2003 GMC Yukon Problems, Recalls & Reliability
348 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2003 GMC Yukon, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 3 defect investigations. It scores 42/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Electrical leads the reports, typically around 75,000 miles.
Below average
Where 2003 sits among all Yukon years
What owners report
“Truck started to have major eletrical issues. Blubs burning out often sockets burning out had to replace too often. Light covers melting. Headlights out and will not come back on for days, have to tap them to get them to come back on. Horn blows from alarm all times of the day and night. Inside…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Yukon
“While driving through town; brakes just completely gave out. I had to use the emergency brake to get to the shop.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Yukon
“Randomly, the truck will go from driving completely normal to getting a message saying "reduced engine power" and then it cuts off power. This has happened 10 to 12 times, the last time it happened i could not drive more than approx 35 mph even with the gas pedal floored. We have replaced the…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2003 Yukon
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 271 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 90,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 45,868 and 129,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY…
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR…
Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 05V161000.
Technical service bulletins
793 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on engine and electrical — are on file for the 2003 GMC Yukon. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2003 GMC Yukon reliable?
The 2003 GMC Yukon drew 348 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 42/100, scored against the model's worst year (2007).
What are the most common 2003 GMC Yukon problems?
The top reported problems for the 2003 GMC Yukon are electrical (89 complaints), brakes & stability (82), and engine (36).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon problems show up?
Owners most often report 2003 GMC Yukon problems around 90,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 45,868 and 129,000 miles.
Does the 2003 GMC Yukon have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2003 GMC Yukon. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.