO FIX IT. IN DEC 2016, THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE ENGINE AT $6600. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, I FOUND GM SERVICE BULLETIN #06-06-01-019B, 12 JUNE 2007, SUBJECT INFORMATION ON GRADUAL COOLANT LOSS OVER TIME WITH NO EVIDENCE OF LEAK FOUND. IT DISCUSSES A KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT WITH CASTECH HEADS USED IN THE 5.3L VORTEC ENGINE AS I HAVE IN MY TRUCK. SUBSEQUENT ONLINE SEARCHES INDICATED THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG SUCH GM ENGINES. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN AND ASKED WHAT GM WOULD DO TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF THIS KNOWN MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE DEALER SAID THE VEHICLE WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY SO THEY WOULDN'T DO HELP. I REQUESTED ASSISTANCE THROUGH THE GM REGIONAL REP, AND WAS ALSO TOLD THEY WOULD DO NOTHING. IN MARCH 2017, I WROTE A LETTER TO GM CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER REQUESTING ASSISTANCE. GM RESPONDED WITH A LETTER TWO WEEKS LATER STATING THAT FOR SERVICE REQUEST NUMBER 8-2815264552, THEY "CANNOT PROVIDE ANY COST ASSISTANCE ON THE ENGINE ISSUE ON THE VEHICLE." FURTHER THEY STATED THERE IS NO RECALL OR SPECIAL CO

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2017117,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER (BETTEN BAKER GMC LOCATED AT 749 W MAIN ST, LOWELL, MI, 49331) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR BRAKES HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE CONTACT OBSERVED A PUDDLE UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER DOOR AND REALIZED IT WAS BRAKE FLUID. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE PAINT ON THE FRAME WAS FAILING AND WAS WET DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE LEAKAGE OF THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE TO SEE THE COMPLAINTS ON HIS VEHICLE AND FOUND A CLOSED INVESTIGATION DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (BRAKES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 8, 2017180,000 milesMO

MY TRUCK HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS, BUT THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING AMISS THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT. THE TRUCK IS PARKED AT THE TOP OF A APPROX. 40FT. LONG DRIVEWAY THAT IS MODERATELY STEEP. I STARTED THE TRUCK AND SLOWLY BEGAN BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT FLEW DOWN THE DRIVEWAY, GOING BETWEEN A PARKED CAR AND ANOTHER STEEP HILL, WINDING UP IN MY NEIGHBORS FRONT YARD, WHERE I MANAGED TO ABRUPTLY TURN IT AND BRING IT TO A STOP BEFORE GOING THRU HIS LIVING ROOM. FREQUENTLY, THERE ARE AS MANY AS 6TO8 KIDS PLAYING THERE, BUT BEING A BAD WEATHER DAY(COLD),, LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOBODY THERE. THE POSSIBILITIES OF A TERRIBLE DISASTER ARE FRIGHTENING. AS IT STANDS, THE ONLY 'DISASTERS' ARE THE RUTS IN MY NEIGHBORS YARD, A DESTROYED RECYCLING CONTAINER AND MY BANK ACCOUNT,-TO A TUNE OF JUST OVER 1700$. MY MECHANIC SAYS HE HAS DONE OVER A HALF DOZEN OF THESE REPAIRS LATELY. TO MY WAY OF THINKING, GM IS SERIOUSLY NEGLIGENT REGARDING THIS PROBLEM, WHICH I HAVE DISCOVERED IS FAIRLY COMMON. ARE THEY WAITING TO SEE HOW MANY HORRIFIC EVENTS OCCUR BEFORE ADDRESSING THIS? AT THE VERY LEAST, THEY SHOULD GIVE REIMBURSEMENT TO THOSE OF US THAT HAVE GONE THRU THIS. AND WHERE IS NHTSA'S ACTION ON THIS ISSUE??? *TR

Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2016177,000 milesWI

I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHEN TURNING AT LOW SPEED AT TIMES THE POWER STEERING GOES OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS THEN COMES BACK. YESTERDAY I ALMOST HIT A CAR HEAD ON DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I WAS TURNING INTO A GAS STATION AND THE STEERING WENT OUT. A CAR WAS PULLING OUT OF THE STATION AS I WAS PULLING IN AND THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. I WAS GOING STRAIGHT AT AND I STRUGGLED THROUGH IT TO MAKE THE TRUCK TURN. IF MY WIFE WOULD HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE TRUCK, THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS BUT YESTERDAY WAS A CLOSE CALL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 201680,000 milesNJ

STARTED MY VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SHIFT TO DRIVE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND ON THE DRIVER SIDE UNDER WHERE THE DRIVERS SEAT IS. THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING FROM A RUSTED BRAKE LINE. I'M LUCKY THIS HAPPENED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND NOT WHILE I NEEDED STOP BECAUSE IT WAS A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 201682,000 milesVA

BRAKES FAILED WHILE ON BOAT RAMP CAUSING BOAT TO KNOCK ME DOWN UNDER TRAILER AS I WAS PULLING DRAIN PLUG .DRIVER WAS ABLE TO APPLY PARKING BRAKE AND PUTTING TRUCK IN DRIVE . BRAKE LINES FAILED BRAKE PETAL WHEN TO FLOOR RUSTED LINES . THEN FOUND OUT THAT IS VERY COMMON WITH GM TRUCKS IN THIS YEAR . RESULT I AM PISSED , A NOTICE FROM GM WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE . WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I HAD TO STOP AT A INTERSECTION OR ON THE INTERSTATE.

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 2, 2016144,917 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,917.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 11, 201562,000 milesMI

THE ABS ACTIVATES AT LOW SPEED BRAKING UNDER DRY ROAD CONDITIONS WITHOUT THE TIRES LOCKING UP. THE BRAKE PEDAL VIBRATES AS IF I WERE ON ICE WITH THE TIRES LOCKED UP. BRAKING EFFECT IS REDUCED UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND WHEN IT DOES I CANNOT BE SURE IF I CAN STOP IN TIME BEFORE HITTING THE VEHICLE OR OBJECT IN FRONT OF ME.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 30, 201582,000 milesMI

82K MILES, ORIGINAL OWNER, WELL MAINTAINED AND GARAGED. HAD TO STOP AT A RED LIGHT AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION.LUCKILY NO OTHER CARS WERE AHEAD OF ME AND NOBODY WAS HURT. DIC LIGHTS CAME ON AND BRAKES HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE LIMPING MY VEHICLE BACK HOME.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 201550,000 milesNC

BRAKE LINE FAILURE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES WHILE DRIVING ON HWY OFF RAMP.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 2015150,000 milesMD

