GMC Sierra Complaints (2003)

570 consumer complaints on file.

#10548670October 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
STATE OF NEW YORK BASED 2003 GMC SIERRA 1500, 4X4, DRIVING ON SMOOTH ROAD DRY ROAD, 30 MPH, TOWING LIGHT UTILITY TRAILER WITH LADDER AND SMALLER ITEMS, APPLIED THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND REAR ENDED AUTOMOBILE AND PARKED CAR AS WELL. TICKETED BY NEW YORK STATE POLICE FOR INADEQUATE BRAKES. 2003 GMC SIERRA HAD CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND HAS SPENT ENTIRE 10 YEARS IN NEW YORK AND LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. SECOND INCIDENT OF CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10548565October 19, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN I NOTICED THE REAR BRAKES MAKING EXCESSIVE NOISE. FIGURING THAT IT WAS LIKELY WORN BRAKE PADS, I DECIDED TO CHANGE THEM. DURING THE PROCESS OF CHANGING OUT THE BRAKE PADS, I NOTICED THAT THE ROTORS HAD BEEN EXTREMELY WORN DOWN. THIS LEAD TO ME REPLACING BOTH REAR ROTORS, ONLY TO FIND THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT RELEASING AFTER BEING APPLIED. I THEN REPLACED BOTH REAR BRAKE CALIPERS. THIS DID FIX THE PROBLEM OF THE BRAKES NOT RELEASING. AFTER BLEEDING THE BRAKES, I TOOK THE TRUCK OUT FOR A TEST RUN. AT THIS POINT THERE WAS A BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND LEAD TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. MY CONCERN IS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE VERY HEAVILY CORRODED, AND I FEAR THAT THERE WILL BE MANY FUTURE PROBLEMS WITH THE SYSTEM. THE TRUCK HAS MANY OTHER RUSTED PARTS UNDERNEATH AS WELL, AND I DO NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR ANY ABNORMAL DRIVING USE THAT WOULD LEAD TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547816October 14, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN EXITING THE TOLL ROAD, I APPLIED BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. IT APPEARED WE WERE GOING TO ROLL THRU THE GATE, I LET OFF THE BRAKE, AND THEN THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME RE-APPLIED HER BRAKE. AND WHEN I RE-APPLIED MY BRAKES, THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR. NO WARNING, NO WARNING LIGHTS - THE TRUCK DID NOT STOP. I HIT THE CAR INFRONT OF ME. LUCKILY I WASN'T TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, AS NOBODY WAS HURT. AFTER THE INCIDENT, I NOTICED ALL THE BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED OUT, AND THEN MY SERVICE LIGHTS CAME ON. HAD TO BE TOWED HOME AND THERE I DISCOVERED THAT MY BRAKE LINES HAD DISINTEGRATED - TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. I'M AT THE CONCLUSION THAT THE BRAKE LINE WALL WAS SO THIN, THAT WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE LAST TIME, THE PRESSURE BLEW OUT THE LINE. NO SECONDARY LINE FUNCTION. YES, ALL LINES APPEAR TO BE TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. TRUCK IS ORIGINALLY FROM OHIO, I LIVE IN TEXAS. I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM IN CHEVY/GMC TRUCKS. AND I AM FACING AN OUTRAGEOUS REPAIR BILL. AS A SINGLE PARENT OF 3, 2 OF WHICH ARE TEENAGE DRIVERS, I'M NOT ABLE TO COME UP WITH THE FUNDS TO REPAIR. I'M SO GLAD MY KIDS WEREN'T DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. I AM TRYING TO GET GM TO HONOR THE BRAKE LINE REPAIR FOR $500 THAT I HAVE SEEN ON A COUPLE OF TV STATION ACTION REPORTS. NO LUCK SO FAR. THANK GOD MY KIDS WEREN'T DRIVING, AND THANK GOD I WASN'T TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEEDS - WHERE SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547854October 14, 2013
ENGINE, FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
WHILE DRIVING, LARGE AMOUNT OF SMOKE CAME OUT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER WHO SAID THAT IT THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING. LOOKED ONLINE AND NOTICED HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THE SAME ACTION. GMC APPARENTLY DID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THE ISSUE, BUT ONLY COVERED IT FOR 7 YEARS FROM TIME OF PURCHASE AND UP TO 200,000 MILES. TALKED TO LOCAL DEALER WHO DENIED THE SERVICE AND GM WONT REPLACE THE FUEL INJECTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547499October 10, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
