2003 Chevrolet W3500: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
4 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
11,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 4 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 75.0% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 50.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 1 |
Steering: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1; Tires:Sidewall: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 2 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 | 4 |
2003: 4
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10020395 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
THE BRAKES PULLED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION WHEN APPLIED. THE DEALER WAS BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020395 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020397 · 2003-05-22 (May 22, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020397 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026099 · 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)
GOODYEAR WRANGLER AT/S TT215/85R16 115/1120 LOAD RANDE E TIRES CAME ON A 2003 CHEVY 3500 4X4 ...WITH A DURAMAX ENGINE ...BOTH FRONT TIRES DEVELOPED SIDEWALL BULGES ...BOTH TIRES REPLACED...5 THOUSAND MILE LATER THE SECOND SET DEVELOPED SAME PROBLEM...TRUCK IS STILL AT DEALER WAITING FOR A GOODYEAR REP....LOOKS LIKE THESE TIRES CANT HOLD UP UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THIS VEHICLE....WOULD BE REALLY BAD IF THIS 8000 POUND TRUCK HAD A BLOWOUT ...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026099 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031687 · 2003-07-31 (July 31, 2003)
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. AT 14,000 MILES THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW POWER STEERING PUMP. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THIS IS NORMAL FOR THIS TRUCK. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS. *PH
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10031687 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V168000 · Fuel System, Diesel:Storage:Tank Assembly
Reported: 2005-04-20 (April 20, 2005)
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH RPO IK9, DUE TO INSUFFICIENT DURABILITY AND TESTING, THE FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOIDS LACK WATER OR SALT INTRUSION RESISTANCE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE SOLENOIDS. FUEL SWITCHING MANIFOLD SOLENOID FAILURE WILL CAUSE INCORRECT FUEL DELIVERY RESULTING IN FUEL OVERFLOW FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.
Consequence: OVERFLOW FUEL MAY RESULT IN HIGH AMOUNT OF DIESEL FUEL LEAKAGE. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH AN IMPROVED ASSEMBLY INCLUDING ADDITIONAL DETECTION CIRCUIT AND ENHANCED WATER RESISTANCE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 27, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727.
NHTSA campaign record ↗