2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 brakes problems

Owners reported brakes problems in 450 complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 47% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

Complaints: 450 47% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage: 85,000 miles 431 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires: 18 and 1
Injuries and deaths: 3 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When brakes problems show up

Based on 431 complaints that include mileage. 29% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.

View the numbers

Mileage	Complaints
0k to 20k miles	26
20k to 40k miles	42
40k to 60k miles	55
60k to 80k miles	74
80k to 100k miles	70
100k to 120k miles	57
120k to 140k miles	43
140k to 160k miles	22
160k to 180k miles	18
180k to 200k miles	12
200k+ miles	12

What the data shows

Of the 431 brakes complaints that report mileage, the median is about 85,000 miles, and 29% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 18 crashes, 1 fire, 3 injuries.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact crashed into another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. An unknown injury was sustained to the driver of the other vehicle, which required medical attention. The vehicle was towed to approved auto (17 danville rd, plaistow, nh 03865) where a diagnostic test was not performed.

Reported at 120,000 miles, October 2017 CrashInjury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the emergency/parking brake failed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the backing plate for the emergency brake was completely rusted. As a result, the backing plate, brake pads and rotors were replaced but the failure recurred. Additionally, the contact stated that the brake pedal abnormally traveled to the floorboard.

Reported at 32,000 miles, February 2012

Brakes problems in other years

Brakes problems across all Chevrolet models