2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD

Routine

Owners filed 101 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the brakes. No safety recall has been issued.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
84,000 milesMedian miles at failure

93 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 75,000–90,000 miles.

Most common 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD problems

46 of the 101 complaints (46%) are about the brakes.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Service Brakes · brakes26
100
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · brakes19
000
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel14
000
Electrical System14
020
Engine and Engine Cooling · engine6
010
Steering5
101
Steering › Column3
000
Engine3
000
Tires1
000
Structure › Body · body and frame1
000

What owners reported

Newest filings
Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 2020116,500 milesGA

1) BRAKE LINE RUSTED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. 2) A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED ONLY TO BE TOTALLY DEAD WITHIN 1 WEEK 3) ALTERNATOR REPLACED AS THAT WAS THOUGHT TO BE THE PROBLEM 4) FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM AND IT IS THE ABS SYSTEM AS THE MODULATOR / PUMP FOR THIS SYSTEM WOULD CONTINUALLY RUN EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 16, 2020194,000 milesTX

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WILL STOP WORKING. NO GAUGES, SPEEDOMETER, OR TACHOMETER. USUALLY OCCURS AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. KNOW OF SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVING/HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. SOMETIMES THE CLUSTER WILL BECOME ACTIVE AGAIN WHILE DRIVING, BUT USUALLY DOESN'T.

Electrical System
Filed Dec 18, 2019MT

BRIGHT LITE INDICATOR LITE COMES ON DASH WITH NO KEY IN IGNITION, KILLS BATTERY OVER NITE. GAS GAUGE IN DASH DOESN'T ALWAYS WORK, TRUCK HAS TO GET MOVING, SOMETIMES RIGHT AWAY AND SOMETIMES A LITTLE LONGER. HAD TO REPLACE MY THROTTLE BODY CONTROL A COUPLE MONTHS PRIOR

Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2018174,000 milesMI

SEVERAL OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE SNAPPED/SHEARED CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS BETWEEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST PORT ON THE CYLINDER HEAD. I'M LEARNING THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE THAT HAS GONE UNADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BUT IS CLEARLY AN EMISSIONS AND FUNCTIONALITY ISSUE. PLEASE HELP IN HOLDING THE MANUFACTURER ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS APPARENT MECHANICAL DEFECT. AS OF NOW, THEY OFFER NO ASSISTANCE IN REPAIRING THE ISSUE.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 26, 2018203,112 milesLA

MY WHOLE DASHBOARD STOPS WORKING THE GAUGES LIGHTS EVERYTHING JUST STOPPED WORKING. I WAS TRAVELING DOWN INTERSTATE AND EVERYTHING STOPPED WORKING BUT AFTER A FEW SECONDS IT ALL CAME BACK ON FOR ABOUT 30 SECONDS AND IT ALL SHUT OFF AGAIN AND NEVER CAME BACK ON I MADE IT HOME AND TURNED THE TRUCK OFF AND WENT INSIDE. I GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND CRANKED THE TRUCK AND NO GAUGES OR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING STILL. I SLAMMED MY HAND DOWN ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD AND EVERYTHING CAME ON AND WAS WORKING BUT THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG AND EVERYTHING SHUT OFF AGAIN.

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 26, 201647,481 milesVA

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND RUPTURED RESULTING IN TOTAL BRAKE LOSS AND A CRASH. THE LINES FAILED AT A POINT DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT. IT WAS IN MOTION ON A CITY STREET AND STRUCK ANOTHER VEHICLE ALSO DAMAGING THAT.

Forward Collision Avoidance
Filed Jul 14, 2016DE

265/65/16 MICHELIN LTX M/S2 TIRE, THESE TIRES WERE NEW AND PURCHASED ON 6/21/16, ON 7/11/16 LESS THEN ONE MONTH I HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE 3 ROWS OF TREADS IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL FOUR TIRES BECAME SEVERELY SEPARATED AND WORN RENDERING ALL FOUR TIRES AS JUNK CAUSING THE PICKUP TO SHAKE BADLY WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE MICHELIN DIDN'T WANT HONOR ANY WARRANTIES, CLAIMS, ETC., INCLUDING THE MICHELIN PLUS GUARANTY. THIS IS WHERE IF YOU ARE NOT 100% SATISFIED WITHIN 30 DAYS YOU CAN GET A REPLACEMENT FREE. AFTER ONE BRAKING INCIDENT ALL THE TIRES WAS JUNK. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THESE TIRES TO ANYONE. THE TREAD PATTERN OF THESE TIRES IS THE DIRECT CAUSE. I ALSO HAVE PICTURES.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 7, 201575,000 milesIL

JAN. 2014 IN NORTHEAST ILLINOIS I WENT TO APPLY BRAKES FOR A RED LIGHT AND PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THERE WAS NOT ANOTHER VEHICLE ALREADY STOPPED AT THE LIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, AND WAS NOT HIT AS I COASTED THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE FOR STOPPING WHILE I MANEUVERED TO MY HOME. UPON INSPECTION THE NEXT DAY, I FOUND THE BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS ALONG THE TRUCK FRAME AND FEEDS BRAKE FLUID TO THE FRONT BRAKES HAD RUPTURED. I WAS ASTOUND WHEN I SAW THE CONDITION OF THE REMAINING BRAKE LINES UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE FACT THAT THE LINES WERE NOT MADE OF STAINLESS STEEL OR SOME OTHER MATERIAL THAT WOULD NOT RUST WHEN EXPOSED TO THE ROAD SALT THAT USED HEAVILY DURING THE WINTER MONTHS IN NORTHEAST ILLINOIS. I'M ALSO CONCERN ABOUT THE FUEL LINES BECAUSE THEIR CONDITION IS THE SAME AS THE BRAKE LINES AND APPEAR TO MADE OUT OF A FERROUS MATERIAL ALSO.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 2, 201536,000 milesIA

THESE INCIDENTS HAPPENED DURING THE FOLLOWING YRS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A YEAR NOW FOR EACH YR FROM 2005 TILL 2015 COMING HOME FROM DAUGHTERS AND LOST ALL HEAD LAMPS AND DRIVING LIGHTS SO WAS DRIVING IN COMPLETE DARKNESS WITH NO LIGHTS , THANKFULLY WE MADE IT HOME THE LAST 2 MILES NEXT DAY TOOK TO MECHANIC AND HE REPLACED THE LAMPS , TWO WEEKS LATER GOT PULLED OVER DUE TO RUNNING LIGHTS ONE WAS OUT AND GOT WARNING ABOUT THAT .......................THIS HAS HAPPENED 12 TIMES SINCE WE OWNED THIS TRUCK SINCE 2005 AND WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY BUT NOW AFTER 6 MONTHS LIGHTS GO OUT AGAIN AND GET PULLED OVER DUE TO ONLY ONE HEADLAMP IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING? MOSTLY THIS IS JUST ON DRIVERS SIDE HEADLAMP AND RUNNING LIGHT IT KEEPS BLOWING THE LAMPS OUT OCCASIONALLY IT BLOWS BOTH SIDES AND FRONT RUNNING LAMPS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 8, 201580,000 milesVA

THE BRAKE LINES BASICALLY RUSTED OFF THE TRUCK, THE FIRST OCCURRENCE I WENT TO USE THE TRUCK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I STARTED SMELLING BRAKE FLUID. HAD IT TOWED TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE (06/04/2011) THE LINES THAT SHOWED THE MAIN PROBLEM WERE CHANGED FOR NEW. EXACTLY 2 YEARS I HAD MY BIG CAR TRAILER HOOKED UP LOADED WITH MY TRACTOR. ANOTHER LINE GOING TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK RUPTURED IN THE YARD. GOING BACK TO THE SHOP AGAIN, I HAD A COMPANY OUT WEST MAKE ALL NEW STAINLESS STEAL LINES FOR IT.(06/20/2014) AND NOW I'M AGAIN BROKEN DOWN AGAIN (03/07/2015). THIS HAS COST ME A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND I'M NOT THROUGH I FEAR. THIS TIME THE ABS SYSTEM WANTS TO CONTINUE TO RUN AND RUNNING THE BATTERY DOWN. GM SHOULD BE ON TOP OF THIS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 18, 201455,000 milesVA

3 OF THE 6 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF ON LEFT SIDE ,2 ON THE RIGHT SIDE . I NOW HAVE THE EXHAUST TICKING SOUND AND ON OCCASION GET EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE CAB.I NOTICED THE FIRST BROKEN BOLT AT APPROX 55000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 112000 MILES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 201423,500 milesPA

WHILE USING THE TRUCK TO REMOVE A ROOT BALL WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS GOING TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKE OR WARNING LIGHTS WERE SHOWING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. OUR MECHANIC REPLACED FOUR BRAKE LINES DUE TO RUST, CORROSION AND LEAKS. WE ARE EXTREMELY THANKFUL THIS HAPPENED WHILE WORKING IN THE BACK YARD AND NOT WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE TOWING OUR 3000 POUND BOAT! AFTER SEEING ALL THE REPORTED PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A RECALL BY GENERAL MOTORS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 201480,000 milesNC

BRAKE LINES WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING - NO LIGHT SHOWING COMPRESSION OR FLUID LEAKING. STILL NO LIGHTS HAVE COME ON. IF WE HAD BEEN GOING FASTER, WE COULD HAVE HIT SOMETHING. LUCKILY MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND HE KNEW HOW TO REACT BY DOWN SHIFTING TO SAVE US. THE BRAKE LINES ARE ALL RUSTED. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF. WE FEEL THAT GM USED CHEAP METAL FOR THESE LINES AND COULD HAVE COMPROMISED OUR LIVES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 5, 2014201,150 milesOH

YES,I WAS BUYING A NEW TRAILER WHEN I WAS GOING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION,THE BRAKE PEDAL, WENT TO FLOOR,LUCKILY USING TRAILER BRAKES,I WAS ABLE TO GET IT STOP,NOTICE LINE BROKE DUE TO RUST,I REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES WITH STAINLESS STEEL FROM A COMPANY WHO PRE-BEND NEW PIECES THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN THIS TRUCK,DUE TO COST,NOW FUEL LINE LEAKING CAUSING BRAKING DOWN ON SIDE OF HIGHWAY,UNTIL AAA CAME BUT HAD TRAILER ON THAT MADE THE SITUATION HARDER,SO AFTER INCONVENIENCE,HAVE TO PUT NEW STAINLESS STEEL FUEL LINES.THANKS FOR THE TIME TO READ[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 1, 2014148,000 milesAR

OK THE PROBLEM I'M ABOUT TO STATE IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 1500 HDS SINCE THEY WHERE NEW AND CHEVY HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS WITH A REFUSAL TO REPAIR. THE THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL IS WHAT THE PEDAL SENSOR TELLS TO MOVE THE THROTTLE BODY. EVERY SO OFTEN (SOMETIMES MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY) THIS MODULE WEIRDS OUT AND PUTS THE TRUCK IN TO REDUCED ENGINE POWER (LIMP MODE) AND WON'T DO OVER 25 MPH WHICH IS VERY HAZARDOUS WHEN TRAVELING FREEWAYS AND TURN PIKES WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT IS HIGH.I MYSELF HAVE BEEN ALMOST RAN OVER BY BIG RIGS BECAUSE MY TRUCK DECIDED TO GO INTO THIS REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR. I MYSELF HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE MULTIPLE TIMES WITH CHEVROLET CORPORATE WITH THEM TELLING ME THAT I'M SCREWED AND TO GET OVER IT. DON'T GET ME WRONG I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT I JUST WISH CHEVY WOULD STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES INSTEAD OF BLOWING US OFF. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 201488,000 milesUT

I WAS PULLING INTO MY CIRCLE COMING DOWN THE HILL AND MY BRAKES STARTED TO FEEL VERY SOFT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL JUST BELOW THE CURB. I WAS JUST GRATEFUL THAT THERE WERE NO CARS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL THIS TIME. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW A TRAIL OF FLUID ON THE STREET COMING DOWN THE HILL UNDER MY TRUCK. I GOT DOWN AND LOOKED UNDER AND THERE WAS A HUGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID. I TOWED IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID ALL MY BRAKE LINES LOOKED LIKE THEY WERE FROM A 40 YR. OLD CAR, ALL RUSTED OUT. COST ME A BOAT LOAD TO REPLACE, THAT IS AFTER THEY TRACKED DOWN REPLACEMENT LINES (TOOK THEM OVER A WEEK). THANKS CHEVY, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A FLAW IN THE LINES ON THIS TRUCK. I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING MY LIFE INTO CONSIDERATION AND RECALLING THESE BRAKE LINES. O WAIT, YOU DIDN'T? THAT'S RIGHT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 2014158,210 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I QUICKLY PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND SLAMMED ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE I HAD ZERO BRAKING FROM THE PEDAL. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND SAW A RUSTED BRAKE LINE DRIPPING FLUID. IF I WAS ON THE EXPRESSWAY I WOULD HAVE SERIOUSLY HURT SOMEONE BECAUSE I LOST ALL BRAKING FUNCTION. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 24, 2014108,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT FOUR OF THE EXHAUST HEADER MANIFOLD BOLT HEADS WERE MISSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS AND BOLTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 26, 201468,403 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SMOKE WAS EMITTING OUT OF THE CENTER OF THE AIR VENT DUCT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,403 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Electrical System
Filed May 17, 201490,000 milesLA

RADIO SPEAKERS WENT OUT WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER TINKERED WITH BUT NEVER FOUND EXACT PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT WORKED PROPERLY SINCE. THEN LEFT REAR DOOR AJAR INDICATOR CAME ON WHILE DRIVING 4 YEARS AGO STILL DOESN'T WORK MOST OF THE TIME. FUEL GAUGE INOP. 2 YRS AGO. THEN SPEEDOMETER ERRATIC SINCE AUGUST LAST YEAR. AND SINCE OCT 2013 VEHICLE JUST DIES AT LOW RPMS OR IDLES ERRATIC. ONE OUT OF 53 DAYS MOST EVERYTHING. WORKS FINE EXCEPT FUEL GAUGE. THEN ALL OF SUDDEN ALL THE PROBLEMS COME BACK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS ALL PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER BUT WITH THE IT BEING OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY NOTHING CAN BE DONE AND SINCE JUST SWAPPING OUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER MAY NOT FIX ANY OF THE PROBLEMS I SHOULD JUST LIVE WITH IT. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2014169,000 milesVA

BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED. LEFT REAR LINE BUSTED WHILE GOING 60 MPH AND LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITY. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH TIME TO APPLY MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2014134,000 milesFL

THIS WAS NOT A WRECK BUT COULD HAVE BEEN. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON MY TRUCK. LINES COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. GOOGLED THIS AND HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS. CHEVY DOES NOT MAKE THE LINES ANYMORE AND HAVE REDESIGNED THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON 2004 UP TRUCKS. $3100 TO REPLACE IF YOU CAN FIND THEM. NOW I'M STUCK WITH A TRUCK THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. NO BRAKES WHATSOEVER. THANK GOD IT WAS EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. BRAKE PEDAL WENT CLEAR TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO SLAM IT INTO 4WD AND PUT TRANS IN LOW THEN NEUTRAL AND THEN RAN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 15, 201454,500 milesNJ

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY SILERADO/K1500...IN NOVEMEBER 2012 A BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND I HAD TO HAVE THE TRUCK TOWED INTO THE CHEVY DEALER IN PARAMUS WHERE I LIVE...OVER THE HOLIDAY IT HAPPENED AGAIN TO A DIFFERENT BRAKE LINE...THE DEALER TOLD ME HE WAS DOIDN A SINILAR JOB ON A CAR FROM THAT YEAR OF VEHICLES....IT APPEARS THE BRAKE LINES CAN RUPTURE LEVING THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKESTHE DEALER IS ORDERING ME A STAINLESS STEEL KIT ...NOT FROM CHEVY OR GM BUT THIS SHOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM AS HE EXPECTS THE REST OF THE BRAKE LINES WILL ALSO FAIL SOON.... CHEVY NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THESE FAULTY BRAKE LINESBEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 13, 2013KY

PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL GOING OVER A HILL AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. PUMPING PEDAL DID NOT HELP TO BUILD ANY PRESSURE. PULLED OFF THE ROAD BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AND FLUID WAS ALL UNDER LEFT REAR OF TRUCK. MECHANIC INSPECTED RUPTURE IN FACTORY STEEL LINE AND ALL OTHER LINES RUSTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2013142,000 milesWI

WHILE STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO CREEP FORWARD TOWARD PEOPLE IN THE CROSSWALK. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL FURTHER RESULTED IN IT FADING, ENDING IN A FULLY DEPRESSED POSITION WITH NO MORE PEDAL TRAVEL AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD INTO THE CROSSWALK. PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL STOPPED VEHICLE MOVEMENT. AFTER STOPPING AND INSPECTING UNDER THE HOOD AND UNDER THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHOWED LEAKING BRAKE FLUID FROM ONE OF THE METALLIC BRAKE LINES SERVING THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL GM DEALER AND PLACING IT ON THE SERVICE RACK, INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ALL THE METALLIC BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED OVER THE MAJORITY OF THE LINE SURFACE. THE RIGHT FRONT LINE DISINTEGRATED TO THE POINT WHERE THE LINE SEPARATED WHILE CHECKING THE CONDITION OF THE LINE. THE OTHER BRAKES LINES ARE RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE FAILURE IS IMMINENT. ALL THE METALLIC BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER, DOWN TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE AND THEN OUT TO EACH BRAKE CALIPER MUST BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM CREATED A SERIOUS SITUATION THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN BODILY INJURY TO THE PEDESTRIANS IN THE CROSSWALK. WITHOUT PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL IT WOULD HAVE EVENTUALLY STRUCK A PEDESTRIAN. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE LINES, THE FUEL LINES SHOW EXCESSIVE RUST AS WELL. THE DEALER DOES NOT RECOMMEND REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL LINES AT THIS TIME, BUT REPLACEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 2013138,000 milesVA

I WAS COMING TO THE END OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WASN'T PROVIDING ANY STOPPING POWER. THE END OF OUR DRIVEWAY HAS AN INCLINE AND I WAS ABLE TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEFORE TRAVELING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I CHECKED THE BRAKE RESERVOIR TANK AND IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTY. I ADDED MORE BRAKE FLUID AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, FLUID WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK. IT WAS DRIPPING FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR AND ALSO FROM SOME PLACE FURTHER BACK ON THE TRUCK. I COULDN'T VERIFY WHETHER THE SOURCE NEAR THE BACK WAS A SEPARATE LEAK. ALL FOUR OF THE BRAKE LINES HAVE SIGNIFICANT RUST AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK IS CURRENTLY NOT DRIVE-ABLE BECAUSE ANY NEW BRAKE FLUID IS IMMEDIATELY LEAKING OUT AND NOT PROVIDING ANY RESISTANCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE CHECKED THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND THEY ARE STILL IN ALMOST NEW CONDITION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IN MY OPINION AND YET SEEMS VERY COMMON WITH THIS LINE OF TRUCKS IF YOU CHECK THIS FORUM AND OTHERS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET. HTTP://WWW.CHEVYTALK.ORG/FUSIONBB/SHOWTOPIC.PHP?TID/274830/ *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2013110,250 milesGA

LOST POWER TO ENGINE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. FAULT ON DASH SHOWED (REDUCED ENGINE POWER). PULLED TO SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY AND TRIED TO RESTART ENGINE TO NO AVAIL. AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES ENGINE STARTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON FOR A FEW DAYS. SINCE THAT TIME I HAVE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR AND HAVE STILL BEEN HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT WILL SOMETIMES DRIVE FOR A FEW DAYS WITHOUT ANY PROBLEM, BUT SOME DAYS IT WILL OCCUR 10 OR MORE TIMES IN A DAY. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES ONLY TO SEE SEVERAL PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM EVEN ON DIFFERENT MODELS AND YEAR VEHICLE'S. THIS COULD AND MAY WELL HAVE CAUSED DEATHLY AUTO ACCIDENTS. I HAVE LOOKED FOR A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIND ONE. MY QUESTION IS, "ARE THERE ANY PLANS TO RECALL EFFECTED VEHICLES FOR THE ISSUE OF "REDUCED ENGINE POWER?" PLEASE CHECK INTO THIS ASAP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONCERN.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 201390,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD UPON ENGAGEMENT. THERE WAS ALSO A DELAYED RESPONSE IN THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 201380,000 milesIL

ON THE LISTED DATE, WHILE IN TRAFFIC, I APPLIED MY BRAKES AND WARNING SENSORS CHIMED NOTIFYING ME MY BRAKES ARE FAILING. I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED MY BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AND FOUND IT EMPTY. I INSPECTED THE LINES AND FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING BEHIND MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL. I FILLED THE RESERVOIR AND BROUGHT THE TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTION, THE LINE ATTACHED TO THE ABS WAS LEAKING AND COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE OTHER LINES WERE INSPECTED AND MY MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE LINES LOOKED AS THOUGH THEY WERE ON A 30 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN WHICH IS GOING TO COST ME A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY FIX. THANKFULLY I WAS THE ONE DRIVING AND NOT MY WIFE OR KIDS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 27, 201355,000 milesMD

I LOSS ALL MY BRAKES AND ALMOST HIT SOMEONE. LOOKED UNDER TRUCK FOUND FLUID LEAKING FROM BACK DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. AFTER CLIMBING UNDER TRUCK FOUND ALL MY BRAKE LINES ARE EXTREMELY CORRODED. I LOOKED AT CARS THAT ARE WAY OLDER AND HAD A LOT MORE MILES IN MY AREA AND THEY HAVE NO CORROSION. I EXPECT CHEVROLET TO FIX ALL MY LINES AT THEIR COST BECAUSE THIS IS NOT NORMAL TO SEE WITH A VEHICLE WITH 55000 MILES AND TO FIX ONE LINE WILL NOT FIX ALL THE LINES ON THE TRUCK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 25, 201350,000 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING ALONG COASTING AT A LOWER THAN NORMAL SPEED, (FORTUNATELY) BECAUSE I SAW THE TRAFFIC LIGHT WAY AHEAD OF ME TURN RED....NOT TOWING ANYTHING...NO LOAD IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES,IN A NORMAL/NOT PANICKED MANNER, THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. THERE NEVER WERE ANY WARNINGS/LIGHTS, EVEN AFTER THE FAILURE. LUCKILY I HAD ENOUGH TIME, AND PIECE OF MIND, TO MANIPULATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND COME SCREECHING TO A STOP (BY JUST THE REAR BRAKES) WITH ONLY A COUPLE FEET TO SPARE. IF I HADN'T, (OR IF THE E-BRAKE HADN'T WORKED) I WOULD HAVE PLOWED INTO SEVERAL SMALL CARS THAT WERE STOPPED AT THE LIGHT., WITH MY BIG CREW CAB TRUCK. CERTAINLY SEVERELY INJURING MANY PEOPLE! I DISCOVERED THE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED...TOTALLY...IT IS A PILE OF RUST...RESULTING IN COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE! I CAN SEND YOU A PHOTO....I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU A PHOTO! ALL OF THE LINES ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO SAFELY OPERATE THIS VEHICLE AGAIN... I HAVE ALSO FOUND (WITH A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH) COUNTLESS OTHER IDENTICAL INSTANCES OF THIS OCCURRING IN SIMILAR MODEL YEAR GM TRUCKS.. MANY, YEARS PRIOR TO IT HAPPENING TO ME! MINE ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT, AND IS GARAGE KEPT...AND ALWAYS KEPT SPOTLESS. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THAT IF A BRAKE LINE FAILED, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS SUPPOSED TO SHIFT OVER TO SHUNT/PREVENT THE LEAKING LINE FROM BLEEDING PRESSURE...SO THE REST OF THE BRAKES WOULD WORK?? (NOT LIKE IN THE MOVIES) THE GOV'T MANDATES 5

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 11, 2013189,283 milesAL

I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING ABOUT 60 TO 70 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRUCK SWITCHED TO FWD LOW ALL ON ITS OWN. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF ON THE SHOULDER . I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN 2WD. LATER THE SERVICE 4WD LIGHT CAME ON. I ALSO HAVE OCCASIONS WHEN ALL OF THE DASH LIGHTS WILL COME ON AND ALL THE GAUGES DROP AND NOW MY ABS LIGHT FLASHES AND THE WARNING BELL RINGS AS I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 3, 2013210,000 milesMI

BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS UNIT BLEWOUT CAUSING SPONGEY BRAKE AND BRAKE FLUID LEAK. LINE RUSTED OUT. REST ARE VERY RUSTY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 16, 2013102,500 milesOH

BRAKE LINE FROM MASTER CYLINDER TO ABS UNIT BLEWOUT ALMOST CAUSING ME TO REAR END VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 1, 201284,089 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING I HAD TO APPLY MY BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND I REALIZED THE MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT NEARLY TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED AROUND THE TRUCK AND NOTICED FLUID DIPPING FROM JUST BEHIND THE FRONT WHEEL. I OPENED THE HOOD AND REALIZED THAT I HAD BLOWN A BRAKE LINE.WHEN I LOOKED AROUND UNDER THE HOOD AT THE BRAKE LINES, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THEY WERE RUSTED. MY NEIGHBOR HAD THE SAME COMPLAINT WITH HIS 2001 SILVERADO, IT'S DEFINITELY AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 25, 2012177,550 milesNH

DRIVING VEHICLE AT 55 MPH ON UNDIVIDED HIGHWAY. APPLIED BRAKES TO AVOID ANIMAL AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. DROVE VEHICLE SLOWLY BACK HOME AND FOUND THE BRAKE LINE FROM FRONT LEAKING ABOVE REAR END. BRAKE LINES ARE ALL RUSTED BADLY. THE ONLY SAFE WAY TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE IS TO REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES. I NEVER EXPECTED THIS FROM A 9 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 6, 2012127,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE AND THE PLASTIC WIRES THAT CAME FROM THE UNIT WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THOSE SENTIMENTS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 25, 2012147,000 milesPA

SEVERE CORROSION LEAD TO A BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO STOP. BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED WAY BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND MUCH MORE THAN THE FUEL AND STEERING LINES. THE LINE LEADING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT WAS THE ONE THAT FAILED, BUT ALL ARE SHOWING SEVERE CORROSION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 16, 2012115,000 milesOH

BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT & CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE X 3.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 201287,900 milesNH

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY WIFE AND NEWBORN, I NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT "SPONGY" AND HAD NO MORE RESISTANCE TO THE PRESSURE MY FOOT APPLIED TO IT. I PULLED INTO THE GAS STATION AT THE SAME SET OF STOP LIGHTS WITH MY TRANSMISSION BEING MY ONLY FORM OF VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THANKS BE TO GOD FOR KEEPING MY FAMILY AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD SAFE THAT DAY FROM THE POTENTIAL DEVASTATION THAT COULD HAVE TAKEN PLACE WITH SUCH A CRITICAL FAILURE IN THE MECHANICS OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 15, 2012110 milesKY

WHILE STOPPED AT A BANK TELLER BOX I APPLIED THE THE BRAKES ONLY TO FIND THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I EXITED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED LARGE AMOUNTS OF BRAKE FLUID NEAR THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. WAS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL EITHER. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 15, 2012110,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LINES TO FAIL. THE CONTACT HAD A DEALER INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LINES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE LOSS ALL BRAKING FUNCTION, INCLUDING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000. UPDATED 04/27/12*LJ UPDATED 04/27/12

Tires
Filed Mar 7, 201218,000 milesTX

TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, APPROX 70MPH, VALVE STEM SEPARATED FROM NEW TIRE CAUSING COMPLETE DEFLATION WITHIN ABOUT 2 OR 3 MINS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF HITTING SOMETHING IN ROAD, NO TRAUMA TO RIM OR STEM ITSELF (OTHER THAN THE SHARP SPLIT FROM WHERE IT SEPARATED FROM TIRE), NO EXTREME CONDITIONS, JUST NORMAL CITY AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. TIRE WAS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OLD WITH LESS THAN 2,000 MILES. TOOK TIRE TO GOODYEAR SERVICE CENTER. THEY REPLACED TIRE AND VALVE STEM WITH NEW ONE. OLD TIRE AND STEM LEFT WITH GOODYEAR. TIRE: GOODYEAR WRANGLER SILENT ARMOR, LT245/75R16, DOT MD11 Y5JV 2810. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 22, 201119,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THERE WERE REPEATED ATTEMPTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED THE BRAKE LINE WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, WHICH REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 3, 2011115,000 milesIL

WHILE UNDER HARD BRAKING THE DRIVERS REAR BRAKE FAILED JUST ABOVE AXEL. AFTER THE REPAIR DURING THE TEST DRIVE 3 LINES RUPTURED ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME RAIL JUST BELOW THE DRIVERS FEET NEXT TO THE ABS MODULE. I SEE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : EA11001 ALREADY STARTED ON THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 27, 201135,455 milesMA

BELOW IS A LIST OF HISTORY WITH REPAIRS TO MY TRUCK. IN MARCH 2004 I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500HD .FIRST 2 YRS FRONT ROTARS TURNED COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEN 1-21-09 FRONT ROTARS AND CALIPARS REPLACED DUE TO ROT.1-30-09 TRANSMISSION LINE REPLACED ROTTED.ON 6-19-09 NEW STARTER. 8-29-09 REAR CALIPERS AND HOSE ROTTED 35455 MILES.ON 9-2-09 ABS SENSOR AND LEFT FRONT BRAKE HOSE ROTTED. ON 8-28-10 POWER STERING PUMP REPLACED. ON 8-24-11 BRAKE LINES TO ABS ROTTED 46763 MILES. 10-27-11 LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE ROTTED 47943 MILES. MY WINDSHEILD WASHER FLUID RESERVOIR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED LEAKING INSRUMENT PANEL SHOWS EMPTY. I'M HAVING MY LEFT REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACED NEXT WEEK...ITS THE ONLY ONE LEFT AND I DONT WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. MT MECHANIC STATES HE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS MUCH RUST ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY I DIDNT KEEP RECORDS IN THE EARLY YEARS OF OWNERSHIP BUT I CANT BELIEVE TRANSMISSION LINES,BRAKE LINES ,CALIPERS CAN ROT THAT FAST. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS EXPERIENCE WITH PAST TRUCKS I HAVE OWNED. I BELIEVE THERE MUST BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS CAUSING THIS. *TT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 21, 2011140,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED, CAUSING ALL OF THE BRAKING FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Power Train
Filed Sep 4, 201171,000 milesIL

MY BRAKE LINES RUPTURED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT BY THE ABS BOX. I INSPECTED ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES AND THEY ARE ALL RUSTED BADLY AND NEED REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I WAS PULLING MY SEADOO'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAVE READ A TON OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET TODAY. WHEN IS ANYONE GOING TO MAKE CHEVY REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES? THIS TRUCK IS ONLY A 2003 AND LOOKS LIKE A 1903 UNDERNEATH. THE WHOLE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTING BADLY. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 24, 201193,000 milesFL

2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500HD INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. KNOW THE VEHICLE STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND CHEVROLET WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 28, 201125,000 milesDC

BRAKE LINE FAILED ON 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 HD WITH 25,000 MILES. TRUCK WAS SERVICED BY GM DEALER AT RECOMMENDED INTERVALS SINCE PURCHASE. AFTER DEALER CLOSED, TRUCK HAD BEEN SERVICED ONCE BY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED INDEPENDENT MECHANIC SPECIALIZING IN TRUCKS. LESS THAN 500 MILES AFTER THE LAST SERVICE, THE BRAKES FELT A LITTLE SPONGY; WE DROVE THE TRUCK A FEW MILES AND PARKED. AFTER AN HOUR, WE RETURNED TO THE TRUCK AND DISCOVERED A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE AXLE. WE DROVE TO THE NEAREST BRAKE REPAIR SHOP; DURING THIS 5 MINUTE DRIVE, THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE SHOP, THEY PUT THE TRUCK ON THE LIFT; BY THIS TIME, IT HAD NO BRAKE FLUID LEFT IN THE SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE LINE WAS CORRODED, AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Complaints 1-50 of 101, newest first, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2003
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200526000Routine
200417000Routine
2003 — this page101030Routine
200222000Routine
200116000Routine

Compare every Silverado 1500 HD year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Most recent recall on file: none. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.