2003 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Chevrolet Truck, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical1634.8%
- Brakes1021.7%
- Steering510.9%
- Body & structure510.9%
- Fuel system24.3%
- Tires & wheels24.3%
- Transmission12.2%
- Driver assistance12.2%
- Engine12.2%
- Interior & seats12.2%
- Other / unspecified12.2%
- Suspension12.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT CAUSING THEM TO FAIL IN TWO DIFFERENT SPOTS IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS. THIS IS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT USING THIS TYPE OF METAL ON THIS PART. *TR
HOOKED UP MY TRAILER TO THE 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO AND DROVE TO THE GAS STATION AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE FREEWAY LIKE THE DAY BEFORE WHEN MY WIFE AND I DROVE 20 MILES DOING 70 MPR, WOW WE COULD BE DEAD RIGHT NOW. IM WITHOUT A TRANSPORTATION AND THE DEALER WANTS 2000.00 AND ANOTHER WANTS 3000.00 TO FIX IT. THE WAY THE BRAKE LINE ARE DESIGNED MAKES IT VERY HARD TO FIX, BUT FOR THE BRAKES TO GO OUT WITHOUT A SAFETY BACK UP SYSTEM IS NUTS. I HAVE A 1970 CAR THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAVE NO RUST!! THIS IS A LIFE OR DEAF ISSUE SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE. EVEN AFTER I FIX THIS TRUCK I'LL BE SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
WHEN I AM PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY OR PARKING AREA, IF THE WHEELS ARE TURNED HARD TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT, WHEN STOPPING AND PUTTING THE TRUCK IN PARK, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS AND YOU CANNOT GET THE STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. THE KEY WILL NOT RELEASE IT OUT OF THE LOCK POSITION, EITHER BY JIGGLING THE KEY OR THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. AS A RESULT, I AM FORCED TO HAVE THE ENTIRE KEY LOCK CYLINDER REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE. I HAVE HAD TO DO THIS THREE TIMES. I HAVE BEEN STUCK IN PLACES THAT I HAVE PARKED, WITH THE WHEELS TURNED AND AM UNABLE TO GET IT MOVED UNTIL IT IS COMPLETELY TAKEN APART AND THE IGNITION KEY AND CYLINDER ARE REPLACED. IT HAS COST ME OVER 300 TO HAVE THIS DONE. IT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE, ON OCCASION I HAVE STOPPED IN PLACES TEMPORARILY AND THEN NOT BEEN ABLE TO LEAVE AGAIN. I AM TIRED OF IT. I THOUGHT ORIGINALLY IT WAS A KEY PROBLEM, BUT HAVE FOUND, THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THREE IGNITIONS ALREADY, I BELIEVE IT TO BE A DEFECT IN THE STEERING COLUMN, STEERING LOCK OR WHEEL TURNING PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME GET THIS RESOLVED. THANK YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
DEFECTIVE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES ON A CHEVY TRUCK/CAB ON MY RV. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLES HAVE A POOR AND WEAK DESIGN. THEY ARE HELD ONTO THE DOORS BY SMALL PLASTIC PINS THAT BROKE OFF EASILY. THEY SHOULD HAVE A METAL SCREW THAT WOULD HOLD THEM MORE SECURELY TO THE DOOR BACK. MY CHEVY IS NOT THAT OLD FOR THIS TO HAPPEN AND IT IS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN. PART # 12479875 - LEFT DOOR HANDLE PART # 12479876 - RIGHT DOOR HANDLE BOTH HANDLES BROKE OFF THE DOORS HELD ONLY BY SMALL PLASTIC PINS. *TR
