GMC Sierra Complaints (2003)

570 consumer complaints on file.

#10107866January 25, 2005
STEERING
I HAVE EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN I STEER MY 2003 GMC SIERRA PICK UP TRUCK. THE VIBRATION IS DISTRACTING AND I WAS WORRIED THAT THERE MAY BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM SO I TOOK IT INTO THE GMC DEALER TO BE LOOKED AT. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT AND THAT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. HOWEVER, I FEEL THAT ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE IF IT WAS TO FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE RESULTS COULD BE CATASTROPHIC. THE VIBRATION ALSO CREATES UNNECESSARY DISTRACTION, WHICH IS ALSO A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER AND GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE HAVE INFORMED ME THAT THERE ARE 200,000 INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFTS ON BACK ORDER - SO THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME IT COULD BE 3 MONTHS BEFORE I COULD GET THIS REPLACED. MY TRUCK IS ONLY 1 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 52,000 MILES. THERE CURRENTLY IS NO RECALL. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GMC (SERVICE REQUEST # 1-304994219), BUT I DO NOT THINK THERE RESPONSE WAS ADEQUATE. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE SHAFTS WERE READY AND THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY NOT PERFORMING THIS WORK UNDER A RECALL. THERE LACK OF CONCERN WAS TROUBLING AND I DO NOT WANT TO TRUST MY FAMILIES SAFETY TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE AGENT, WHICH HAS BEEN DIRECTED ON WHAT TO SAY. I HAVE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT RESULTING FROM THIS PROBLEM YET, BUT I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106394January 15, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
2003 GMC SIERRA CREWCAB 4X4 LONG BED 8.0LT. (1) I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING SYSTEM THAT WHEN I AM AT IDLE, STOPPED OR SITTING WITH MY FOOT OFF THE BREAKS I CAN HARDLY TURN THE WHEEL. ONLY WHEN I MOVE THE VEHICLE SOME CAN I THEN TURN THE WHEEL AND STILL IT CAN BE DIFFICULT. (2) THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE HYDROBOOST SYSTEM IN AN EFFORT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND BOTH TIMES WHEN I PICKED IT UP IT STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM SITTING RIGHT THERE IN THE DEALERSHIP. (3) THIS PROBLEM I BELIEVE IS IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT FLOW TO HANDLE THE FRICTION THE TIRES CREATE AT STOPPED OR SLOW MOVEMENT. MAYBE A HIGHER FLOW UPGRADE PUMP IS IN ORDER HERE BUT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME NOT TO BRING IT BACK ANYMORE FOR THIS AS THERE IS A REMEDY COMING OUT SOON. I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A YEAR NOW WITH THE PROBLEM GETTING WORSE AND NO RECALL BEING ISSUED. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106063January 10, 2005
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR
AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES I STARTED HEARING A SLIGHT KNOCKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHILE SLIGHTLY TURNING TO THE RIGHT, AND WHILE HITTING MINOR BUMPS IN THE ROAD. NOW AT ABOUT 22,500 MILES IT CONTINUES TO GET WORSE. BEING A FORMER MECHANIC I CHECKED IT OUT AND FOUND THE UPPER STEERING SHAFT U-JOINT, BY THE FIREWALL, TO BE THE CAUSE. I CALLED THE DEALER AND TALKED TO THE PARTS DEPARMENT. THE PARTS GUY SAID IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND YOU HAVE TO REPLACE THE COMPLETE SHAFT AND U-JOINTS. "THERE ARE ABOUT 400,000 ON BACK ORDER." IT WILL TAKE MONTHS TO GET IT IN. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE PROBLEM AT THIS TIME. WHY NOT NHTS, WITH THIS MANY NEEDING TO BE REPLACED.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10105148December 21, 2004
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR, STEERING:COLUMN
THE STEERING COLUMN EXPERIENCED A CRACKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING 1-25 MPH, AND WHILE MAKING TURNS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPACKED THE STEERING COLUMN WITH GREASE. AFTER 22,000 MILES THE PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE STEERING SHAFT WAS TOO SHORT, AND THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW SHAFT. CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR THE PART.*AK......CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT IF THIS SHORT SHAFT IS WORKING UP AND DOWN, CONNECTED TO STEERING BOX, THEN TO TIE RODS, MEANS EVERYTHING IS MOVING. CONSUMER WA SCONCERNED THAT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099418December 10, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
THE BRAKE PADS FELL OFF. AS A RESULT THE ROTORS WERE RUINED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10099933November 15, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR, SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING
VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISE. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE TIRES CHECKED. FRONT TIRE AXLE NUT WAS FOUND TO BE LOOSE. ALSO, THE ROTORS AND BEARINGS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10098231November 3, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA PICKUP.MY PROBLEM IS THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY.I HAD 150 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN THE TRANS BLEW,NOW A CLUNKLING NOISE EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE SHIFTS.GM CALLS THIS A DOWNSHIFT CLUNK NOISE AND HAS ISSUED A TSB REQUESTING DEALERS NOT TO ATTEMPT REPAIR.THIS IS A LOUD CLUNK WHICH SLAMS INTO THE DIFFERENTIAL.I HAVE CONTACTED GM TO NO AVAIL ETC RUNAROUND. IS THERE ANY PLACE TO GET HELP FOR ME AND POSSIBLY MANY OTHERS?*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096476October 27, 2004
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:INTERIOR
THE THERMOMETER IN THE MIRROR THAT READS THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY WHEN THE SNOWPLOW IS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN SNOWPLOWING, IT IS CRITICAL TO KNOW THE FREEZING POINT, AND IS THE TIME THAT THE THERMOMETER IS NEEDED THE MOST.GIVING AN INACCURATE TEMPERATURE (ABOVE FREEZING WHEN IT IS REALLY BELOW FREEZING) WILL CAUSE SKIDDING ACCIDENTS. THE DEALER AND THE GMC FACTORY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THE "DESIGN DEFECT" BUT HAVE FAILED TO CORRECT IT OR OFFER A REFUND FOR THE COST OF THE THERMOMETER OPTION. DEALER HAS REPLACED TEMPERTATURE SENSOR, BUT ITS LOCATION IS WHAT PREVENTS IT FROM WORKING WHEN THE SNOWPLOW IS ATTACHED. I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER TO RELOCATE THE SENSOR, BUT THEY SAID THEY CANNOT ALTER THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN. THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT ON ALL 2003 & 2004 GMC PICK UP TRUCKS WITH SNOWPLOWS ATTACHED, AND YET GMC HAS OFFERED TO DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. BEAR IN MIND, THESE VEHICLES ARE BEING MARKETED WITH "COLD CLIMATE" PACKAGES AND DEALER INSTALLED SNOWPLOWS. A SKIDDING ACCIDENT CAN AND WILL RESULT WHEN THE THERMOMETER READS 45 DEGREES FARENHEIT AND IT IS ACTUALLY 28 DEGREES FARENHEIT OUTSIDE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097790October 26, 2004
WHEELS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 70 MPH, AND WAS UNABLE ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT CRASHED INTO DITCH. BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. CONSUMER HAD AFTER MARKET PRODUCT FOOSE WHEEL. WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SHEARED OFF. THIS CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10097305October 20, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
NHTSA RECALL 04V129000 SUBJECT: TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE TAILGATE CABLES WERE NOT BROKEN. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10096018October 19, 2004
STEERING
STEERING PROBLEMS ON MY 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500HD. IT MAKES A "CLUNK" SOUND WHEN TURNING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THEY INSTALLED AN RE-ENGINEERED STEERING COLUMN, BUT PROBLEMS STILL PERSISTS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10095897October 17, 2004
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:UNIVERSAL JOINT, POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
2003 GMC SIERRA 3/4 TON, 8.1 LITRE ENGINE WITH ALLISON TRANSMISSION-GM SAYS THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVESHAFT WHERE IT GOES IN TO THE REAR END. EVERY 10,000 TO 15,000 MILES IT MUST BE REMOVED AND CLEANED, GREASED AND REPLACED. THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PLACE THIS ON A RECALL LIST AND SAY IN THE FUTURE IT WILL BE A MAINTENANCE ITEM AND IT WILL BE DONE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE EVERY 2 OR 3 OIL CHANGES. AS FOR MINE THEY WILL DO IT FOR A SHORT TIME LONGER AND THEN IT WILL BE MY PROBLEM-THIS IS A DEFINITE DEFECT THEY ACKNOWLEDGE BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT ALREADY HAVE THIS PROBLEM, IF YOU ARE ALREADY OUT OF ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND DID NOT PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY YOU WILL JUST HAVE TO PAY OUT OF YOUR OWN POCKET,THEM KNOWING FULLY ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10093939October 11, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I AM AN ATTORNEY IN AKRON, OHIO AND I REPRESENT THE FAMILY OF A MAN THAT DIED AND A MAN WHO SUFFERED SERIOUS BRAIN INJURIES WHILE RIDING ON THE TAILGATE OF A 2003 GMC SIERRA WHEN THE TAILGATE STRAPS BROKE. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
1
#10093798October 8, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I DRIVE A 2003 GMC SIERRA AND THERE IS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IT MAKES THE DRIVING VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY. SPEED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT STAY STRAIT IT EITHER PULLS TO THE LEFT OR TO THE RIGHT. THE FEEL OF THE VEHICLE ISN'T RIGHT LIKE IF ITS DOG TRACKING. THERE ARE CLONKING AND TICKING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION JUST FROM SHIFTING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE,REVERSE TO DRIVE...PARK. WHILE DRIVING WHEN ENGAGING THE PASSING GEAR SOMETIMES YOU HEAR THAT CLONKING SOUND LIKE IF THERE WAS A SLACK IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THIS VEHICLE SINCE JULY 2004 AND SINCE THEN I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP A NUMBER OF TIMES EVERYTIME THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING