2003 GMC Sierra 1500 Service Brakes Problems
- 55
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 55 stored complaint records:
- 5 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- brake lines · 29 records
- brake pedal · 28 records
- went floor · 25 records
- pedal went · 20 records
- brake line · 17 records
- brake fluid · 14 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 24 |
| 100–150k mi | 17 |
| 30–60k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Service Brakes
Hydraulic brake lines corroded causing leaks and brake failure
ODI 11202662
Service Brakes
76000 miles; issue ongoing beginning in november 2018 on dry pavement at low speed (under 10 mph) braking is compromised by abs system engagement issue. Below 10 mph, the abs system engages causing dry pavement braking to be double or triple the normal distance to stop prior to the abs issue. This is a safety issue since abs system pulsing of the brakes at slow speeds on dry pavement is unexpected. At a stop…
ODI 11173659
Service Brakes
While driving approximately 35 mph in town, the vehicle in front of me signaled to make a left hand turn. I began to slow down the vehicle and then i lost all brake pressure. I was unable to stop the truck to avoid an accident due to complete brake failure! There were no previous lights or warning signals notifying of a brake problem prior to this. The warning light came on after the accident. The brake fluid…
Crash reported
ODI 11110091
Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 15 mph in a parking lot, the contact slammed on the brake pedal to avoid another vehicle that abruptly pulled in front of his vehicle. The brake pedal traveled to the floor without stopping the vehicle immediately. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer was not called; however, the contact spoke to a technician who stated that…
ODI 11100027
Service Brakes
Loss of brakes due to rusted through brake lines. While pulling a trailer with pontoon boat, all of a sudden when stopping i suddenly had no brakes. Just came off the freeway but was going slow when the failure occurred. Need to replace now. Also, rusted through power steering lines. Already replaced. Also, rusted trans cooler lines. Will need to replace soon.
ODI 11090932
Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra 1500. The contact observed an abnormal sound from the rear brakes without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer (betten baker gmc located at 749 w main st, lowell, mi, 49331) where it was diagnosed that the rear brakes had failed. The vehicle was repaired. Two weeks later, the contact observed a puddle under the front driver door and realized it was brake…
ODI 10993154
Service Brakes
My truck hadn't been driven for a couple of weeks, but there was no indication of anything amiss the last time i drove it. The truck is parked at the top of a approx. 40ft. Long driveway that is moderately steep. I started the truck and slowly began backing down the driveway and the brake pedal went all the way to the floor. It flew down the driveway, going between a parked car and another steep hill, winding up in…
ODI 10940398
Service Brakes
Started my vehicle applied the brake to shift to drive and the brake pedal went to the floor. I got out of the vehicle and there was a puddle of brake fluid on the ground on the driver side under where the drivers seat is. There was brake fluid dripping from a rusted brake line. I'm lucky this happened when the vehicle was stopped and not while i needed stop because it was a complete loss of brakes.
ODI 10920447
Service Brakes
Brakes failed while on boat ramp causing boat to knock me down under trailer as i was pulling drain plug .driver was able to apply parking brake and putting truck in drive . Brake lines failed brake petal when to floor rusted lines . Then found out that is very common with gm trucks in this year . Result i am pissed , a notice from gm would have been nice . What would happen if i had to stop at a intersection or on…
ODI 10876993
Service Brakes
The abs activates at low speed braking under dry road conditions without the tires locking up. The brake pedal vibrates as if i were on ice with the tires locked up. Braking effect is reduced under these conditions. This happens randomly and when it does i cannot be sure if i can stop in time before hitting the vehicle or object in front of me.
ODI 10809780
Service Brakes
82k miles, original owner, well maintained and garaged. Had to stop at a red light and the pedal went to the floor as i went into the intersection.luckily no other cars were ahead of me and nobody was hurt. Dic lights came on and brakes have not worked since limping my vehicle back home.
ODI 10807621
Fuel/Propulsion System · Service Brakes
Brake line failure complete loss of brakes while driving on hwy off ramp.
