RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
42
Latest Jul 28, 2016
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 19, 2006
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and fuel system categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 162 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes2441.4%
  • Electrical712.1%
  • Fuel system712.1%
  • Engine58.6%
  • Tires & wheels46.9%
  • Exterior lighting23.4%
  • Powertrain (other)23.4%
  • Steering23.4%

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

1 campaign 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.gov
06E043000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

May 19, 2006
88,303 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
The risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
The remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 42
Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2016

DRIVING THROUGH A RURAL TOWN GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE VERY SOFT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT NEAR THE FLOOR, EASED IT HOME ON FRONT BRAKES (AS REAR LINE HAD RUPTURED). UPON INSPECTION BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED IN TWO JUST BEHIND THE FUEL TANK (LONG SECTION HAD RUSTED AWAY). REPLACED LINE GOING TO REAR BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
10889284
Incident
Oct 22, 2014
Mileage
108,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 3, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE CLUTCH PANEL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED INTO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PANEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BOTH TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,337.

NHTSA ID
10872305
Incident
May 17, 2016
Mileage
85,337 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Oct 29, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,444.

NHTSA ID
10786948
Incident
Oct 17, 2015
Mileage
186,444 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 2014

WAS DRIVING ALONG AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AN HOUR WHEN TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND I HAD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10668506
Incident
Dec 27, 2014
Mileage
140,880 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2014

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON 9/23/14 AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DOWN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AND NARROWLY MISSING HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM BENEATH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I PURCHASED A LARGE BOTTLE OF BRAKE FLUID FROM A GAS STATION AND CONTINUED TO FILL THE BRAKE RESERVOIR UNTIL I MADE IT BACK TO MY LOCAL AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. DURING THE SHOP'S INVESTIGATION, THEY DISCOVERED THAT A STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD BURST DUE TO RUST. IN FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY NOTICED THAT ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000.00. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES THAT WERE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS TRUCK THAT NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH BRAKE LINE RUST OR FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE SUDDEN NATURE OF THE FAILURE. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CRASH. I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY, BUT IF THIS IS NOT ADDRESSED IN THIS LINE OF GM TRUCKS SOMEONE COULD SERIOUSLY GET HURT OR WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10639703
Incident
Sep 23, 2014
Mileage
107,124 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 19, 2014

THANK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS WITH ME AND KNEW WHAT TO DO. I WAS DRIVING. AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WE HEAR A NOISE NOT HAVING A CLUE IN THE WORLD. HE SAID WE NEED TO FIND A PULL OFF AND SEE WHAT THAT COULD BE. AS I WENT TO EXIT OFF I DISCOVERED I HAD NO BRAKES. NONE WHATSOEVER. AS MY HUSBAND GETS IT TO A STOP WE DISCOVER BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT FROM BEHIND THE FUEL TANK AND BETWEEN THE CAB. I WAS PANICKING. MY HUSBAND CRAWLS UP UNDER IT TO DISCOVER ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT AND BUSTED. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE FIRST OF MARCH 2014 FROM JERRY (TODD) HUNT AUTO SALE IN LEXINGTON NC. HOW COULD HE EVEN BE ALLOWED TO SELL SUCH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE? THAT WAS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. HOW CAN CHEVROLET EVEN PUT SUCH BRAKE LINES ON AS THAT? AS I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. I CALLED TODD HUNTS TO HAVE THE LADY YELLING AT ME! RUDE! THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT...I SEEN DEATH BEFORE MY EYES THAT DAY. I FOUND ON CONSUMER AGENCY WHERE OUT OF 473 COMPLAINTS 101 WAS THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE THE SAME TRUCKS THE YEARS 1999-2003. I ALSO FOUND IN NEW YORK TIMES WHERE GM ISN'T WANTING TO DO A RECALL CAUSE IT WAS GOING TO COST MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. SO NOW WHAT? WE ALL JUST GET KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10626479
Incident
Aug 12, 2014
Mileage
188,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 4, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,938.

NHTSA ID
10596019
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Mileage
121,938 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Apr 28, 2014
Fire reported

FIRST COMPLAINT FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON 10/21/10. COMPLAINT #10361641. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN DTR LIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE OUT,SMELLED BURNING WIRE SAW THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WIRES LEADING TO LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED AND ALSO MELTED THE SOCKET AGAIN. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF THE FIRST TIME AND WILL DO SO THIS TIME. *JS

NHTSA ID
10585376
Incident
Apr 25, 2014
Mileage
140,506 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

PIP5358D

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.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

PIT3271P

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

Chevrolet Silverado 3500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026230—
2025121052.0
2024473055.2
2023151039.3
2022273059.6
2021385161.0
2020408160.2
2019217057.7
2018186049.1
2017136041.2
2016506052.8
2015527163.5
2014103156.1
2013264151.9
2012234157.5
2011295149.4
2010251—
2009106158.4
2008314364.5
2007395361.9
2006520046.3
2005461033.7
2004411043.6
2003Viewing421034.7
2002502252.9
2001722356.9
2000802254.6
1999471037.4
1998671042.7
1997611147.3
1996100—
1995000—
1994100—

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.