The 2003 GMC Sierra isn’t a bad used truck, but with prices bordering on seven thousand dollars, it’s not worth the cost. Especially not when the 2003 F-150 goes for about half that.
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 6/10 – There are worse trucks than the GMC Sierra, but you could pick up a ten year old truck with far fewer problems at this price.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – There are absolutely no complaints in this regard. The Extended cabs earned rave reviews on release and they’re just as comfy and spacious today.
- Reliability 7/10 – It’s the same truck as the Silverado, but tends to be a little more reliable because it’s likely been through fewer previous owners.
- Safety 6/10 – Initial safety scores were mediocre and the onboard tech was adequate for 2003, but dated twenty years later.
- Gas Mileage 5/10 – An SLE gets you 16/21 miles to the gallon, city/highway. That’s acceptable if this is something you’re going to leave in the garage between hauling jobs, but the costs will add up quick if this is your daily driver.
- Value 4/10 – This score would be a bit higher if 2003 F-150s weren’t selling for under two thousand bucks, but they are, so it’s not.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the 2003 GMC Sierra?
Consumer Reports praises the Sierra for its spacious interior, citing the four-door extended cab as the only pickup of its type with “habitable rear seats.” They found the front seats a bit “unsupportive,” however.
Kelley Blue Book users rave about the motor and the durable frame, while noting that the diesel models are a bit noisy and repairs, while thankfully scarce, can be pricey.
Edmunds loved the roomy extended cab models and the tough V8 engines, but felt there were some cheap building materials used throughout, particularly in the interior.
What Common Problems Does the 2003 GMC Sierra Have?
At 135 reports, service brake issues make up a big chunk of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 571 complaints on file for the GMC Sierra. Many drivers have experienced issues with the anti-lock brake system interfering with normal braking at low speeds, sometimes tripling the braking distance.
With 114 complaints on file, electrical issues take a close second with gauges, instruments, and indicators often going dead, leaving drivers unable to read the fuel gauge and speedometer.
There are 50 powertrain issues on file with the most recent reported incident date being in late 2014. A handful of drivers are reporting premature corrosion. Many of these complaints come from colder states like Illinois, meaning that road salt could send your transmission to early retirement without some protective spray.
The NHTSA have 14 recalls on file for the 2003 Sierra, which is within the average range for a 20 year old truck. Anything that’s been on the road for two decades is going to have its share of notices from the manufacturer.
How Long Will the 2003 GMC Sierra Last?
With fastidious maintenance you can get a 2003 Sierra up to 300,000 miles on the original transmission, just don’t count on the previous owner having done their due diligence. Realistically you should expect 200,000 to 250,000 miles. With most used Sierras at around 150,000 this means you can still expect a good 50,000 at the minimum.
According to RepairPal you should expect to spend around $500 a year in repair costs for an older Sierra, with cylinder head replacements being the most expensive common fix starting at $2,424.
While it may be the exact same truck, the 2003 Silverado is also a much more popular vehicle and has generated far more complaints than has the Sierra. A used Silverado will likely have been through more previous owners than a used Sierra, so, sure, right off the assembly line, they’re the same truck. But after twenty years of use, the Sierra is a bit more reliable than the Silverado.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is decent for 2003. Even the entry level SLE gets a CD player, and some models feature a separate audio system for rear passengers.
Safety technology is, likewise, decent for 2003. Anti-lock brakes and occupancy sensors for the airbags might not be cutting-edge today, but that’s where the bar was set twenty years ago.
Is the 2003 GMC Sierra a Good Value?
The 2003 GMC Sierra is a bit overpriced compared to similar trucks. The Sierra is simply the GMC rebrand of the Silverado, but a Silverado typically sells for anywhere from a couple hundred to a thousand dollars less than a comparable Sierra. The 2003 F-150 is comparable in most specs and features but sells at half the cost of a Sierra.
A bare bones work truck typically lists at around $4,944, and a mid-range SLE with an 8 foot bed lists at around $7,173. For how reliable these trucks are it’s not exactly highway robbery. But it’s pretty far from being what you would call a great value.
What are the Different Models of the 2003 GMC Sierra?
The 2003 GMC Sierra is available in five trims, from the basic Work Truck model up to the top-tier SLT and the luxury Denali trim.
The stripped-down Work Truck features:
- Manual air conditioning
- Cloth/vinyl seating
- AM/FM stereo
- Manual door locks and windows
The Base is the next level up, adding:
- Premium cloth seat trim
- Rear audio controls with headphone jack
- Keyless remote entry
- Cruise control
The mid-range SLE adds:
- Heated mirrors
- CD player
- Power windows
- Leather wrapped steering wheel rim
With the high-end SLT you’re adding:
- 6-way power seat for the driver
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Programmable door locks
- Automatic dual zone air conditioning
- Leather seat inserts
The luxury-grade Denali adds:
- Heated front seats
- Fog lights
- Leather seat trim
- 17 inch polished aluminum wheels
What Engines Come In the 2003 GMC Sierra?
- The base engine in the 2003 Sierra 1500 is a 4.3L V6 delivering 200 horsepower and 260 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine gets you a maximum towing capacity of 7,900 pounds and it’s configured in rear wheel drive.
- Next up is a 4.7L Vortec V8 delivering 285 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft. of torque configured in rear/four wheel drive. Maximum towing capacity should be around 8,400 pounds depending on your options.
- At the top of the line you’ve got a 6.0L Vortec V8 delivering 325 lb.-ft. of torque and 325 horsepower. Maximum towing capacity can go up to 10,000 pounds. This engine is configured in all wheel drive. All three are paired with a 4-speed automatic, though 5-speed manuals are available.
What Colors Does the 2003 GMC Sierra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the 2003 GMC Sierra?
The 2003 Sierra was released before trucks really started competing with SUVs for the family car market, but even so, this is about as comfortable as a full-size truck gets, with the Extended cabs boasting spacious backseats with enough space to seat the whole crew without bumping elbows.
Suspension complaints are remarkably scarce, with just 13 on file with the NHTSA, so the ride should still be as smooth today as it was twenty years ago. That is, as long as the previous owner didn’t put a cheap lift kit on there.
How Much Storage Space Does the 2003 GMC Sierra Have?
The 2003 Sierra has storage space to spare whether you go with a 6-foot-6 short bed or an 8-foot long bed. Either way, it’s a full-size truck. You’ll have no issue hauling whatever it is you’re hauling.
The long bed is the go-to if you’re leaving this truck in the garage until you need it for a job. If it’s going to be your daily driver you’ll want the short bed to make more room for the Extended cab.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
1999 to 2006 was the 2nd Generation for the Sierra and the first for the Silverado. Major changes from year to year were shared between both vehicles.
1999: The second-gen Sierra launched with Regular and 3-door Extended cabs, and a trio of Vortec engines, being a 4.3L V6, a 4.8L V6, and a 5.3L V8.
2000: The Extended cab got a new four-door layout.
2001: A new composite truck box was added, as was traction control.
2002: Redesigns in 2002 were mostly visual with some design tweaks throughout.
2003: Audio and HVAC controls got a redesign for 2003.
2004: The Crew cab was introduced to the list in 2004.
2005: Power sunroofs were added to the Crew and Extended cabs.
2006: The trim list was expanded with some nice burled wood and brushed aluminum options.
How Does the 2003 GMC Sierra Compare to the Competition?
Compared to a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, both trucks are reliable, powerful, and spacious, but the Sierra just edges the Dodge out on sheer towing capacity, with some models towing up to 10,000 pounds while the Ram tops out at 8,650.
The 2003 F-150 is a whole other story. The Ford pickup costs about half as much as a Sierra, and it’s more reliable, with fewer recalls and complaints. Making it the clear winner over the Sierra, and the Dodge Ram, for that matter.
This isn’t to say that you should turn your nose up at a GMC Sierra if you can find one at a great price. But 2003 might as well have been the year Ford secured their place as the leader in the full-size pickup market. The F-150 is both the most affordable and the most dependable vehicle on the list.
