2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
805 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
80,317 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 725 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 273 of 805 complaints (33.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 439 | 54.5% |
| Steering behavior | 59 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 1.5% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 1.0% |
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 | 273 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 105 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 102 |
| Electrical System | 85 |
| Steering | 39 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 27 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 19 |
Service Brakes: 273; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 105; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 102; Electrical System: 85; Steering: 39; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 27; Vehicle Speed Control: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 19
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 56 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 110 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 154 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 152 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 175 |
| 150,000 and above | 78 |
Under 25,000: 56; 25,000 to 49,999: 110; 50,000 to 74,999: 154; 75,000 to 99,999: 152; 100,000 to 149,999: 175; 150,000 and above: 78
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (175). 80 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 |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 13 |
| 2006 | 49 |
| 2007 | 88 |
| 2008 | 66 |
| 2009 | 45 |
| 2010 | 80 |
| 2011 | 44 |
| 2012 | 69 |
| 2013 | 69 |
| 2014 | 127 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 10; 2004: 9; 2005: 13; 2006: 49; 2007: 88; 2008: 66; 2009: 45; 2010: 80; 2011: 44; 2012: 69; 2013: 69; 2014: 127; 2015: 51; 2016: 34; 2017: 19; 2018: 10; 2019: 6; 2020: 4; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 439 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 59 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 31 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10005874 · 2003-02-15 (February 15, 2003)
DRIVETRAIN NOISE; RANGING FROM CLUNK TO METALLIC CLANK; PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE NEW. 1-2 UPSHIFT CAUSES CLUNK AT DRIVER SIDE FRONT. (4 WHEEL DRIVE MODEL) AND CLANK IAT DIFFERENTIAL. SITUATIONS WITH VERY LIGHT THROTTLE (1-2 SHIFT) RESULT AT TIMES WITH IMPACT/CLANK (W/ VERY AUDIBLE METALLIC SOUND);SUFFICIENT TO "SHUDDER" VEHICLE. SHIFTING IN 4W LOW (MANUFCTURER INSTRUCTIONS) ALSO RESULTS IN CLANK/SHUDDER; NOT UNLIKE BEING STRUCK BY A HAMMER. SLOWING DOWN/RELASING THROTTLE TO NEGOTIATE 90 DEG. TURNS; THROTTLE GOES "DEAD" - NO RESPONSE - THEN RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009582 · 2003-02-28 (February 28, 2003)
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE, AND NOT STARTING AT TIMES.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10009582 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013763 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO GOES INTO "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" MODE. THE TRUCK HAS DONE THIS 3 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. IF IT HAPPENS WHILE TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC A SERIOUS ACCIDENT COULD RESULT. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THE REAL CONCERN IS TO HAVE A COMPUTER ABLE TO CONTROL THE ENGINE SPEED IS DANGEROUS. AT ANY TIME IT COULD REDUCE ENGINE POWER WITHOUT THE DRIVER HAVING ANY CONTROL.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10013763 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018466 · 2003-05-09 (May 9, 2003)
I JUST BOUGHT A C1500 REGULAR CAB SHORT BED TRUCK. I WAS APPALLED TO FIND OUT THAT THE TIRES ARE RATED AT 950 LBS. AT MAX LOAD OF 44PSI. THE TRUCKS DRY CURB WEIGHT IS LISTED AT 4142 LBS. AND MAX PAY LOAD IS 1958. THESE NUMBERS INDICATED THAT THE TRUCK CHEVROLET SUPPLIED IS ON TIRES THAT ARE NOT EVEN RATED TO HOLD THE TRUCK EMPTY! I CAN'T USE MY TRUCK TO HAUL OR CARRY ANYTHING WITHOUT EXCEEDING THE TIRE MANUFACTURES RATING. THE TIRES ARE GOODYEAR WRANGLER ST P235/75R16 (PASSENGER CARE TIRES?) I DO NOT THINK I SHOULD DRIVE THIS TRUCK ON THES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027303 · 2003-08-15 (August 15, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MPH ON A DIRT ROAD, A POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER TIRES WENT FLAT. GOODYEAR, WRANGLER ST P245/75R16 *AK (THE RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FLAT, AND THE RIGHT FRONT WAS ATTEMPTING TO GO FLAT) *SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10029370 · 2003-07-02 (July 2, 2003)
COMPLAINT WITHDRAWAL OF ODI NUMBER 10018466. *MR THE CONSUMER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE TIRE RATING ON THE VEHICLE. *SCC *JB *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10029370 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10039861 · 2003-10-12 (October 12, 2003)
WHILE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE DRIVER WOULD ALSO PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FOWARD. THE OWNER HAS MADE CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. *PH *TS *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10039861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10042424 · 2003-10-07 (October 7, 2003)
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND THE AIR FLOW CONTROL SENSOR, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10042424 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.