2003 GMC Yukon Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Yukon years
- More complaints than other years 6th of 33 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 204 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 GMC Yukon. That ranks 6th out of 33 Yukon model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (53 complaints, 26%), typically at around 68,702 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 18 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 204owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2003 GMC Yukon 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 problems | 53 | 26% | 68,702 | “instrument panel” (15%) | — |
| Service Brakes | 40 | 20% | 131,400 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 18 | 9% | 56,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 | 6% | 62,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 12 | 6% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 6% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 12 | 6% | 18,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 11 | 5% | 28,185 | — | — |
| Tires | 9 | 4% | 45,868 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 4% | 30,565 | — | — |
| Power Train | 8 | 4% | 38,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 8 | 4% | 114,416 | — | — |
| Visibility | 8 | 4% | 59,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 5 | 2% | 121,628 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 2% | 63,000 | — | — |
| Equipment | 4 | 2% | 26,141 | — | — |
| Suspension | 4 | 2% | 150,000 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 4 | 2% | 32,750 | — | — |
| Seats | 3 | 1% | 75,000 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control | 2 | 1% | 39,900 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1% | 100,000 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 1% | 110,000 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1% | 22,500 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 0% | 50,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 0% | 225,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 0% | 109,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2003 GMC Yukon recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seat belts:rear/other
Problem: On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
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
Problem: Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 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 southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
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.
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
- Brake line corrosion failure (PE10010) — opened Mar 30, 2010, closed Jan 5, 2011.
- 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.
My 03 Yukon Denali is experiencing all of the same things that the recall on the 2021 Yukon is experiencing. What do I do? The recall notice I am referring to is N252494000
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that while driving at various speed, the vehicle would stall as the battery warning light appeared on the instrument panel. The contact also stated that the vehicle would shake upon depression of the brake pedal without warning. The vehicle was…
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Yukon. The contact stated that upon purchasing the vehicle from a towing company, the vehicle would not start. The battery was instantly replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle would wobble and shut off inadvertently while driving. The vehicle was taken to an…
When I turn out of a parking spot it clicks and pops replaced ball joints shocks tie rods everything it won't go away and it does it when I pull into a parking spot
For the past few months my car stalls while driving i've replaced fuel pump. Knock sensors coils and plugs and it still does it and does not throw a trouble code.
Other GMC Yukon years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 Yukon | 1 | 0 |
| 2026 Yukon | 41 | 3 |
| 2025 Yukon | 56 | 2 |
| 2024 Yukon | 106 | 3 |
| 2023 Yukon | 244 | 4 |
| 2022 Yukon | 183 | 5 |
| 2021 Yukon | 337 | 13 |
| 2020 Yukon | 36 | 4 |
| 2019 Yukon | 55 | 2 |
| 2018 Yukon | 69 | 3 |
| 2017 Yukon | 196 | 3 |
| 2016 Yukon | 270 | 5 |
| 2015 Yukon | 529 | 10 |
| 2014 Yukon | 56 | 3 |
| 2013 Yukon | 117 | 4 |
| 2012 Yukon | 63 | 3 |
| 2011 Yukon | 158 | 5 |
| 2010 Yukon | 105 | 3 |
| 2009 Yukon | 94 | 5 |
| 2008 Yukon | 187 | 4 |
| 2007 Yukon | 428 | 4 |
| 2006 Yukon | 27 | 2 |
| 2005 Yukon | 85 | 3 |
| 2004 Yukon | 159 | 2 |
| 2003 | 204 | 4 |
| 2002 Yukon | 158 | 3 |
| 2001 Yukon | 197 | 6 |
| 2000 Yukon | 166 | 6 |
| 1999 Yukon | 204 | 1 |
| 1998 Yukon | 80 | 2 |
| 1997 Yukon | 133 | 0 |
| 1996 Yukon | 70 | 3 |
| 1995 Yukon | 90 | 6 |
See all GMC Yukon 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?
Owners most often report electrical system, service brakes, service brakes, hydraulic problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 53 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2003 GMC Yukon?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2003 GMC Yukon a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Yukon model years, the 2003 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.