10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,450 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 GMC Sierra 1500:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #15

Sep 122013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 88,755 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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). 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.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #14

Aug 212013

Sierra 1500

  • miles
Leak

- Vestal, NY, USA

problem #13

Aug 072013

Sierra 1500 6-cyl

  • 70,500 miles
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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #12

Aug 052013

Sierra 1500

  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Bristol, CT, USA

problem #11

Jun 162013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 79,617 miles
Was traveling at 50 mph when brakes were applied and brake pedal went all the way to the floor, unable to slow vehicle with pumping brakes. Parking brake was applied with no success, ultimately slowed down with putting truck in low gear and costing to a stop. Was informed by dealer of rusted and blown brake lines.

- Highland, MI, USA

problem #10

Jun 162013

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 74,420 miles
Slowing for turn brake line rupture due to heavy rust. Complete repair needed for lines from master cyl. To wheels.$400 repair cost. Very scary situation.from what I have read GM says it will stop. It did, but they omitted how [xxx]far it takes.thank you information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Chambersburg, PA, USA

problem #9

Dec 042012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 105,407 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was pulling up to a busy intersection I went to step on the brakes they were gone. Lucky I was able to jump the curb and come to a stop, before hitting any one. Upon inspection the brakes lines were rusted through!!!!!!! note!!! I had my truck in for a oil change and 27 point inspection the day before. At the dealer.

- Fairless Hills , PA, USA

problem #8

Nov 242012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 89,725 miles
I went to put it in dr and the brake pedal went to the floor the metal line blue. They had to replace the caliper too. It cost me $475.89 to get it fix. Not happy. I had Chevy with 200,000 miles on it and never replace any brake parts. I under stand this a bad parts on the 1999 to 2003 models [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mechanicsburg, PA, USA

problem #7

Sep 012012

Sierra 1500

  • 95,000 miles
While backing in my driveway sloped downhill, applied brake peddle to slow before stopping. Brake peddle went to the floor. Luckily I had mind enough to apply the emergency brake to come to a stop before running through my garage. Upon inspection, I noticed fluid running off the frame rail onto driveway. I noticed brake lines in frame rail were corroded bad. Called dealer, they say they replace brake lines all the time in these vehicles. They wanted $1100. A local garage replaced all the lines for $800. I am the original owner and take good care of vehicle. Is this a class problem" should this be covered under a recall" happy to supply VIN if needed, just don't have it with me.

- Glenville, PA, USA

problem #6

Oct 082012

Sierra 1500

  • 155,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and there was no response. In addition, the brake pedal traveled to the floor upon engaging. The vehicle accelerated through an intersection after repeatedly applying the brake pedal. The emergency brake was engaged in order for the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated the brake lines were completely corroded. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. There was an investigation associated with NHTSA action number PE10010 (service brakes, hydraulic: Power assist: Hydraulic: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000. The VIN was not available.

- Wakefield, RI, USA

problem #5

Aug 262012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 99,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dear sirs; we own a 2003 GMC Sierra 1500 extra cab truck. It was purchased in June of 2003. It has just over 100,000 miles on it. It has been maintained throughout and garaged. On Sunday, August 26, 2012, our son was driving the truck in our neighborhood and the brakes failed without warning. (this vehicle is primarily driven by my husband to work and back daily. No indicator light ever came on.) there were children playing in the street. After avoiding a ball that had rolled down a driveway and into the street, he pressed on the brake and the pedal went to the floor. He then pressed on the emergency brake, the emergency brake did not stop the truck. On his third attempt was able to steer to the curb and throw the truck into park to stop. Thankfully, there were no kids in his path. He would not have been able to stop and his life would be altered forever. Not to mention our lives and that of an innocent bystander/ child. Looking online to see if there have been problems reported, we found the NHTSA has an investigation on this GMC trucks and SUV?S. the brakes on this truck were done between 70,000 and 80,000. All pads were replaced, 2 new rotors and 2 rotors were cut. No mention of brake line deterioration, corrosion, or visible problems were brought to our attention at that time. This vehicle is used mainly by my husband who drives it 6 miles one way to work daily. No problems, squeaking, or pedal changes had been noted. We were all really quite shaken by this incident. We had it towed to a dealership for repair. It went there during the labor day holiday thus delaying the repair. We were informed that the brake lines had rotted out. Any information or direction will be greatly appreciated.

- Oxford, CT, USA

problem #4

Sep 012012

Sierra 1500

  • 78,000 miles
I was leaving my driveway when I applied the brakes there was nothing... no brakes at all, peddle went to the floor. I managed to steer the vehicle away from on coming traffic, narrowly avoiding a serious or possible fatal accident. After inspecting the vehicle I was astonished to see that one of the brake lines was completely rotted out.this vehicle has 78000 mi. And is garage kept. From what I have read this is not a freak occurrence many other GM owners have complained of similar problems. The issue here is complete failure of the brake system. I though modern brake systems are designed to eliminate a complete failure? this is an extremely dangerous condition. Shouldn't the system work in a way that partial brake function remains possible with the loss of a brake line. I thought the system is partitioned to prevent this from occurring. If the current safety standard is to prevent this from happening, clearly the standard has not been meet! GM needs to correct this problem. At the very least why isn't GM required to use a higher quality brake line to avoid this dangerous condition!!!!!

- Pittstown, NJ, USA

problem #3

Jul 032012

Sierra 1500

  • 89,000 miles
I put my truck in reverse to back out of the shop and my brake pedal went to the floor. I quickly threw it in park an turned the truck off. I then pushed the brake pedal again and it again went to the floor and I heard brake fluid squirting out. I put the truck on the lift and raised it up to inspect the issue. After doing so I found very rusted brake lines and components. After research I found this to be a very common issue with these trucks. Seems maybe GM should be fixing the issue. I wouldn't think a truck less than 10 years old should have such rusted brake parts. Especially since the exhaust is made from stainless, why not brake lines?

- Aurora, IN, USA

problem #2

May 292012

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 40,300 miles
My wife was parking and brake pedal went to floor.

- Jefferson Hills, PA, USA

problem #1

Oct 212011

Sierra 1500 8-cyl

  • 32,278 miles
On May 20, 2012 when moving my GMC 1500 pick up truck from my driveway at low speed I stepped on the brake only to have the pedal go all the way to the floor. This is the second time this occurred in about six months. On or about October 21, 2011 I also lost my brakes when parking the truck at a local strip mall. The required repair was for a corroded brake line. Thank god that both times I was traveling slowly. At highway speed I could easily have be killed. Please check this out!!

- Metuchen, NJ, USA

Not what you are looking for?