2003 GMC Yukon XL Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Yukon XL years
- More complaints than other years 8th of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 102 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Yukon XL. That ranks 8th out of 28 Yukon XL model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (38 complaints, 37%), typically at around 79,591 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 2 defect investigations involving it.
- 102owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 2NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 GMC Yukon XL problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 38 | 37% | 79,591 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 16 | 16% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 9 | 9% | 9,263 | — | — |
| Tires | 7 | 7% | 54,250 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 6 | 6% | 38,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 4% | 93,997 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 | 4% | 101,161 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 4% | 5,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 3 | 3% | 38,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 3% | 60,930 | — | — |
| Structure | 3 | 3% | 52 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 2 | 2% | 121,112 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 2 | 2% | 28,525 | — | — |
| Visibility | 2 | 2% | 53,150 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1% | 195,633 | — | — |
| Engine | 1 | 1% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | 83,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1% | 80,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | 16,881 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 1% | 43,900 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | 177,702 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 GMC Yukon XL recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Service brakes, hydraulic
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Structure:body:door:hinge and attachments
Problem: Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "side impact protection." these vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the welds may not be to specification.
Risk: As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly
Problem: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, vehicles, during a 30 degree left angle frontal impact of sufficient severity, a tear could develop in the mid-frame cross member at its attachment to the left frame rail. If the mid-frame cross member tears during frontal impact and produces a sharp edge, contact of the sharp edge with the fuel tank could result in a puncture of the fuel tank and possible fuel leakage.
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fuel tank shield. Owner notification began february 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Parking brake failure (DP05009) — opened Dec 20, 2005, closed May 31, 2006.
- Parking brake failure (EA04011) — opened Apr 9, 2004, closed May 10, 2005, led to recall 05V161000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 GMC Yukon XL. It was later discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale on January 26th, 2026. At the time of purchase and at the time of the vehicle registration, the vehicle mileage was 186,000. While applying for…
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon xl. The contact stated that when the key chain was attached to the keys, the vehicle failed to start however, when the key chain was removed, the vehicle start as designed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor an independent mechanic for diagnostic…
Headlights as well as daytime running lights do not come on highbeams do however
Concerned about the service notice on my dic with the auto ride suspension system. P0660 code detection. No indication of what the condition of the system is inoperable and if the vehicle is in a safe mode until repairs or replacement of parts are made.currently the vehicle has locked the air ride…
Brake failure due to leak from rusted out brake line under driver seat area and loss of brake fluid.
Other GMC Yukon XL years
← 2002 Yukon XL · 2004 Yukon XL →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Yukon XL | 37 | 3 |
| 2025 Yukon XL | 28 | 1 |
| 2024 Yukon XL | 72 | 2 |
| 2023 Yukon XL | 222 | 4 |
| 2022 Yukon XL | 172 | 4 |
| 2021 Yukon XL | 229 | 12 |
| 2020 Yukon XL | 47 | 2 |
| 2019 Yukon XL | 68 | 2 |
| 2018 Yukon XL | 55 | 2 |
| 2017 Yukon XL | 147 | 1 |
| 2016 Yukon XL | 201 | 3 |
| 2015 Yukon XL | 308 | 2 |
| 2014 Yukon XL | 11 | 3 |
| 2013 Yukon XL | 22 | 4 |
| 2012 Yukon XL | 13 | 4 |
| 2011 Yukon XL | 47 | 3 |
| 2010 Yukon XL | 28 | 3 |
| 2009 Yukon XL | 23 | 5 |
| 2008 Yukon XL | 69 | 4 |
| 2007 Yukon XL | 97 | 4 |
| 2006 Yukon XL | 17 | 2 |
| 2005 Yukon XL | 42 | 5 |
| 2004 Yukon XL | 87 | 3 |
| 2003 | 102 | 3 |
| 2002 Yukon XL | 95 | 1 |
| 2001 Yukon XL | 120 | 4 |
| 2000 Yukon XL | 69 | 6 |
| 1999 Yukon XL | 3 | 0 |
See all GMC Yukon XL problems by year, every GMC model, or the GMC VIN decoder.
Similar GMC models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2003 GMC Yukon XL?
Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, steering problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 38 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Yukon XL?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 GMC Yukon XL a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon XL model years, the 2003 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.