2003 Gmc Savana problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling (2) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer (1)
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System:wiring 2023-04-06 · campaign 23V247000 · 150,830 vehicles
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the circuit can corrode and overheat.
Risk: An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap 2012-08-08 · campaign 12V388000 · 9,389 vehicles
Defect: General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. Water and road contaminants may become trapped in the protecti
Risk: Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Service bulletins (586)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2025-07-18 · PIP5601C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from tac.
Unknown Or Other 2025-03-28 · 23-NA-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on onstar module 2g sunset information.
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-20 · PIP5358D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. technician will need to
Engine 2024-12-18 · 03-06-01-023I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Electrical System 2024-10-25 · PIP4723J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the tire pressure monitor, active fuel injector tester, multi media tester, pico scope, gr8 starting/charging tester and vehicle data recorder tools, giving website address and ste
Engine 2024-10-07 · 03-06-01-023H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Showing the 6 most recent of 586 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2019-05-17 · Steering · 100,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. while operating the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal malfunctioned and did not properly operate. while depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel would jerk and the brake pedal was hard to depress, which affected the vehicle stopping. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnos…”
2013-03-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 159,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. the contact stated while driving 30 mph, the check engine light illuminated. also, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle and fuel leaked out of the fuel tank while the vehicle was parked on a hill. the contact received a recall notice for campaign number 06e043000 (fuel system, gasoline) and took the ve…”
2012-06-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 109,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. the contact stated that fuel leaked to the ground while refueling the vehicle. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure and the current mileage was 109,000.…”
2010-04-15 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · 37,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. the contact stated that when applying the brakes at speeds of at least 50 mph, the anti-lock brake would engage, forcing the petal back into the idle position and causing reduced braking response. the contact confirmed that the anti-lock braking light would illuminate on the instrument panel moments before the…”
2008-03-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 75,128 mi · 🔥 fire“tl*virginia tech owns a 2003 gmc savana. the vehicle caught fire under the hood in the middle of the night. the fire department extinguished the fire. the cause of the fire has not yet been determined. the current and failure mileages were 75,128. updated 04/03/08. *lj…”
2008-02-06 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 20,000 mi“tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. while driving 65 mph, the engine suddenly stopped. the vehicle was able to be restarted after five minutes. the dealer was unable to diagnose the previous failures. the most recent failure was diagnosed as the crankshaft position sensor. the dealer stated that the failure is similar to nhtsa campaign id n…”
2007-07-10 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 55,576 mi“1. was driving van on the highway (during 1st failure od 15,403 and 2nd failure od 55576 ), when the transmission would not shift in to higher gear and failed. was driving van on street when vehicle became undriveable (during 3rd failure od 56676). 2. during failure 1 van was unable to maintain highway speed and had to be maneuvered to the si…”
2006-01-11 · Structure:body · 500 mi“dt*: the contact stated the running boards are too narrow. while stepping out of the vehicle the contact missed the narrow running board which could result in a fall. also, there are no safety handles on the inside of the vehicle. the manufacturer has been contacted.*ak updated 01/25/06. *jb…”
2006-01-05 · Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments“i have a 3500 savana gmc van, when opening the right passenger door at the same time that the side door is open the side door hits the front passenger door which has caused a dent in the side door. the other issue is when someone opens the front passenger door and has their hand in the same location where the two door meet it could cause damage to …”
2005-12-28 · Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe · 27,000 mi“i have a leak coming from muffler, dripping black liquid. i complained at my dealer, they said it was not a problem. *nm…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.