The 2003 GMC Savana has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,473,015 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2003-2023 Chevrolet Express Cutaway and GMC Savana Cutaway incomplete vehicles equipped with wiring for an optional rear heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. When the HVAC blower motor circuit is left unused with exposed connectors and wiring, the…
Consequence
An overheated electrical circuit increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will properly seal the rear HVAC blower motor circuits at the left side B-pillar, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 2, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GMC's number for this recall is N222386050.
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire,…
Consequence
Significant corrosion may allow fuel to leak during refueling, and in the presence of an ignition source; there is an increased risk of fire.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
SEAT BELTS05V5580002005-12-19425,593 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, A SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. THE RECALL WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES. THE FIRST PHASE MAILING BEGAN DURING MARCH 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT…
SEAT BELTS04V2250002004-05-11736 affected
Defect
CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD…
Consequence
THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER…
Remedy
TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC04V0450002004-02-0468,875 affected
Defect
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 WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
EQUIPMENT03V2500002003-07-151,707,825 affected
Defect
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.
Consequence
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT…
CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL, AND THE LEFT REAR TAIL LAMP MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET COULD…
Consequence
IF THE SOCKET ASSEMBLY WERE TO REACH THE POINT OF MELTING, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE MAY NOTICE AN ODOR AND SMOKE AT THE REAR DOORS OF THE VEHICLE. IF THIS ODOR AND SMOKE WERE IGNORED, THE PLASTIC COULD IGNITE AND A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
SEAT BELTS03V0500002003-02-1418,327 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AFTER THE VEHICLE CRASH, OR ALTERNATELY MAY EJECT THE SAFETY BELT LATCH DURING THE VEHICLE CRASH.
Consequence
THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT…
STEERING02V3300002002-12-124,158 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.
Consequence
A SEPARATION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR WITH PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE…
STEERING02V3260002002-12-0218,648 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence
SEPARATION OF A TIE ROD CAN CAUSE UNEXPECTED VEHICLE STEERING IN SOME MANEUVERS AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT…
WHEELS02V3050002002-11-1418,409 affected
Defect
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.
Consequence
IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE AMBER-COLORED ABS TELL-TALE LAMP IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE ABS SYSTEM WOULD BE DISABLED. THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO NOTICE A GRINDING NOISE, A DECREASE IN THE VEHICLE SPEED, AND THE STEERING WILL PULL IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AFFECTED BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THIS COULD RESULT IN…
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY…
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
1
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal malfunctioned and did not properly operate. While depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel would jerk and the brake pedal was hard to depress, which affected the vehicle stopping. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. While operating the vehicle, the steering wheel and brake pedal malfunctioned and did not properly operate. While depressing the brake pedal, the steering wheel would jerk and the brake pedal was hard to depress, which affected the vehicle stopping. The…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the check engine light illuminated. Also, the contact smelled fuel inside the vehicle and fuel leaked out of the fuel tank while the vehicle was parked on a hill. The contact received a recall notice for campaign…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. The contact stated that fuel leaked to the ground while refueling the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vin was not available. The failure and the current…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. The contact stated that when applying the brakes at speeds of at least 50 mph, the anti-lock brake would engage, forcing the petal back into the idle position and causing reduced braking response. The contact confirmed that the anti-lock braking light would…”
“Tl*virginia tech owns a 2003 gmc savana. The vehicle caught fire under the hood in the middle of the night. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. The current and failure mileages were 75,128. Updated 04/03/08. *lj”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc savana. While driving 65 mph, the engine suddenly stopped. The vehicle was able to be restarted after five minutes. The dealer was unable to diagnose the previous failures. The most recent failure was diagnosed as the crankshaft position sensor. The dealer stated…”
“1. Was driving van on the highway (during 1st failure od 15,403 and 2nd failure od 55576 ), when the transmission would not shift in to higher gear and failed. Was driving van on street when vehicle became undriveable (during 3rd failure od 56676). 2. During failure 1 van was unable to maintain…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 GMC Savana as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.