IllustrationTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BREAKING ON THE 6.0 ENGINE. I THINK GM SHOULD DO THIS REPAIR SINCE I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE AND THIS IS VERY COMMON. IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED. I HAVE PUT UP WITH THIS AS IT STARTED AS A SMALL LEAK BUT IS GETTING WORSE.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Silverado 2500 years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 81.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Silverado 2500 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
240–25K
6225–50K
8850–75K
8375–100K
105100–150K
47150K+
409 reports with mileage · 40 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Service Brakes. Review the 127 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 116 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
23 crash reports8 fire reports7 injury reports
Engine complaints
15 reports5 OUT OF 8 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE AND 2 ON DRIVERS SIDE. I HAVE 120K MILES ON VEHICLE.
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BREAKING CREATING A FIRE HAZARD FROM THE HOT EXHAUST REACHING THE WIRING HARNESS, IT IS ALSO CREATING FUMES IN MY CAB. FIRST NOTED A NOISE A WEEK AGO, FOUND IT TO BE A EXHAUST LEAK AND THE LEAK HAS GRADUALLY GOTTEN WORSE. I AM UNABLE TO NOT DRIVE TO THE TRUCK DUE TO WORK.
TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. PULLED OVER AND WITHIN SEVERAL MINUTES THE WHOLE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NERVE PAIN IN THE BACK AND LEGS FROM THE I…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A LEFT TURN AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE STEERING FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED NERVE PAIN IN THE BACK AND LEGS FROM THE IMPACT OF THE CRASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
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, …
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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.
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…
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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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE NOTICED A TICKING SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING AND TIMING CHAIN WERE DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FLUID. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE NOTICED A TICKING SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING AND TIMING CHAIN WERE DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. STEPPING ON THE GAS DOES NOTHING. THE VEHICLE JUST COASTS ALONG AND RUNS ROUGH. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T CLEAR THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. TH…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. STEPPING ON THE GAS DOES NOTHING. THE VEHICLE JUST COASTS ALONG AND RUNS ROUGH. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND SHUT IT OFF FOR A FEW SECONDS. SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T CLEAR THE PROBLEM RIGHT AWAY AND NEEDS TO BE RESTARTED SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON AS TO WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY, ON BUSY EXPRESSWAYS OR ON MAIN ROADS AND SIDE ROADS. THE GAS PEDAL LOSES COMMUNICATION WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS NERVE WRACKING WHEN DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VEHICLE WONT RESPOND TO STEPPING ON THE GAS PEDAL. TRYING TO GET OVER SEVERAL LANES TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS DANGEROUS WHEN THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. IT IS ALSO BAD WHEN ON A BUSY, MAIN ROAD, THE VEHICLE "ACTS UP". I HAVE TO PULL OVER, BLOCKING TRAFFIC, UNTIL I CAN GET IT GOING AGAIN. *TR
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1EA04012 · Hydraulic Pump Failres
Opened Apr 30, 2004 · Closed Feb 28, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist; Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.