PULLING TO A STOP IN MY DRIVEWAY MY BRAKES SLOWED THE TRUCK AND THEN COMPLETELY GAVE WAY WITH THE PEDAL HITTING THE FLOOR. I STOMPED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PEDAL TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE PORCH. I AM SO LUCKY TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED OFF THE ROAD. THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A TRAGEDY ON THE HIGHWAY. TURNS OUT THAT MY BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED AND ONE OF THE 2 LINES COMING OFF THE MASTER CYLINDER NOW HAS A PINHOLE LEAK IMMEDIATELY ABOVE THE FRAME WHERE IT BENDS 90 DEGREES TO GO BACK TO THE ABS MANIFOLD. APPLYING THE BRAKES JUST SQUIRTS FLUID OUT OF THE LINE. I THOUGHT A SINGLE FAILURE WAS SUPPOSED TO RESULT IN REDUCED BRAKING POWER, NOT COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKES. NOTE THAT MY TRUCK IS IN OTHERWISE GREAT SHAPE AND I SIMPLY HAD NO IDEA. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE NHTSA HAS BEEN BAMBOOZLED BY GM. BRAKE LINES ARE A CRITICAL LIFE SAFETY SYSTEM, INSTALLED ON AND IN SOME PLACES IN THE CHASSIS BEFORE THE VEHICLE BODY AND BED ARE ATTACHED. IT IS NOT ROUTINE MAINTENANCE TO RINSE THE BRAKE LINES LET ALONE REPLACE THEM. GM PUSHING THIS BACK ON THE CUSTOMER IS COMPLETE BS. YOU CAN BUY NYLON COATED OR STAINLESS STEEL BRAKE LINES FOR LESS THAN 100 $. THE INCREMENTAL COST TO GO FROM STEEL TO SOMETHING THAT WOULD LAST THE OPERATIONAL LIFE OF THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 50 $. I'M WAITING ON AN ESTIMATE FROM MY NON-DEALER SHOP, BUT A DEALER CHARGING 3600 $ IS NOT SURPRISING CONSIDERING THE AMOUNT OF LABOR THAT MUST BE INVOLVED. THE NHTSA DECISION ON THE ISSUE IS UNCONSCIONABLE. GUESS IT MIGHT HAVE B

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 201596,000 milesMO

I WAS ON MY WAY HOME RUNNING 45 MPH IN LIGHT TRAFFIC. WHEN I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN AND MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. SCARED THE HELL OUT OF ME. I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THEM ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TURN AND LUCKILY I WAS ONLY THREE BLOCKS FROM MY HOME. I WAS ABLE TO COAST IT HOME. I RAISED THE HOOD AND ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE SO RUSTY. I HAD MY WIFE STEP ON THE BRAKE AND YOU CAN SEE ONE LINE BUSTED. I CHECKED WITH DEALER AND THEY DON'T OFFER REPLACEMENT PARTS. YOU HAVE PAY SOMEONE TO MAKE THE LINES FOR YOU.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 27, 201541,765 milesMO

TURNING INTO AN AUTO PARTS STORE, FROM THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR. MY TRUCK SLOWED BUT NOT ENOUGH IF ANYONE WALKING OR A CAR HAD BEEN THERE I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM. I WAS VERY LUCKY. OF THE FOUR BRAKE LINES ONE BURST, TWO WERE SEEPING, BUT NOT DRIPPING AND THE REAR LINE WAS ALMOST AS BAD AS THE OTHER LINES AND ITS A WONDER IT DIDN'T BREAK AT THE SAME TIME. GOING HOME I WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN A VERY STEEP HILL WITH A STOPLIGHT AND A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION. IT COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE TRUCK, SELDOM DRIVEN IN SNOW.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 22, 2015150,000 milesKY

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON I-75 AND STARTED DETECTING A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. I FOUND THAT THE FUEL LINE HAD RUSTED AND WAS SPRAYING GAS EVERYWHERE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT ALL THE LINES FOR THE FUEL AND BRAKE SYSTEM WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED TO AVOID CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURIES TO MYSELF AND OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED, BUT NO ACTION TAKEN. AS AN ADDED NOTE...I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW, IT IS KEPT IN THE GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME, AND I DO NOT LIVE IN A STATE THAT IS KNOWN FOR HEAVY SNOW FALL OR SALT USAGE. I ALSO HAVE A 1965 MODEL CAR THAT HAS NEVER HAD THE FUEL LINES OR BRAKE LINES REPLACED.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2015104,816 milesIL

