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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.

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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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

12 reports
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131,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK WHETHER ON A REGULAR STREET OR AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EITHER DIES, REDUCES DOWN TO IDLE SPEED OR IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THE REDUCED POWER SIGNAL COMES ON, ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON REGULAR STREETS. WE …

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WHEN DRIVING THE TRUCK WHETHER ON A REGULAR STREET OR AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY EITHER DIES, REDUCES DOWN TO IDLE SPEED OR IDLES VERY ROUGHLY. THE REDUCED POWER SIGNAL COMES ON, ALONG WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO US, SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ON REGULAR STREETS. WE WERE EXTREMELY LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN KILLED. I RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THAT MANY OWNERS OF THE 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY AT PENSKE CHEVROLET, AND ACCORDING TO THEM, THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. WE BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 8/2013, WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT DISCLOSED TO US. SINCE 12/2013, THE PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT AND NOW WE DON'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS. THERE HAS TO BE SOME WAY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND THE CHEVROLET COMPANY HAS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS OUT THERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10596908

134,000 miles · Feb 7, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes

BRAKE LINE BURST DO TO RUST. HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND FOUND ALL THE BRAKELINES VERY BAD. ALSO THE FUEL LINES ARE ROTTED WITH THE RETURN LINE LEAKING FUEL. I HAD 1 REAR BRAKE LINE REPLACED IN 2012 WHICH WAS ALSO RUSTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10563399

30,900 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE APPLIED THE BRAKES IN AN ATTEMPT TO STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL THE BRAKE LINES. THEY ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE CALIPERS. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES COVERING THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE ALSO ROTTED AND CORRODED. THIS WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,900. UPDATED 10/23/2014*LJ UPDATED 04/7/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456480

Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline

BRAKE LINES ROTTED OUT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10453636

62,000 miles · Mar 12, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, FUEL LINES, FUEL STRAPS AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CON…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES, FUEL LINES, FUEL STRAPS AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE MOST VEHICLES WITHIN THE EASTERN REGION EXPERIENCED THE SAME RUST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451256

51,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

2003 CHEVY 2500HD TRUCK BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN LEAVING GARAGE.....UNDER VEHICLE FOUND BRAKE FLUID PUDDLE....UPON INSPECTION FOUND SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING.....YEAR PRIOR HAD SAME ISSUE WITH A DIFFERENT LINE, SO CHANGED OUT LINE. EVEN CHANGED A RUSTED LINE THAT WASN'T LEAKING....WHEN FILLED RESERVOIR …

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2003 CHEVY 2500HD TRUCK BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN LEAVING GARAGE.....UNDER VEHICLE FOUND BRAKE FLUID PUDDLE....UPON INSPECTION FOUND SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING.....YEAR PRIOR HAD SAME ISSUE WITH A DIFFERENT LINE, SO CHANGED OUT LINE. EVEN CHANGED A RUSTED LINE THAT WASN'T LEAKING....WHEN FILLED RESERVOIR WITH FLUID AND PRESSED PEDAL, BRAKE LINE GOING TO REAR OF TRUCK IN AN OBSCURED, ABOVE THE GAS TANK LOCATION, STARTED TO LEAK....ONCE AGAIN .....SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINE, IN AN AREA FREE FROM ANY ROAD DEBRIS....SO ALAS, AFTER DROPPING THE GAS TANK AND REPLACING THIS LINE, WHICH MEANT EVERY LINE HAS BEEN REPLACED......NO LEAKS!!! WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THESE LINES.....I BABY THIS TRUCK AND IT IS IN THE GARAGE 95% OF THE TIME ALWAYS CLEAN...THIS SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED!!!! AFTER BEING A CHEVY MAN ALL MY LIFE.......I'M DONE.... DRIVE SHAFT, FUEL TANK GUARD, AND FUEL LINES AND FILTER ALL RUSTED.....FROM WHAT????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10446150

209,000 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

IN LATE DEC MY DIESEL FUEL RETURN LINE ROTTED OUT FROM RUST, AND WAS LEAKING DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED AT IDLE. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL I STOPPED TO RE-FUEL AND REALIZED FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK. I WAS ON TRAVEL FOR CHRISTMAS, ABOUT 500 MILES FROM HOME AND THERE WERE NO…

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IN LATE DEC MY DIESEL FUEL RETURN LINE ROTTED OUT FROM RUST, AND WAS LEAKING DIESEL FUEL ALL OVER THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED AT IDLE. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT UNTIL I STOPPED TO RE-FUEL AND REALIZED FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE TRUCK. I WAS ON TRAVEL FOR CHRISTMAS, ABOUT 500 MILES FROM HOME AND THERE WERE NO OPEN AUTO SHOPS AROUND THAT I COULD FIND. I WAS ABLE TO CUT THE ROTTED SECTION OUT AND BAND AID FIX THE SYSTEM WITH SOME RUBBER FUEL LINE AND HOSE CLAMPS FROM AUTOZONE. THIS FIX HAS SEEMED TO HOLD UP FAIRLY WELL FOR THE TIME BEING, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN USING MY TRUCK. FAST FORWARD TO LAST WEEK WHEN MY BRAKE LINE DECIDED TO BURST, SPEWING BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE ROAD AND THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY TRUCK. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND GET IT TOWED BACK HOME WHERE IT NOW SITS. I'VE BEEN DOING THE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WITH THESE SAME RUSTED OUT LINE ISSUES ON THESE GMC VEHICLES. I HAVE YET TO CONTACT GM ABOUT IT BUT I AM SURE THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME AS THE TRUCK DOES HAVE HIGHER MILLAGE. HOWEVER, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING TO PEOPLE WITH UNDER 100K ON THEIR VEHICLES! HERE ARE SOME OF THE LINKS... NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP10003 HTTP://TRUCKS.ABOUT.COM/B/2011/08/01/BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION-SUSPECTED-IN-GM-TRUCKS.HTM HTTP://TRUCKS.ABOUT.COM/OD/GENERALMOTORSTRUCKS/A/BRAKE-LINE-CORROSION-PROBLEMS-IN-GM-TRUCKS.HTM HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F0D4FE5?DISPLAYRECENT

NHTSA ODI #10444341

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FUELING MY 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD PICKUP I NOTICED FUEL SPILLING OUT WHEN I TOOK THE SCREWDRIVER TO REMOVE THE CLAMP I NOTICE THE FILLER NECK WAS RUSTED THRU AND THE RUBBER HOSE WAS JUST FLOATING. NOW I CALLED CHEVROLET PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THIS IS GOING TO COST ME $400.00 FOR THE PART BECAUSE IT IS SOLD ALL ONE PIECE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441556

25,000 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SMOKE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE DEFECT NUMEROUS TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUOUSLY RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 196,000.

NHTSA ODI #10430821

90,000 miles · Dec 20, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A SPEED OF 10 MPH. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER BEGAN TO DISPLAY A SPEED OF 10 MPH. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A PASSENGER IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE BODY DAMAGES WERE REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE AND THE SPEEDOMETER INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAYED AN IMPROPER READING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10371248

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.