ODI 10794444
Service Brakes
Pulling to a stop in my driveway my brakes slowed the truck and then completely gave way with the pedal hitting the floor. I stomped on the emergency brake pedal to keep from hitting the porch. I am so lucky to have that happen at low speed off the road. That could have been a tragedy on the highway. Turns out that my brake lines are severely rusted and one of the 2 lines coming off the master cylinder now has a…
ODI 10779996
Service Brakes
I was on my way home running 45 mph in light traffic. When i went to make a left hand turn and my brake pedal went to the floor. Scared the hell out of me. I was able to pump them enough to make the turn and luckily i was only three blocks from my home. I was able to coast it home. I raised the hood and all the brake lines are so rusty. I had my wife step on the brake and you can see one line busted. I checked with…
ODI 10778160
Service Brakes
Turning into an auto parts store, from the highway, when i applied the brakes the pedal went clear to the floor. My truck slowed but not enough if anyone walking or a car had been there i would have hit them. I was very lucky. Of the four brake lines one burst, two were seeping, but not dripping and the rear line was almost as bad as the other lines and its a wonder it didn't break at the same time. Going home i…
ODI 10777925
Service Brakes
I was towing my 33' travel trailer with my very well maintained 2003 gmc sierra 1500 pick up truck. After a four and a half hour trip on the interstate highway doing 65 mph, i arrived at my campground. As i was backing my trailer into my camp site, my brake pedal went to the floor and my dashboard lit up with warning lights. I had complete brake failure. I put the truck in park and got out to look under the truck.…
ODI 10750307
Service Brakes
On 8/9/15 at approximately 3:25pm an individual pull out in front of me. When i applied the brakes to keep from hitting him, the brake pedal went all the way to the floor board. I noticed at the time the "service brake system" indication was showing on the driver cid. I was able to drive the truck to a safe location and park it. I looked under the vehicle and noticed brake fluid on the ground under the right front…
ODI 10747520
Service Brakes
Complete brake failure. All brake lines rusted out. Had to use the emergency brake to stop. Brake pedal went all the way to the floor. All the brake fluid was gone. Spent $1008 to fix the vehicle. No previous warning, no message until there was the complete brake failure. *tr
ODI 10704401
Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra 1500. While driving at 65 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to stop. The contact had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that brake failure was displayed across the message board and a chime was heard. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that the brake lines were…
ODI 10704400
Service Brakes
While driving to the store i applied the brake and it went straight to floor without any pre-warning of a brake issue. I was able to stop without crashing and found that the brake line routed over the gas tank rusted through spilling out brake fluid which caused the brake reservoir to empty. After doing some research nhtsa is well aware of the rusted brake lines on gm models, so i am not telling you anything new. I…
ODI 10678418
Service Brakes
Truck was being driven in traffic and as approaching stop light and brakes were applied petal went all the way to floor and had to swerve to miss stopped traffic. Upon inspection brake line on drivers front side of truck and laying on top of the frame was rusted almost completely in half! Quick thinking avoided accident .this truck has only been driven on city streets and never off road four wheeling and feel this…
ODI 10667500
Service Brakes
Entered 1st lane of traffic , accelerated and entered second lane. At that time traffic slowed abruptly. Applied pressure to brake, brake pedal went to the floor--pumped brake, total failure causing me to hit vehicle in front of me. Applied emergency brake to stop vehicle, however tractor trailer was behind honking horn , came within inches of hitting me. With emergency brake applied, forced truck to breakdown lane.…
Crash reported
ODI 10639456
Service Brakes
Attempted to stop at red light. Brake pedal went to floor. Swerved to not rear-end car in front. Ran red light because unable to stop. Pulled into residential side street and slammed into park. Brakes would not stop the truck. Not towing any load. No load in truck bed. Upon investigation after stopping, brake fluid spraying out left rear brake line near axle when pedal depressed. *tr
ODI 10630081
Seat Belts · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc sierra 1500. While driving approximately 40 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The contact noticed brake fluid leaking from the vehicle. In addition, the rear seat belt latch failed to function. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake line needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified…
ODI 10839383
Service Brakes
When attempting to use brakes at highway speeds (70-75 mph), pedal went immediately to floor with very little effort. Pedal had held firm moments before. No reduction in speed from pumping pedal. No warning of malfunction until danger was imminent. A certain crash was avoided if evasive driving was not implemented with a combination of shifting to neutral, kicking on the emergency brake, and shifting to the berm.…
ODI 10622442
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2003 GMC Sierra 1500.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.