I WAS TOWING MY 33' TRAVEL TRAILER WITH MY VERY WELL MAINTAINED 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500 PICK UP TRUCK. AFTER A FOUR AND A HALF HOUR TRIP ON THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH, I ARRIVED AT MY CAMPGROUND. AS I WAS BACKING MY TRAILER INTO MY CAMP SITE, MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY DASHBOARD LIT UP WITH WARNING LIGHTS. I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND GOT OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE TRUCK. RIGHT BELOW THE DRIVER SEAT, BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE WHICH HAD BURST OPEN. I HAD NO BRAKES. THANK GOD THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS BACKING THE TRAILER IN AT 2 MPH. MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS I WAS GOING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, TOWING A 33' TRAILER. I SHUTTER TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS LINE BURST WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY WIFE AND I WERE FREAKED OUT FOR DAYS THINKING ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND ENDURE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE BRAKE LINES, WHICH WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS BEING FIXED I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE MANY, MANY, COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM CONCERNING 1999 - 2003 GMC AND CHEVY PICK UP TRUCKS AND OTHER MODELS. GM CLAIMS THAT YOU WOULD STILL HAVE SOME BRAKES BECAUSE THERE ARE SEPARATE BRAKE LINES TO THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THIS IS TRUE, BUT I LOST SO MUCH FLUID, SO FAST, I HAD NO BRAKES. DOES SOMEONE ALWAYS HAVE TO DIE BEFORE THEY FORCE A RECALL? THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS MATTER AND

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 201542,000 milesTN

ON 8/9/15 AT APPROXIMATELY 3:25PM AN INDIVIDUAL PULL OUT IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM HITTING HIM, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BOARD. I NOTICED AT THE TIME THE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" INDICATION WAS SHOWING ON THE DRIVER CID. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK TO A SAFE LOCATION AND PARK IT. I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ALSO CHECKED AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID SHOOTING UP WHEN THE HOOD WAS UP. AT THAT TIME, HE NOTICED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. THE TRUCK WAS THEN TOWED TO CUNNINGHAM GMC IN SPRINGFIELD, TN.

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2015112,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FAILURE WAS DISPLAYED ACROSS THE MESSAGE BOARD AND A CHIME WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000. ..UPDATED 05-26-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH BRAKE LINES FAILED. UPDATED 11/20/2015*JS

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2015112,187 milesFL

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. ALL BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE. SPENT $1008 TO FIX THE VEHICLE. NO PREVIOUS WARNING, NO MESSAGE UNTIL THERE WAS THE COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 22, 2015110,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING TO THE STORE I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND IT WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR WITHOUT ANY PRE-WARNING OF A BRAKE ISSUE. I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CRASHING AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINE ROUTED OVER THE GAS TANK RUSTED THROUGH SPILLING OUT BRAKE FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR TO EMPTY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH NHTSA IS WELL AWARE OF THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON GM MODELS, SO I AM NOT TELLING YOU ANYTHING NEW. I EXPECT ALTERNATORS, STARTER MOTORS, AND OTHER MECHANICAL COMPONENTS TO FAIL AND NEED REPLACED BUT BRAKE LINES SHOULD BE MANUFACTURED USING STAINLESS STEEL. HOW CAN THIS BE ANY DIFFERENT THAN A CAR IGNITION TURNING OFF CAUSING POTENTIAL CRASHES AND LOSS OF LIFE. NHTSA SHOULD HAVE GM RECALL VEHICLES AND/OR REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THIS HIGHLY POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 13, 2015177,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FACE, KNEE, AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED HIP AND SHOULDER INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 21, 201456,455 milesVA

TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN IN TRAFFIC AND AS APPROACHING STOP LIGHT AND BRAKES WERE APPLIED PETAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND HAD TO SWERVE TO MISS STOPPED TRAFFIC. UPON INSPECTION BRAKE LINE ON DRIVERS FRONT SIDE OF TRUCK AND LAYING ON TOP OF THE FRAME WAS RUSTED ALMOST COMPLETELY IN HALF! QUICK THINKING AVOIDED ACCIDENT .THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ON CITY STREETS AND NEVER OFF ROAD FOUR WHEELING AND FEEL THIS IS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AS STAINLESS STEELS LINES SHOULD NOT RUST IN HALF IF IN FACT THEY ARE STAINLESS STEEL TO BEGIN WITH.TRUCK IS AT GMC NOW TO BE REPAIRED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 11, 201444,300 milesIL

