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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 1 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, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

42 reports
30,998 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

THIS CLAIM IS ON A CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AROUND 30,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS 3 TIMES, BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE, RADIO PROBLEMS, STEERING PROBLEMS AND TIRE WEAR. GENERAL MOTORS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS C…

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THIS CLAIM IS ON A CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AROUND 30,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS 3 TIMES, BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE, RADIO PROBLEMS, STEERING PROBLEMS AND TIRE WEAR. GENERAL MOTORS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS CONTACTED AN ASSURED ME THIS TRUCK WAS NOT A LEMON, I SAID IT WAS. NOW BETWEEN 30,000 AND 90,000 MILES I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAD THE DOORS LOCK FOR NO REASON AT ALL, LOCK BY THEMSELVES. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS HAVE HUNG AT THE FENDER CAUSING MASSIVE DENTS WHERE I HAD TO FORCE THE DOORS OPEN DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE DOOR AND FENDER. THE INITIAL BRAKE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK. I HAD A WATER LEAK IN THE CAB AROUND THE LIGHTS, THAT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO THE SEATS. I REWIRED THE REAR LIGHTS, BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES. FOUR SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THIS TRUCK AT 90,000 MILES (TIRES COST AROUND $1,000 A SET). I HAVE TRIED THREE BRANDS OF TIRES. THEY ARE GENERALS (6 PLY), GEO TRAC (10 PLY), AND TOYO (10 PLY). THE DASH SYSTEM IS GOING OUT (DASH COSTS $1200). THE TRUCK IS LACKING POWER WHEN PULLING AND TODAY 7/28/2010 THE CLUTCH ALMOST CAME OUT DURING NORMAL DRIVING AT 90,232 MILES (PROBABLY WILL COST BETWEEN $2,000 AND $3,000 IF NOT MORE). THE ENGINE OIL PLUS FILTER, THE FUEL FILTERS, AND GREASING OF THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE ALL DONE PER MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK, BUT LOOKING AT THE DOOR AND FENDER PROBLEM, ONE WOULD THINK IT HAS. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. IT IS A LEMON AND A SAFETY HAZARD. THE LEMON LAW WAS CHANGED FROM THREE FAILURES TO FOUR FAILURES DURING THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. NOW THE VEHICLE LEMON LAW YEAR IS ANY VEHICLE 2004 OR AFTER. THIS TRUCK IS A 2003 MODEL. IT IS TIME ALL PARTIES INVOLVED COME TO THE TABLE AND DEAL. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE CLUTCH AND THE ENGINE THAT WAS NEVER FIXED. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AT FULL RPM. UPDATED IVOQ 10/01/10 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345987

35,000 miles · Jul 13, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 15 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE BRAKING FROM 15 MPH. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELL TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

NHTSA ODI #10342875

92,000 miles · Feb 9, 2010
Electrical System

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE AT 92,000 MILES. SPEEDOMETER SWINGS OVER ACTUAL SPEED. THIS IS A PROBLEM ON SEVERAL CHEVROLET MODELS TAHOES AND PICKUPS. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR AND HIS WENT OUT AT 82, 000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10307782

120,000 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTER DRIVER SIDE COOPER TIRES BEGAN LOSING RUBBER WHICH CAUSED TREAD SEPARATION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TIRE TREAD HAS CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. THE COOPER DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT T…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTER DRIVER SIDE COOPER TIRES BEGAN LOSING RUBBER WHICH CAUSED TREAD SEPARATION. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TIRE TREAD HAS CONTINUOUSLY SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. THE COOPER DEALER AND MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO RETURN THE TWO TIRES THAT HAVE FAILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10284142

6,500 miles · Dec 7, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. AS OF DECEMBER 7, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE M…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT AND SERVICE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE. AS OF DECEMBER 7, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6,500. UPDATED 03-04-08 *BF UPDATED 03/04/08 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10211152

100,900 miles · Nov 6, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Diesel

