2003 GMC Sierra 1500 HD 6.0

Summary:

The new models have gloomy poorly designed interiors. Very unattractive

Faults:

2 fuel pumps.

Seats showing signs of wear.

General Comments:

The brakes still don't need changing with over 105000 miles. Great truck, bouncy ride on the freeway, poor turning radius, but overall a great truck with a very nice interior and great Bose sound system.

My gripe is with the new models. They are dark and gloomy feeling, and nothing like my 2003 SLT.

I will not buy another GMC until they bring back a higher quality nicer interior.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 7th December, 2009

2003 GMC Sierra SLT 5.3 Vortec turbo

Summary:

A great reliable work truck that outperforms its light truck classification!

Faults:

2 dead batteries.

Rear differential greased twice.

Left low beam burnout.

Faulty tailgate cables.

General Comments:

This has been the best truck that I have ever owned. I bought this after selling my 1994 Chevy Silverado, and man is there a difference!

For starters the 5.3 liter turbo'ed Vortec in this thing run so smoothly that you sometimes wonder if it's even running. She starts very smoothly, and has minimal "Chevy Knock" in the lower body.

My particular model has the SLT trim package with leather interior, OnStar, and the BOSE sound system. OnStar is a bit of a letdown as they went digital in 2007, and to upgrade to a digital reciever costs some 300+ dollars! The BOSE sound is great, and includes a 6-disc in dash CD changer, and a 8 inch amplified subwoofer in the middle console.

The biggest problem that I have had with this truck is the battery and electrical system. I have had to replace the battery twice, and both times with Redtops, so I know that they are quality batteries. The reason that the batteries keep dieing, as I have been told, is the beefy sound system in this thing, which does indeed draw about 22-25 amps when running.

Another problem I have had is with the tailgate cables. My truck was equipped with the recalled steel cabling that had a problem with oxidation. Mine did indeed fail and break, but the GMC dealer was a great help in getting me a replacement pair at no cost to me.

The headlamp burnout and rear greasing I chalk upto maintenance, and were really more of an annoyance than a major problem.

Just FYI, this is indeed a work truck. I own an air conditioning company, and drive this as both my work vehicle, and as my pleasure and day-to-day vehicle 7 days a week.

All in all, this has been THE best truck that I have ever had in a long line of Chevy/GM vehicles, and I would definitely buy another when the time comes!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th February, 2009

17th Apr 2012, 21:57

Umm.. FYI, your truck does not have a turbo.

18th Apr 2012, 22:17

Turbo hydro-matic transmission... FYI!

20th May 2012, 18:52

The statement claims a "turbo'd" Vortec motor... nothing to do with the trans!

2003 GMC Sierra

Faults:

Fuel injectors blown at 140,000 - covered under extended recall/warranty.

Driver's side leather seat shows quite a bit of wear. Same problem on our previous Sierra 3/4 ton. Suspect it's because drivers slide in and out of high seat. Since this is obviously something that is bound to happen it would be nice if a higher wearing leather could be used - at least on the driver's side. Not a big deal but it would be a bonus.

General Comments:

Real workhorse. We've hauled a fully loaded 2 horse trailer up a 10 km long hill in a blizzard with just all season radials and it was awesome. We slipped it into tow/haul mode and away we went. We've also had to go down that same hill in similar conditions and again we've had no problems. Our previous truck, a older model Sierra did not have the tow/haul feature, and we got stuck behind a two semi's doing 10 km per hour. That was a hair-raising experience resulting in overheated brakes and a brake job the next day. No such problems with the 2003. It's got the towing capacity plus that tow/haul gear is a real life saver on steep grades. Good gas mileage with the diesel. Average 18 mpg overall.

Great truck. Reliable. Comfortable (love my heated seats).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th December, 2008