Page 2 of 9 · complaints 51–100 of 449

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 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 →

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 10, 2015175,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE SITTING IN THE REAR SEAT, THE SEAT BELTS WERE TOO LONG RESULTING IN THE PASSENGER NOT BEING RESTRAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 25, 2015318,000 milesNC

BRAKE LINES RUPTURED UNDERNEATH DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS MOVING SLOWLY SO I WAS ABLE TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR.

Engine
Filed Oct 5, 2015195,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY, BUT THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 201589,000 milesKY

IN JUNE OF 2013 WHILE DRIVE MY 2003 SILVERADO THE BRAKES LINE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH NEARLY CAUSING A SEVERE ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN A VERY BUSY SECTION OF US127S IN FRANKFORT, KY.. BY SURE LUCK I WAS ABLE TO MANOEUVRE THE TRUCK TO A SAFE PLACE TO STOP,WITHOUT HITTING ANOTHER PERSON OR VEHICLE BY GOING UP A SLIGHT GRADE AND PLACING IN PARK BEFORE ROLLING BACKWARDS IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO O'BRIEN & GAITES CHEVROLET IN FRANKFORT, KY. WHERE THE INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I ASK IF THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON THESE LINES AND WAS TOLD NO. THE LINES WERE REPLACED BOTH THE FRONT FROM BOOSTER TO ABS AND THEN FROM ABS BACK TO REAR WHEELS AT A COST OF $400 PLUS. THE TRUCK ONLY HAS 89,000 MILES ON IT AND THE IN SEPTEMBER OF 2015 AFTER SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. AFTER LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK I COULD DETERMINE THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS RUNNING OUT DIRECTLY ACROSS FROM THE FRONT DOOR UNDERNEATH FROM THE FRAME RAIL. IT APPEARED OBVIOUS THAT AGAIN THE LINES WERE LEAKING. WHEN O'BRIEN & GAITS CHEVROLET WAS CONTACTED THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL TOW IN BILL AND THEN I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE EVEN THOUGH I COULD SEE WHERE THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING AND RUNNING ON THE GROUND BY SIMPLY LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK AS I PUSHED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL MYSELF. THIS LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THE PROBLEM WAS ONLY DISCOVERED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE TRUCK.

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 8, 201557,539 milesVA

JUST AS WE PULLED INTO OUR DRIVEWAY PULLING A FIFTH WHEEL CAMPER AS MY FAMILY WAS RETURNING FROM A CAMPING TRIP OUR BRAKES FAILED. CAUSE WAS A PINHOLE CORRODED IN A STEEL BRAKE LINE. WE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON MOUNTAINOUS ROADS AND HAD THIS HAPPENED DURING THE TRIP INSTEAD OF MIRACULOUSLY AS WE ARRIVED AT HOME A TRAGIC ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HIGH PROBABILITY. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH VERY MINOR CORROSION UNDERNEATH. VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGED MUCH OF THE TIME AND HAS HAD VERY LIMITED EXPOSURE TO CORROSIVE CHEMICALS. THIS WAS A TOTAL SURPRISE AND SHOCK. DUE TTO THE COST OF THIS VEHICLE WE LIMIT USAGE TO EXTEND LIFE AND WITH THE CARE GIVEN THIS VEHICLE THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

Power Train
Filed Sep 1, 2015163,000 milesWY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PUMP IN THE TRANSFER CASE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED A LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE WHICH ALLOWED THE TRANSMISSION TO DRAIN ALL THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 31, 2015138,000 milesSC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND THE ABS ERRONEOUSLY ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Jul 30, 2015100,000 milesKY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BRIDGE. DURING THE CRASH, THE FRONT END SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT IMMEDIATELY DEPLOY. APPROXIMATELY 10 SECONDS AFTER IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED LUMBAR SPINE INJURIES, FRACTURED RIBS, AND AN INJURED LUNG. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT SUFFERED LACERATIONS TO THE FACE AND SCALP AND METAL FRAGMENTS WERE PRESENT ON THE FACE AND IN THE SCALP. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 201533,457 milesNY

HAD TO MAKE HARD STOP AND BRAKES FAILED, LATER IT WAS REVEALED BRAKE LINES HAD ROTTED OUT.. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS?

