Page 8 of 17 · complaints 351–400 of 805

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 14, 201234,925 milesMD

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE REAR WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 34,925.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 13, 2012168,000 milesNE

I HAVE A 2003 SILVERADO THAT HAS BEEN HAVING ROUGH IDLING ISSUES. THE TRUCK DOESN'T IDLE ROUGH EVERYDAY,BUT WHEN IT DOES THE VOLTAGE FLUXUATES BETWEEN 10-14 VOLTS. BEFORE THIS STARTED HAPPENING IT STAYED AT A STEADY 14 VOLTS. NOW THE VOLTAGE IS DROPPING AND THE RPM'S ARE DROPPING TO AROUND 200-300 RPMS THEN SOME TIMES IT WILL DIE IN MOTION. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND HAD THE BATTERY TESTED THEY ARE GOOD. THERE WAS LOW FUEL PRESSURE SO I REPLACED THE PUMP,STILL NOTHING IS HELPING. I FOUND A INTERNET SITE (WWW.TOPIX.COM) THERE IS 15 PAGES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NOBODY CAN FIND A DEFINITE PROBLEM. THERE IS PEOPLE SPENDING THOUSANDS ON THEIR VEHICLE TO FIX IT AND THE PARTS DON'T ALWAYS HELP. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON,SO I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START ANYMORE. I'M BROKE. I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING FOR ALL THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 11, 2012224,865 milesTX

I PARKED MY TRUCK AT A RESTAURANT PARKING LOT NO PROBLEM. WE FINISHED EATING, STARTED TRUCK, PUSHED ON BRAKE TO PUT IN REVERSE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES OR RESISTANCE. INSPECTION REVEALED NO SIGNS OF LEAKS. LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTED AND EVENTUALLY A SMALL LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT DRIVER WHEEL WELL AREA. UPON RESEARCH THIS IS AN EXTREMELY KNOWN ISSUE. AS A CHEVY OWNER I WAS NEVER CONTACTED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. LUCKILY NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED BUT IT EASILY COULD HAVE AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY HOME ABOUT 30 MILES ON A 65 MPH HIGHWAY. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO WHAT REMEDIES ARE BEING OFFERED. THIS COULD BE A DEADLY PROBLEM. THANKS. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 2012146,200 milesOH

TRAVELING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 65 MPH. CUT OFF BY ANOTHER DRIVER SHIFTING INTO MY TRAFFIC LANE. HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES HARD. REAR BRAKE LINE FAILED. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND INTO THE GRASS MEDIAN TO AVOID ACCIDENT. UPON INSPECTION, ALL BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 6, 201275,130 milesMD

ON A DOWN HILL ROAD , A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK AND I WENT TO APPLY BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. NO PRESSURE FELT AND I IMMEDIATELY PUSHED EMERGENCY BRAKE AND AVOIDED COLLISION. I HAD 50% OF BRAKE FLUID IN MASTER CYL. AND FLUID DRIPPING ON GROUND UNDER TRUCK AT BRAKE DISTRIBUTION . ANTILOCK CONTROLLER W/FLASH LITE ON. REAR LINE DRIPPING ALSO. HAD CAR TOWED TO MECHANIC. HAD ALL NEWBRAKE LINES INSTALLED. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM. *TR

Engine
Filed Sep 1, 2012125,000 milesMA

THE BOLT HEADS ON THE EXAUST MANIFOLD ARE SNAPPING OFF CAUSING AN EXAUST LEAK AND A POSSIBLE EMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 28, 201290,000 milesMD

I STARTED DRIVIN WHEN MY BRAKE WARNING CAME ON. I WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND HE ADVISED ME THE BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND HE COULDN'T ORDER A REPLACEMENT BECAUSE THERE WAS OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE MINE. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Aug 25, 201256,759 milesNY

BRAKE LINE RUSTED. *TR

Steering
Filed Aug 25, 201266,000 milesPA

I WAS TRYING TO PARALLEL PARK WHEN IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT. EVER SINCE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS ARE DIFFICULT UNLESS ENGINE RPMS ARE OVER 2000 MECHANIC SAYS STEERING BOX NEEDS REPLACED DON'T KNOW WHY THIS ISN'T A RECALL I'VE HEARD OF OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 2012103,823 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING DUE TO CORRODED AND BROKEN BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,823.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 21, 201274,000 milesTX