OUR TRUCK WAS AT COLLISION SHOP FOR A REPAIR FROM A HIT AND RUN IN A LOWE'S PARKING LOT.. WHEN THEY FINISHED, THEY TOOK THE TRUCK OUT OF THE GARAGE TO TAKE FOR A CAR WASH. WHEN PULLING OUT OF THEIR BUSINESS THE TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. THEY PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT AND RESTARTED AND TESTED THE BRAKES. THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THEY LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID FLOWING OUT ON THE GROUND. WE HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO OUR MECHANIC AND ONE OF THE LINES WAS BROKE. HE REPLACED IT ($298.00). HE TOLD US THE OTHER LINES WERE ALSO IN BAD SHAPE. WE BECAME AWARE THAT GM HAD A PROBLEM AFTER SEEING A TELEVISION NEWS STORY. WE TOOK COPIES OF THIS STORY TO OUR LOCAL GMC DEALER, THE COLLISION SHOP AND OUR MECHANIC. OUR GMC DEALER SAID THEY KNEW NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2013 WE HAD THE REMAINDER OF THE LINES REPLACED. ($984.80). WE HAVE SINCE ENCOUNTERED TWO ADDITIONAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TRUCK WAS PURCHASED IN MICHIGAN, BUT WE SPEND OUT WINTERS IN FLORIDA, SO IT HAS LIMITED EXPOSURE TO SALT USED DURING THE WINTER. WHAT SCARES US ABOUT THIS IS: ON THE DAY BEFORE WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE COLLISION SHOP, WE WERE GOING TO DRIVE 45 MILES TO ANN ARBOR, MI FOR A BIRTHDAY PARTY. WE DECIDED AT THE LAST MINUTE NOT TO GO. IF WE HAD GONE THAT DAY, THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US TRAVELING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AT 70 MPH! THIS IS A SCARY THING. TO QUOTE THE NEWS STORY: "GM, IN A STATEMENT TO 7 ACTION NEWS STATES THIS IS 'NOT A SAFETY ISSUE' AS THE BRAKES STILL OPERATE WITH A BROKEN BRAKE LINE AND ADMIT THAT RUSTY BRAKE LINES ARE A PROBLEM THAT 'CAN HAPPEN OVER TIME', PRESUMABLY FROM LIQUID SALT USED IN COLD WEATHER STATES. GM HAS A SOLUTION. THE COMPANY IS OFFERING WHAT THEY CALL A DEEPLY DISCOUNTED BRAKE REPAIR KIT THAT RUNS $2-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ONLY $500". GM NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND LET OWNERS KNOW. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546592October 3, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I HAD STOPPED AT A GAS STATION AND WHEN I LEFT I WAS GOING APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I PUT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED . WAS ABLE TO GET TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID THAT THE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH. ALL LINES HAD TO BE CHANGED, *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546665October 3, 2013
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2003 GMC SIERRA 2500HD THE INJECTORS WANT BAD WAS TOLD IT WAS THE FUEL HOUSING. SO CHANGED THAT NOW HAVING TO CHANGE INJECTORS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545415September 25, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT ON ME SLAMMED ON BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, AVOIDED CAR COULD NOT STOP AND RAN INTO A FIELD WITH MY GRANDDAUGHTER IN VEHICLE. SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DIE AS A RESULT OF THESE RUSTED BRAKE LINES. THESE ARE BRAKES WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. RECALL NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW!!!! SHAME ON YOU GM, WE KNOW YOUR AWARE OF THIS DEADLY PROBLEM. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545153September 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
PULLED UP TO THE CARWASH. AS I WAS PREPARING TO PUT MONEY IN THE MACHINE,I HEARD A HISSING SOUND. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR & BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. WAS ABLE TO ROLL BACK TO A VACANT AREA & STOP WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE. TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP WHERE MECHANIC IS REPLACING ALL THE BRAKE LINES. HE SAID THIS WAS COMMON FOR THIS TRUCK & THE LINES WERE ALL BAD. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545237September 24, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 AM, I WAS APPROACHING AN INNER-NEIGHBORHOOD INTERSECTION AT LOW SPEED (APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH) AND BEGAN TO APPLY MY BRAKES TO BRING MY VEHICLE TO A REQUIRED STOP. UPON APPLYING MY BRAKES, THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED COMPLETELY WHEREBY THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST ALL PRESSURE AND DEPRESSED COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. DUE TO THE FACT THAT I WAS TRAVELING UP AN INCLINE AT THAT POINT AND WAS APPROACHING A (FOUR-WAY) STOP SIGN, MY TRUCK CAME TO AN EVENTUAL STOP A FOOT OR TWO INTO THE INTERSECTION. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED BY ANYONE AS THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS PRESENT. INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE POST-INCIDENT CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD BURST LEADING TO COMPLETE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC BRAKE FLUID AND IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION. BRAKE FLUID WAS SPILLED ON VARIOUS REAR SUSPENSION COMPONENTS INCLUDING THE AXEL AND ON THE PAVEMENT. AN SUBSEQUENT INSPECTION OF THE PERFORATED REAR DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE SHOWED THE BRAKE LINE TO BE SEVERELY CORRODED WITH EVIDENCE OF EXTREME CLUMPED AND LOOSE, FLAKING RUST LAYERS. THE PERFORATION WAS EVIDENT JUST ABOVE THE LEFT REAR AXEL. AN INSPECTION OF THE OTHER BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE SHOWED VARIOUS DEGREES OF SIMILAR CORROSION. AFTER A FULL INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, A CONCLUSION WAS MADE THAT ALL OF THE 1/4" BRAKE LINES ON THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE AND SEVERE ROT PRESENT. IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT TO NOT DO SO WOULD SUBJECT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR AS WELL AS OTHER DRIVERS AND/OR PEDESTRIANS TO POTENTIALLY FATAL CONSEQUENCES SHOULD ANOTHER ROT INDUCED BRAKE LINE PERFORATION OCCUR. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544790September 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
LEAK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10544175September 18, 2013
ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I KEEP GETTING REDUCED ENGINE POWER P1516 CODE . READING THE POST'S ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A REAL COMMON PROBLEM.ALSO THE SPEEDOMETER WILL DISPLAY 120 MPH SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543795September 16, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
GOING DOWN A HILL APPROACHING A "T" INTERSECTION I PRESSED THE BRAKE AND WENT TO FLOOR, TRIED PUMPING NOTHING SO I PUT THE TRUCK IN 3RD GEAR AND THEN 2ND AND SHUT OFF MY LIGHTS TO SEE IF ANY CARS WHERE COMING INTO "T" . I NEED TO TURN LEFT, LUCKILY NO CARS MADE IT THRU. BUT I HAD TO CROSS A HWY BEFORE GETTING HOME. I DID THE SAME THING WENT FROM D TO 3RD TO 2ND, AGAIN NO CARS. WAS VERY LUCKY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543678September 15, 2013
ENGINE
MY VEHICLE BEGAN LOSING COOLANT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, WHO HAS TOLD ME THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD IS CRACKED AND LEAKING. THIS IS DUE TO FAULTY CASTING ON THE CYLINDER HEAD.THE COOLANT IS LEAKING INTO THE HEADS, AND CAUSING THE OIL TO LOSE IT'S ABILITY TO PROTECT THE ENGINE FROM WEAR. I HAVE SEEN THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE, AND IT IS A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10542977September 10, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING MY 2003 GMC SIERRA AT ABOUT 60MPH I HAD TO DECELERATE AT AN EXIT WITH A SHARP TURN AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE AROUND ALREADY STOPPED TRAFFIC WHILE USING THE E-BRAKE TO STOP. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID POURING FROM THE REAR BRAKE LINE BENEATH THE DRIVERS POSITION. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM REPORTED MANY TIMES WITH THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. I ALSO SEE THE NHTSA HAS PREVIOUSLY INVESTIGATED THESE FAILURES BUT NO RECALLS?? I'VE SEEN THAT THE GM RESPONSE IS THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD STILL STOP EVEN WITH THE BROKEN LINE. NOT ACCEPTABLE. SHOULDN'T EVER HAPPEN, IF QUALITY PARTS WERE USED INCLUDING STAINLESS STEEL. I'VE SEEN MANY CARS IN THE PAST WITH AT LEAST TWICE THE AGE AND TWICE THE MILEAGE THAT NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM. COULD THERE BE A DEFECT IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF INSTANCES.....SURE, BUT NOT THIS FREQUENTLY. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. AMAZING! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535274August 14, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