WHILE HAVING MY VEHICLE CHECK OVER FOR THE WINTER, THE MECHANIC INFORM ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES ARE VERY RUSTY AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES AND THE COOLING LINES GOING TO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS SITUATION IS VERY DISTURBING SINCE I HAVE VERY LOW MILEAGE. THE TUBING USED FOR THE BRAKE AS WELL AS THE FUEL LINES SHOULD BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND RUSTING FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE MATERIAL USED BY GM WAS NOT UP TO SPECIFICATION AS FAR AS CORROSION PROTECTION EITHER COMPENSATION TO REPAIR IT IS IN ORDER A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE.

Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel
Filed Nov 25, 2014135,000 milesLA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE BOTH INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Engine
Filed Nov 21, 2014202,200 milesFL

I WAS DRIVING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE TRUCK SORTA HESITATED AND LOST ALL ENGINE POWER AT WHICH POINT I NOTICED THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER WARNING CAME ON AND I TRIED ACCELERATING TO TRY AND MAYBE TRAVEL ALONG TO PULL OVER AT A SAFE PLACE AND COME TO FIND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AT ALL, I HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE ONTO THE GRASS ALONGSIDE THE ROAD BUT MY FEAR IS THAT I LIVE CLOSE TO ORLANDO, FL AND TRAVEL THERE AT TIMES LUCKILY THIS HAS NOT OCCURRED WHILE THERE AS THERE ARE 3-4 LANE HIGHWAYS POTENTIALLY PUTTING ME & OTHERS IN A FATAL POSITION IF I AM CAUGHT IN A CENTER LANE BUT I TRY TO AVOID THIS FOR THE MOST PART, I EITHER TRAVEL ON THE FAR LEFT OR FAR RIGHT GIVING ME ACCESS TO THE EMERGENCY SHOULDER IF NEEDED, BUT NOT SURE WHAT TO DO IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM AS I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND NOT SURE HOW TO GO ABOUT CHECKING IF THIS IS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUE OR NOT AS I AM NOT ABLE TO AFFORD A PROBLEM LIKE THIS RIGHT NOW FINANCIALLY...AND THIS HAS OCCURRED LIKE AFTER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE LIKE IN THREE MONTHS FOLLOWING THE PURCHASE AND CONTINUED LIKE EVERY OTHER WEEK FOR LIKE THREE MONTHS STRAIGHT IT HAS NOW CUT DOWN TO LIKE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS OR SO, THE LATEST OCCURRING NOV 21, 2014. *TR

Suspension
Filed Nov 15, 2014104,000 milesNY

LOUD NOISES FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL, LIKE A LOOSE PART, THEN A GRINDING SOUND. SUSPECT IT WAS NOT FIXED IN RECALL. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 26, 201470,000 milesMA

ENTERED 1ST LANE OF TRAFFIC , ACCELERATED AND ENTERED SECOND LANE. AT THAT TIME TRAFFIC SLOWED ABRUPTLY. APPLIED PRESSURE TO BRAKE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR--PUMPED BRAKE, TOTAL FAILURE CAUSING ME TO HIT VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE, HOWEVER TRACTOR TRAILER WAS BEHIND HONKING HORN , CAME WITHIN INCHES OF HITTING ME. WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED, FORCED TRUCK TO BREAKDOWN LANE. LUCKILY NO INJURIES--JUST CAR DAMAGE INCLUDING A NEW FRONT BUMPER THAT HAD JUST BEEN REPLACED DUE TO CHRONIC GM RUSTING. TOW TRUCK ARRIVED--DRIVER NOTICES SEVERE BRAKE FLUID DRAINAGE ON GROUND AND ON TRUCK BED WHEN RAISED UP. TRUCK BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP, WHERE MECHANIC REPORTED ALL BRAKE LINES BURST DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. MECHANIC STATED--NO WONDER YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES BECAUSE ALL LINES FAILED--NOT SURPRISED DUE TO GMC HAVING BRAKE LINE ISSUES. NEEDLESS TO SAY--TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE UNDER DIFFERENT TRAFFIC CONDITIONS. THINK ABOUT CHILD RUNNING ACROSS ROAD--TRACTOR TRAILER NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP IN TIME....HIGHER SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY-- THINK ABOUT IT--I CERTAINLY AM!!! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 2014120,000 milesOH

