CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 · model year

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500

60 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 carries 60 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 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 3500 is service brakes, hydraulic with 13 filings, followed by service brakes (10) and electrical system (5). 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 1 active recall campaign, 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 3500, 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.

60
Complaints
0
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

60 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC13
SERVICE BRAKES10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL3
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL2
TIRES2
EXTERIOR LIGHTING2
ENGINE2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
SEAT BELTS1
STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE1

Recalls (1)

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

Recent Complaints

20160728SERVICE BRAKES

DRIVING THROUGH A RURAL TOWN GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR, I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THEY WERE VERY SOFT, BRAKE PEDAL WENT NEAR THE FLOOR, EASED IT HOME ON FRONT BRAKES (AS REAR LINE HAD RUPTURED). UPON INSPECTION BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED IN TWO JUST BEHIND THE FUEL TANK (LONG SECTION HAD RUSTED AWAY). REPLACED LINE GOING TO REAR BRAKES.

Mileage: 108,000

20160603POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 4 MPH, THE CLUTCH PANEL ASSEMBLY FRACTURED INTO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLUTCH PANEL FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BOTH TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,337.

Mileage: 85,337

20151029FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,444.

Mileage: 186,444

20151029ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT WAS A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,444.

Mileage: 186,444

20141227SERVICE BRAKES

WAS DRIVING ALONG AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES AN HOUR WHEN TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND I HAD TO STEER OFF THE ROAD INTO DITCH. *TR

Mileage: 140,880

20140929SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IN THE MORNING ON 9/23/14 AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE DOWN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION AND NARROWLY MISSING HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I PULLED OVER AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM BENEATH THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. I PURCHASED A LARGE BOTTLE OF BRAKE FLUID FROM A GAS STATION AND CONTINUED TO FILL THE BRAKE RESERVOIR UNTIL I MADE IT BACK TO MY LOCAL AUTO REPAIR FACILITY. DURING THE SHOP'S INVESTIGATION, THEY DISCOVERED THAT A STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD BURST DUE TO RUST. IN FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY NOTICED THAT ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE THEY WERE NEARLY RUSTED THROUGH. I AUTHORIZED THE REPAIR AT A COST OF NEARLY $1000.00. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES THAT WERE MUCH OLDER THAN THIS TRUCK THAT NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH BRAKE LINE RUST OR FAILURE. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO THE SUDDEN NATURE OF THE FAILURE. WITHOUT ANY WARNIN

Mileage: 107,124

20140819SERVICE BRAKES

THANK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS WITH ME AND KNEW WHAT TO DO. I WAS DRIVING. AS WE WERE GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH WE HEAR A NOISE NOT HAVING A CLUE IN THE WORLD. HE SAID WE NEED TO FIND A PULL OFF AND SEE WHAT THAT COULD BE. AS I WENT TO EXIT OFF I DISCOVERED I HAD NO BRAKES. NONE WHATSOEVER. AS MY HUSBAND GETS IT TO A STOP WE DISCOVER BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT FROM BEHIND THE FUEL TANK AND BETWEEN THE CAB. I WAS PANICKING. MY HUSBAND CRAWLS UP UNDER IT TO DISCOVER ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT AND BUSTED. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THE FIRST OF MARCH 2014 FROM JERRY (TODD) HUNT AUTO SALE IN LEXINGTON NC. HOW COULD HE EVEN BE ALLOWED TO SELL SUCH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE? THAT WAS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. HOW CAN CHEVROLET EVEN PUT SUCH BRAKE LINES ON AS THAT? AS I CALLED CHEVROLET THEY DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING. I CALLED TODD HUNTS TO HAVE THE LADY YELLING AT ME! RUDE! THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT...I SEEN DEATH BEFORE MY EYES THAT DAY. I FOUND ON CONSUMER AGENCY WHERE OUT OF 473 COMPLAINT

Mileage: 188,000

20140604PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,938.

Mileage: 121,938

20140604SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WITH NO WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A RESIDENTIAL ROAD AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE, NOTICED THERE WAS A LEAK UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE BRAKE LINE HAD BURST. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE INSPECTED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,938.

Mileage: 121,938

20140428FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FIRST COMPLAINT FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON 10/21/10. COMPLAINT #10361641. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN DTR LIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE OUT,SMELLED BURNING WIRE SAW THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WIRES LEADING TO LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED AND ALSO MELTED THE SOCKET AGAIN. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF THE FIRST TIME AND WILL DO SO THIS TIME. *JS

Mileage: 140,506

20140428FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

FIRST COMPLAINT FOR THIS PROBLEM WAS REPORTED ON 10/21/10. COMPLAINT #10361641. SAME PROBLEM AGAIN DTR LIGHT ON RIGHT SIDE OUT,SMELLED BURNING WIRE SAW THAT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WIRES LEADING TO LIGHT ASSEMBLY MELTED AND ALSO MELTED THE SOCKET AGAIN. I THINK THIS COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO SOME SORT OF ELECTRICAL FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I FIXED THE PROBLEM MYSELF THE FIRST TIME AND WILL DO SO THIS TIME. *JS

Mileage: 140,506

20140424FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER AND REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ALONG WITH THE FUEL TRANSFER PUMP. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.

