2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 63 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (34% of complaints); the 2001 and 2002 and 2004 and 2005 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle randomly goes into reduce engine power mode and stalls while driving. This has happened multiple times while driving on a highway and going up a hill where it nearly caused a three catastrophic accidents. Basic research shows that gm has known about this issue since the vehicles were a few years old and it affects many years of gm vehicles. There is a problem with bad grounding connectors related to the throttle body sensor and and wiring harness.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2017
“Brake lines corroded resulting in loss of brakes and rear ending school bus. Replaced all brake lines at my cost as well as the damage to the front end of the truck. Now, the known ABS brake sensor issue is activating the ABS at low speeds.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2017
“Iwas driving at low speed went to stop at stop sign when brake peddle went to floor.I crashed into stop sign to stop . Truck was towed to dealer. I was told to major brake line burst. Truck is now at dealer being fixed. At a price of 2800.00. Something has to be done. This can't go on any longer.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Antilock brakes began to apply themselves in right hand turns going up and down hill at speeds up to 45 mph. Almost causes me to loose control of vehicle. Had to take to hurricane chevrolet several times to get fixed cost almost $4000”Owner report · Electronic Stability Control (Esc) · Jan 2015
“Vehicle has been serviced several times since first occurrence in september 2014. "reduced engine power" and service engine soon signals appear on vehicle panel causing engine power to be reduced in a matter of seconds. Has happened to me going 10mph, 55mph, and 70mph on highway, causing a near rear collision because I lost power so quickly. I have had it serviced 6 or 7 times since september 2014 and this issue is not getting resolved. Throttle body sensor replaced twice, throttle body harness replaced, all wires, and sensors have been cleaned and thoroughly inspected. Reduced engine power occurs weekly even after being serviced. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon xl 1500. While driving approximately 10 mph, the brakes failed and the brake pedal extended to the floorboard when applied. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 127,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2014
“Driving vehicle when brakes went soft and failed pulled over to side of road, towed car home replacing all brake lines due to excessive corrosion. *js”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2014
“Lost brakes due to rusted failure of metal brake lines. The brake pedal went to the floor and I had to drive off the road to avoid an accident. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2014
“Traveling on bqe 3 lane crowded highway in brooklyn when attempted to brake for exit and brake pedal went to floor - no brakes - I luckily was able to stop the vehicle on level road and avoided accident. I could have been killed. It was not my day to die but I thought it was.....then I saw the NHTSA investigation ea 11001 and read the internet posts on this gm problem and can't believe there has been no recall....how many people need to die? *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc yukon xl 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 mph, the stability system warning light illuminated and the brakes became unresponsive. After parking the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake fluid was leaking from under the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 04v045000 (service brakes, hydraulic) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes · Apr 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 5 of these complaints and injuries in 8 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: 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).
How other years compare
Check your exact Yukon XL 1500 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 reliable?
NHTSA has 63 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500. The most complained-about area is electrical system (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 96,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL 1500 have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.