2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD problems
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 40% of complaints. After that come electrical system (24%) and engine (8%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 124 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 40% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 4 and 3
- Injuries and deaths
- 3 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 113 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 10 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 13 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 15 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 25 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 17 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 7 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 10 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 2 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Among the 113 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 87,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 85,000 miles (49 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 4 complaints mention a crash; 3 complaints mention a fire; 3 injuries reported.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500 hd. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a ditch. The front end of the vehicle was damaged and the air bags failed to deploy. One passenger was injured and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop and they stated that the air bags should have deployed due to the impact of the crash. The failure and current mileages were 83,000. Michigan traffic crash report. Updated 09/18/07
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500 hd. The contact was driving approximately 25 MPH when the rear wheels turned in an awkward position causing a loss in steering. The vehicle would not steer in a straight direction. Suddenly, the vehicle veered off the road and crashed into a utility pole. The contact stated the failure was related to the rear axle centering spring. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to the residence. The contact sustained injuries to the neck.
Instrument cluster on 2003 chev silverado 1500hd is not working properly. Instruments read wrong or do not work at all. Brought truck to dealer and was told it would cost over $700.00 to fix and could not afford it. Received notice from GM last week saying they would cover up to 70,000 miles, my truck has more than that now, but problem started at 50,000 miles. GM should issue a full recall and take care of this hazard.
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.