ATTEMPTED TO STOP AT RED LIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. SWERVED TO NOT REAR-END CAR IN FRONT. RAN RED LIGHT BECAUSE UNABLE TO STOP. PULLED INTO RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET AND SLAMMED INTO PARK. BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THE TRUCK. NOT TOWING ANY LOAD. NO LOAD IN TRUCK BED. UPON INVESTIGATION AFTER STOPPING, BRAKE FLUID SPRAYING OUT LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE NEAR AXLE WHEN PEDAL DEPRESSED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 15, 2014199,000 milesMI

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO USE BRAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (70-75 MPH), PEDAL WENT IMMEDIATELY TO FLOOR WITH VERY LITTLE EFFORT. PEDAL HAD HELD FIRM MOMENTS BEFORE. NO REDUCTION IN SPEED FROM PUMPING PEDAL. NO WARNING OF MALFUNCTION UNTIL DANGER WAS IMMINENT. A CERTAIN CRASH WAS AVOIDED IF EVASIVE DRIVING WAS NOT IMPLEMENTED WITH A COMBINATION OF SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, KICKING ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND SHIFTING TO THE BERM. STOPPING DISTANCE ESTIMATED TO BE AT LEAST A HALF MILE TO 3/4. VEHICLE SUFFERED MINOR FRONT END DAMAGE FROM USING THE BERM TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, A HARD STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE ABOVE FRAME HAD FULLY RUSTED THROUGH. IT HAD COME APART WITH A LARGE WINDOW, RATHER THAN A SMALL PERFORATION WHICH WOULD HAVE ALLOWED SOME BRAKE MODULATION. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 201475,000 milesOH

BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2014135,000 milesVT

BRAKE LINE CORROSION CAUSED REAR DRIVERS SIDE STEEL LINE TO BURST AND LOSE MOST OF THE TRUCK'S BRAKING ABILITY. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY AT THE TIME. IN ADDITION TO THE LINE THAT RUSTED THROUGH, ALL LINES WILL NEED REPLACING AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jun 6, 2014150,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS AND THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 8/19/14*CN

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 201466,500 milesMI

DRIVING DOWN MIDDLEBELT ROAD COMING UP TO A RED LIGHT I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, TRUCK FINALLY CAME TO STOP, LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING OUT OF RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LINE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 12, 201451,850 milesMD

I WAS BACKING UP A TRAILER WITH MY 2003 GMC SIERRA AND TRIED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT STOP. CHECKED OUT THE BRAKES AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED BAD AND ONE HAD FAILED. I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK FOR THAT TIME PERIOD. READING ABOUT OTHER COMPLAINTS AND THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM . THIS IS NOT NORMAL AND VERY DANGEROUS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WARRANTS A RECALL TO REPLACE THESE BRAKE LINES. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! THERE ARE NO WARNINGS, AND MOST OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES, LIKE MYSELF ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT MAKES ME SICK TO KNOW THAT GM IS AWARE OF THE POOR CHOICE OF MATERIALS THEY USED TO MAKE THESE BRAKE LINES AND BY DOING SO PUTTING OUR LOVE ONES IN DANGER AND PUT MONEY FIRST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 201467,000 milesIL