Electrical System
Filed Mar 22, 2015103,000 milesOH

WHEN I TURN THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL ON, IT SOMETIMES WORKS AND SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. SOMETIMES IT TURNS BOTH TURN SIGNALS ON LIKE THE HAZARDS. IF I HAVE MY CRUISE SET AND USE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, IT SHUTS THE CRUISE OFF. TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 9, 2015122,000 milesIN

WAS COMING TO A STOP AND APPLIED THE BRAKE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DID GET THE TRUCK STOPPED. GO THE TRUCK HOME AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID DROPPING FROM THE TRUCK. TOOK A LOOK AND IT WAS COMING FROM A BREAK LINE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRUCK ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED BADLY. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 2, 201562,000 milesDE

IGNITION SWITCH LOCKS UP OCCASIONALLY AND MAKES THE ABS SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT COME ON. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jan 13, 201582,244 milesMA

I WAS PLOWING SNOW, STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF A GARDEN SHED. NO WARNING OR INDICATOR LIGHT. I PARKED THE TRUCK IN THE GARAGE AND THE NEXT DAY FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. I ADDED AN ENTIRE QUART OF FLUID, FOUND A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK (IN THE AREA OF THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LOCATION), STARTED THE TRUCK TO SEE IF ANY OF THE BRAKING WAS WORKING AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS NO BRAKING WHATSOEVER, EVEN AFTER FILLING THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR . *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 9, 2015160,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Power Train
Filed Jan 6, 2015109,000 milesNV

ON NOVEMBER 17, 2014, I WAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF A HIGHWAY WAITING TO PULL INTO BUSINESS PARKING LOT, WHEN I ACCELERATED TO PULL IN, MY TRUCK MOVED FORWARD AND THEN WOULD ONLY REV UP THE RPM'S, ALMOST GETTING HIT BY ON COMING TRAFFIC ON THE HIGHWAY, I COASTED IN THE PARKING LOT, AS THE RPM'S WERE STILL UP, THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AND THE TRUCK MOVED FORWARD WITH A LOUD THUMP. LOCAL DEALERSHIP REPLACED A PART ($900) AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. ON DECEMBER 27, 2014 WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM MY HOUSE, ONCE AGAIN THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND THE TRUCK JUST COASTED UNTIL IT ENGAGED CAUSING A LOUD THUMP. I CALLED AND LEFT MESSAGE WITH SERVICE WRITER. ON JANUARY 02, 2015, I WAS WITH 1/2 MILE OF MY HOUSE AND TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT, I WAS ABLE TO TURN AROUND AND DRIVE BACK TO THE HOUSE AT A VERY LOW SPEED KEEPING THE RPM'S LOW. TRUCK IS CURRENTLY AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR MY APPROVAL TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE WHICH HAS A PIN HOLE IN IT AND SOME OTHER PARTS FOR $3100. I REALIZE THAT PROBLEMS CAN HAPPEN WITH ANY MANUFACTURE, HOWEVER THIS GM ISSUE WITH A PINHOLE IN THE TRANSFER CASE THAT IS CAUSED BY AN INTERNAL PART THAT BREAKS AND DRIVERS LOSING POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN IS A REGULAR OCCURRENCE. I FOUND MANY FORUMS AND SOLUTIONS ON THE INTERNET AND ONE ON NHTSA. AFTER MARKET PARTS HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED TO REPLACE THE CHEAP PARTS WITHIN THE TRANSFER CASE TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING, UNFORTUNATELY I DID NOT RESEARCH THIS ISSUE PRIOR TO HAVING THE ISSUE. IN ADDITION, I CALLED A LOCA

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 3, 2015185,000 milesOH

ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED AS I ATTEMPTED TO RELOCATE THE VEHICLE IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jan 1, 2015115,000 milesPA