Mileage: 61,000

20140321SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

FIRST FAILURE WAS THE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM I WAS HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER AND STARTED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 0.4MILE LONG) AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. THERE WAS NO STOPPING EFFORT FROM THE BRAKES. I USED THE MANUAL CONTROL OF THE TRAILER BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BOTH BRAKE LINES UNDER THE CAB AREA HAD RUSTED OUT AND RUPTURED AT THE SAME TIME. HAD I BEEN ON THE ROAD AT SPEED THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. THE DEALER WHO PICKED UP THE TRUCK COMMENTED THAT THIS HAPPENS "SOMETIMES". HE REPLECED THE LINES WITH NON-GM ONES SO THEY WOULD LAST LONGER. THIS WINTER I WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING THE TRUCK IN COLD WEATHER AND NOTED THAT I NEEDED TO OPERATE THE MANUAL FUEL PRIMING PUMP TO GET THE TRUCK STARTED. (TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL DIESEL ENGINE. THE DEALER WHEN WORKING ON THIS NOTED THAT THE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY SAFETY CONCERN THIS TIME WAS THE SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL WEEPING OUT OF THE RUSTED AREAS UNDER THE HOOD NEAR

Mileage: 25,600

20140321FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

FIRST FAILURE WAS THE DUAL BRAKING SYSTEM I WAS HOOKED UP TO A TRAILER AND STARTED DOWN THE DRIVEWAY (ABOUT 0.4MILE LONG) AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARDS. THERE WAS NO STOPPING EFFORT FROM THE BRAKES. I USED THE MANUAL CONTROL OF THE TRAILER BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BOTH BRAKE LINES UNDER THE CAB AREA HAD RUSTED OUT AND RUPTURED AT THE SAME TIME. HAD I BEEN ON THE ROAD AT SPEED THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. THE DEALER WHO PICKED UP THE TRUCK COMMENTED THAT THIS HAPPENS "SOMETIMES". HE REPLECED THE LINES WITH NON-GM ONES SO THEY WOULD LAST LONGER. THIS WINTER I WAS HAVING TROUBLE STARTING THE TRUCK IN COLD WEATHER AND NOTED THAT I NEEDED TO OPERATE THE MANUAL FUEL PRIMING PUMP TO GET THE TRUCK STARTED. (TRUCK IS EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL DIESEL ENGINE. THE DEALER WHEN WORKING ON THIS NOTED THAT THE LINES WERE VERY RUSTY AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. MY SAFETY CONCERN THIS TIME WAS THE SMALL AMOUNTS OF FUEL WEEPING OUT OF THE RUSTED AREAS UNDER THE HOOD NEAR

Mileage: 25,600

20140210SERVICE BRAKES

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME WITH CAUTION. HE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS RUPTURED AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000. KJ

Mileage: 175,000

20140102FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRUCK JUST STARTS STALLING OUT. GOT IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAYS THERE IS RUST IN THE TANK AND THE FUEL FILTER IS FULL OF IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF OF THE ROAD. THESE TRUCKS NEED TO BE RECALLED FOR THE FUEL TANKS. I'VE HAD VEHICLES THAT HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS LIKE THIS WITH THE RUST. THEY AT LEAST NEED TO BE CHECKED OUT. *TR

Mileage: 56,000

20130723ENGINE

GM HAD A INJECTOR PROBLEM (RECALL ) IN 2006. THEY REPLACED MINE ON SEPT,27 2006. ON MAY 21 20013 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH GM CONVEYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT AGAIN. THE MILEAGE ON MAY, 21 WAS 84362, JUST ABOUT HOW LONG THE OTHERS LASTED. I WAS TOLD FROM MY LOCAL GM DEALER THAT THEY ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM (THOUSANDS). I JUST WAITED TO PASS MY GRIEF ALONG TO LET SOMEONE ELSE KNOW HOW YOU ARE TREATED BY ONE OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE BAILED OUT WITH OUR MONIES. *TR

Mileage: 38,094

20130723FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

GM HAD A INJECTOR PROBLEM (RECALL ) IN 2006. THEY REPLACED MINE ON SEPT,27 2006. ON MAY 21 20013 I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH GM CONVEYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT AGAIN. THE MILEAGE ON MAY, 21 WAS 84362, JUST ABOUT HOW LONG THE OTHERS LASTED. I WAS TOLD FROM MY LOCAL GM DEALER THAT THEY ARE SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM (THOUSANDS). I JUST WAITED TO PASS MY GRIEF ALONG TO LET SOMEONE ELSE KNOW HOW YOU ARE TREATED BY ONE OF THE COMPANIES THAT WE BAILED OUT WITH OUR MONIES. *TR

Mileage: 38,094

20121124SERVICE BRAKES

WHEN BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY WENT TO STOP AND PEDDLE WENT TO FLOOR,BLOWING BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER ROAD.I HAVE READ MANY ARTICLES ON THIS PROBLEM,WITH CHEVY PRODUCTS.THANK HEAVENS I WAS NOT DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS HAPPENED. ENOUGH SAID SHOULD BE A RECALL,OR REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIRS ALL READY FINISHED ON THESE CORRODED LINES. *TR

Mileage: 76,535

20121121SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE LINES HAD EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION/RUSTED CAUSING A LEAK(S). LINES GOING FROM THE ABS MODULE TO THE FRONT BRAKES WERE FOUND TO BE LEAKING. LINES GOING FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE RESERVOIR WERE ALSO RUSTED AND REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. LINES FROM THE ABS SYSTEM TO THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN LEAKING A WEEK LATER. *TR

Mileage: 84,728

Compare 2003CHEVROLETSILVERADO 3500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 have?
The 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 60 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500?
Yes, the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 has 1 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 3500?
The most-complained component for the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 3500 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.