RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet W-Series

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.
1
Latest Feb 28, 2009
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 Jun 19, 2013
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2003 Chevrolet W-Series, most frequently naming the brakes category. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 297 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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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
13V259000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; EQUIPMENT

Jun 19, 2013
1,774 units potentially affected
The defect: Isuzu Manufacturing Services of America, Inc. (Isuzu) is recalling certain model year 2001-2013 Isuzu N-Series; model year 2001-2010 Chevrolet and GMC W-Series; model year 2001-2004 Isuzu FRR and model year 2001-2004 Chevrolet and GMC WT5500 trucks. The affected vehicles are equipped with an optional oil pan heater (RPO code IG3). Debris may collect at the contact point of the heater plug and the extension cord. This may cause overheating of the extension cord.
The risk: Overheating of the extension cord could melt the oil pan heater plug and/or block heater plug, resulting in an increased risk of fire.
The remedy: Isuzu will notify owners and dealers will inspect the trucks. The extension cord and damaged components will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on August 30, 2013. Owners may contact Isuzu at 1-866-441-9638.
Isuzu Manufacturing Services of AmericaView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Feb 28, 2009

WAS DRIVING TO MY DEALER MOTORHOME SUPERSTORE ,VERO BCH. FL. 78 MILES AWAY I SMELLED SOMETHING HOT AND FLUID SMELL. I STOPPED LOOKED AROUND AND DROVE THE LAST COUPLE OF BLOCKS TO THE RV PLACE WHEN I GOT THERE THEY SAID MY FRONT WHEELS WERE SMOKING I SAW FLUID ALL OVER THE TIRES ,THEY SENT ME TO SERVICE CHEVROLET A FEW BLOCKS AWAY ON SATURDAY HE CALLED ME TO SAY I NEEDED NEW CALIPERS AND ROTORS AND PADS AND FT/SENSORSSEALS COVER BEARINGS COST TO ME 4,826.24///THIS OCCURRED 3 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED THE RV ///YESTERDAY I TOOK RV IN FOR SAFETY CHECK AND OIL CHANGE TO MAROONE CHEVY IN GREENACRES ,FL HE SAID THE BACK CALIPERS ARE BURNT ONE BOLT MISSING ,THE SPEED SENSOR IS MELTED CAUSING ABS LIGHT TO STAY ON, APROX COST 2,000. I HEAR NOW THAT THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE 2002/2003 DOLPHIN LX AND HAVE PUT ON LESS THAN 10,000. MILES NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. AT 57,000.MILES. ON ODOMIS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ? I WAS TOLD WORKHORSE WAS THE BEST , I 'M NOT SO SURE NOW? PLANNING A TRIP THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS THIS SUMMER FROM FLORIDA SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?*TR

NHTSA ID
10260298
Incident
Dec 11, 2006
Mileage
48,063 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.

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.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

18-NA-099

This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as a Product Allegation Resolution (PAR) claim.

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 W-Series by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011000—
2010110—
2009010—
2008010—
2007010—
2006010—
2005010—
2004410—
2003Viewing110—
2002010—
2001110—
2000000—
1999000—

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.