IN APPROXIMATELY MAY OF 2014 I HOOKED MY 2003 SILVERADO UP TO MY CAMPER TO PULL IT. WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID RUNNING OUT OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LINE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO JENNINGS CHEVROLET IN CHAMBERSBURG, PA FOR REPAIR WHICH COST MORE THAN $400. THEN LAST NIGHT MY SON WAS USING THE TRUCK AND HE CALLED ME TO TELL ME THAT WHILE HE WAS DRIVING IT THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO STOP. HE WAS ABLE TO GET TO A STORE TO BUY BRAKE FLUID. HE SAID THE TRUCK IS LEAKING FROM A REAR BRAKE LINE THIS TIME. THIS IS GOING TO COST ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AGAIN. I'M HOPING THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AS I'VE NEVER HAD THE BRAKE LINE FAIL ON THE SAME VEHICLE TWICE, EVEN A VEHICLE 12 YEARS OLD. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 28, 2014110,000 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING HWY 19W TOWARD BURNSVILLE, N.C. A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THEY WERE EXTREMELY SOFT. I RAN OFF THE ROAD AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. I WAS WITHIN 1/4 MILE OF A GARAGE AND I SLOWLY DROVE THE TRUCK TO IT. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE LINES AND ADVISED THAT I HAVE THEM ALL REPLACED AS THEY HAD ALL RUSTED OUT. THE FUEL LINES RUSTED IN TWO IN 2013. THE CAB STARTED RUSTING IN 2008, AND NOW HAS HOLES FROM FRONT TO BACK INCLUDING BUMPERS FROM RUST. THE CAB MOUNTS HAVE ALSO RUSTED. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 26, 2014123,173 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HOOD LATCH WAS RUSTING AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING DIESEL FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,173.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 17, 201483,020 milesHI

PUSHED BRAKE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND COULD CLEARLY SEE FLUID ON THE GROUND AND THAT BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. AFTER FURTHER LOOK COULD SEE THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND HAD MORE THAN ONE LEAK. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION THAT BRAKES WERE ABOUT TO FAIL. NO FLUID IN DRIVEWAY OR LACK OF BRAKE PERFORMANCE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. NO WARNING OF ANY KIND. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. GOOD THING WE DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE FREEWAY. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 19, 2014166,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE LINES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 14, 2014104,000 milesOK

I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD GOING 30 MPH WHEN A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. BABIED IT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING IN THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE BACK BY THE FUEL TANK. WE LOOKED AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED WHICH IS WHAT CAUSE THE LINE TO BREAK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 201471,850 milesMO

WHILE TOWING A 6000 LB. TRAILER, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT DOWN NEAR FLOOR. I THOUGHT TRAILER BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR HOME. NEXT MORNING I NOTICED LARGE POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. I FOUND THAT BADLY RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON THE 2003 SILVERADO WERE LEAKING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 18, 201435,000 milesMN

CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. NO BRAKES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 9, 2014175,000 milesKY

AFTER LOANING MY DAUGHTER MY TRUCK WE MET AT A LOCATION TO EXCHANGE VEHICLES. I STARTED TO DRIVE AWAY AND APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I PUMPED THE BRAKES AND WAS UNABLE TO ACHIEVE ANY PEDAL PRESSURE. I HAD MY TRUCK TAKEN TO MY RESIDENCE AND INSPECTED THE BRAKE SYSTEM FOR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR STEEL LINE RUSTED THROUGH AND CREATED A LOSS OF FLUID. IN MY OPINION THIS LINE RUSTING OUT IS VERY PREMATURE FOR THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE OWNED MANY OTHER VEHICLES THAT WERE OLDER AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE BRAKE OR FUEL LINES RUSTING OUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 6, 201488,695 milesVA

WHILE BACKING INTO MY DRIVEWAY THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL WAY TO THE FLOOR. HAD TROUBLE STOPPING. LUCKILY, I WAS ON LEVEL GROUND. DISCOVERED BRAKE FLUID ALONG THE DRIVERS SIDE FRAME. THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUPTURED AND I HAD TO HAVE ALL BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO EXTREME RUST. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 29, 2014126,000 milesMI

EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO REAR BRAKE LINES CAUSED BRAKING MALFUNCTION. COULD NOT STOP EFFECTIVELY. THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHILE MOVING VEHICLE TO ANOTHER PARKING SPACE. BOTH REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK. SECTION OF BRAKE LINE FORWARD OF BRAKE LINE TEE ON DIFFERENTIAL FAILED. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF MY 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD LS CREWCAB DURAMAX 6.6L. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Sep 29, 2014126,000 milesMI

FUEL LINE LEAK ALONG DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF FUEL LINE. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 26, 2014133,000 milesGA