BRAKE LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND SPRUNG LEAK WHICH RESULTED IN NO BRAKES (TO THE FLOOR) EVEN WITH PUMPING BRAKES THERE WAS LITTLE BRAKING. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 16, 2012100,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CRADLE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SAFETY LATCH IN ORDER TO DROP IT DOWN. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 14, 201263,000 milesNY

SEVERE CORROSION ON ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES - VERY CLOSE TO RUSTING THROUGH AT LEFT REAR CALIPER TO AXLE MOUNT AND ALONG SIDE RAIL OF FRAME. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 13, 201218,010 milesNY

I WAS SLOWING IN TRAFFIC TO STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. I PASSED THE RED LIGHT AND MY TRUCK CAME TO A STOP IN THE INTERSECTION WHEN I THROUGH IT INTO PARK AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. I NARROWLY MISSED A MOTORCYCLIST THAT WAS LEGALLY PASSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. THIS REQUIRES A RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 10, 201290,000 milesCT

COMING TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO STOP BEFORE I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP BARELY, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. MECHANIC FIX THE ONE THAT BROKE BUT SAID THE OTHERS ARE ABOUT TO GO ANY TIME . NOW I'M DRIVING WITH THE FEAR OF MY BRAKES GOING AT ANY TIME BECAUSE OF $900.00 REPAIR THAT IS NEEDED.*TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 201282,000 milesMD

THE UNDER SIDE OF TRUCK IS RUSTING OUT. ALL THE CALIPERS, BRAKE LINES, AND FUEL LINES ARE RUSTED BADLY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BRAKE LINES ALREADY. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2012120,000 milesMI

THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES TO THE FRONT WHEELS ROTTED AND BURST. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 30, 2012112,000 milesCT

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH, AND WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AFTER THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR WENT UNDER THE TRUCK, AND NOTICED ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. IN THE PROCESS OF CALLING A MECHANIC TO FIX THE LINES. BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. VERY LUCKY ONLY PERSON ON ROAD, AND DID NOT INJURE MYSELF OR OTHERS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 24, 201243,450 milesVA

GOING DOWN DRIVEWAY AND BRAKES FELT WEAK. PUSHED HARDER ON BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH LITTLE RESIDUAL BRAKING CAPABILITY LEFT. STOPPED VEHICLE WITH PARKING BRAKE. UPON INSPECTION, NOTED THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED ALONG THE DRIVERS FRONT WHEEL WELL FROM EXCESSIVE CORROSION. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES ELSEWHERE ON THE VEHICLE SHOWED CORROSION ON ALL BRAKE LINES THAT WILL NECESSITATE REPLACEMENT OF ALL THE HARD FORMED BRAKE LINES FOR SAFETY REASONS. ALSO NOTED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED DIRECTLY ONTO THE LEFT CATALYTIC CONVERTER. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN FULLY WARMED UP, THERE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE BEEN A FIRE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT HAVE BEEN STOPPED QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2012139,482 milesOH

WE WHERE DRIVING ALONG A STATE ROUTE WITH OUR 21 FOOT BOAT IN TOW HEADING TO THE LKE. WE WENT TO SLOW DOWN TO ENTER A GAS STATION. PEDAL WENT TO MUSH, AND I KNEW I HAD LOST THE REAR BRAKE LINE ON MY TRUCK. GOT IT STOPPED WITH OUT INCIDENT, AND GOT IT TOWED BACK HOME. THE STREAM OF BRAKE FLUID WOULD TELL ME I COULD ONLY STOPPED IT ONE OR TWO MORE TIMES. THE CORRISON IS RIGHT WHERE THE BED AND THE CAB MEET ONTO OF THE FRAME RAIL. YOU CAN AD MINE TO THE EVER GROWING LIST OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 2012100,000 milesNH

UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON INSPECTION FROM A MECHANIC, IT WAS NOTED THAT BOTH BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED (ONE WAS ROTTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH CAUSING THE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE LINE). WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT THE GAS LINE AND CALIPER HAD SEVERE ROTTING. UPON MY RESEARCH, THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CHEVROLET TRUCKS. I HOPE THIS WILL BE RESOLVED SO ADDITIONAL CHEVROLET OWNERS DO NOT HAVE SEVERE ACCIDENTS DUE TO THESE ISSUES. MY HUSBAND AND 4 YEAR OLD SON HAD TO WALK QUITE A FEW MILES IN 95 DEGREE WEATHER! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I HOPE MY COMPLAINT WILL HELP FURTHER THE INVESTIGATION. *JS *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 2, 201254,110 milesSC

