FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 449 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 401 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 2013 | 2 | 325 |
| Dec 2013 | 2 | 327 |
| Jan 2014 | 5 | 332 |
| Feb 2014 | 4 | 336 |
| Mar 2014 | 6 | 342 |
| Apr 2014 | 2 | 344 |
| May 2014 | 7 | 351 |
| Jun 2014 | 5 | 356 |
| Jul 2014 | 10 | 366 |
| Aug 2014 | 4 | 370 |
| Sep 2014 | 3 | 373 |
| Oct 2014 | 3 | 376 |
| Nov 2014 | 3 | 379 |
| Dec 2014 | 3 | 382 |
| Jan 2015 | 5 | 387 |
| Feb 2015 | 2 | 389 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 390 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 391 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 392 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 393 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 395 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 397 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 398 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 399 |
| Jan 2016 | 2 | 401 |
| Feb 2016 | 2 | 403 |
| Mar 2016 | 2 | 405 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 406 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 407 |
| Sep 2016 | 4 | 411 |
| Oct 2016 | 2 | 413 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 414 |
| Jan 2017 | 2 | 416 |
| Mar 2017 | 3 | 419 |
| Apr 2017 | 1 | 420 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 421 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 422 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 423 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 424 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 425 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 426 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 427 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 428 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 429 |
| Oct 2018 | 1 | 430 |
| Dec 2018 | 2 | 432 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 433 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 434 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 435 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 436 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 437 |
| Sep 2019 | 2 | 439 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 440 |
| Nov 2020 | 1 | 441 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 442 |
| Apr 2022 | 1 | 443 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 445 |
| Jul 2023 | 2 | 447 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 448 |
| Apr 2026 | 1 | 449 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Brakes24746.3%
- Electrical8515.9%
- Engine315.8%
- Fuel system295.4%
- Tires & wheels193.6%
- Steering173.2%
- Driver assistance173.2%
- Body & structure152.8%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSTEERING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
While driving down a 50 mph roadway there was a line of cars slowing for a vehicle to make a turn. When gently pushing the brakes to slow down, brake went clear to the floor and could not slow down. Truck was driven into the ditch to avoid rear-ending vehicles. This happened immediately without warning, all braking prior to this incident was normal. When taken to our mechanic, they advised the brake lines underneath were notorious for rusting out and failing, new stainless steel lines were then installed to correct the problem.
- NHTSA ID
- 11731112
- Incident
- Apr 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 equipped with Prinx Tires, Tire Line: High Country, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: 04N18HTPC1323. The contact had the tires rotated by an independent mechanic. Upon inspection of the tires, the contact discovered cracks along the base of the tire treads on all four tires. The contact notified the mechanic about the defect and was given a credit for the remaining mileage on the tires warranty. The contact notified the manufacturer about the failure through voicemail and email; however, the contact never received a response. The contact stated that the four tires were replaced. The tire failure mileage was 21,942. The vehicle failure mileage was 342,422.
- NHTSA ID
- 11609048
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2024
- Mileage
- 342,422 mi
The component that failed according to the Chevrolet dealer is the "transfer case pump clips", which came loose inside the transfer case and wore a hole through the case causing the oil to come out. If I would not have noticed the oil on the back of my truck, I could have continued to drive the truck, which could have caused the transfer case gears to lock up the front and rear axles while driving and could have caused me to wreck, causing injury to myself, my family or someone else. I marked the area of the leak with a sharpie as depicted in the photos.
- NHTSA ID
- 11531325
- Incident
- Jun 28, 2023
When starting vehicle , after initial dash lights times out, I now get an AIRBAG 9malfunction light). Tried resetting, did not work. Now, every time I start the engine, the comes on and stays on.
- NHTSA ID
- 11529895
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2023
Hydroboost valve pump shows a recall.,and it's not working properly
- NHTSA ID
- 11489582
- Incident
- Jun 3, 2021
I had to replace the replace the housing on my transfer case as it wore a hole in and was leaking. At a cost of 1200 dollars due to myself catching it early as later with a fully disabled case would have been 2600 dollars. My mechanic who deals in transmission repairs told me this a very common problem for Chevy trucks from 1999 to 2006. He claimed he had done 7 transfer cases in one week and was actually replacing a fully wrecked one for 2600 dollars as I brought mine in to be worked on . It had worn a hole through the transfer case and was leaking. As this seems to be a serious defect . I feel it should have been under a recall and reimbursement should be in order for those who paid out of pocket for repairs. My mechanic also stated that he has replaced them at 35, 000 miles and on up. No rhyme or reason to when they fail or leak.
- NHTSA ID
- 11489023
- Incident
- Oct 7, 2022
In the middle of the taxiway, while I was traveling my truck turned off while it was running and did not turn on again, putting my safety at risk by being in the middle of the taxiway, after several minutes the truck was able to be removed from the road, then I was able to investigate that I am not the only one that the same thing has happened to him, there is no Safety Recall in this regard, the GM fabric is aware of these cases but only wrote a TSB, it was diagnosed with the scanner and it gave code U1800, before the event there were no lights warning but after the event there is a check engine light on.
- NHTSA ID
- 11460336
- Incident
- Apr 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hydro boost area when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was faulty. The intermediate shaft was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact requested the dealer to replace the power steering pump but the dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by the power steering pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11424383
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2016
- Mileage
- 115,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an unusual noise and is difficult to identify, isolate or pinpoint. Technician should get record a sound clip or take a video of the noise for assessment by engineering. Technician will need to call General Motors Technical Assistance Center for further assistance.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
ENGINE
This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire calibration for tires that have been sized, tested and designed for the vehicle in question and its applications. Technician should not use the information that is provided by the antilock braking system tire size selection.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 40.7 |
| 2024 | 139 | 3 | 0 | 51.4 |
| 2023 | 44 | 1 | 0 | 49.5 |
| 2022 | 90 | 3 | 0 | 55.9 |
| 2021 | 84 | 6 | 1 | 61.8 |
| 2020 | 101 | 10 | 1 | 63.7 |
| 2019 | 74 | 7 | 0 | 61.3 |
| 2018 | 52 | 5 | 0 | 60.8 |
| 2017 | 54 | 5 | 0 | 53.1 |
| 2016 | 122 | 5 | 0 | 53.0 |
| 2015 | 175 | 6 | 1 | 60.0 |
| 2014 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 53.8 |
| 2013 | 51 | 3 | 1 | 46.7 |
| 2012 | 53 | 3 | 1 | 54.4 |
| 2011 | 104 | 4 | 1 | 51.2 |
| 2010 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 49.8 |
| 2009 | 61 | 5 | 1 | 59.7 |
| 2008 | 191 | 4 | 3 | 60.2 |
| 2007 | 204 | 3 | 3 | 58.6 |
| 2006 | 177 | 1 | 0 | 43.3 |
| 2005 | 269 | 1 | 0 | 43.8 |
| 2004 | 368 | 2 | 0 | 48.9 |
| 2003Viewing | 449 | 2 | 1 | 52.7 |
| 2002 | 351 | 3 | 4 | 60.3 |
| 2001 | 300 | 1 | 3 | 48.9 |
| 2000 | 132 | 3 | 2 | 59.9 |
| 1999 | 81 | 2 | 0 | 46.4 |
| 1998 | 73 | 2 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 1997 | 64 | 2 | 0 | 48.5 |
| 1996 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1995 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 1994 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.