The Lemon Index2003 GMC Yukon XL.
The 2003 GMC Yukon XL is about average by owner complaints: 64 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 111, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 13 to 14 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon XL year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 238 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Yukon XL year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 54K to 133K miles on the car (199 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 60K–126K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 100K–151K miles
- steering complaints mostly came at 9K–78K miles
Recalls 5
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
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, 2…
- brakes 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED…
Show all 5 recalls
- body structure 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE.
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME R…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems GMC told dealers about
GMC sent dealers 474 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Snap and popping noise in the front suspension area
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
- Lack of steering assist or shudder during parking lot type maneuvers
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
- ClosedParking brake failure2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★☆☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Speedometer has quit working. Register 0 at all times.
2003 GMC Yukon XL owner · NHTSA complaint 10177392
More owner reports
My speedometer on my 2003 GMC Yukon keeps sticking. Reads 100 when I'm only doing 30.
NHTSA complaint 10174858
Speedometer stick and jams. Reads incorrect speeds,off my as much as 100 mph!. This I have found to be a common problem with GMC's, and they know about it.
NHTSA complaint 10175779
Quick answers
Is the 2003 GMC Yukon XL reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 111; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon XL year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2003 GMC Yukon XL problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (38%), steering (14%) and suspension (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL have?
5 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon XL problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 54,000 and 133,000 miles. The middle report was at 89,000 miles, from 199 complaints.
Does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon XL year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2012 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works