I WAS DRIVING BACK HOME FROM CHARLESTON SC ON HWY 526 GOING TO ISSLE OF PALMS SC WHEN I PUT ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME,AND THE BRAKES DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT BY THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. I STOPPED AND SAW THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS OUT OF FLUID. I REFILLED THE TANK AND CONTINUED ON MY WAY. THE BRAKES WERE STILL SPONGIE, AND WHEN I GOT HOME BY DRIVING A LOT SLOWER. I MADE IT HOME AND FOUND OUT,THE BRAKE LINE GOING TO THE PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CORODED AND RUPTURED,MAKING IT TO LEAK AND AFFECT THE STOPPING ABILITY OF THE VECHILE. IT WAS GOOD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO STOP SUDDENLY OR I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 26, 201290,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO K1500. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 25, 201284,400 milesVT

AN ODOR OF GASOLINE WAS EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICING DEALER DIAGNOSED RUSTED THROUGH FUEL LINES, ALL OF WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 18, 201256,454 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING ON MY WAY HOME MY BRAKES WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. I WAS ALMOST HOME AND WAS ABLE TO GET INTO THE DRIVEWAY. UNDER THE TRUCK THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID SPRAYING OUT AND THE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE ALL MY BRAKE LINES BECAUSE THEY ARE RUSTED EVERY WHERE. THE FRAME ALSO HAS RUST EVERY WHERE. I AM TAKING PICTURES OF UNDER THE TRUCK. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Jun 14, 201256,232 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I IMMEDIATELY USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. I WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER FROM MY RESIDENCE SO I DROVE THE TRUCK BACK HOME USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE FLUID WAS LOW. I REFILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND HAD MY SON PUMP THE BRAKES AS I WAS UNDER THE TRUCK LOOKING FOR ANY VISIBLE FLUID LEAKS. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED NEAR THE FRAME RAIL. AFTER REPAIRING THE BRAKE LINE AT THE POINT OF RUPTURE WE RE-FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BEGAN TO BLEED THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AGAIN AT A POINT UNDER THE DRIVERS FRONT SEAT.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 9, 20124,500 milesCO

SINCE DAY 1 WITH THIS VEHICLE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN NOTICEABLY WEAK. IN EMERGENCY STOP SITUATIONS OR NEAR EMERGENCY STOP SITUATIONS REQUIRING A QUICK STOP WHEN I AM STANDING WITH FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THIS VEHICLE FAILS TO RESPOND AS EXPECTED. IT'S AS IF ONLY HALF THE BRAKES ARE WORKING AS THE VEHICLE EASES TO A STOP ONLY SLIGHTLY BETTER THAN NORMAL BRAKING. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 201236,000 milesNJ

AS I APPROACHED A DANGEROUS INTERSECTION BETWEEN TWO HEAVILY TRAVELED ROADS, I APPLIED MY FOOT TO THE BRAKE AS USUAL. SUDDENLY THE BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. FORTUNATELY THE OTHER CAR APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION AS I APPLIED MY EMERGENCY BRAKE. BUT IT WAS A VERY CLOSE CALL. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST GM DEALER WHERE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE BRAKE LININGS WERE CORRODED AND RUSTED THROUGH. WHEN I SEARCHED THE INTERNET TO SEE IF SIMILAR INCIDENTS HAD OCCURRED, I FOUND MANY DOZENS OF EXAMPLES. (SEE LINK BELOW) THE USE OF AN INFERIOR ALLOY INSTEAD OF STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE BRAKE LINES HAS RESULTED IN CORROSION AND TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING SIGNS, ESPECIALLY IN STATES LIKE NJ SUBJECT TO WINTER CONDITIONS. THIS BRAKE FAILURE PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE SUBJECT OF AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA., BUT NO RECALLS WERE ISSUED. OWNERS OF MILLIONS OF GM VEHICLES ARE AT SERIOUS RISK OF INJURY AND DEATH FROM THIS POTENTIALLY FATAL DESIGN FLAW. RECALL NOTICES SHOULD BE SENT TO OWNERS AND GM SHOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS IN THE INTEREST OF THE SAFETY OF ITS CUSTOMERS. HTTP://TRUCKS.ABOUT.COM/B/2011/09/23/NHTSAS-ONGOING-INVESTIGATION-OF-GM-TRUCK-BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION.HTM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 6, 201254,683 milesWV