WAS OK AND SHOWED ME PAPERWORK STATING FROM GM CANADA THAT CLONKING, TICKING ETC. ETC. WERE NORMAL OPERATION OF THE TRANSMISSION. IT CANT BE CAUSE I HAD A 2001 GMC TRUCK WHICH I TRADED FOR, THAT DROVE LIKE A TRUCK THIS ONE I HAVE NOW DRIVES LIKE A TANK. EVERY HOLE OR CRACK IN THE ROAD I CAN FEEL WHEN I HIT A SMALL HOLE OR A DIP IN THE PAVE THE VEHICLE WANTS TO DOG TRACK MOST OF THE TIME THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE LEFT, WHEN IT DOES THERE IS A SLIGHT VIBRATION YOU CAN FEEL FROM THE ACCELERATOR OR THE BRAKE. THIS VEHICLE I FIND IS A ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. ITS A BIG VEHICLE AND TO SWERVE SIDE TO SIDE SCARES OTHER VEHICLES ON THE HIGHWAY, WHICH PUTS EVERYBODY AT RISK EVERYTIME I'M ON THE ROAD. FROM ALL THESE COMPLAINTS I DID TO GM STILL TODAY THEY TELL ME AND SHOW ME PAPERWORK FROM GM TECH LINE. STATING THAT EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND NO WORK FROM THERE PART SHOULD BE DONE ON THIS TRUCK. IT'S LIKE IF GM HAS PEOPLE WORKING ON THESE STATEMENTS JUST TO COVER THEMSELVES FROM HAVING TO REPAIR OR CHANGE PARTS IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY IN WHICH I WOULDN'T DOUGHT. IF YOU CAN HELP ME PLEASE. LET ME KNOW CAUSE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER WHICH I WOULD LIKE TO FIX BEFORE I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A CONTROVERSY INTO ALL OF THIS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083567September 8, 2004
SUSPENSION:REAR
PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SUSPENSION VIBRATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEVELOPING BULGES. PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS REPLACED, AND THE OTHER TIRES WERE ROTATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR TIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10088623August 26, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
AFTER DRIVING OVER ABOUT 40 MILES AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE TRANSMISSION WILL BEGIN SLIPPPING IN OD. RPM SLOWLY CLIMBS TO ABOUT 3200 (NORMALLY 2100 AT HIGHWAY SPEED) WITH NO CHANGE IN VEHICLE SPEED, AND EVENTUALLY THE 'TRANSMISSION HIGH TEMPERATURE' WARNING APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD DISPLAY. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND ALLOWING THE ENGINE TO IDLE FOR ABOUT 20 SECONDS AND THEN RETURNING TO DRIVE WILL TEMPORARILY CLEAR THE PROBLEM, BUT IT SOMETIMES RETURNS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083555August 16, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND WORE OUT PREMATURELY AT 7,700 MILES. THE FLOOR MANAGER AY THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND TO THIS DATE HAD NOT RESPONDED. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10086146August 4, 2004
TIRES:TREAD/BELT, TIRES
FIRE STONE STEELTEX TIRE NOT COVERED BY LATEST RECAL. TIRES ARE COMMING APPART AT 30K MILES. LARGE PEICES OF RUBBER MISSING FROM TIRE. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE UNDER TIRE WARRANTEE. I THINK THAT BECAUSE OF THE DEALER/MANUFACTURER'S REFUSAL TO ADMIT THAT THESE ISSUES ARE RELATED TO THE TIRES AND NOT THE "USE" YOU ARE GETTING INACCURATE DATA ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEFECTS IN THESE POOR QUALITY PRODUCTS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10083816July 29, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH THE FOUR-WHEELER WHICH WAS ON THE BED OF THE VEHICLE FELL OFF. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE, AND NOTICED THAT BOTH TAILGATE CABLES SNAPPED OFF, WHICH CAUSED THE TAILGATE TO FAIL. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE AND THE FOUR-WHEELER TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION; HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10082863July 28, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED MY 2003 GMC SIERRA Z71 IN AUG. 2003. IN DECEMBER 2003, WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILOR, THE SERVICE 4-WD LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK FELT AS IF IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL.I MANAGED TO GET THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND READ THE OWNERS MANUAL CONCERNING THE LIGHT. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AS THE BOOK SAID AND THEN RESTARTED. THE LIGHT STAYED ON, BUT THE TRUCK DID GO IN GEAR. SINCE THIS TIME, WHEN I PULL THE TRAILOR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, THE TRUCK WILL AGAIN FEEL AS IF IT IS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO 2ND OR 1ST GEAR TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO ENGAGE. THE 4WD LIGHT COMES ON WITH OR WITHOUT THE TRAILOR HOOKED UP AND HAS BEEN CHECKED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE DEALER. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS SO HARD IT FEELS AS IF THE BACK END OF THE TRUCK WILL FALL OUT. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NORMAL OPERATION. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AS THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. NO ONE CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AND NEVER KNOWING IF YOU WILL BE HIT FROM BEHIND DUE TO THIS TRUCK STALLING FOR NO REASON. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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