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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

449 reports
209,173 miles · May 26, 2014
TiresCrash

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 BL…

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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

NHTSA ODI #10594008

60,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND MAKE A TURN FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AND MAKE A TURN FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON FOUR OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10593171

142,318 miles · May 18, 2014
Power Train

VEHICLE WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUTTERED, I LOST THE DRIVE CAPABILITIES OF THE TRUCK THEN STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE TO FIND FLUID COMING OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. IN MY CASE THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. P…

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VEHICLE WAS IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN THE WHOLE TRUCK SHUTTERED, I LOST THE DRIVE CAPABILITIES OF THE TRUCK THEN STOPPED AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE TO FIND FLUID COMING OUT OF THE TRANSFER CASE. IN MY CASE THIS HAPPENED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET, IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME ON A POSSIBLE RECALL FOR THE TRANSFER CASE. UPDATED 12/01/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592220

89,999 miles · May 13, 2014
Service Brakes

MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD 4WD LONG BED PICKUP TRUCK EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF (HYDRAULIC BOOST) BRAKE SYSTEM AT 35 MPH. BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED HEAVILY AND CONDITION OF BRAKE LINES VERIFIED BY GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND DRIVEN PRIMARILY IN VIRGINIA. OWNER HAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM MANU…

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MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500 HD 4WD LONG BED PICKUP TRUCK EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE OF (HYDRAULIC BOOST) BRAKE SYSTEM AT 35 MPH. BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED HEAVILY AND CONDITION OF BRAKE LINES VERIFIED BY GM DEALERSHIP. VEHICLE IS REGISTERED AND DRIVEN PRIMARILY IN VIRGINIA. OWNER HAS NEVER RECEIVED ANY COMMUNICATION FROM MANUFACTURER REGARDING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10588155

150,000 miles · May 9, 2014
Engine And Engine Cooling

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS ARE BROKEN OFF IN BLOCK CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS SUCH AS COMPUTER GETTING MIXED SIGNALS, O2 SENSOR AND WILL CAUSE MOTOR TO GO BAD IN TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587505

100,254 miles · Apr 21, 2014
Service Brakes

RUSTED BRAKE LINES, VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583892

110,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
Service Brakes

HIT BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR TRUCK DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE IGNITION SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 35 MPH. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND LOTS OF PARTS REPLACED CANNOT GET THE BRAKES OR IGNITION FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 6 MON…

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HIT BRAKES THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR TRUCK DOES NOT STOP. THIS HAPPENS AT ALL SPEEDS. THE IGNITION SHUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 35 MPH. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN TO MULTIPLE SHOPS AND LOTS OF PARTS REPLACED CANNOT GET THE BRAKES OR IGNITION FIXED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577254

109,670 miles · Mar 23, 2014
Tires

THIS STARTED IN 2007 WITH THE PURCHASE OF GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES. THEY HAVE FAILED IN 2009 (PAID TO REPLACE), 2013, 2014. THESE TIRE ARE USED ON MY2003 CHEVROLET 2500 DIESEL PICKUP AND WE PULL A 5TH WHEEL. THE TIRES CONTINUE TO SEPARATE AND THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON MARCH 6TH, 2014. THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT …

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THIS STARTED IN 2007 WITH THE PURCHASE OF GOODYEAR WRANGLER TIRES. THEY HAVE FAILED IN 2009 (PAID TO REPLACE), 2013, 2014. THESE TIRE ARE USED ON MY2003 CHEVROLET 2500 DIESEL PICKUP AND WE PULL A 5TH WHEEL. THE TIRES CONTINUE TO SEPARATE AND THE LAST INCIDENT WAS ON MARCH 6TH, 2014. THIS HAS NOT RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT IT COULD. WE WERE TRAVELING TO PHOENIX AZ FROM GRAPEVINE, TX WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE SEPARATED. WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT BETWEEN ALBUQUERQUE NM AND GRANTS NM. THE TIRE WAS INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE IN SEP 2012 AND HAD APPROXIMATELY 18000 MILES. IN AUGUST OF 2013 I HAD TO REPLACE 3 MORE TIRES BECAUSE OF TREAD SEPARATION. GOODYEAR WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A PRICE AND IT'S STARTING TO GET VERY COSTLY. THEY REIMBURSE FOR ABOUT 20% OF THE COST OF A TIRE. I WILL BUY NEW TIRES BUT NOT GOODYEAR. THEY ARE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574245