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY FAMILY ABOARD AT THE SPEED AROUND 75+ MPH AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOOSES SPEED WHILE TRAVELING AMONG OTHERS AT AROUND THE SAME SPEED OR HIGHER WHEN SUDDENLY THE SPEED DECREASES TO NO SPEED, AND A THIS WARNING COMES ACROSS THE DASH PANEL, THAT SAYS REDUCED SPEED AND ALL THESE 18 WHEELERS ARE BEHIND ME AND AROUND ME. THE MORE I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR IT WOULD DO NOTHING BUT ALMOST COST MY WIFE A HEART ATTACK FROM THE BIG TRUCKS BLOWING THERE HORN AND FEARING THE DAY LIGHTS OUT OF MY FAMILY. THEN A WEEK LATER THE CLUSTER STARTS ACTING ALL CRAZY WITH THE LIGHTS GOING OUT AND ON, AND NOW THEY AREN'T WORKING AT ALL. THE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING THE SPEED ALONG WITH GAS GAUGES ETC... WHILE I HAVE NEVER OWNED ANYTHING OTHER THAN "CHEVY'S", TRUCKS AND CARS I HAVE SERIOUSLY BEEN CONSIDERING ANOTHER NAME & MAKE IN MY NEXT CHOICE OF PURCHASE.... SO A LOYAL FRIEND ADVISED ME TO SEND GM A E-MAIL EXPLAINING MY ISSUES... *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 201484,645 milesPA

I WAS TRAVELING ALONG AT 45 MPH., AND GENTLY APPLIED BRAKES AS I WAS NEARING AN INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR, AND I HAD NO BRAKES. LUCKILY I THOUGHT QUICK ENOUGH TO STEP DOWN ON THE PARKING BRAKE, OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR WRECK. TURNS OUT THAT A STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST THAT RUNS ALONG THE FRAME IN BEHIND THE FUEL TANK. HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS ON THIS PROBLEM? SEEMS LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE OUT OF STAINLESS STEEL SO THEY DON'T RUST. THANK GOD MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WASN'T DRIVING WHEN IT HAPPENED! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2014187,897 milesCT

BRAKE LINES ROTED OUT TOTAL SYSTEM FAILED NO BRAKES GOT TO STOP ON E BRAKE CLAMPED LINE ADDED FLUID TO GET HOME CHANGED ALL LINES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 201448,000 milesIL

I WAS RIVING DOWN THE A ROAD IN GEORGIA. TRAFFIC LIGHT AT BOTTOM OF HILL CHANGED (RIGHT AT THAT POINT WHERE YOU HAVE TO MAKE A QUICK DECISION), I HIT BRAKES PRETTY HARD TO STOP, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, VEHICLE DIDN'T EVEN SLOW ONE BIT. IT WAS TOO FAST TO HIT PARKING BRAKE, WENT RIGHT THROUGH INTERSECTION SWERVING WILDLY TO MISS TWO OTHER VEHICLES. SO GLAD I WASN'T TOWING MY 8000 POUND BOAT OR I WOULD HAVE EITHER KILLED PEOPLE OR DRIVEN OFF A CLIFF. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR ANY LEAK BEFORE THIS INCIDENT. WHEN I GOT IT TOWED HOME, I DISCOVERED THAT A BRAKE LINE THAT RUNS FROM JUNCTION BOX UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT TO THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BURST. IT HAD SOME RUST ON IT, BUT EVERY BRAKE LINE ON EVERY CAR DOES. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE BURST. THE PROPORTIONING VALVE DID NOT DIVIDE THE BRAKE PRESSURE TO OTHER WHEELS, THE PEDAL SIMPLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO STOPPING ACTION WHATSOEVER. MAYBE IF I WAS GENTLY APPLYING THE BRAKES IT WOULD HAVE WORKED DIFFERENTLY, BUT HITTING THEM HARD, IT DID NOTHING. SUCCESSIVE PUMPS WERE EQUALLY USELESS. I JUST PURCHASED $450 WORTH OF BRAKE LINES AND TUBING AND I WILL FIND SOMEONE TO REPLACE THEM AND BLEED THE BRAKES. I READ ONLINE THAT THERE HAS BEEN A NHTSA INVESTIGATION FOR YEARS ON THIS. I COULD HAVE KILLED 10 PEOPLE. WHY IS THERE NOT AT LEAST A NOTICE TO OWNERS TELLING THEM OF THIS PROBLEM. I WOULDN'T RISK LIVES OVER $1000, I WOULD HAVE HAD IT FIXED. PLEASE TELL ME HOW I CAN CONTACT SOMEONE BEYOND THIS COMPLAINT. OWNERS KNOWING ABOUT THIS W

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 7, 2014173,776 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING T 30 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES HOWEVER, THE EXTENT OF THE INJURIES WERE UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,776.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2014133,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 18, 2014135,871 milesNC

