RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 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.
195
Latest Mar 9, 2024
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.
24%
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.
1

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 Silverado 1500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 195 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

The 25 most recent of 195, in the owner's own words

Electrical
Filed Mar 9, 2024
Fire reported

My heater started to shut off then I’d turn it off then turn it back on then it’d come back on again. That went on for a few days. Started my truck in the morning and let it warm up for a few moments when I hear truck is on fire. The fire was in the cab of the truck. It was investigated and they said fire started in the right side of the dash which is where the faulty part is from what I’ve learned about other Chevy trucks same make model and year as my truck

NHTSA ID
11576333
Incident
Jan 14, 2024
Electrical
Filed Jul 30, 2023

Instrument panel stopped working. Speedometer, fuel gauge and ammeter not working.

NHTSA ID
11535383
Incident
Jul 18, 2023
Electrical
Filed Jun 24, 2021
Fire reported

I was driving in normal conditions around 45 mph with the air conditioner on high. Smoke starts pouring out from underneath the dash on the passenger side and once I get stopped the blower motor resistor had caught fire. I was able to put the fire out myself no incident report was filed. It caused damage to my dash but I was able to extinguish it rather quickly to avoid further damage. I just bought this pick up for my 17-year-old son and if he had of been driving things could’ve been a lot worse especially if his reaction time is any slower than mine.

NHTSA ID
11422203
Incident
Jun 24, 2021
Electrical
Filed Feb 25, 2021

IGNITION WILL NOT INTERMITTENTLY START VEHICLE. DASH LIGHTS COME ON

NHTSA ID
11397881
Incident
Dec 24, 2020
Mileage
163,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalVisibility
Filed Oct 21, 2020

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER- THE ONLY THING THAT WORKS IS THE SPEEDOMETER IF I HIT A BUMP THE SPEEDOMETER STOPS WORKING MY TRUCK SOMETIMES DIES ON ME GOING DOWN THE ROADS, I RECENTLY TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND TOLD ME IT'S A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM BUT SINCE MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WASNT WORKING COULD NOT NARROW IT DOWN.. WINDSHIELD- FRONT MAKES A WHISTLE SOUND WHEN YOUR GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IT'S BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT.. BATTERY- BOUGHT A NEW BATTERY ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO AND SOMETHING KEEPS DRAINING IT SOMETIMES CAUSING IT TO HAVE HESITATION AND BOGS OUT.

NHTSA ID
11365636
Incident
Jan 5, 2020
Mileage
1,989,900 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 17, 2020

NEW OPTIMA RED TOP KEEPS DRAINING. SECOND NEW BATTERY IN A MONTH. DEAD OVER NIGHT. I'VE READ THERE'S A RECALL ON OTHER VINS. YET MINE IS DOING THE SAME BATTERY DRAIN THING. LEFT MY WIFE AT MCDONALD'S TODAY HIGH AND DRY! WTF! DON'T MAKE ME GET A FORD!

NHTSA ID
11364868
Incident
Aug 17, 2020
Mileage
218,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jun 22, 2019

OIL PRESSURE GAUGE PEGGED OUT AND NOT WORKING ALSO GEAR SELECTOR LIGHT NOT WORKING CAN'T TELL WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN

NHTSA ID
11221828
Incident
Apr 10, 2019
Mileage
150,000 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
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Aug 7, 2018

THE TPS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR CHECK ENGINE CODE KEEPS GOING OFF WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE TPS CODE GOES OFF THE ENGINE LOSES TOTAL POWER AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE ISSUE IS STILL REMAINING EVEN AFTER REPLACING DIFFERENT WIRES.

NHTSA ID
11118280
Incident
Oct 20, 2017
Mileage
182,000 mi
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Apr 2, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR DID NOT ADJUST AND THE BUTTONS DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT CALLED PORTER CHEVROLET AT 302-722-4822 (LOCATED AT 414 E CLEVELAND AVE, NEWARK, DE 19711) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.

NHTSA ID
11082454
Incident
Mar 6, 2018
Mileage
173,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jan 21, 2018

'TAKATA RECALL' MY AIR BAGS WERE FRAMED UNSAFE FROM BEING A VEHICLE FROM A WARM CLIMATE. REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED TO ENSURE SAFE GUARDS.

NHTSA ID
11063940
Incident
Feb 2, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Nov 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CEASED TO FUNCTION WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000.

NHTSA ID
11043927
Incident
Sep 6, 2017
Mileage
170,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Jul 31, 2017

THE BATTERY KEEPS BEING DRAINED WHEN ENGINE STAYS TURNED OFF. I RESEARCHED AND FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS 2003 SILVERADO ISSUE WITH MANY OTHER OWNERS. WHEN I RESEARCHED ON A RECALL I FOUND THE RECALL NUMBER (02066) BUT IT STATES THAT OUR TRUCK VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED BUT THEN WHY HAVE I BOUGHT 4 BATTERIES JUST THIS YEAR ALONE? PLEASE HELP BECAUSE IT NO LONGER CRANKS UP AT ALL. I HAVE TO JUMP THE TRUCK EVERY TIME I HAVE TO TURN IT ON.

NHTSA ID
11011604
Incident
Jul 1, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 1, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY THE PROPER SPEED INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD DISPLAY ZERO WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

NHTSA ID
10981631
Incident
Apr 24, 2017
Mileage
106,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 18, 2017

THIS ACTUALLY DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH AN ACCIDENT. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ON OUR CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 DOESN'T WORK EXCEPT FOR THE SPEEDOMETER. THE MILEAGE ON THIS VEHICLE IS 68,901, HOURS DRIVEN 2,498.6. I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE AMOUNT OF GAS, OIL PRESSURE, TEMPERATURE, ETC. IS. I REALLY THINK WITH THIS LOW MILEAGE THIS PANEL SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER.

NHTSA ID
10979052
Incident
Mar 1, 2017
Mileage
68,901 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 18, 2016
Fire reported

WHEN I WENT TO OPEN THE CAR DOOR SMOKE CAME OUT. THE TRUCK HADN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN TWO DAYS AND NOTHING WAS PLUG IN TO THE CHARGING OUTLET. THE ENTIRE DASH HAD MELTED. THE HEAT WAS HOT ENOUGH TO CRACK THE WINDSHIELD AND POP OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. THE VHELIHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVEWAY OF THE PRIMARY RESIDENCE.

NHTSA ID
10917199
Incident
Oct 18, 2016
Mileage
13,500 mi
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed May 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT AND THE VEHICLE SWERVED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE AND THE TWO CONTROL ARMS WERE REPLACED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 12/23/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE WIRING HARNESS FOR HEATER NUMBER 4 SETTING BLEW OUT. THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL ODOR. UPDATED 01/04/17.*JB

NHTSA ID
10862761
Incident
Jul 7, 2015
Mileage
85,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 22, 2016

INSTERMENT CLUSTER BAD SPEED,VOLTS,ETC.

NHTSA ID
10860984
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 23, 2016

VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY DECREASE POWER AND THE MESSAGE "ENGINE POWER REDUCED" SHOWS ON MESSAGE DISPLAY. FIRST TIME WAS 9/8/2012. LAST TIME WAS FEB 24, 2015. HAS DONE THIS AT 25 MPH ON A CITY STREET, 35 MPH CITY STREET TWICE, AND 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY. SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED THREE TIMES. AM AFRAID TO USE VEHICLE AS USUALLY TOW 5TH WHEEL AND DO NOT WANT IT TO DO THIS WHILE TOWING.

NHTSA ID
10821900
Incident
Sep 8, 2012
Mileage
110,580 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 14, 2016

SOUND COMING FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN PUSH ON GAS,NO POWER ON RIGHT SIDE GEAR LIGHT DOESN'T WORK I SERVICE 4 WD IT'S TELL ME TO SERVICE I START UP IT'S PICKS WHICH GEAR (STATIONARY) DOOR ON RIGHT STOP WORKING LOST ALL POWER.

NHTSA ID
10820131
Incident
Feb 18, 2008
Mileage
88,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 7, 2015

AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING, NO MATTER THE WEATHER OUR TRUCK RANDOMLY DIES. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL SHE ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP RIGHT AWAY.HOWEVER DUE TO NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, IT DOES ON CITY STREETS AT 25MPH AND HAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH. WE ARE UNSURE STILL AT THE MOMENT THE CAUSE OR SOLUTION. WE HAVE HAD 4 EPISODES OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM STARTING THIS YEAR ONLY, 2015 .

NHTSA ID
10808829
Incident
Nov 23, 2015
Mileage
128,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 10, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED HESITATION ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER CIRCULATED WARM AIR WHENEVER ACTIVATED. THE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR WAS NOT REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE MOTOR RESISTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID
10704998
Incident
Nov 14, 2013
Mileage
120,000 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
Electrical
Filed Mar 18, 2015

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAIL AS WELL AS THE SPEEDOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10695203
Incident
Sep 17, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 6, 2015

WHEN STARTING UP TRUCK I HEAR A CLICKING SOUND THEN IT GOES AWAY. HAPPENS ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10692498
Incident
Mar 7, 2014
Mileage
99,808 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .