RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
16
Latest Jul 26, 2010
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
40%
of 40 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Jul 26, 2010

I PURCHASED CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 EXTENDER CAB NEW IN JUNE 2003. I HAVE APPROX. 165,000 MILES ON VEHICLE, THE DISC BRAKES ( ALL 4 WHEELS ) HAVE BEEN CHANGED 1 TIME AT ABOUT 110,000 MILES. EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD LIFE FOR BRAKE PADS ( THEY WERE STILL NOT WORN COMPLETELY OUT ) I HAVE NOW BEEN EXPERIENCING A BRAKE PEDAL FLUTTER/ SIGNIFICANT PULSATING JUST BEFORE VEHICLE COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. EXISTING DEALER PADS ON VEHICLE ARE ABOUT 1/2 LIFE ACCORDING TO SERVICE TECH. GM TECH. "GUESSED" AT CAUSE LISTING 4 DIFFERENT POSSIBILITY'S FROM CORRODED LINES TO BOOSTER PRESSURE TO CALIBER FAILURE. NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. ALSO SIMILAR PROBLEMS LISTED WITH SPEEDOMETER AND GAUGES FORTUNATELY MINE EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO NORMAL AFTER ABOUT A WEEK. ALSO STEERING ASSIST CYLINDER WAS REPLACED BY DEALER FOR DEFECT THEN ISSUE WAS TURNED INTO PERIODIC MAINT. ITEM WHEN PROBLEM RETURNED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10345216
Incident
Jun 10, 2010
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2009

SPEED ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGES WILL NOT WORK FUEL GAUGE IS STUCK AT 1/2 A TANK OF FUEL, TEMPERATURE GAUGE WILL NOT READ PROPER TEMPERATURE. SPEED ODOMETER WILL READ 100MPH OR MORE WHILE STOPPED THIS PROBLEM STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO AND WHEN I RECEIVED A SERVICE LETTER FROM GM THE TRUCK WAS ALREADY PASS THE EXTENDED MILE WARRANTY THAT WAS DECIDED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. I AM THE 1ST OWNER OF THE TRUCK. I CALLED GM AND THEY SAID THAT BASICALLY TOO BAD I AM OVER THE 80K MILEAGE AGREED TO IN THE LAW SUIT WITH THE US GOVERNMENT I HAVE NO WAY OF TELLING HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE ON TRIPS, HOW FAST I AM DRIVING AND IF MY ENGINE IS OVER HEATING AS I AM DRIVING, GM HAS BEEN NO HELP IN FIXING A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT THEY RECEIVED MONEY FROM DELPHI OVER THE BAD AFFECTED PARTS. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10297251
Incident
Dec 14, 2009
Mileage
102,358 mi
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2008

SPEEDOMETER WOULD MOVE IN CONJUNCTION WITH TACHOMETER WHEN VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP AT FASTEST SPEED AND NOT RETURN TO 0 THEN SUBSEQUENTLY GOES HIGHER WITH EACH START. WARNING LIGHTS ON AND OFF. ROLLING AWAY WHEN IN PARK AND NO BRAKES. STILL PERIODIC PROBLEMS WITH SPEEDOMETER WHEN COLD OR WET. VEHICLE EXCEEDS MILEAGE THAT DEALER WILL REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. (70000). GAUGE CLUSTER NEEDS REPLACEMENT. KNOWN DEFECT *TR

NHTSA ID
10238807
Incident
Oct 6, 2007
Mileage
86,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 6, 2008

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO THAT MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE WIRES UNDER THE FRONT SEAT STARTED SMOKING. WHEN I GOT IN TO DRIVE THE TRUCK THE POWER SEAT DID NOT WORK. SO CHECKED THE FUSE AND IT WAS BLOWN. I CHANGED THE FUSE AND AS SOON AS I PUT IN A NEW FUSE IT WOULD BLOW ALSO I CHECKED THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT AND NOTICED THAT THEY WERE MELTED TOGETHER. THE TRUCK HAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES I DON'T THINK THIS IS NORMAL AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS, AND IF CHEVROLET SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM. MY WIFE SAID THE WHOLE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE WHEN THIS HAPPENED. NEXT WEEK I WILL TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10230192
Incident
Jun 4, 2008
Mileage
112,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 18, 2008