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO BRAKES. CAUSE CORROSIVE REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I ALMOST CRASHED AND COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF I HAD MY FAMILY WITH ME. HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO BE INJURED BEFORE GM WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RECALL A PART THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED YEARS AGO?!! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 16, 2014156,438 milesOH

THE BRAKE LINES RUSTED THREW WHILE DRIVING MAKING THE TRUCK UNSAFE FOR DRIVING.THE FUEL LINES ARE GOING TO GO NEXT AFTER INSPECTION ALL THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ARE BAD. *TR

Engine
Filed Jul 15, 201486,800 milesCA

AT FREEWAY SPEEDS I NOTICED THE OIL PRESSURE HAD DROPPED TO ALMOST 2 OUT OF 10 ON THE PRESSURE GAUGE. I STOPPED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND LET THE ENGINE COOL FOR 20 MINUTES. I CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL AND COLOR. IT WAS OK IN BOTH RESPECTS. AFTER ANOTHER 30 MINUTES I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND CONTINUED HOME. I WATCHED THE PRESSURE GAGE FOR ANOTHER HOUR AND SAW THE PRESSURE READING CONTINUE TO FALL TO A DANGEROUS LEVEL BUT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE CHEVY DEALER IN EL CENTRO, CA 92243 FOR THEIR ANALYSIS. THEY SAID IT WAS ONLY POOR OIL AND NEEDED CHANGING. I LET THEM SERVICE THE TRUCK AS THEY WISHED. THEY ALSO SCANNED (SWEPT) THE GAUGES AND CHANGED THE OIL AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THE NEXT DAY IT DID THE SAME THING. I DID NOT RETURN TO THE DEALER AS I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR AN ARGUMENT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 201465,004 milesMO

HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE, NO WARNING TILL SLOWING DOWN AT INTERSECTION OF BUSY ROAD. APX. 100 YARDS BEFORE STOP LIGHT I APPLIED BRAKES, PEDAL WAS SOFT,PUMPED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR! I QUICKLY PUMPED BRAKES AND CAME TO STOP IN THE INTERSECTION NOT 2 SECONDS AFTER MOTORCYCLE WITH PASSENGER PASSED IN FRONT OF ME! NO BRAKE WARNING LIGHT EVER ALERTED, FOUND STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED AND RUPTURED. THIS TRUCK HAS ONLY 65000 MILES ON IT, FOUND ANOTHER LINE IS VERY RUSTED IN SAME PLACE AS IT CROSSES OVER FRAME. AFTER RESEARCH ON REPAIRS, FOUND THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS FROM 1999 TO 2003. THIS ONE COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL,AS MOTORCYCLE WAS TRAVELING AT LEAST 45 MPH. THESE TRUCKS ARE ALL COMING TO THE AGE OF FAILURE. THANK GOD, I WAS NOT PULLING MY BOAT THAT WEIGHS 6700 LBS AS THIS TRUCK CAN NO LONGER BE TRUSTED. I WILL BE CHECKING INTO REPAIRS,AND IT WILL BE SOLD ! *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Jul 11, 2014167,554 milesMI

TRUCK WAS PARKED AT HOME ON A HILL. I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND STARTED TO BACKUP WHEN THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING ME TO GO INTO A TREE. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE QUARTER PANEL. BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT BACK INTO PARK. I HAD TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND NOW CALLING A TOW TRUCK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 201464,000 milesNJ

IN APRIL OF '14, A FRONT BRAKE LINE FAILED AND THAT LINE WAS REPLACED. ON 6/3/14, I HAD ANOTHER BRAKE LINE FAILURE DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT. THIS AFFECTED BOTH REAR BREAKS. ON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT ALL OF THE STEEL TUBING OF THE BREAK LINES WERE BADLY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FURTHER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I ALSO FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION LINES WERE ALSO RUSTING BADLY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 201497,128 milesKY