MY WIFE AND I WERE COMMUTING TO WORK THE MORNING OF 4/6/2012. A CAR IN FRONT OF US PUT THEIR BLINKER ON TO TURN LEFT...I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND TO MY SURPRISE THE BRAKES FAILED!! THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND WITH THE LOW MILES OF THE TRUCK AND BEING THE ORIGINAL OWNER I KNEW THAT PROPER MAINTENANCE OF THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DONE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD I WAS ABLE TO BARELY MISS HITTING THIS VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 45MPH. IF THE CAR HAD TO HAVE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP I WOULD HAVE NO DOUBT PLOWED INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR WITH MORE THAN LIKELY RESULTING IN VERY SERIOUS INJURIES. AFTER THE INCIDENT AND TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE GARAGE I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS SOMEWHAT BECOMING A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH CERTAIN GM VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN 1999 AND 2003. THIS MUST BE MADE PUBLIC BEFORE MORE INCIDENTS HAPPEN RESULTING IN INJURIES AND FATALITIES TAKING PLACE!! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 31, 2012120,000 milesFL

BRAKE LINE RUSTED OUT. STARTED THE TRUCK AND WHEN I PUSHED ON THE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. I LIVED IN INDIANA FOR 8 YEARS OF OWNING THE TRUCK. I HAVE LIVED IN FLORIDA FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. ALL LINES FROM THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK TO THE ABS MODULATOR ARE RUSTED. THE REAR LINE IS OK. THE PROBLEM IS EXACERBATED BY RUNNING THE LINES WHERE THEY ARE. THE FUEL LINES APPEAR TO HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT YET FAILED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 11, 201264,000 milesCT

COMING TO A RED LIGHT AT A MAJOR INTERSECTION AND APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WENT THRU A RED LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT W/ THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I CAN'T BELIEVE I DIDN'T HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. INSPECTION REVELED THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 9, 201290,500 milesMD

BRAKES FAILED WILE DRIVING, HAD TO USE MECHANICAL EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. COMPLETED STOP ACROSS TWO TRAFFIC LANES, ON COMING TRAFFIC STOPPED IN TIME TO AVOID ACCIDENT. BRAKE LINES "RUSTED" THROUGH AND BLOW OUT LETTING ALL BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED OUT ONTO STREET. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 28, 2012189,216 milesMN

REDUCED ENGINE POWER GENERIC CODE P2135. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 28, 201251,000 milesMA

I WAS COMING TO A VERY SLOW STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALMOST TO THE FLOOR. I TESTED THE BRAKE SEVERAL TIMES WHILE MOVING VERY SLOWLY, AND THE PEDAL CONTINUED TO GO TO THE FLOOR WITH A SWOOSHING SOUND. I HAD SOMEONE CHECK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHILE I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND HE CONFIRMED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS SHOOTING ALL OVER. MY TRUCK IS 9 YEARS OLD BUT IT HAS ONLY 50,000 MILES, THE ORIGINAL TIRES AND HAS HAD ONLY 2 BRAKES REPLACED JUST RECENTLY I BELIEVE THAT IT IS PREMATURE FOR THE BRAKE LINES TO HAVE SUFFERED A COMPLETE BLOWOUT. MY FORMER CHEVY TRUCK WHICH I HAD FOR 13 YEARS HAD NO PROBLEM WITH BRAKE LINES. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 28, 201279,000 milesCT

MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AS I WAS BACKING MY TRUCK UP TO HOOK UP MY BOAT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY TRUCK THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I INSPECTED WHERE THE LEAK WAS COMING FROM IT WAS FROM SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINE THAT BURST. THE OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AS WELL. I HAVE NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ESPECIALLY TOWING MY BOAT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Apr 26, 201289,000 milesTX

I CONTACTED CHEVY CONCERNING MY FAILED INSTRUMENT PANEL AND WHY IT WASN'T UNDER A SAFETY RECALL AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS UNDER A COURTESY WARRANTY RECALL UP TO 7 YRS OR 80,000 MILES, WHICH I HAVE SUCCEEDED WHEN I COULD AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. CHEVY SAID THAT IT WASN'T UNDER A TOTAL RECALL BECAUSE A SPEEDOMETER NOT WORKING IS NOT A FEDERAL SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS REQUIRED FOR A RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER A RECALL BECAUSE OF SO MANY THAT HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 24, 201272,000 milesMO

