2003 GMC Savana 1500 Service and Repair Manual

This factory service and repair manual for the 2003 GMC Savana 1500 opens on a revised engine chart: the 5.3L V8 of 325 cubic inches joins the familiar 4.3L V6, both naturally aspirated overhead-valve gasoline engines. Bodies stay at two, a three-door standard cargo van and a three-door standard passenger van, and trims at Base and SLE. The V8 brings its own specifications, tightening sequences and diagnostic routines, and they sit alongside the driveline, brake, suspension, steering, body and electrical sections that serve both engines.

Engines covered

• 5.3L V8 (325 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline
• 4.3L V6 (262 cu in) — OHV, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 3-door standard cargo van
• 3-door standard passenger van

Trims covered

• Base
• SLE

Known issues on the 2003 Savana 1500. Eight recalls are on the federal record, and steering dominates them. The nut holding the pitman arm to the steering linkage may not have been tightened enough, and a separation there means losing control of the van. The right-hand tie rod end nut can loosen until the tie rod parts from the steering knuckle. Corrosion at the fuel filler pipe can let fuel spill during refueling near an ignition source. Owner complaints total 36, five each on the service brakes and the engine and cooling system and four on the fuel system.