WAS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT TO LEAVE WORK AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BEING A CHEVY TRUCK AND KNOWING THAT THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT, I GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK TO LOOK UNDERNEATH AND SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK, ALONG THE DRIVER SIDE FRAME RAIL ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. HAD RUSTED OUT BRAKE LINES REPLACED BY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER FOR $605.60. I ONLY DROVE THE TRUCK THIS DAY TO PICK UP ITEMS FROM A HOME IMPROVEMENT STORE. NORMALLY THIS TRUCK IS ONLY USED BY MY WIFE TO PULL A HORSE TRAILER. OTHER THAN THAT IT SITS IN OUR GARAGE OUT OF THE WEATHER. I AM SO GLAD THIS HAPPENED TO ME WHILE AT A STOP AS OPPOSED TO HER WHILE DRIVING ON THE WINDING NORTHERN KENTUCKY ROADS PULLING A TRAILER LOADED WITH HORSES! *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 7, 2014134,000 milesFL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED ABRUPTLY TO THE FLOOR WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN UNTIL THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE WITH CAUTION. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE FOUR BRAKE LINES, WHICH RUPTURED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Engine
Filed Jul 2, 201480,000 milesID

MY 2003 CHEVY 2500 HD HAS AN EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAK AND THIS IS AN ONGOING AND CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. I CAN SEE EVIDENCE OF HOT EXHAUST GASES LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 201498,000 milesWI

BLEW A HOLE IN BRAKE LINE AT BOAT LANDING. LUCKILY I GOT IT STOPPED BEFORE IT WENT INTO THE LAKE. ALL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH IF IT HAPPENED AT A DIFFERENT TIME. I THINK A RECALL IS NECESSARY AS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND THAT HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN ON HIS 2004 SIERRA. *TR

Fuel System, Diesel
Filed Jun 16, 2014CA

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FUEL INJECTORS PROBLEM . *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS MIS-DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER NEVER CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL INJECTORS, IN WHICH WHITE SOME WAS EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ONLY REPLACED THE GLOW PLUGS, WHICH WAS NOT THE PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 10, 2014145,000 milesNV

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER JUST QUIT WORKING ALTOGETHER. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME THE CLUSTER WILL HAVE BEEN REPLACED. THE FIRST TWO WERE ON GM; THIS ONE IS GOING TO BE ON ME. WHAT IN THE WORLD IS WRONG WITH GM OR THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS PART. WHY DO THEY KEEP PRODUCING CRAP? UNTIL THE CLUSTER IS REPLACED, I HAVE NO IDEA OF ENGINE FUNCTIONS AND IF IT WEREN'T FOR MY GPS, I'D HAVE NO IDEA OF MY SPEED. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jun 8, 2014131,000 milesIN

WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK WHETHER ON A REGULAR STREET OR AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EITHER DIES, REDUCES DOWN TO IDLE SPEED OR IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THE REDUCED POWER SIGNAL COMES ON, ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON REGULAR STREETS. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN KILLED. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AT PENSKE CHEVROLET, AND ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 8/2013, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO US. SINCE 12/2013, THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND NOW WE DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. THERE HAS TO BE SOME WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THE CHEVROLET COMPANY HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 201485,000 milesMD

DURING TEST DRIVE FOR UNRELATED REPAIR THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. INSPECTION RESULTED IN FINDING THE BRAKE LINE HAD "BLOWN" OUT DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST/CORROSION. THE ENTIRE BRAKE LINES HAD SIMILAR CORROSION AND WHEN TOUCHED WOULD PRACTICALLY DISINTEGRATE. RESULT WAS ENTIRE BRAKE LINE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED/FABRICATED TO AVOID FUTURE BLOW OUT OF THE OTHER LINES. NO WARNING OF "SOFT" BRAKE WAS EXPERIENCED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THANKFULLY, INCIDENT OCCURRED ON SMALL SIDE ROAD WITH NO TRAFFIC. *TR

Service BrakesCrash
Filed May 27, 201460,000 milesPA

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. ON A SECOND OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. PM

TiresCrash
Filed May 26, 2014209,173 milesLA

FIRST TIRE, THE THREAD BELT SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE WHILE GOING 50 MPH ON STATE HIGHWAY BUT DID NOT LOSE AIR PRESSURE PUT $3000 DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. SAM'S REPLACE TIRE , BUT BF GOODRICH SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE THE TIRE . SECOND TIRE ON [ 5-24-14] FROM SAME SET 7 MONTHS LATER LOSE THREAD AND BLEW OUT WHILE DOING 70 MPH ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY RUNNING ME THROUGH RIGHT HAND DITCH ON TO SERVICE ROAD . BELT CAUSING DAMAGE TO TRUCK AGAIN , BUT LUCKY NO ONE WAS HURT OR DAMAGE TO OTHERS. *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 2500 → · Every Silverado 2500 year → · How the figures are calculated →