Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 33 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.
The 25 most recent of 33, in the owner's own words
THIS IS THE SECOND OF THREE FATAL COLLISIONS INVESTIGATED THIS YEAR BY MY OFFICE INVOLVING CHEVROLET PICKUPS THAT CAUGHT FIRE AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN FRONTAL COLLISIONS. THIS WAS AN OFF SET HEAD ON, PASSENGER SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE. PASSENGER IN PICKUP WAS PINNED IN VEHICLE DUE TO CRUSH AND CONSUMED BY FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 227,792.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ON ONE OCCASION, ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE DUE TO THE FAILURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND ONLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT PERSONALLY REPLACED THE STARTER RELAY BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
2 PROBLEMS. ANTI-LOCK BRAKES PULSATE INTERMITTENTLY. ENGINE 6.0L EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN. CAUSING EMISSIONS CODES TO SET AND EXHAUST GASES INTO CAB. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR 1999 TO 2007 V8 ENGINES. GM SAID THERE IS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
AFTER A 3 MILE RIDE, BACKING UP TRUCK NOTICED SMOKE THEN FLAMES COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. FIRE MELTED ALL ELECTICAL LINES, DESTROYED HOOD AND WINDSHIELD. WEATHER WAS PERFECT, AIR CONDITIONING MAY HAVE BEEN ON. *TR
MY TRUCK HAS BEEN BLOWING HOT AIR WHEN ON COOL. WHEN IT STARTED DOING IT, I NOTICED SPARKS COMING FROM WHAT APPEARED TO BE MY AC UNIT. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I BELIEVE THAT MY ACTUATOR BLEND DOORS NEED TO BE REPLACED BUT DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE. *TR
I HAVE SEVERAL BROKEN BOLTS ON MY EXHAUST MANIFOLDS. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF FOR EMISSIONS RELATED CODES. I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PASS A SMOG TEST UNLESS THIS IS FIXED. SEVERAL AUTO SHOPS WANT ABOUT $1,000 TO FIX THIS. ITS AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND IS KNOWN BY CHEVY/GM AND YET THEY WILL DO NOTHING TO HELP OR FIX IT. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY! *TR
WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES BECAME PREVALENT INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. UPON INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IT WAS DETERMINED 5 OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD PREMATURELY FAILED ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO ESCAPE FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY USED SPARINGLY WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE IN THE TRUCK UNTIL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE REPAIRED. *TR
LOW COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD DEALER CHECK IT OUT AND THEY FOUND THAT MY VEHICLE HAD DEFECTIVE HEADS BULLETIN # 06-06-01-0198. *TR
VEHICLE LOOSING COOLANT. DETERMINED CYLINDER HEAD DEFECT, TSB #06-06-01-019B. CYLINDER HEAD EMBOSSED WITH CASTECH LOGO DEVELOPED A POROSITY CRACK IN A VERY SPECIFIC AREA. *TR
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN THE OUTSIDE CONDITIONS ARE COLD THE STEERING IS STIFF. THIS OCCURS AT ANY SPEED. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE VALVE IN THE POWER STEERING. THIS HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, #10013533, REGARDING THIS, BUT NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE WATER PUMP GASKET WAS REPLACED. THE TRANSFER CASE BEARINGS WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/22/06. *JB
DT: THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT SEVERAL PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING HE HAD TROUBLE SHIFTING FROM FIRST GEAR. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION MODULE CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD, AND THE RPMS REVVED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AFOREMENTIONED DID NOT REMEDY THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE SECOND PROBLEM WAS WITH THE BRAKE LIGHT COMING ON THE CLUSTER ASSEMBLY. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED IT, AND IT SEEMED TO WORK WELL AT THIS TIME. THE THIRD PROBLEM WAS WITH A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE GEAR KIT, TWO GASKETS, CASE, THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ASSEMBLY, CARRIER GEARS, AND SHIMS. THE NOISE WAS STILL HEARD. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT THE CONTACT INSTALL CARPET TO CUT DOWN ON THE NOISE. THE FINAL PROBLEM WAS WITH A LOSS OF REAR TRACTION. THE DEALER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL IN IDENTIFYING THE ROOT OF THE TRACTION PROBLEM.*AK THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. UPDATD 11/29/05. *JB