FLUIDS LEAKING FROM CAR. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR LAST WEEK AND BROUGHT THE 2003 SSR FOR SERVICE WEDNESDAY 10-24-12. SERVICE TEAM IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE AS A CRACK IN THE GAS TANK. THE CRACK WAS AT THE FILL AREA WHERE THE PLASTIC NECK CONNECTION GOES INTO THE PLASTIC TANK. YOU CAN IMAGINE HOW SURPRISING THIS WOULD BE AS A CONSUMER AND CHEVY LOYALIST! MY WIFE AND I ARE DRIVING AROUND IN A VEHICLE WITH GAS POTENTIALLY LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. THANK GOODNESS FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT! I'VE OWNED NUMEROUS CHEVYS AND A COUPLE OF GERMAN VEHICLES OVER THE YEARS, NEVER WITH ANY FAILURE OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE DEALERSHIP IS HOLDING THE TANK FOR INSPECTION. IN DOING A BIT OF RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS NOT NEW NEWS TO GM. IN FACT, THERE WAS A FIRE SAFETY RECALL OF TRAILBLAZERS IN 2004 WITH THIS EXACT DEFECT. DISAPPOINTLY, THIS RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2003 SSR WHICH IS MOUNTED ON A TRAILBLAZER FRAME USING A TANK THAT APPEARS A DUPLICATE TO THE TANK ISSUE IN THE TRAILBLAZER RECALL. (FYI, MY SSR WAS DELIVERED LATE 2003, SO I ASSUME 2004 TRAILBLAZER TANKS FOUND THEIR WAY INTO THE FIRST SSR PRODUCTION.) ADDITIONAL GM RECALLS OF PLASTIC TANK PARTS ARE ALSO RECENT HISTORY IN WARM-WEATHER STATES ON THE COLBALT, G5, AND THE EQUINOX. MY 2003 'SLINGSHOT' YELLOW SSR HAS 31,000 MILES, ALWAYS SERVICED AT VAN IN SCOTTSDALE. SHE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF ROAD, ONLY SEEING PAVEMENT. ADDITIONALLY, SHE HAS HAD NO ACCIDENTS OR REPAIRS; JUST SCHEDULE MAINTENANCE AT VAN CHEVY IN SCOTTSDALE AZ SINCE SHE WAS BORN. THERE SEEMS TO ME NO REASON THIS FAILURE WOULD OCCUR OTHER THAN A DEFECT IN DESIGN OR WORKMANSHIP. *TR
MY HUSBAND PULLED INTO TRAFFIC TODAY AND HIS 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO STALLED. NO ONE WAS HURT, TRAFFIC STOPPED. HE LEARNED A CABLE RUNNING TO THE GAS LINE SNAPPED IN TWO FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT IS BEING FIXED NOW. THE ONLY REASON I'M FILING THIS IS TO SEE IF IT A PROBLEM FOR OTHERS. OUR TRUCK IS ALREADY BEING REPURCHASED LATER THIS MONTH FOR A FOUR WHEEL DRIVE PROBLEM AND WILL NO LONGER BE OF OUR CONCERN AT THE END OF THIS MONTH. I JUST HOPE THIS IS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, BUT AM CONCERNED THAT GM HAS A DEFINITE QUALITY ISSUE WHEN MANUFACTURING THEIR VEHICLES.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
CHEVROLET S-10 2 TIRES WENT BAD WITH ONLY 17,700 MILES ON THEM TOW IN HAS BEEN OFF SINCE WE HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. *AK
I AM EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM WITH THE SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED BY CHEVROLET WHERE THERE IS A CLUNKING NOISE ON THE 2-3 UPSHIFT. I CAN'T BELIEVE THEY HAVE A DO NOT ATTEMPT TO FIX RECOMMENDATION AS MY TRUCK JUST STARTED TO EXHIBIT THIS CONDITION AT 5000 MILES, AND IT DID NOT DO SO PRIOR TO THIS. TO SEE THERE REASONING THAT THERE ARE ADDITIONAL STRESSES WITH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE THAT MAY CAUSE THIS CONDITION SEEMS TO BE A POOR EXCUSE AND WAY OUT NOT TO FIX THE PROBLEM.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ENGINE LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME....SERVICE UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 TRUCK IDLES ROUGH, CHOKES AND STALLS DURING LEFT TURNS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THUMPING IN STEERING SINCE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE STEERING HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE AND SHAKES AND HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVLEY WORSE. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED WHEN NEW FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. WE ARE VERY CONCERNED IF IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE.AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
A NOISE IN THE FRONT END. HAVE HAD THE CAR IN SEVERAL TIMES BUT NOISE STILL REMAINS. I DON' WANT TO FIND OUT THE ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM WHILE I'M DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. UNDERSTAND. *LA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .