2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 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 Silverado 1500, 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
- Brakes42946.7%
- Electrical19521.2%
- Steering566.1%
- Engine353.8%
- Driver assistance313.4%
- Fuel system283.1%
- Body & structure272.9%
- Airbags212.3%
- Visibility171.9%
- Suspension141.5%
- Tires & wheels131.4%
- Powertrain (other)121.3%
- Transmission121.3%
- Other / unspecified111.2%
- Exterior lighting70.8%
- Seat belts50.5%
- Interior & seats30.3%
- Heating & air conditioning20.2%
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
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 CHEVROLET Silverado1500 HD have power hydro brake liitle leaking when driving so loud same time steering to turning so loud and very hard apply brake step on brake so loud try to stop not easy scary and parked at home right now, i beleive fact recall now because your repoert said that "found none recall", it is now problems same my dad have van recall for 2003 Express 1500 and Express 2500 van problems hybro booster brake and steering system found recall now... as 2003 CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 hd problem same thing the problem, you shoud add up recall because show " no found recall " ???, are you notice different? It parts are same problems with van and truck power hydro and brake/steering system . Please let me to know and email back to me sooner, Thanks.
RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Instrument panel stopped working. Speedometer, fuel gauge and ammeter not working.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
The vehicle was being driven in a parking lot, fortunately, when there was a loud snapping noise that resulted in the total loss of steering control. The vehicle was moving at about 5 MPH at time of the incident. 10 minutes prior, it was being driven on the Freeway at 60 to 65 MPH. In the parking lot, at the time of the steering failure, it was put into Park, ignition was turned off and a Tow service was called to tow vehicle home. The next day, I (the owner) inspected the steering system and found the reason it failed. A threaded connection on the "Pitman Arm" had snapped in half, terminating the connection between the steering column and the center link, causing catastrophic failure of steering system. The vehicle was transported to a repair facility where my diagnosis was confirmed. The Pitman Arm was replaced, at a cost of about $600.00 and returned to service. There were no warning signs, that I was aware of, prior to the component failure. In my opening sentence, I use the term "fortunately" , which truly is an understatement . Had the incident occurred 10 minutes earlier while on the freeway or if it hadn't occurred in a parking lot at a relatively low speed, I don't even like to think about the death, injury and damage that would have occurred.
2003 CHEVROLET Silverado1500 HD have power hydro brake liitle leaking when driving so loud same time steering to turning so loud and very hard apply brake step on brake so loud try to stop not easy scary and parked at home right now, i beleive fact recall now because your repoert said that "found none recall", it is now problems same my dad have van recall for 2003 Express 1500 and Express 2500 van problems hybro booster brake and steering system found recall now... as 2003 CHEVROLET Silverado 1500 hd problem same thing the problem, you shoud add up recall because show " no found recall " ???, are you notice different? It parts are same problems with van and truck power hydro and brake/steering system . Please let me to know and email back to me sooner, Thanks.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My engine has been giving me lean condition codes p0171, p0174 and truck is lacking performance really bad and coolant problems too please message me back
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE OIL READER IS ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE REDUCED SPEED WARNING COMES ON THE ENGINE REDUCES SPEED AND CANNOT GO OVER 30 IN A 30 MILE RADIUS IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME 4 TIMES JUST THIS MORNING TO WORK. *TR
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM DOWNTOWN SUDDENLY MY TRUCK LOST POWER AND I HAD TO LIMP HOME ,FRIEND CHECKED TRUCK AND FOUND TROUBLE CODE P2135 REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND ALSO SAID FOR ME TO CHECK IF THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM .
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
My truck is a older model Chevrolet Silverado pickup HD the problem is it say engine power reduced. I have had it worked on a few times and keeps reducing if engine power. Can you tell me if there is a recall on this issue or at one point there was a recall? I have had the truck almost 2 years any info would be appreciated. I bought the truck from an individual.
My engine has been giving me lean condition codes p0171, p0174 and truck is lacking performance really bad and coolant problems too please message me back
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The undercarriage or frame of our recent purchase of our 2003 used chevrolet k1500 silverado was discovered recently after purchase to be rusted through and through and chipping off day by day. A private master mechanic has looked the truck over and said that it was not safe to drive. Upon further investigating, the panels that hold up the roof of the truck underneath the interior panels are rusting through and through to the point of breaking. Dealership we bought it from just shrugged their shoulders and said basically oh well, it was sold as is. under the truck on the frame where the wheels are attached, forgive my descriptions but im no mechanic, looks like they can break off at any minute. we have ony about 3/4 of a front and back bumper we later discovered, and the roof of the truck looks as if it had rusted and messed up beause someone before us put plaster to redo the roof of the truck. im scared to put my mother in law in this truck to go anywhere because if it got into a wreck... it would be devestating for everyone. truck has been in a wreck before. pictures and truck is available for inspection upon request,
'TAKATA RECALL' MY AIR BAGS WERE FRAMED UNSAFE FROM BEING A VEHICLE FROM A WARM CLIMATE. REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED TO ENSURE SAFE GUARDS.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
EMAIL FROM CONGRESSMAN SCHNEIDER ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT REGARDING TAKATA AIRBAG RECALL. *LD *TR
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.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TAKATA RECALL FRAME IS BREAKING AIRBAG LIGHTS ON DASH IS MESSING UP
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
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TIRE SIZE 75R16, BRIDGESTONE V-STEEL RB215, IS THE BRANDED AND EXACT TIRE ON THE TRUCK WHEN ON 05/23/2026 DRIVING NORMALLY DOWN A LAS VEGAS RURAL ONE-WAY NEIGHBORHOOD STREET I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ONE-WAY STREET (7200 PIRATES COVE) WHERE THERE ARE PARKED VEHICLES ALONG THE SIDES OF STREET FROM RESIDENTS ETC..... ON BOTH SIDES OF STREET IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY. AND AS I WAS PASSING THE SMALL RESIDENTIAL INTERSECTION W/ NO STOP SIGNS IN PLACE, THE TIRE IS EITHER SLIICED BY SHARP OBJECT IIN THE STREET OR JUST BLOWN FROM MANUFACTURER DEFECT, HEAT, OR THE LIKES, ANYWAY IT BLOWS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUCK DIRECTLY BESIDE A VEHICLE PARKED ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE HEADING EASTBOUND, WHEN IT BLOWS THE VEHICLE DROPS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOSES CENTER OF CONTROL AND DESPITE EFFORTS TO AVOID, IT CAUSES MY COLLISION WITH THE PARKED CAR ON THE RIGHT, BECAUSE IT IMMEDIATELY WENT FLAT TO RIM, AND I WAS COLLIDED INTO, THE REAR-END OF A UNOCCUPIED VEHICLE WHICH THEN COLLIDED SLIGHTLY WITH VEHICLE IN FRONT OF IT WHICH LIGHTLY REAR-ENDED A THIRD PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF IT ALSO UNOCCUPIED AND PARKED. AND THE AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED WITHIN THE VEHICLE ON IMPACT. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN WORST OUTCOMES, MY DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURIES, OR SOMEONE ELSES INJURIES. AND THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING PRIOR TIRE ISUES OR PUNCTURES AND VERY LIMITED TREAD USE OR TIRE PROLONGED ROAD EXPOSURES AND OTHER WEAR AND TEAR RELATED ACTIONS/ACTIVITIES. SO IM ISSUING HIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE THAT IS A RATHER SERIOUS DEFECT IF INDEED THE TIRE AND ITS MODEL, BRAND AND MANUFACTURER HAVE A POSSIBLE RECALL AND PRODUCT DEFECT ON IT'S TIRES THAT COULD BLOW ANYTIME, ANYWHER ON IT'S OWN THATS VERY DANGEROUS FOR ANYONE TO BE USING THE TIRES FOR VEHICLE OPERATION. THEY SHOULD BE PULLED FROM THE PLACES BEING SOLD AT PROMPTLY DISPOSED OF AND NEW REPLACEMENTS FOR AFFECTED DRIVERS
THE 2003 SILVERADO 1500 SHORT BED PU U-JOINTS KEEP GOING OUT. HAVE REPLACED THEM ATLEAST 6 TIMES. PU HAD 30,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2006. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE BUILD OF THE PU THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, DON'T MATTER WHAT KIND OF TIRES I PUT ON THE PU IT HAS A VIBRATION ALL THE TIME. THE VIBRATION COULD BE WHATS CAUSING THE U-JOINTS TO GO OUT. I HAVE HAD 10 PLY TIRES ON IT FOR OFF ROAD USE AND NOW I'M RUNNING HIGHWAY TIRES AND STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION, SO I DON'T THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES IT'S MORE OF A DESIGN IN BUILD PROBLEM RETHER THAN A MECHANICAL PROBLEM I THINK. *TR
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
THE 2003 SILVERADO 1500 SHORT BED PU U-JOINTS KEEP GOING OUT. HAVE REPLACED THEM ATLEAST 6 TIMES. PU HAD 30,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2006. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE BUILD OF THE PU THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, DON'T MATTER WHAT KIND OF TIRES I PUT ON THE PU IT HAS A VIBRATION ALL THE TIME. THE VIBRATION COULD BE WHATS CAUSING THE U-JOINTS TO GO OUT. I HAVE HAD 10 PLY TIRES ON IT FOR OFF ROAD USE AND NOW I'M RUNNING HIGHWAY TIRES AND STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION, SO I DON'T THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES IT'S MORE OF A DESIGN IN BUILD PROBLEM RETHER THAN A MECHANICAL PROBLEM I THINK. *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
2003 THRU 2007 GM FULL SIZE TRUCKS AND VANS.THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LOCK CONTROL (FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE BRAKE TRANSMISSION INTERLOCK (BSTI)) DOES NOT OPERATE WITH THE KEY IN THE ACCESSORIES POSITION. CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT IN AND HAVE IT DIAGNOSED.GM DEALER CHECKED IT OUT AND GAVE ME A GM BULLETIN THAT SAYS"THE SHIFT LOCK MECHANISM IS ONLY ACTIVE WHEN THE IGNITION IS IN THE RUN OR ON POSITION." I KNOW THAT THE YEARS PRIOR TO 2003 AND YEARS AFTER 2007 THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK WITH OUT THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED WITH THE KEY TURNED TO THE ACCESSORIES POSITION. IF IT WAS NOT A PROBLEM FROM 2003 TO 2007 WHY DID THEY CHANGE IT AND WHY WASN'T IT THAT WAY BEFORE? I THINK THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD CREATE SERIOUS INJURIES OR WORSE. *TR
I WAS HEADING DOWN INTERSTATE RUNNING AROUND 70 MPH. NEXT THING I KNEW I WAS RED LINE ON MY RPM AND WAS SLOWING DOWN. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK CAUSE TRANSMISSION WAS TORE SLAP OUT. I MOSTLY DRIVE ABOUT 70 MILES ROUND TRIP 5 DAYS A WEEK TO MY JOB OTHER THAN IT SETS IN THE DRIVE WAY. AFTER A BIG TOW BILL TO HOME I HAVE TO PAY AGAIN TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE SHOP AND FIND OUT IT WILL BE A $1800 REPAIR. I HAVE BEEN A CHEVY OWNER ALL MY LIFE. HAD A 98 MODEL TRUCK JUST LIKE IT WENT TILL I ROLLED 250,000 ON IT WITH ONLY MINOR PROBLEMS. AND THIS ONE DOESN'T EVEN MAKE 85,000. *TR
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL CLUNKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND IT VIBRATED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E106000 (WHEELS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
THE 2003 SILVERADO 1500 SHORT BED PU U-JOINTS KEEP GOING OUT. HAVE REPLACED THEM ATLEAST 6 TIMES. PU HAD 30,000 WHEN PURCHASED IN 2006. THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING IN THE BUILD OF THE PU THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, DON'T MATTER WHAT KIND OF TIRES I PUT ON THE PU IT HAS A VIBRATION ALL THE TIME. THE VIBRATION COULD BE WHATS CAUSING THE U-JOINTS TO GO OUT. I HAVE HAD 10 PLY TIRES ON IT FOR OFF ROAD USE AND NOW I'M RUNNING HIGHWAY TIRES AND STILL HAVE THE VIBRATION, SO I DON'T THINK IT HAS TO DO WITH THE TIRES IT'S MORE OF A DESIGN IN BUILD PROBLEM RETHER THAN A MECHANICAL PROBLEM I THINK. *TR
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
JUST LEAVING HOME TO GO LOOK AT SOME PARTS FOR A POLE BARN AND LEFT DRIVEWAY WENT TO STOP SIGH , I PROCEEDING TO GO DOWN MITCHELL HILL RD AND ON THE SECOND TURN NO BRAKES , LUCKILY I HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA AND INSTANTLY APPLIED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE AND PUT TRUCK INTO LOWER GEAR . THIS WAS ENOUGH TO SLOW ME DOWN SO I DIDN'T GO OVER THE GUARD RAIL BUT DID HIT IT ROUGHLY . I MADE IT TO THE BOTTOM AND COASTED TO A STOP . GOT OUT AND LOOKED UNDER HOOD AND TRUCK TO FIND BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING ON TO THE GROUND. I HAD IT TOWED HOME . UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I LOCATED THE CAUSE OF BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO BRAKE LINES BROKE DUE TO HEAVY RUST ALL OVER THEM .. NOW I DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ONLINE FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS AND FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS OF CHEVROLET SILVERADO'S . WHY HASN'T THEIR BEEN A RECALL . WHY IS BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY INVOLVED AND GM DOESN'T WANT TO PAY . SO SOMEONE ELSE WILL BE PAID , BUT NOT THE OWNERS . OR A FATALITY WILL HAVE TO OCCUR FOR SOMEONE TO MAKE A DECISION . THAT'S THE WORLD WE LIVE IN NOW ! SAD BUT TRUE . *TR
STEERING CLUNKS ON TURNS. DEALER REPLACED INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT UNDER WARRANTY PER TSB. PROBLEM RESURFACED ON 09/29/2006 AT 44,045 MILES. DEALER REPAIRED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY . PROBLEM SHOWED UP AGAIN ON 06/17/2007 AT 54, 451 MILES. DEALER WANTED $280 FOR THE JOB. HAVE NOT REPAIRED. THE PROBLEM IS NOW WORSE AT 84,618 MILES. PROBLEM # 2 STOP LIGHT SOCKETS HEAT UP AND LOOSE CONTACT TO THE BULB. DEALER WANTS AROUND $75 FOR EACH OF THE TWO SOCKETS REQUIRED. PROBLEM #3 RECEIVED NOTICE FROM GMAC STATING THERE MAY BE AN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PROBLEM. DON'T COME TO THE DEALER UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. GM EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS OR 70,000 MILES. NATURALLY, MY GAUGES FAILED AT 79,000 AND 7 YEARS AND 10 MONTHS. DEALER WANTS OVER $400 FOR PARTS ALONE. UPDATED 07/05/11 *BF UPDATED 02/03/12
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW. I AM 77 AND A RETIRED FORMER MECHANIC. THE TRUCK HAS 4 WHEEL DISK BRAKES AND A SEPARATE INNER DRUM ON THE REAR BRAKES FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT IS USELESS! THE SHOES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE A PAIN TO REPLACE AND DON'T WORK VERY WELL OR LAST VERY LONG. A POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN. I AM WIDOWED A DON'T HAVE ANYONE IN MY PASSENGER SEAT VERY OFTEN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT TIGHTENS ON THE PASSENGER AS I AM DRIVING DOING NORMAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. IT WILL NOT RELEASE UNTIL THE BELT IS UNLATCHED AND ROLLED ALL THE WAY BACK IN AND THEN WE START OVER AGAIN. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS UNDER WARRANTY I TOOK IT TO A DEALER BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I HAVE TRIED TO FIND A CLIP I COULD USE TO HOLD SLACK IN IT BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL.
AFTER MY TRUCK RECEIVED A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE A DECELERATED THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. *TR
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
2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH ELECTRONIC DASH *TGW THE SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN INCONSISTENTLY WORKING SINCE JULY 2010. THE GAUGE WOULD BE FINE AT FIRST, WHEN SUDDENLY IT WOULD REGISTER SPEEDS THAT WERE NOT CORRECT AND THE NEEDLE WAS SLOW TO RESPOND TO ANY CHANGE IN SPEED AND IT WOULD NOT DROP TO ZERO WHEN THE CONSUMER CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT WOULD USUALLY CORRECT ITSELF OVERNIGHT, BUT NOT ALWAYS AND IT WOULD REMAIN NORMAL UNTIL THE NEXT INTERMITTENT EPISODE. ALSO, THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DASH. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DOORS WOULD LOCK AND UNLOCK ON THEIR OWN WHILE STOPPED AND WHILE DRIVING. THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT BRIEFLY, ALL OF THE DASH DISPLAYS AND SIDE DOOR LIGHT PANELS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE POWER HEATED SEATS WOULD JERK AND MAKE NOISES. *JB
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 (V6) WAS APPARENTLY DESIGNED WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER EVAPORATOR COIL SITUATED OVER THE DISTRIBUTOR AND POINTS. THE CONDENSOR COIL DRIPS MOISTURE ONTO AND INTO THE DISTRIBUTOR CAUSING CORROSION. THIS CORROSION CAUSES THE ENGINE TO HESITATE AND VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY AT ACCELERATION TO 45 MPH. MY NEW VEHICLE HAS ALREADY HAD THE DISTRIBUTOR AND POINTS REPLACED TO "REMEDY" THE SITUATION. THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSED TO WRAP THE CONDENSOR COIL WITH TAPE WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE CONDENSATE TO DRIP FURTHER INTO THE ENGINE BUT AS IT TURNS OUT THEY DIDN'T "GET AROUND" TO WRAPPING THE COILS. AS A RESULT, AFTER RUNNING THE A/C, THE ENGINE IS HESITATING AFTER ONLY 20 MILES OF DRIVING. THEY STATED THE FIX IS GOOD FOR AS LONG AS THE TAPE HOLDS UP. AFTER THE WARRANTY RUNS OUT, IT LOOKS LIKE IT WILL BE MY PROBLEM TO PAY TO REPLACE THE DISTRIBUTOR EVERY 5 OR 10 THOUSAND MILES WHICH IS UNACCEPTABLE. SO FAR, I HAVE CONTACTED 4 DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE HOUSTON AREA. EVERY SERVICE MANAGER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM EXISTS ON ALL V6 ENGINES FOR THIS TRUCK FOR YEARS 2002 AND 2003. THE SALES STAFF WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THEY EVER HEARD OF SUCH A PROBLEM. I AM AWARE OF 3 OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THEIR DEALERS WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE ANY PROBLEM EXISTS.*AK
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 .