2003 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 SB Reg Cab 5.3 from North America

Faults:

The inside of the front bumper has developed rust. I contacted GM and the dealer, both say a recall will be issued to correct the problem.

Knuckle in the steering column rattles. Dealer has lubricated the knuckle once. I will be returning to have it looked at again.

General Comments:

I use the truck to drive 65 miles to work and back. I drive all freeway miles and maintain 23 mpg. I do drive below the speed limit thou (I am the slow poke in the right lane). Also, I have installed a K&N aftermarket filter.

The engine and transmission are both smooth. The interior plastics are ten times better than my friends 2001 model (no interior rattles as of yet). I have the optional steering wheel controls and recommend them.

The steering is sometimes vague, such as when driving at highway speeds.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 20th March, 2004

21st Oct 2004, 17:16

My 2003 2500HD with the 6.0 ltr V-8 is by far one of the best trucks that I have owned. The power is there when in demand and the transmission shifts with little hardship. Interior comfort is definitely upgraded from previous models. There is currently a recall for the tailgate cables to be replaced at dealer cost. The only thing I would change on this truck would be the front lower plastic bumper. I have replaced it twice, once due to cracking in frigid weather and once because of running over a plastic garbage can, something that is in front of any vehicle that will be put to the test should be alot stronger.

2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD 6.6L Duramax diesel from North America

Summary:

GM power at it's best

Faults:

The only problem that we have had at all is a small piece fell off of the wiper arm (you can't fold them out like the old ones!)

General Comments:

This is one heck of a good truck. We got the Duramax diesel and Allison trans. combination. WOW. The transmission in the tow/haul mode is great (unlike what I have heard about Ford's tow/haul mode in their transmissions). The Duramax engine is in my opinion the best diesel engine on the market. It is very quiet, doesn't sound like a school bus! (cough..powerstroke..cough..cummins)

:) At 27K we are getting 18mpg and it has slowly been improving as the mileage goes up.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th July, 2003

22nd Jan 2004, 08:31

Just a few comments... The only thing the tow/haul does is lock out overdrive so the truck isn't constantly shifting while hauling a heavy load. Also, Cummins has a 24 valve diesel that is more quiet than some gas engines.

31st Jan 2004, 20:08

Tow\Haul mode does much more than lock out overdrive.. in fact it does not lock out overdrive. This mode changes the RPM of transmission shifts and the way the torque converter operates. It also interacts with the way the truck will automatically downshift on declining hills. All in all a very complex system that works flawlessly.

2003 Duramax/Allison... best truck ever owned by far!!

12th Mar 2005, 19:53

Leave it to a Dodge fan to say that the tow/haul mode just locks out overdrive, in fact in GM models the truck can still shift into overdrive, but the shift points change. I have owned both a Dodge and a GMC, and pull a loaded horse trailer cross country rather frequently, and from personal experience, the GMC OWNS the Dodge.

You are right though, in Dodges the tow/haul mode simply locks out the overdrive, so it is really a wasted option, because you can just to that on the shift column.

My GMC outperforms my Dodge in every aspect.

22nd Sep 2005, 16:53

2003 GMC 2500HD Duramax 4WD Crew Cab @ 36,000 miles. Maybe I have a lemon, but this one is not holding up to the GMC Professional Grade Engineering durability level in my book.

Thunking in the front was temporarily resolved with the replacement of the "intermediate shaft" in the steering assembly. Now a grinding noise from the left front has begun. It remains in the shop. Hard starting in warm and cold weather is due to problem fuel injectors. Dealer is replacing the injectors under warranty. I have a few hundred miles left until the bumper to bumper coverage expires. I'm not feeling confident about the durability. I don't tow or haul anything heavy or drive it hard or off road. Combine this with the recent GM employee discount for everyone on the planet and the NADA resale value has dropped about $5,000. I would not recommend this truck based on my experience in the last year.