205,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Service Brakes

WHILE MY TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND RUSTED AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LINES COULD RUPTURE AT ANY TIME DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF HEAVY RUSTING. THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE WHEN VIEWING FROM THE DRIVER'S …

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WHILE MY TRUCK WAS BEING SERVICED, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE STEEL HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND RUSTED AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAME. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LINES COULD RUPTURE AT ANY TIME DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF HEAVY RUSTING. THE BRAKE LINES APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD SHAPE WHEN VIEWING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL, BUT ON CLOSER EXAMINATION, WHERE THE LINES COME DOWN THE FIREWALL AND TRANSITION TO ON TOP OF THE FRAME RAIL (BELOW DRIVER'S FEET) IS WHERE THE EXTREME RUSTING HAD OCCURRED. UPON SEARCHING THE INTERNET FOR REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES, I WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SCOPE OF THIS ISSUE AND THE VEHICLES INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS ISSUED FOR BRAKE LINES FAILING SINCE THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY ISSUE. SINCE INSPECTING MY VEHICLE, I HAVE INSPECTED SEVERAL OTHER FRIENDS VEHICLES IN THE AFFECTED MODEL YEARS WITH ALL OF THE VEHICLES HAVING EXTREME CORROSION OF THE BRAKE LINES. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY WIDESPREAD IN THE RUST BELT STATES, BUT THAT NUMEROUS OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568149

143,416 miles · Mar 9, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A 2 WEEK VACATION (30 MILES FROM HOME) SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A CITY STREET IN WOODLAND, CA, THE TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO ENGINE, TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IT WAS EVERYTHING I COULD DO TO MAKE THE TURN AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT THE TIME I WAS PULLING MY 2009 BIGHOR…

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WHILE RETURNING HOME FROM A 2 WEEK VACATION (30 MILES FROM HOME) SLOWED DOWN TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN ON A CITY STREET IN WOODLAND, CA, THE TRUCK JUST SHUT DOWN, NO STEERING, NO BRAKES, NO ENGINE, TOTAL ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWN. IT WAS EVERYTHING I COULD DO TO MAKE THE TURN AND PULL TO THE RIGHT. AT THE TIME I WAS PULLING MY 2009 BIGHORN FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. IT WAS A SCARY TIME. I FINALLY STOPPED, LUCKY THERE WAS NO CARS PARKED ON THE RIGHT NEAR THE CURB. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THEN WE CONTINUED THE TRIP HOME TO WINTERS, CA. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO IMLER DIESEL IN SACRAMENTO TO CHECK THE ENGINE OUT. THEY REPLACED THE INJECTORS WHICH WE HAD AGREED TO DO PRIOR TO MAKING THE TWO WEEK TRIP. THE NEXT TRIP WAS TO BODEGA BAY ON JANUARY 14, 2014. WE TRAVELED ABOUT 100 MILES. AGAIN WE WERE PULLING OUR FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER. SLOWING DOWN FROM 55 MPH TO 15 MPH, PREPARING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN IN DORAN BEACH PARK AT BODEGA BAY, THE TRUCK SHUT DOWN AGAIN.I CAME SO CLOSE TO HITTING A TREE. ONCOMING TRAFFIC STOPPED JUST IN TIME AS THE SPEED LIMIT AT 55 MPH SEEMED TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING GIVING ME TIME TO RESTART AND MOVE OFF THE HIGHWAY. MY WIFE AND I WERE BOTH SHAKEN UP A BIT, BUT ALSO FEELING VERY LUCKY NOT HAVING A CRASH. WE CONTINUED HOME 4 DAYS LATER. WE PARKED THE TRUCK.THE MILEAGE WAS 143579 AT THE START OF THE TRIP AND 143819 AT END. I HAVE NOT USED THE TRUCK SINCE. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS LUCKY TWICE, DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO RISK A THIRD TRY. LOOKING BACK, THE SHUTDOWN DID HAPPEN TWO OTHER TIMES BUT I WAS NOT PULLING THE FIFTH WHEEL TRAILER, I CAN'T REMEMBER THE DATES. CHEVROLET LT 2500 HD 4X4 DIESEL 2003 TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568064

Official recalls

0

No 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

1

EA04012 · 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.