YOU MUST TAKE ACTION ON THE GM BRAKE LINES IN THE EARLY 2000 TRUCKS. THE CORROSION IS NOT NORMAL COMPARED TO OTHER VEHICLES. EITHER THE METAL IS THINNER OR THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE METALLURGY ALLOWING INCREASE CORROSION. WITH THE WORST WINTER IN RECENT MEMORY, THESE BRAKE LINES WERE SUBJECTED TO MORE SALT THAN EVER. I REALIZE THAT THERE ARE TWO SETS OF BRAKE LINES AND IF ONE OF THEM FAILS THE VEHICLE STILL MAY STOP ALBEIT AT AN INCREASE DISTANCE. WHILE THIS MAY BE FINE FOR A SMALL CAR. THE VEHICLES WE ARE DEALING WITH ARE LARGE VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LINES ARE SUBJECTED TO THE MOST PRESSURE WHEN THE BEDS ARE LOADED AND/OR PULLING A TRAILER. THAT ALSO IS THE WORST TIME FOR THE BRAKE LINES TO FAIL. THESE VEHICLES ARE ALSO THE LEAST MANEUVERABLE IN CASE EVASIVE ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN. ARE WE JUST WAITING FOR A FEW DEATHS FIRST?? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 21, 2014135,250 milesVA

APPLIED BRAKES WHEN A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE TRUCK. STEEL BRAKE LINE FEEDING THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE RUPTURED AS A RESULT OF CORROSION JUST ABOVE THE FITTING WHERE THE STEEL LINE CONNECTS TO THE BRAKE HOSE. PEDAL IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE FLOOR, BOTH BRAKING CIRCUITS FAILED. HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE TO BRING THE TRUCK TO A STOP. VEHICLE IS NOT A SOUTHERN VEHICLE - WAS IN VERMONT FROM PURCHASE IN EARLY 2003 UNTIL MOVING TO VIRGINIA IN AUGUST OF 2013. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Apr 5, 2014110,500 milesIL

PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ON EXIT RAMP. NO WARNING. TRUCK WENT OFF ROAD TO AVOID CARS STOPPED AT RAMP END. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 201459,500 milesMA

BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 20, 2014113,635 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HE APPROACHED A STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO DRIVE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INSPECTED AND ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,635 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,599.

Service BrakesCrash1 injured
Filed Mar 19, 2014100,000 milesMI

WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A LIGHT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY MY BRAKE LINES BURST IN TWO PLACES FAILED FROM BEING WEAKEN BY RUST....I HAD NO CHANCE TO STOP OR ADVERT THE CAR AND CRASHED INTO AND TOTALED A NEW BUICK.....THE DRIVER WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL...THE FRONT OF MY TRUCK NEED REPAIR....GM MADE THE LINES OUT OF STEEL EVEN THOUGHT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND FUEL LINE WERE MADE OUT OF RUST RESISTANT MATERIAL ( GO FIGURE)....I HAVE MY TRUCK SERVICED AT THE LOCAL GM DEALERS AND THEY NEVER MENTIONED THE POTENTIAL HAZARD....WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE.....I HAD ALSO BEEN ON THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL NEWS YET GM BUT THEY NEVER ADVISE ME OF THIS CONDITION, AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER....UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES IT COULD OF BEEN MUCH WORSE...MY INSURANCE WENT UP 1000.00 AND THE AGENT SAID THE BREAK LINES ON HER GM TRUCK HAD JUST BURST AND CRASHED IN A DITCH...PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THEIR CARS LONGER AND THERES GOING TO BE A BAD ACCIDENT...I SEE ON THE NET YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING IT FOR SEVERAL YEARS, YET NO ACTION....YOU COULD AT THE VERY LEAST ADVISE OWNERS OF THE DANGER....I FILED A CLAIM WITH GM FOR HELP IN THIS MATTER AND WAS DENIED BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD THE BRAKE LINED REPAIRED.... *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 14, 2014118,000 milesPA

