The Lemon Index2003 GMC Yukon.
The 2003 GMC Yukon is worse than average by owner complaints: 84 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 120, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 13 to 15 mpg combined. The best GMC Yukon year is 2012.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 276 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every GMC Yukon 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 37K to 127K miles on the car (217 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 44K–99K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 107K–155K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 111K–163K miles
Recalls 7
- 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…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN POLI-AUTO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES, P/NOS. 11-728, 11-728D, 11-710, 11-419, 11-713, 11-703, 11-704, 11-708P, 11-735, 11-725, 11-726, 11-716 (P&C), 11-721-1, 11-733, 11-729, 11-730, AND 11-732, SOLD AS REPL…
Show all 7 recalls
- seat belts 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALL…
- 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…
- body structure 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC.
- 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.
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 793 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Potential battery drain condition
- Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in the steering wheel
- Intermittent no start, service stability message, anti-lock brake system (abs) light…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- 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 $4300–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
I have a 2003 GMC Yukon with approx. 89,000 miles. All of a sudden the speedometer began acting erratic. Showing 60 mph when stopped.
2003 GMC Yukon owner · NHTSA complaint 10175932
More owner reports
Complete loss of power on the highway while driving 65 mph.
NHTSA complaint 10071903
When the vehicle headlamps or park lamps were turned on, the electric trailer brakes would not respond when the vehicle brakes were applied.
NHTSA complaint 10033552
Quick answers
Is the 2003 GMC Yukon reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The best GMC Yukon year by this measure is 2012.
What are the most common 2003 GMC Yukon problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (25%), steering (13%) and tires (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon have?
7 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 get?
13 to 15 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 GMC Yukon problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,500 and 127,900 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 217 complaints.
Does the 2003 GMC Yukon have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2003 GMC Yukon cost in fuel a year?
About $4300 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 GMC Yukon have?
4.8L 8-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What GMC Yukon year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2012, 2020 and 2019.
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