RUSTY BRAKE LINES FAILED UPON APPLICATION OF BRAKES WHILE TOWING A BOAT IMMEDIATELY CAUSING COMPLETE LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY. I HAD TO HAVE THE LINES REPLACED IN A SMALL SHOP DUE TO LOCATION AND LACK OF DEALERSHIPS. VEHICLE IS METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND ONLY HAS 82000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535185August 13, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 GMC SIERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A FIRE ERUPTED FROM THE UNDERCARRIAGE AREA. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534020August 7, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
WHILE DRIVING UP TO AN INTERSECTION I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES. THE CROSS TRAFFIC WAS APPROACHING AT 50 MPH, AND MY ROAD STOPPED SO I HAD TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT. LUCKILY, BY SOME MIRACLE THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC JUST MISSED SLAMMING INTO ME. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED ANYTHING FROM GM ASKING FOR ME TO HAVE THE BRAKE LINES CHECKED, EVEN THOUGH I SEE ONLINE THAT I AM FAR FROM ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I SEE YOU STARTED INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE IN 2010 - WHY HAVEN'T YOU DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS? I WAS ALMOST KILLED AND NO ONE IS WARNING OWNERS OF GM TRUCKS I GUESS WHEN THE GOVERNMENT OWNS PART OF GM THEY DON"T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT RECALLS....... THE CONSUMER STATED THE REASON THE BRAKES FAILED, WERE DUE TO RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534168August 7, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
A VEHICLE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF MY SON LAST NIGHT ON HIS WAY TO A BOY SCOUT MEETING. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 45. MY SON HIT THE BRAKES WHICH LOCKED UP THEN LET LOOSE. PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR . HE AVOIDED HITTING THE CAR THAT PULLED OUT ON HIM AND WHEN I ARRIVED FOUND THAT THE METAL BRAKE LINE RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME HAD RUPTURED AS IT BENT TO GO ACROSS THE FRAME BEHIND THE CAB. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT AND THIS IS A PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO PREMATURE RUST. I OWN AND 1971 DODGE DART AND A 1978 PONTIAC FIREBIRD WITH ORIGINAL METAL BRAKE LINES ON BOTH WITH NO RUST ON LINES AT ALL AND I LIVE IN OHIO AND THEY ARE DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. I FEEL FORTUNATE MY SON AND NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED DUE TO THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE GM METAL BRAKE LINE. HOPE OTHERS WILL BE JUST AS FORTUNATE. TOYOTA WAS FORCED INTO A RECALL OF THERE TRUCK LINE DUE TO PREMATURE RUSTING PROBLEMS AND GM SHOULD BE MADE TO FOLLOW SUITE. THESE VEHICLES ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. I ALSO OWN A 1994 GMC C2500 SUBURBAN THAT HAS NO VISIBLE RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES EITHER WITH 170,000 MILES THAT I HAVE OWNED FOR 15 YEARS. . THE 2003 GMC CHASSIS IS TRULY SUB STANDARD TO SAY THE LEAST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE ISSUES I HAVE READ THE FORUMS OUT THERE AND I KNOW I AM NOT ALONE. THANKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10533873August 6, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY SON WAS DRIVING MY GMC PICKUP ( ALWAYS DEALER MAINTAINED ) TO A FRIENDS HOUSE. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, HE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE WAS NOT INJURED BUT IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. WHEN LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, I FIND THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH. I ALSO HAVE FOUND THAT GM IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE NOTHING TO CORRECT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. THANK GOD MY SON WAS NOT INJURED. I HOPE OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALLOW THEIR CHILDREN TO DRIVE WILL BE AS LUCKY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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