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED, NO GAS GAUGE, NO SPEEDOMETER. GM SENT ME A LETTER OFFERING TO REPLACE BUT ONLY IF LESS THAN 7 YEARS OLD OR 70,000 MILES. I HAVE MORE THAN 70,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10218419
Incident
Dec 1, 2006
Mileage
92,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 27, 2007

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN 2003 CHEVY TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ID
10212898
Incident
Dec 12, 2007
Electrical
Filed Nov 28, 2007

SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING CREATING A VERY UNSAFE VEHICLE. THROUGH DISCUSSION WITH THE DEALER AND TALKS WITH GM IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM. LETTERS OF NOTIFICATION HAVE STARTED BEING SENT IN SEPTEMBER OF 07. THIS WEB SITE SHOWS COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM DATING BACK TO DEC OF 2005. ALL DESCRIBE AN UNSAFE SITUATION. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I HAVE 95,000 MILES ON MY 2003. GMC WILL REPAIR IF LESS THAN 70,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. HOW CAN A SAFETY PROBLEM CREATED IN MY ILLEGAL TRUCK STOP BEING A LIABILITY TO GM AFTER 70,000 MILES. WHY AM I BEING PENALIZED FOR DRIVING MORE THAN 10,000 MILES A YEAR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10210206
Incident
Nov 11, 2007
Mileage
95,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 12, 2007

53,000 MILES THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED. NEEDLE IS PASS 120 MPH. VEHICLE IS A 2003 SPORT BED SILVERADO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10208739
Incident
Nov 5, 2007
Mileage
53,158 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 11, 2007

2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 TRUCK--SPEEDOMETER IS STUCK READING 10 MPH TO FAST, SOMETIMES. IT VARIES, BUT CURRENTLY MY SPEEDOMETER THINKS 25MPH IS 0. THUS WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER SAYS 55MPH, I AM ACTUALLY(I THINK) DRIVING 25MPH. THS STARTING POINT CHANGES ON A DAILY BASIS. MY PROBLEM IS I ACTUALLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I AM TRAVELING. FOR ME THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I TOW TRAILERS AND CARRY A LARGE TRUCK CAMPER. GM WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY ON ANY OF THE GM CARS/TRUCK. IN ADDITION THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH GM CUSTOMERS. GM WILL NOT ADMIT IT BECAUSE THE RECALL WOULD BE SO LARGE AND COSTLY, BUT THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE GRAPEVINE(HIGHWAY5) AND YOU NOT SURE OF YOUR SPEED IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS WHEN HAULING 10K POUND IN BACK OF YOU. THIS COULD BECOME AN ACCIDENT JUST LIKE THE ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. WITH THIS IN MIND GM WILL NOT DO A RECALL ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. IT IS TIME FOR NHTSA TO STEP IN AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE A LIFE IS LOST. BELOW IS LINKS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM--- 617 SIGNATURES--> HTTP://WWW.PETITIONONLINE.COM/CHEVY07/ CBS NEWS STORY-->HTTP://CBS5.COM/INVESTIGATES/LOCAL_STORY_087204739.HTML CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT-->LEVY, RAM & OLSON LLP *TR

NHTSA ID
10208612
Incident
Nov 10, 2007
Mileage
100 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2007

I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND .PULLED OUT ON THE STREET....TURNED RIGHT AT THE LIGHT NEXT TO THE PARKING LOT. DROVE 1/8 OF A MILE TO A ROUND-A-BOUT AND NOTICED MY SPEEDOMETER WAS SHOWING. THE SPEED WAS LESS THAN WHAT I ACTUALLY GOING. IT WILL DO THIS 2 OUT OF 10 TIMES THAT I DRIVE MY 03' TAHOE. I HAVE TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE CAR THE START UP AGAIN TO SOMETIMES GET IT TO WORK. I'M AFRAID THAT I WILL GET A SPEEDING TICKET DUE TO THE FACT I HAVE TO DRIVE BY RPM'S TO GUESS MY SPEED. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE FIX IS AROUND $700.00 BUT I HAVE TO SAVE UP FOR THAT AMOUNT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10188020
Incident
Feb 28, 2007
Mileage
64,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Feb 22, 2007

SPEEDOMETER ON 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 STUCK AT 60 MPH. *JB

NHTSA ID
10183275
Incident
Jan 4, 2007
Mileage
105,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 5, 2007

SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONS CONSTANTLY. SOMETIMES OFF BY 30-40 MPH, OTHER TIMES DOESN'T WORK AT ALL. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177835
Incident
Jul 1, 2003
Mileage
30,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 31, 2006

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, MY TRUCK LOST POWER WHICH MADE ME PULL OVER QUICKLY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT..APPARENTLY I RAN OUT OF GAS, WHILE MY FUEL GAUGE WAS STILL SHOWING A QUARTER OF A TANK...ALSO OTHER GAUGES ON MY CLUSTER ARE NOT WORKING LIKE THE SPEEDOMETER. IT IS A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO AND GM IS CHARGING OVER 600 DOLLARS TO REPAIR, MANY OWNERS ARE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10177433
Incident
Dec 28, 2006
Mileage
80,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 28, 2005

FAILURE OF INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS INCLUDING TACHOMETER AND OIL PRESSURE GAUGES. RECEIVED A CITATION FOR SPEEDING ON 12\16\05. CALLED MECHANIC ON ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION AND WAS TOLD I HAD AN "ELECTRICAL GLITCH" WAS TOLD BY THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP ON 12/27/05 THAT ALL INSTRUMENTS WERE SUSPECT AS TO ACCURACY INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10146284
Incident
Dec 16, 2005
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Apr 19, 2005

ON 6/26/2003 WE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK, DROVE IT HOME, AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHORTED OUT, AFFECTING CD/AIR CONDITIONER AND ABS. BRAKES DISPLAYED BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE ON THE ODOMETER, ORANGE ABS LIGHT CAME ON, AND BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT POWERING UP AS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO. FAULTY BRAKES/MOTOR STILL KNOCKED SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE. SLAP AND THEN THE MAIN BEARINGS AND CAM BEARINGS RATTLED BACK WHEN GIVING A LITTLE GAS. IT RATTLED AND KNOCKED AT START UP. THE CLUSTER WAS STILL OUT SINCE DECEMBER 8 2004. TRUCK IS STILL ON THE DEALERS LOT AT LANDERS CHEVROLET IN BENTON, ARKANSAS. THEY REFUSED TO FIX OR REPAIR IT. THEY GOT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY CANCELED BY TELLING WARRANTY COMPANY ABOUT ME HAULING BOULDERS JUST BECAUSE I HAD A LAWN SERVICE. I SOMETIMES DO LANDSCAPING, AND WE HAVE EVERY THING DELIVERED. TRUCK WON'T START, CLUSTER IS OUT,ODOMETER ROLLED OVER MORE MILES THAN GROUND COVERED DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER SHOWED MILES 0-20 MPH WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVING IT SHOWED 60 MPH. REVERSE FAILED AT 32,000 MILES NOT 35,000 THEY PUT ON REPAIR SHEET,TRANSMISSION STILL SLIPS AND BUZZES. WE HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK IN FOR REPAIRS 17-25 TIMES, BUT ACTUAL TIMES IN SHOP WAS 34 TIMES. TRUCK WAS DIAGNOSED AS INTERNAL ELECTRICAL SHORTS. IT WONT GIVE ANY CODES,FUSES BLEW OUT UNDER DASH AND UNDER HOOD. RUSSELL CHEVROLET REPLACED THEM. LANDERS CHEVROLET NEVER REPLACED ANY OUT OF 7 TIMES ,TELLING THEM IT WAS OUT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10118134
Incident
Dec 8, 2004
Mileage
32,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 9, 2004

I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, 2500HD, MODEL LS, NEW IN FEBRUARY, 2003. STICKER PRICE IS $44,000. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT CHEVROLET DID NOT PUT AN UNDERHOOD LIGHT ON THIS MOST EXPENSIVE OF THEIR PICKUPS. LESSER AND CHEAPER MODELS THE SAME YEAR HAVE A LIGHT UNDER THE HOOD. GO FIGURE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10052733
Incident
Feb 1, 2003

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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