2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Consumer Reviews

Too many small problems

Written by: tedmc on 12/05/2008

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Overall, a nice truck, but too many small problems that are now adding up. So far, I've had the steering shaft replaced 3-4 times, the passenger back window replaced, the heated seats on the driver's side replaced, and now the instrument cluster has gone haywire. Oh yeah, I've been complaining about the awful noise the front end makes when the 4WD is engaged, but the dealership (not where I bought it) says that it is normal. Are you kidding me? I still like my truck as it rides and drives great, but I sold a 13 year old Toyota when I bought this one that was a better truck. I probably won't buy GM again if there are other options out there. Too bad.

Favorite Features

Interior, drive, and comfort. Pretty good gas mileage for a full-size truck.

Suggested Improvements

Better components. Too many things fail and make noise to make me a return buyer. As a side note, the servicing dealership will usually say no, but will fix the problem after I raise a stink to GM customer service.

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Beautiful truck but a lemon!

Written by: mondo24 on 05/02/2008

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab Denali AWD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

My 03 Serria Denali is a beautiful truck, but i have had one problem after another. New power steering pump, master cylnder, fuel pump, alternator, 2 starters!, new steering column, lower intake, new front end bearings, and emissions control valve. Now my left blinker turns on my hazards! I give up....give me a new truck!

Favorite Features

Quadrasteer! 6.0L Eng Tow/Haul feature. Sleek and sharp truck!

Suggested Improvements

Hate the bed cover! Wind blows it off! Rip supports are plastic and Break. Car wash really beats up the Cover and Bends Rip supports. If you build a $44K truck do not stick a penny and nickels tonue cover on it! Try a hard top GMC! Come on!

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You can't go wrong

Written by: F. Gibbons on 03/13/2008

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT Rwd SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

Purchased this truck with 48K and am very surprised of the quality of this truck. Being five years old I expected the suspension to maybe a tad loose or at the very least expected to hear cabin rattles and squeaks. Nothing; feels like a brand new truck. I have the SLT with the Bose and heated leather buckets. You never want to get out of it! Looked at all the other manufacturers and now know without question, I made the right choice.

Favorite Features

Looks, solid feel, comfort, power.

Suggested Improvements

I can complain about mileage, but know what I was getting into.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Averaging one repair a year

Written by: irishlager on 03/03/2008

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT Rwd LB (5.3L 8cyl 4A)

Review

This is poor quality truck. In five years I have had five repairs and one recall. My repairs have included a cracked transmission case, bad steering mid-shaft, bad seatbelt, bad water pump, and bad wiper switch. In addition, I am currently losing lights in my dash and have lost most of my fan. GM likes to advertise this as 'professional grade.' However, no professional in his right mind should buy this truck. Please save yourself and buy something else.

Favorite Features

Does have a smooth ride.

Suggested Improvements

The OE tires are not appropriate. Put some real tires on this truck.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Super Truck

Written by: Robert on 10/08/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab Denali AWD SB (6.0L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I have just turned 70k in my 2003 Denali and its been a solid truck. Regular maintenance and I am told by the lube guy that there is a very small fluid leak from the intake. This is common in Vortec engines according too him. I guess overall I have been very impressed I just hope they have used better materials for the interior of newer models. I don't see myself ever replacing my truck it has been a good ride so far.

Favorite Features

Rear wheel steering!

Suggested Improvements

Better interior materials. Improved fuel mileage.

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Top Truck

Written by: Chazz on 08/18/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

When I first purchased this truck I thought it was the smothest riding and best handling 4x4 I had ever driven. (Wife has purchased a Yukon 4x4 and it is even smoother riding) It has spent a good deal of time off road. I do not get rough or overly abusive, mostly steep hills, sand, mud under 6-8 inches and a little rock crawling. If yours does not have the locking rear differential it is worth the money. I am sure it has saved me more in tow services than it costs to have installed. I have not had any serious mechanical failures, I did have a u- joint start chirping on me after a week in the hills of western South Dakota. The truck has about 50,000 miles on it and gets serviced regularly.

Favorite Features

Other than the 4X4, I really enjoy the way it looks. It handles better than my friend's and family's Fords or Dodges and they agree with me. I like the four doors on an extended cab.

Suggested Improvements

The first thing I will say I do not like is the stereo and the stereo options. One has to purchase a leather interior to get a good stereo. Who thought that one up? I found out that the wiring harness to get an after- market stereo installed costs $250. I just want a better stereo and I would be good

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2003 GMC Sierra 1500 bad brakes

Written by: Danny S. on 06/09/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 2dr Regular Cab Rwd LB (4.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

My first 50,000 owning this truck were great. It drives like a car and works like a truck. However, the brakes started to make noise and vibrate when stopping. I had it serviced and found the entire brake system developed severe rust. The rear brakes did not function and a pad was dragging on the rotor. I had to replace all the brake parts. The job cost me $1800.00. I later check consumer affairs and found this to be a common problem with the new GM tucks.

Favorite Features

My favorite feature is dual climate controls. Body style

Suggested Improvements

I would suggest GM to put better quality brake parts on their truck. The rotors should not have rusted and flake off in chucks. Like the old body panel rust.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 GMC SLE

Written by: john kupetz on 04/27/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 2dr Regular Cab SLE 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

When I was looking for a truck that I really liked and one my wife could drive, the GMC fit the bill! I test drove every truck out there along with detailed research on all of them. The GMC won hands down. It's easily accessible to the bed and inside the vehicle. I have had a few minor problems, but were covered under warranty. While I have a V8, the fuel economy was a little disappointing. This truck is a regular cab short bed with the towing package. All in all I am very pleased with it, and I plan to purchase an extended cab in 2008.

Favorite Features

Handling, power, fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

SLT in a short bed regular cab

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2003 GMC 4WD Pickup

Written by: Walt Moore on 02/17/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLE 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this new and it's generally been great. The windshield wiper control module burned out but that has been the only unscheduled service in 37,000 miles. So far I really like this truck and would buy it again, but I won't really know for another 15 years, which is about how long I plan to keep it.

Favorite Features

Quiet ride, excellent air conditioner, very accurate cruise control - the speed does not vary by more than 2MPH even with extreme changes in slope of hills.

Suggested Improvements

Option for heated mirrors on both sides, not just driver's side.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best vehicle I have ever owned

Written by: Michigan Bill on 01/27/2007

Vehicle

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 4dr Extended Cab SLT 4WD SB (4.8L 8cyl 4A)

Review

I bought this truck new and have enjoyed over 3 1/2 years of trouble free utility. I've hauled, towed, 4- wheeled, pulled, and just plain driven this truck to great delight and it has met or exceeded expectations all around. Mileage is better than most others trucks averaging 17-18 MPG even with 5.3L, 4WD, SLT luxury package, hard tonneau, running boards, Z71 off- road pkg, and more. Going GMC gives a hiher level of luxury and customer care than you get from Chevrolet. The seat and mirror memory is very useful for getting kids in and out of the back seat. I use the exit position button to bring seat forward enough so they can enter and exit the back easily.

Favorite Features

The computer information and control center makes you feel like you are driving a Cadillac! I get accurate mileage info, trip computers, an oil life monitor, custom lighting settings, and more. My extending visors always block the sun with little trouble. OnStar keeps you safe and connected.

Suggested Improvements

Get a spray on bed liner! You will never regret it. It's practically impervious and is guaranteed. Cleans easily and protects the bed. Side running boards are a must with the high step-in height, also.

12 out 12 people found this review helpful

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