WHEN I GOT HOME TODAY I NOTICED A CLEAR PUDDLE UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE. UPON INVESTIGATING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK I SPOTTED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINE. I FOLLOWED THE LINE TOWARD THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND FOUND SEVERAL PLACES WHERE THE LINE WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THIS IS PLAINLY THE RESULT OF INFERIOR MATERIALS USED BY GM IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR

Service Brakes, Air › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Apr 19, 2012105,000 milesMD

WE HAD BRAKE LINING FAILURES WHICH RESULT IN TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES. LUCKY FOR US WE JUST GOT OFF OF A MAIN ROAD INTO A PARKING LOT. ADVISED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE MAKE MODEL AND YEAR. WE HAD TWO BREAKS AND LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID INSTANTLY. REPAIR SHOP SAID THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF BRAKE LININGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN OUR TRUCK AT A COST OF $827.00! *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 11, 201249,892 milesIL

RUSTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE BRAKING AND CAUSED IMMEDIATE LOSS OF BRAKING CONTROL. THE RUPTURED BRAKE LINE IS GROUPED TIGHTLY WITH TWO OTHER LINES, THUS IT IS CAPTURING SALT & WATER CAUSING CORROSION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ACTUATE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID CRASH AND INJURIES TO OTHERS. *TR

Service Brakes, Air
Filed Mar 19, 2012116,000 milesCO

BRAKES ARE SOFT AND BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS ALMOST TO THE FLOOR WHEN IS PUSHED REQUIRING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF FOOT PRESSURE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER AND DISTANCE. VEHICLE HAS A NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, NEW BRAKE PADS, NEW ROTORS, AND NEW BRAKE FLUID. CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS CALLED AND THEY STATED THE VIN HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED FOR SERVICE BRAKE FAILURES FOR THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE RECALL (ID # 04V045000) OR FAULTY CORRODED BRAKE LINES. *JS

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Mar 11, 201244,279 milesPA

WAS INFORMED DURING A STATE INSPECTION THAT ALL OF MY METAL BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO HEAVY CORROSION. THE INSPECTION WAS DONE AT THE DEALER WHERE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED AND I WAS TOLD THE CORROSION WAS PROBABLY FROM NOT PUTTING MANY MILES ON IT. *TR *JS

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 6, 201213,000 milesOH

FAILURE OF THE BRAKE LINES DUE TO BEING RUSTED OUT. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 16, 2012IN

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF LEAVING STUDS IN THE HEADS (4) MY LATE 2002 CHEVY Z71 DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED BANGING AT IDLE OR AFTER PARKED. ENGINE HAS BLACK EXHAUST ON THE HEAD WHERE WE FOUND THE MAIN LEAK. SO, CARBON MONOXIDE HAS BEEN COMING INTO THE CAB AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEEMS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CHECKING INTO THE ISSUE, I FOUND EVERY TRUCK IN OUR COMPANY FLEET HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AND OUR ASSOCIATES THAT HAVE PERSONAL TRUCKS DRIVING TO WORK CHECKED THEIRS AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FROM 1999 THRU 2008 YEARS. WHEN CONTACTING OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, THEY ADVISED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. EVERY PERSON I MENTION THIS TO, CHECKS THEIR TRUCK AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BROKEN BOLTS. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CONTRACTING AND EXPANDING TOO MUCH- CHEAP STEEL ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM HEADS APPEAR ON ALL OF THE V-8 TRUCK ENGINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE AS WELL AS THE COSTS TO REPAIR. *TR

Visibility
Filed Feb 16, 2012135,000 milesNC

WIPERS STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AND WOULD NOT CHANGE SPEED. SOON AFTER, THEY WOULD NOT TURN OFF AT ALL. I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE TO STOP THEM, AND HAVE HAD TO STOP AND REPLACE THE FUSE IN THE RAIN. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 9, 201255,000 milesCT