OCTOBER 2006 I RECEIVED THIS LETTER FROM CHEVROLET. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS IN SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET SILVERADO VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE, MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF HIGH FUEL RETURN RATES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR BODY CRACKS, OR BALL SEAT EROSION, OR HIGH PRESSURE SEAL…

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OCTOBER 2006 I RECEIVED THIS LETTER FROM CHEVROLET. WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THE FUEL INJECTORS IN SOME 2003 MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET SILVERADO VEHICLES, EQUIPPED WITH A 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE, MAY REQUIRE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE OF HIGH FUEL RETURN RATES DUE TO FUEL INJECTOR BODY CRACKS, OR BALL SEAT EROSION, OR HIGH PRESSURE SEAL EXTRUSION. SYMPTOMS OF THESE CONDITIONS INCLUDE ILLUMINATION OF SERVICE ENGINE SOON (SES) LIGHT, LOW ENGINE POWER, HARD START, AND/OR FUEL IN THE CRANKCASE. THIS IS NOT A RECALL. DO NOT TAKE YOUR VEHICLE TO YOUR CHEVROLET DEALER AS A RESULT OF THIS LETTER UNLESS YOU BELIEVE THAT YOUR VEHICLE HAS THE CONDITION AS DESCRIBED ABOVE. WHAT WE HAVE DON: GENERAL MOTORS IS PROVIDING OWNERS WITH ADDITIONAL PROTECTION FOR THE FUEL INJECTORS. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS ON YOUR 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITHIN SEVEN (7) YEARS OF THE DATEYOUR VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PLACED IN SERVICE OR 200,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST, THE CONDITION WILL BE REPAIRED FOR YOU AT NO CHARGE. ON 29 OCTOBER 2007 MY WIFE TOOK THE 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO EQUIPPED WITH A 6.6L DURAMAX DIESEL ENGINE TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER THE INJECTOR LEAKING. THE TRUCK ENGINE WARRANTY WAS VOID AND I WAS CHARGED $2218.63 FOR THE REPAIR AND THE CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THEY WERE DENYING IT DUE TO THE EXCESSIVE MILEAGE. THE TRUCK HAD 108,880 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD BE WITH IN THE ADDITIONAL PROTECTION LETTER. MY INVOICE HAD NOTE HAS BANKS 6GUN SYSTEM ON TRUCK. ENGINE WARRANTY VOID! THE BANKS MANUFACTURER TOLD ME THAT ANY EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INSTALLED DOES NOT EFFECT THE FUEL INJECTORS AND IT WAS ALREADY A PROBLEM THAT GENERAL MOTORS HAD SENT IN THE LETTER IN OCTOBER 2006. I ASKED FOR SOME KIND OF DIAGNOSIS INFORMATION OR OTHER PROFF THAT THE BANKS SYSTEM CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND WAS DENIED ANY INFORMATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10208027

83,000 miles · Sep 18, 2007
Power Train

TRANSFER CASE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. OIL PUMP IN TRANSFER CASE RUBS A HOLE IN THE CASE AND DUMPS ALL THE LUBRICANT ON THE HIGHWAY. THEN THE CASE ENDS UP DESTROYING ITSELF. HUNDREDS OF THESE FAILURES ARE OCCURRING. MINE HAPPENED AT 83,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203366

68,966 miles · Aug 29, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

MEASURING TIP OF OIL DIPSTICK LOOSE. LIKELY TO FALL OFF AND BE SUCKED INTO OIL PICKUP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10201113

98,000 miles · Jul 25, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAVE STOPPED OPERATING, EXCEPT THE SPEEDOMETER. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS DO NOT ILLUMINATE AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

NHTSA ODI #10197430

63,404 miles · Dec 20, 2006
Power Train

TRANSFER CASE FAILED CAUSING FAILURE OF SLIP JOINT AND PROPELLER SHAFT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10176646

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.