2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
449 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
83,759 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 408 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 127 of 449 complaints (28.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 252 | 56.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 27 | 6.0% |
| Steering behavior | 22 | 4.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 19 | 4.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 3.3% |
| Engine operation | 11 | 2.4% |
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 | 127 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 93 |
| Electrical System | 45 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 37 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings | 14 |
| Steering | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 13 |
Service Brakes: 127; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 93; Electrical System: 45; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 37; Engine: 15; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings: 14; Steering: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 13
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 24 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 62 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 88 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 83 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 105 |
| 150,000 and above | 46 |
Under 25,000: 24; 25,000 to 49,999: 62; 50,000 to 74,999: 88; 75,000 to 99,999: 83; 100,000 to 149,999: 105; 150,000 and above: 46
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (105). 41 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 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
| 2005 | 7 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 42 |
| 2008 | 29 |
| 2009 | 26 |
| 2010 | 40 |
| 2011 | 59 |
| 2012 | 58 |
| 2013 | 36 |
| 2014 | 55 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 10 |
| 2018 | 8 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 3; 2004: 3; 2005: 7; 2006: 24; 2007: 42; 2008: 29; 2009: 26; 2010: 40; 2011: 59; 2012: 58; 2013: 36; 2014: 55; 2015: 17; 2016: 15; 2017: 10; 2018: 8; 2019: 8; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 252 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 27 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 22 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 10009254 · 2003-02-25 (February 25, 2003)
THE VEHICLE DOWN SHIFTED ERRATICALLY, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK AND THE VEHICLE TO SPIN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10014189 · 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)
2003 CHEVY 2500 TRUCK, 6.0 LITER ENGINE WITH STANDARD SHIFT TRANSMISSION. THE TRUCK HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE HAS A DELAY OFF OF IDLE IN RPM AND POWER. WHEN THE TRUCK IS STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON A HILL YOU CANNOT PREVENT EXCESSIVE ROLL-BACK OR STALL BECAUSE OF THE DELAY. IF THE TRUCK IS IN A NOISY ENVIRONMENT THE PROBLEM IS EVEN WORSE BECAUSE YOU CAN NOT TELL WHAT THE ENGINE WILL DO, OR IS DOING UNLESS YOU STARE AT THE TACHOMETER. YOU CAN NOT PREDICT ENGINE RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE POSITION WHEN STARTING OUT FROM A DEAD STOP …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10014189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10032304 · 2003-08-06 (August 6, 2003)
VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY RADIATOR HOSE AND HEATER HOSE ALONG WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS.*MR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOUR TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONSUMER FELT THE PROBLEMS HAD BECAME WORSE AFTER PICKING THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE MECHANIC AFTER IT'S THIRD REPAIR. THE CABLE FOR THE PARKING BRAKE WAS REPLACED. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,690 miles reported. Look up ODI 10032304 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10064765 · 2004-03-23 (March 23, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN SMOKE AND FLAMES EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. *PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10064765 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073684 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
INTERMITTENTLY DASH BOARD LIGHTS AND GAUGES WILL GO BLANK. WHEN THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS GO BLANK CONSUMER CANNOT DETERMINE HOW FAST THE VEHICLE IS GOING. THE DEALER EXAMINED THE VEHICLE FIVE TIMES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089853 · 2004-08-27 (August 27, 2004)
WHEN LOADING AND GOING AROUND CURVES AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL WITH GEAR SHIFT STILL IN DRIVE. THE MOTOR RACED, AND VEHICLE WAS IN SHOP TWICE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089853 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10118673 · 2005-04-29 (April 29, 2005)
THE TRANSFER CASE ON MY CHEVROLET 2500 HD CREW CAB HAS WENT OUT FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS, 1ST INCIDENT WAS MARCH 2004 ,AND NOW APRIL 2005. PLASTIC GEARS SEEM TO STRIP WHENEVER ENGAGED IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE AFTER NOT BEING UTILIZED FOR ANY LENGTH OF TIME.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 157,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10118673 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124889 · 2005-06-10 (June 10, 2005)
I BOUGHT A NEW 2003 CHEVY EXPRESS CARGO VAN (2500) IN 2003.WHEN THIS VEHICLE IS UNDER LOAD,TRAVELING ON ROADS WITH SIX/SEVEN PERCENT DOWNHILL GRADES,THE FRONT END SHAKES VIOLENTLY. SIMPLY TAPPING THE BRAKES WILL NOT BRING IT UNDER CONTROL,YOU HAVE TO LITERALLY SLAM ON THE BRAKES,OR TAKE THE RISK OF BEING TOSSED OFF THE HIGHWAY.THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN STRESSED IN ANY WAY (WRECKS,HITTING CURBS,ETC) THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. I WANT A DEALERSHIP TO TAKE IT,WITH ME,TO A ROAD OF MY ABOVE DESCRIPTION AND FIND THIS PROBLEM AND F…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10124889 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.