2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
42 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
84,728 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 42 complaints (31.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 57.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 7.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 4.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 13 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 3 |
| Engine | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 13; Service Brakes: 10; Electrical System: 5; Fuel System, Diesel: 3; Engine: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Diesel: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 11 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 3
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 9 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
2005: 1; 2006: 2; 2007: 5; 2009: 1; 2010: 6; 2011: 10; 2012: 4; 2013: 1; 2014: 9; 2015: 1; 2016: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10211152 · 2007-12-07 (December 7, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. AS OF DECEMBER 7, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6,500. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10211152 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10342875 · 2010-07-13 (July 13, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 15 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10342875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10208027 · 2007-11-06 (November 6, 2007)
OCTOBER 2006 I RECEIVED THIS LETTER FROM CHEVROLET. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS IN SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET SILVERADO VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE, MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF HIGH FUEL RETURN RATES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR BODY CRACKS, OR BALL SEAT EROSION, OR HIGH PRESSURE SEAL EXTRUSION. SYMPTOMS OF THESE CONDITIONS INCLUDE ILLUMINATION OF SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT, LOW ENGINE POWER, HARD START, AND/OR FUEL IN THE CRANKCASE. THIS IS NOT A RECALL. DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR CHEVRO…
Owner-reported narrative. 100,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10208027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10526390 · 2013-07-23 (July 23, 2013)
GM HAD A INJECTOR PROBLEM (RECALL ) IN 2006. THEY REPLACED MINE ON SEPT,27 2006. ON MAY 21 20013 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH GM CONVEYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT AGAIN. THE MILEAGE ON MAY, 21 WAS 84362, JUST ABOUT HOW LONG THE OTHERS LASTED. I WAS TOLD FROM MY LOCAL GM DEALER THAT THEY ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM (THOUSANDS). I JUST WAITED TO PASS MY GRIEF ALONG TO LET SOMEONE ELSE KNOW HOW YOU ARE TREATED BY ONE OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE BAILED OUT WITH OUR MONIES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 38,094 miles reported. Look up ODI 10526390 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10558257 · 2014-01-02 (January 2, 2014)
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRUCK JUST STARTS STALLING OUT. GOT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAYS THERE IS RUST IN THE TANK AND THE FUEL FILTER IS FULL OF IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. THESE TRUCKS NEED TO BE RECALLED FOR THE FUEL TANKS. I'VE HAD VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE RUST. THEY AT LEAST NEED TO BE CHECKED OUT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 56,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10558257 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10584717 · 2014-04-24 (April 24, 2014)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER AND REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ALONG WITH THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584717 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10434267 · 2011-11-04 (November 4, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY AND HE WAS UNABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO MENTIONED THAT AFTER HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 111,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10434267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10639703 · 2014-09-29 (September 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 DIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 107,124 miles reported. Look up ODI 10639703 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10361641 · 2010-10-21 (October 21, 2010)
DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING.WHEN REPLACING BULBS FOUND SOCKETS BURNED TO BULB BASE AND WIRES TO SOCKETS BURNT. HAD TO REPLACE SECTION OF WIRES AND BREAK BULB BASE TO REMOVE. CONDITION CAN POSSIBLY CAUSE A FIRE IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 111,128 miles reported. Look up ODI 10361641 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10585376 · 2014-04-28 (April 28, 2014)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 140,506 miles reported. Look up ODI 10585376 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10162158 · 2006-07-11 (July 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CLUNK IN THE STEERING SHAFT COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE STEERING SHAFT BE GREASED DOWN. THERE WERE NO DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF GREASING THE STEERING SHAFT HOWEVER THE PROCEDURE IS EXPENSIVE TO GET DONE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WILL CHARGE FOR GREASE THE STEERING. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - WHEN THE SHAFT MOVED UP AND DOWN THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL GM PRODUCTS PERFORM THIS WAY AND THAT THERE…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,684 miles reported. Look up ODI 10162158 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10345987 · 2010-07-28 (July 28, 2010)
THIS CLAIM IS ON A CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AROUND 30,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS 3 TIMES, BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE, RADIO PROBLEMS, STEERING PROBLEMS AND TIRE WEAR. GENERAL MOTORS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS CONTACTED AN ASSURED ME THIS TRUCK WAS NOT A LEMON, I SAID IT WAS. NOW BETWEEN 30,000 AND 90,000 MILES I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAD THE DOORS LOCK FOR NO REASON AT ALL, LOCK BY THEMSELVES. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENG…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,998 miles reported. Look up ODI 10345987 at NHTSA ↗