WARRANTY ON CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON CHEV SILVERADO 1500 V6 4.3 WENT BAD CORROSION INSIDE RATTLING. REPLACED ,BUT NOT THE MUFFLER WHICH WAS CHECKED AT SAME TIME AND THE BELLOW WAS FOUND TO HAVE BEEN LOOSE DUE TO CORROSION,AND DEBRIS FROM THE CONVERTERS, BUT WAS NOT COVERED ON WARRANTY. WHY? I WAS INFORMED IT WASN'T 'T PART OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM.??? THE EXHAUST GOES THROUGH THE CONVERTERS AND OUT THE MUFFLER. *NM
A/C STOPS WORKING. PRESSURE SWITCHES CHANGED, COOLENT RECHARGED, NOW THEY ARE ADDING AN ELECTRIC FAN TO HELP COOL THE CONDENSER. CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG.
4X4 NOT WORKING, CHARCOAL CANISTER, CD-PLAYER 3 TIMES, COMPLETE NEW BRAKE SYSTEM FROM ROTORS,SEALS,CALIPERES ETC. THAT I PAID FOR $1,000., WINDOW REGULATOR, DOOR LATCHES, NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA, DASH PEELING APART, CHAPMAN CHEVY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES TWICE WITHIN 50,000 MILES-I FINALLY WENT AND SPENT $1,200 ON NEW TIRES TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY AND I OUR SAFE
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE DRIVER NOTICED A BROWNISH LIQUID LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FILTER AND OTHER PARTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. *AK (THE VIN NUMBER ENTERED PER CONSUMER, DID NOT MATCH THE VEHICLE GIVEN) *SC *JB
I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO DURAMAX IN 4/04 USED WITH 21,020 MILES. AT ABOUT 28,000 IT STARTED TO SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION. THIS IS A VERY THICK BLUE SMOKE. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT IT TWICE AND SAYS THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. BUT I THINK IF I HAVE TO GET IT CHECKED FOR EMISSIONS THAT IT WOULD FAIL MISERABLY. IT NOW HAS APPROX. 45,000 MILES BUT IS STILL COVERED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO ABOUT 72,000.*AK
WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK ABS DISPLAYED BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON INCLINES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE ODOMETER FAILED AND ADDED EXTRA MILEAGE. THE TIRES STARTED SEPARATING AFTER 300 MILES. THE RADIO BECAME HOT AND SHORTED OUT. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHORTED OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE NEW VEHICLE CHECKLIST WAS NOT FILLED OUT NOR REVIEWED WITH HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE KNOCKS. THE CONSUMERS FINGERS WERE BURNED BY THE RADIO AFTER IT GOT HOT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A GROWLING NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER HEARD A BUZZING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE COMING DOWN A HILL. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND TURNED BLACK. THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED WITH THE WRONG HIGH BEAM LIGHT. THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT TAKE THE CD. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ONLY GO TO 20 MPH AT TIMES. *TC
AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A WEEK, A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. *JB *SC
THE ENGINE SENSOR CONTINUED TO STAY ON WITHOUT WARNING . THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL MODULE SEAL, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB *TC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM . *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS CAUSED A LOST OF STEERING AND BRAKES. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN INSPECTED THREE TIMES AND COULD NOT BE REPRODUCED. *AK THE FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 75 MPH DOWN A SLOPE WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER (ENGINE, BRAKE, AND STEERING) THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE SWITCH FOUR TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE ENGINE TO START. THE PROBLEM REPEATED ITSELF TWO MORE TIMES WITH SIMILAR INSTANCES. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD HUMMING NOISE. DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE MUFFLER. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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