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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Airbags Problems

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

Data refreshed

Airbags 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.
21
Latest Feb 4, 2019
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.
3%
of 805 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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 21 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 airbag

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

Airbags
Filed Feb 4, 2019

EMAIL FROM CONGRESSMAN SCHNEIDER ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT REGARDING TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. *LD *TR

NHTSA ID
11173994
Incident
Jan 28, 2019
Airbags
Filed Sep 26, 2018

AT ALL TIMES DURING OPERATION, THE SUBJECT VEHICLE HAS A 'SERVICE AIR BAG' MESSAGE ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, ALONG WITH THE RED ILLUMINATED SYMBOL INDICATING AIR BAG PROBLEM. FROM WHAT I'VE FOUND VIA INTERNET SEARCHES, THIS SEEMS TO BE COMMON ON THE CHEVY TRUCKS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM WOULD PREVENT THE AIRBAG(S) FROM OPERATING IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, BUT I CANNOT ASSUME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD ACTUATE IF/WHEN NEEDED, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY OR LOSS OF LIFE. IT CERTAINLY SEEMS THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL, WITH A REQUIREMENT FOR GM TO CORRECT THE DEFECT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES. INDICATIONS ARE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11131678
Incident
Sep 10, 2018
Mileage
92,000 mi
AirbagsElectricalSuspension
Filed Aug 20, 2018

TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS BREAKING AIRBAG LIGHTS ON DASH IS MESSING UP

NHTSA ID
11121135
Incident
Aug 18, 2018
Airbags
Filed Dec 4, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 800 (NA). WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED OFF AND ON. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A TAKATA SETTLEMENT NOTICE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11052249
Incident
Nov 1, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 6, 2017

HAD TO REMOVE SEAT FOR REPAIRS. WHEN SEAT REPLACED RED SEAT BELT WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND MESSAGE APPEARS THAT SAYS "SERVICE AIR BAG." I CAN NOT PURCHASE SENSOR FOR THE SEAT WHICH IS RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE, BUT HAVE PURCHASE THE WHOLE UNIT WHICH INCLUDES THE MASTER UNIT UNDER THE DASH.

NHTSA ID
11043924
Incident
Sep 15, 2015
Mileage
119,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 24, 2017

TAKATA RECALL, I CONTACTED HERNDON CHEVROLET AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME SINCE TAKATA HAS NOT SENT THEM REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS. THEY FURTHER STATED THAT TAKATA WOULD NOT BE SENDING REPLACEMENT AIRBAGS SENSE THEY WERE BANKRUPT. HERNDON CHEVROLET REFUSED TO EVEN CONTACT ME IF REPLACEMENT PARTS BECAME AVAILABLE . I THEN CALLED LOVE CHEVROLET OF COLUMBIA AND WAS TOWED BY THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT'S THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE AIRBAGS AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA ID
11036024
Incident
Oct 24, 2017
Airbags
Filed Jun 5, 2017
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A SEMI TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CRASH DID NOT FIT THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AND FRACTURES IN THE MIDDLE AND LOWER PORTIONS OF THE BACK, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION AND SURGERY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

NHTSA ID
10993221
Incident
Aug 16, 2006
Mileage
103,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Apr 8, 2015

SEVERAL TIMES NOW THIS LAST 2 MONTHS MY TRUCK STOPS RUNNING. AT FIRST IT WOULD SLOW DOWN THEN STOP, THE LAST TIME IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN 3 TIMES FROM WORK TO HOME WHICH IS ONLY 10 MINUTES AWAY. THE IGNITION SEEMS TO BE THE PROBLEM. I AM BRINGING THIS TO EVERYONES ATTENTION JUST IN CASE SOMEONE ELSE HAS THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE. IF I WERE DRIVING 65 OR 70 MILES PER HOUR IT COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE OR ME OR BOTH. MY PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG IS ALSO SHOWING A FAULT. IT SHOWS THAT IT NEEDS SERVICED.

NHTSA ID
10704710
Incident
Mar 1, 2015
Mileage
189,085 mi
AirbagsElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed May 16, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS ON CRUISE CONTROL PRIOR TO ACCIDENT, I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS & DO NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE CRASH EARLY ON. WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE ROLLED FRONT TO REAR 1 1/2 TO 2 1/2 TIMES, PRIOR TO COMING TO REST ON ITS TOP. THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. I SPENT 3 DAYS IN ICU AND AM NOW RECUPERATING AT HOME. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT . THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10592067
Incident
May 9, 2014
Mileage
250,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jan 13, 2012
Crash reported2 injuries reported

HIT IN REAR OF DRIVER SIDE CORNER OF BED AND SENT TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT OF TRUCK THEN ROLLING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HALTING TO A STOP. HIGHWAY PATROL REPORT TAKEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443652
Incident
Dec 23, 2011
Mileage
53,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 28, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONTAL AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED WITHIN THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE AIR BAG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000. UPDATED 03/29/11 *BF UPDATD 03/30/11

NHTSA ID
10384730
Incident
Feb 14, 2011
Mileage
62,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Oct 14, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. IN AUGUST 2005, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT TURN OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE WIRING AT THE BRAKE HINGE WAS REPAIRED. IN 2010, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,283 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,292.

NHTSA ID
10360451
Incident
Aug 25, 2005
Mileage
30,283 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 19, 2010

TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,340. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10326456
Incident
Feb 20, 2010
Mileage
99,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 19, 2010
Crash reported

SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE A WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. SUBSEQUENT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD-ON CRASH SEVERE ENOUGH TO TOTAL THE VEHICLE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A REPLACEMENT VEHICLE (SAME MODEL) WAS PURCHASED, IT TOO HAS A "SERVICE AIRBAG" LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10320929
Incident
Mar 5, 2010
Mileage
90,100 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 22, 2009
Crash reported1 injury reported

2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 4-WD, SPUN IN "BLACK ICE", THEN STRUCK CONCRETE HIGHWAY BARRIER HEAD-ON AND "SQUARE" AT APPROX 50-MPH. FRONT END OF TRUCK WAS CRUSHED BACK APPROX 14-INCHES. DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WITH THE RESULT THAT FACE STRUCK STEERING WHEEL, PRODUCING DEGLOVEMENT OF NOSE ON LEFT SIDE. LEFT KNEE STRUCK SWITCH ARRAY TO LOWER LEFT OF STEERING WHEEL. DRIVER WAS WEARING SEAT BELT. DRIVER TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO NEAREST HOSPITAL FOR TREATMENT. ATTEMPTS TO DISCUSS PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP (BIDDLE CHEVROLET, BOTHELL, WASHINGTON) HAVE BEEN NEITHER PRODUCTIVE OR SATISFYING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10296754
Incident
Dec 4, 2009
Mileage
128,500 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Oct 17, 2008

DRIVER SEAT MOVED FORWARD AND THE "CHECK AIRBAG" WARNING IS DISPLAYED ON THE DASHBOARD. MOVING THE SEAT BACK THE WARNING GOES OFF. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IF THE "CHECK AIRBAG" IS DISPLAYED THE AIRBAG FUNCTIONALITY IS ESSENTIALLY DISABLED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245776
Incident
Oct 17, 2008
Mileage
66,142 mi
Airbags
Filed Jul 3, 2008

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ON CODE B0103 MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10233106
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
55,000 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Jun 4, 2008

I HAVE A 1500 CHEVY, SILVERADO. I WAS NOTIFIED BY ?? BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM HAS CLOSED. THE RECALL STATED A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. BUT, BECAUSE WE HAD MORE THAN 70,000 MILES IT WAS NOT COVERED. WE HAD TO PAY OVER $300.00. WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED IN A TIMELY MANNER AND SHOULD BE REIMBURSED. IN 2006 WHEN THE ODOMETER AND THE TEMP GAUGES WAS STICKING WE DID NOT HAVE 70,000 MILES. THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS STILL STUCK SINCE 2006. *TR

NHTSA ID
10229851
Incident
Jan 3, 2006
Mileage
63,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Apr 23, 2008

AIRBAG LIGHT, 53,000 MI ON VEHICLE, CODE B0103. *TR

NHTSA ID
10225446
Incident
Apr 18, 2008
Mileage
53,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 12, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT'S SON OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. ON MARCH 9, 2008, THE CONTACT'S SON PLACED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND STARTED THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OR WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL HIS INSURANCE COMPANY AND FILE A CLAIM. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,324 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,280.

NHTSA ID
10220898
Incident
Mar 9, 2008
Mileage
51,280 mi
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 7, 2005
Crash reported3 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND BOTH FRONTAL AND REAR SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK. DRIVER AND TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

NHTSA ID
10107035
Incident
Jan 2, 2004

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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