I BOUGHT A USED CHEVROLET, SILVERADO, 2003, WITH 55,000 MILES FROM THIS DEALER. WITHIN ONE WEEK, IT SUFFERED A BRAKE FAILURE. IT WAS TOWED BACK, REPLACED THE LEAKING TUBING, AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. ABOUT 4 WEEKS LATER, ANOTHER BRAKE FAILURE, TOWED BACK, AND THIS TIME EVERY STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS REPLACED. THIS TRUCK HAD BEEN GARAGED BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, EXCEPT FOR THE STEEL BRAKE LINES.(VIN-[XXX] THIS ISSUE IS NOT ONLY VERY DANGEROUS, BUT BECAUSE IT IS BENEATH THE VEHICLE, IT IS VERY HARD TO DETECT BEFORE HAND. THIS ISSUE NEEDS VISIBILITY AND SAFETY ALERTS SO MECHANICS AND AUTOMOTIVE AND TRUCK DEALERSHIPS CAN PERFORM MORE THOROUGH INSPECTIONS TO PRECLUDE FATAL ACCIDENTS. IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER MECHANICS, THEY ARE SEEING AN INCREASED FREQUENCY OF CORRODED STEEL BRAKE LINES. I CAN GET CORRODED BRAKE LINES, IF NEEDED FOR EXAMINATION. BUT WE NEED MORE ATTENTION FOCUSED ON THE IMMEDIATE SAFETY CONCERN & THEN WE NEED TO STOP USING THE DE-ICERS OR REQUIRE VEHICLE BUILDERS TO USE CORROSION RESISTANT STEEL TUBING (SUCH AS STAINLESS STEEL TUBING).I KNOW IT IS MORE EXPENSIVE! I HOPE YOU CAN GET THE ?BALL? ROLLING. LET ME KNOW WHAT MORE YOU NEED / WANT. KIND REGARDS, [XXX] OFFICE:[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 24, 201265,000 milesNY

SLOWING FOR A RED LIGHT IN 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500, APPLIED BRAKES AND FOOT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR. NO BRAKES! AT A REPAIR SHOP, TRUCK WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME HOW ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND LEAKING. TRUCK IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NOT USED OFF-ROAD OR IN ANY WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS CONDITION. APPARENTLY IT IS A DEFECT AND COME TO FIND OUT AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS BRAKE CORROSIAN ON CHEVY TRUCKS AND DRIVERS HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. NO RECALLS ON IT YET. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE CHEVY FESSES UP AND THERE IS A RECALL ON THESE TRUCKS? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 21, 201261,500 milesNY

DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK AND APPLIED BRAKES TO STOP AND PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR..VEHICLE DID COME TO A STOP AND DID NOT HIT ANYTHING BUT HAD NO BRAKE PRESSURE...FOUND LINE UNDER L/S ALONG FRAME RAIL ROTTED AND LEAKING...AFTER A FULL INSPECTION AT THE DEALER.FOUND ALL BRAKE LINES TO BE ROTTED OR RUSTED PREMATURELY...THIS VEHICLE IS NOT A WORK TRUCK IS VERY WELL KEPT.. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 15, 2012160,000 milesAR

I WAS PULLING INTO A RESTAURANT TODAY 01/15/12 AND HIT THE BRAKES AND THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED AND WOULDN'T STOP THE VEHICLE. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. I HAD HIT A BUMP PREVIOUSLY AND HEARD THE DOOR CHIME THEN LESS THAN 10MINS LATER THIS FAILURE. PREVIOUSLY I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES UNTIL THEN

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 14, 201266,000 milesIN

I HAVE HAD 2 BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 (66K MILES) CORRODE AND LEAK CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE OVER THE LAST 3 MONTHS. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS TRAVELING SLOWLY, SO NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE 2ND FAILURE I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC TO REVIEW THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM AND ALL THE LINES COMING FROM THE ABS UNIT TO THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK ARE TERRIBLY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THEY ARE BUNCHED SO TIGHTLY TOGETHER RUNNING ALONG THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK THAT MOISTURE CAN'T ESCAPE AND CAUSES CORROSION. THIS IS A POOR DESIGN, AND THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD HAVE BEEN STAINLESS STEEL FOR THIS DESIGN TO HAVE BEEN USED. SO FAR I HAVE SPENT $300 DOLLARS ON THE TWO LINES THAT DID FAIL, AND I AM NOW FORCED TO REPLACE ALL THE LINES AT A COST OF OVER $1000 DOLLARS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RECALL THIS DUE TO POOR DESIGN/CHOICE OF MATERIALS. *TR

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Jan 13, 201253,000 milesCA

HIT IN REAR OF DRIVER SIDE CORNER OF BED AND SENT TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT OF TRUCK THEN ROLLING SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE HALTING TO A STOP. HIGHWAY PATROL REPORT TAKEN. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 → · Every Silverado 1500 year → · How the figures are calculated →