CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 · model year

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500

560 NHTSA complaints, 33 crash reports, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 carries 560 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 33 crashes, 10 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 SILVERADO 2500 is service brakes with 126 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (93) and electrical system (45). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2003 SILVERADO 2500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

560
Complaints
33
Crashes
10
Fires
16
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

560 filings

Crashes Reported

33 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES126
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC93
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM45
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL37
ENGINE15
STEERING14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS14
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
POWER TRAIN11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11
AIR BAGS11
TIRES9
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL9
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8

Recalls (2)

06E04300019/05/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CE

06E01000001/02/2006

STEERING

CERTAIN FABTECH AFTERMARKET REPLACEMENT PITMAN ARMS, P/NOS. FTS71000 AND FTS71001, INSTALLED FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2001-2006 GM C/K 2500 PICK UP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE PIN LOCATED INSIDE THE PITMAN ARM CAN SHEAR OFF DUE TO A REVERSE BENDING FATIGUE CONDITION, RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS

Recent Complaints

20240816TIRES

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 equipped with Prinx Tires, Tire Line: High Country, Tire Size: 245/75/R16, DOT Number: 04N18HTPC1323. The contact had the tires rotated by an independent mechanic. Upon inspection of the tires, the contact discovered cracks along the base of the tire treads on all four tires. The contact notified the mechanic about the defect and was given a credit for the remaining mileage on the tires warranty. The contact notified the manufacturer about the failure through voicemail and email; however, the contact never received a response. The contact stated that the four tires were replaced. The tire failure mileage was 21,942. The vehicle failure mileage was 342,422.

Mileage: 342,422

20230710POWER TRAIN

The component that failed according to the Chevrolet dealer is the "transfer case pump clips", which came loose inside the transfer case and wore a hole through the case causing the oil to come out. If I would not have noticed the oil on the back of my truck, I could have continued to drive the truck, which could have caused the transfer case gears to lock up the front and rear axles while driving and could have caused me to wreck, causing injury to myself, my family or someone else. I marked the area of the leak with a sharpie as depicted in the photos.

20230701AIR BAGS

When starting vehicle , after initial dash lights times out, I now get an AIRBAG 9malfunction light). Tried resetting, did not work. Now, every time I start the engine, the comes on and stays on.

20221017SERVICE BRAKES

Hydroboost valve pump shows a recall.,and it's not working properly

20221012POWER TRAIN

I had to replace the replace the housing on my transfer case as it wore a hole in and was leaking. At a cost of 1200 dollars due to myself catching it early as later with a fully disabled case would have been 2600 dollars. My mechanic who deals in transmission repairs told me this a very common problem for Chevy trucks from 1999 to 2006. He claimed he had done 7 transfer cases in one week and was actually replacing a fully wrecked one for 2600 dollars as I brought mine in to be worked on . It had worn a hole through the transfer case and was leaking. As this seems to be a serious defect . I feel it should have been under a recall and reimbursement should be in order for those who paid out of pocket for repairs. My mechanic also stated that he has replaced them at 35, 000 miles and on up. No rhyme or reason to when they fail or leak.

20220410ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

In the middle of the taxiway, while I was traveling my truck turned off while it was running and did not turn on again, putting my safety at risk by being in the middle of the taxiway, after several minutes the truck was able to be removed from the road, then I was able to investigate that I am not the only one that the same thing has happened to him, there is no Safety Recall in this regard, the GM fabric is aware of these cases but only wrote a TSB, it was diagnosed with the scanner and it gave code U1800, before the event there were no lights warning but after the event there is a check engine light on.

20210712STEERING

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hydro boost area when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was faulty. The intermediate shaft was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact requested the dealer to replace the power steering pump but the dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by the power steering pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20210712SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hydro boost area when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was faulty. The intermediate shaft was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact requested the dealer to replace the power steering pump but the dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by the power steering pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

20201127TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 EQUIPPED WITH COOPER TIRE, TIRE LINE: SUNFIRE, TIRE SIZE: LT245/75 R16, DOT NUMBER: (NOT AVAILABLE). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, HE FELT VIBRATION AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED SAFELY ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED DUE TO TIRE BLOWOUT, THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY, BUMPER AND QUARTER PANEL. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTACTED TRIPLE A AND HAD THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE CHANGED. THE CONTACT STATED HE EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE FOR A SECOND TIME ON 10/24/2020 TO THE REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE AND A THIRD TIME ON 11/9/2020 ON ANOTHER REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,107

Mileage: 203,107

20191025FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS CHANGING THE OIL IN THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED OIL LEAKING WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO VISUALLY INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOLZ MOTORS (5961 S 108TH ST, HALES CORNERS, WI 53130, (414) 377-3584) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 139,000.

Mileage: 139,000

20190912SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 2 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE LOW BRAKE FLUID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINDSAY BUICK GMC (250 W SHIRLEY AVE, WARRENTON, VA 20186, (540) 987-2082) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,703.

Mileage: 190,703

20190911SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND FAILED, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,900.

Mileage: 133,900

20190716SERVICE BRAKES

I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD 15 YEARS AGO AND GAVE IT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING A NOISE, SO WE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSES. THE PROBLEM ONLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND AN OLD RECALL OR NOTICE RELATED TO THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE THAT WAS DEFECTED BECAUSE OF O-RING FAILURE. JUST SEARCHING THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW SEVERAL SITES REVEALING THE PROBLEM. THE NADA SITE GOES INTO MORE DETAIL ON THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE WHEN STEERING AND LOOSES BRAKING.

Mileage: 208,000

20190716STEERING

I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD 15 YEARS AGO AND GAVE IT TO MY 16 YEAR OLD SON. RECENTLY WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES AND STEERING WAS ACTING FUNNY AND MAKING A NOISE, SO WE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND HOSES. THE PROBLEM ONLY STARTED GETTING WORSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND AN OLD RECALL OR NOTICE RELATED TO THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE THAT WAS DEFECTED BECAUSE OF O-RING FAILURE. JUST SEARCHING THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW SEVERAL SITES REVEALING THE PROBLEM. THE NADA SITE GOES INTO MORE DETAIL ON THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE PARKED THE TRUCK UNTIL A DECISION IS MADE. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, THE VEHICLE HAS TROUBLE WHEN STEERING AND LOOSES BRAKING.

Mileage: 208,000

20190603ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SLOWLY WITH THE BATTERY RUNNING OUT BECAUSE SOMETHING IS STILL RUNNING IN THE VEHICLE BUT EVERYTHING IS OFF. THE GAS GAUGE GEAR CONTROL LIGHTING ON THE PANEL DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND HE ADDRESS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT CONSTANT RUNNING EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING IS TURNED OFF THAT CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN WHEN IT IS OFF. ALSO THE LIGHTS DON'T LIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE STAYS ON AND NEVER GOES OFF WHEN RUNNING THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THIS ON A LOT OF 2500 CHEVY TRUCKS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECK. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU SUN.

20190603ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SLOWLY WITH THE BATTERY RUNNING OUT BECAUSE SOMETHING IS STILL RUNNING IN THE VEHICLE BUT EVERYTHING IS OFF. THE GAS GAUGE GEAR CONTROL LIGHTING ON THE PANEL DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND HE ADDRESS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT CONSTANT RUNNING EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING IS TURNED OFF THAT CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN WHEN IT IS OFF. ALSO THE LIGHTS DON'T LIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE STAYS ON AND NEVER GOES OFF WHEN RUNNING THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THIS ON A LOT OF 2500 CHEVY TRUCKS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECK. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU SUN.

20190603VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SLOWLY WITH THE BATTERY RUNNING OUT BECAUSE SOMETHING IS STILL RUNNING IN THE VEHICLE BUT EVERYTHING IS OFF. THE GAS GAUGE GEAR CONTROL LIGHTING ON THE PANEL DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WILL NOT LOCK SPEEDOMETER IS NOT WORKING GAS GAUGE IS NOT WORKING WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND HE ADDRESS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT CONSTANT RUNNING EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING IS TURNED OFF THAT CAUSE THE BATTERY TO RUN DOWN WHEN IT IS OFF. ALSO THE LIGHTS DON'T LIGHT ON THE RIGHT SIDE STAYS ON AND NEVER GOES OFF WHEN RUNNING THE VEHICLE. I NOTICED THIS ON A LOT OF 2500 CHEVY TRUCKS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN TO BE CHECK. PLEASE HELP US TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM YOU SUN.

20190510SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINE FAILURE IN SEVERAL PLACES. WAS UNDER VEHICLE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE. NOTICED FLUID ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE REAR MOST HARD BRAKE LINE LEAKING. CONTINUED TO INSPECT ALL HARD LINES AND FOUND SEVERAL AREAS WHERE LEAKS WERE PRESENT. REMOVED VEHICLE FROM USE AND STARTED REPLACING ALL HARD BRAKE LINES. NEW LINES ARE STAINLESS STEEL THUS I SHOULD NEVER RUN INTO THIS ISSUE AGAIN. GM SHOULD HAVE USED STAINLESS STEEL LINES IN THE FIRST PLACE RATHER THAN PLAIN STEEL LINES. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES LINES BROKE LIKE TWIGS WHEN I BENT THEM TO THROW THEM AWAY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES IN THIS TYPE OF CONDITION ON A VEHICLE WITH 130,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON A VEHICLE LIKE THE CHEVY SILVERADO. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO FORCE GM TO PERFORM A RECALL AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.

Mileage: 130,000

20190202SEATS

2003 SILVERADO DRIVERS SEAT HEATER TURNS ON BY ITSELF AFTER START UP AND BECOMES A DANGEROUS DISTRACTION TO KEEP TURNING IT OFF WHILE DRIVING. AFTER READING MANY FORUMS, THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE THROUGHOUT THE GM LIGHT DUTY TRUCK/SUV LINE OF VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE HAS JUST RECENTLY STARTED TO HAPPEN WITH MY TRUCK. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE RECENTLY IS THAT MY TRUCK IS BEING OPERATED IN MORE DAMP CONDITIONS THAN USUAL INSTEAD OF BEING PARKED IN A DRY GARAGE. I HAVE NOW DISCONNECTED THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT TO STOP FROM GETTING BURNED WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO CHECKED FOR RECALLS BY VIN AND NOTHING WAS FOUND.

Mileage: 139,000

20190116SERVICE BRAKES

VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS ON A STATE HWY. VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT.

Mileage: 99,680

Compare 2003CHEVROLETSILVERADO 2500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 have?
The 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 has 560 NHTSA complaints, 33 crashes, 10 fires, 16 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500?
Yes, the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 is SERVICE BRAKES with 126 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.