2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 3500: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10136636 · 2005-09-15 (September 15, 2005)
PAINT PEELING OFF FENDER AND ROCKER AREA. I HAD PAINT PEELING OFF THE DOOR BUT THE DEALERSHIP AND THE COMPANY REPRESENTATIVE SAW FIT TO REPAIR THAT BUT NOW IT IS CALLED PAINT CHIPS. THE PAINT IS FLAKING OFF THE VEHICLE. STONE CHIPS DO NOT FLAKE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136636 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 10176646 · 2006-12-20 (December 20, 2006)
TRANSFER CASE FAILED CAUSING FAILURE OF SLIP JOINT AND PROPELLER SHAFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 63,404 miles reported. Look up ODI 10176646 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10197430 · 2007-07-25 (July 25, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE STOPPED OPERATING, EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10197430 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10201113 · 2007-08-29 (August 29, 2007)
MEASURING TIP OF OIL DIPSTICK LOOSE. LIKELY TO FALL OFF AND BE SUCKED INTO OIL PICKUP. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 68,966 miles reported. Look up ODI 10201113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10203366 · 2007-09-18 (September 18, 2007)
TRANSFER CASE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. OIL PUMP IN TRANSFER CASE RUBS A HOLE IN THE CASE AND DUMPS ALL THE LUBRICANT ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE CASE ENDS UP DESTROYING ITSELF. HUNDREDS OF THESE FAILURES ARE OCCURRING. MINE HAPPENED AT 83,000 MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10203366 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 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 ↗
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.