DURING MAJOR SNOW FALL AFTER NEW YEAR 2014, UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK, WITH MY WIFE AND ANOTHER PASSENGER, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND MY BRAKE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR, NOTHING, NO BRAKES. I NEARLY DROVE THROUGH GARAGE DOOR. I HAD TO CUT THE WHEEL AND PUNCH THE GAS TO PERFORM A "HALF DOUGHNUT" TO AVOID HITTING MY HOUSE. HAD THERE NOT BEEN SIGNIFIGANT SNOW ON THE GROUND, THIS MANEUVER WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE. THE FOLLOWING DAY WHILE NAVIGATING VEHICLE INTO GARAGE, WE HAD AN INCIDENT , CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO TRUCK & GARAGE. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE EXTREMELY FRAGILE DO TO RUST. 2 LINES FROM PROPORTIONING VALVE TO ABS UNIT, & 2 LINES FROM ABS UNIT TO FRONT WHEELS DETERIORATED UNDER BODY NEAR CHASIS. ONE OF THE LINES FROM PROP VALVE TO ABS FAILED, LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. I WENT TO ABELOFF GMC WHERE I WAS INFORMED ONLY LINES FROM PROP VALVE TO ABS WHERE AVAILABLE. I PURCHASED AND CHANGED THEM. HOWEVER, AS I SUSPECTED THE FRONT LINES WOULD LEAK DUE TO THE FACT THEY WOULD BE DISTURBED WHILE CHANGING PROP V. TO ABS LINES. THEY FAILED BEFORE I GOT THE TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE, CAUSING A MINOR ACCIDENT IN GARAGE . I THEN FOUND A COMPANY ONLINE, CLASSIC TUBE, WHICH PROVIDED ME WITH A KIT CONTAINING ALL BRAKE LINES MADE FROM STAINLESS STEEL. SO, NOT ONLY COULD WE HAVE QUITE POSSIBLY BEEN KILLED, BUT I NOW HAVE [2] EXTRA BRAKE LINES THAT COST ME $125.00 THAT I DON'T NEED. GM COULD AT LEAST HAD THE DECENCY TO MAKE ALL THE LINES AVAILEABLE. I ALSO DISCOVERED T

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 4, 201497,800 milesAR

THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AND ALL BREAKING POWER STOPPED. I NEARLY SLID INTO THE INTERSECTING STREET WITH TRAFFIC COMING. THE ROADS WERE ICY/SNOWY, BUT NO STORM WAS OCCURRING ON THIS NIGHT. THE TEMP. OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 0 DEGREES IN NH. I HAD IT REPAIRED AND THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SPOT JUST UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WAS THE FIRST PART TO RUPTURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 16, 201368,000 milesKY

AFTER STARTING THE TRUCK, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. UPON PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, MY FOOT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A LOUD POP/SNAP NOISE WAS HEARD. THE REAR STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD CORRODED AND BURST. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND BEING INSPECTED, I WAS TOLD THAT ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ALSO NOTED THE EXTREMELY HIGH FAILURE RATE OF THE BRAKE LINES IN FULL SIZE GM VEHICLES FROM THAT TIME PERIOD. THIS IS THE SECOND GM TRUCK I HAVE OWNED THAT A BRAKE LINE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED; EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE WITH MY 1992 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 180, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
2026147200Do not drive
2025125110Routine
2024379100Above average
2023506320Above average
2022602650Above average
2021599760Above average
20204841250Above average
20196581030Above average
2018305710Above average
2017355640Above average
20163438130Do not drive
2015720990Above average
2014743971Fatalities reported
2013116310Routine
2012107300Routine
2011284530Above average
2010168420Routine
2009234440Above average
2008381250Above average
2007263320Above average
2006145251Fatalities reported
2005177390Routine
2004212510Above average
2003 — this page180440Routine
2002166400Routine
2001140500Routine
2000181300Routine
1999158400Routine
199859420Routine
199783500Routine
19965010Routine
19953010Routine
199413000Routine

Compare every Sierra 1500 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Dec 17, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.