Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2003 GMC Yukon XL. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗GM/FMVSS 135/BRAKE VALVE
- Summary
- 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.
GM/FMVSS 214/REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE WELDS
- Summary
- 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. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.
- Consequence
- AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 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 CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
GM/CROSS MEMBER FRACTURE/FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
- Summary
- 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 RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL TANK SHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 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 1-800-462-8782.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (238)
238 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 238 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 87 | 36.6% |
| Service brakes | 60 | 25.2% |
| Steering | 19 | 8% |
| Electronic stability control | 15 | 6.3% |
| Engine | 15 | 6.3% |
| Power train | 15 | 6.3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 5.9% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 13 | 5.5% |
| Tires | 9 | 3.8% |
| Structure | 8 | 3.4% |
How 2003 compares with other Yukon XL years
Best and worst Yukon XL years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | 0 |
| 2000 | 88 | 6 |
| 2001 | 189 | 5 |
| 2002 | 151 | 1 |
| 2003 | 238 | 3 |
| 2004 | 178 | 3 |
| 2005 | 104 | 5 |
| 2006 | 35 | 2 |
| 2007 | 226 | 4 |
| 2008 | 130 | 4 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 14 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,800
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 635 g/mi
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 14 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 | 635 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
| 6 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 11 / 15 / 13 | $5,150 | 684 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2003 Yukon XL for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2003 GMC Yukon XL FAQ
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 04V045000 (brake), 03V037000 (structure), 03V019000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2003 GMC Yukon XL problems?
Owners filed 238 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (87), Service brakes (60), Steering (19) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2003 GMC Yukon XL get?
EPA rates the 5.3 L 8-cyl · 4-speed automatic version at 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2003 Yukon XL compare with other years?
Among the 1999–2008 GMC Yukon XL model years at least five years old, the 1999 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2003 the most (238). The 2003 drew 238. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.