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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

Power Train complaints

30 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2012
Power Train

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. *SMD AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID HAD DROPPED FROM THE TRANSFER CASE, WHICH IN TURN SEIZED UP. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 2,033.87. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN…

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2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS. *SMD AN INSPECTION REVEALED THE DIFFERENTIAL FLUID HAD DROPPED FROM THE TRANSFER CASE, WHICH IN TURN SEIZED UP. THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $ 2,033.87. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN A FEW EARLIER. HOWEVER, HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10488561

27,000 miles · May 11, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WORSE OUT PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AND THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PAD ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WORSE OUT PREMATURELY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE TURNED AND THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 27,000. UPDATED 7/16/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED TURNING THE ROTORS AND REPLACING THE PADS WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WORN OUT PADS AND ROTORS ARE SYMPTOMS OF ANOTHER PROBLEM. THE CALIPERS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE METAL BRAKE LINES AND OTHER SIMILAR METAL LINES SUCH AS THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES ALL SHOWED EXTREME RUST ON THE OUTSIDE. UPDATED 07/22/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10329906

94,300 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Power Train

2003 CHEVY 2500HD DURAMAX/ ALLISON TRANSMISSION HAS 94,300 MILES ON IT. FOUND DEFECT WHILE BACKING IT OUT OF DRIVEWAY; THE BACK COVER OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED AND FLUID COMING OUT.THE COVER IS PART NO.29544804 THROUGH GM.AT A COST OF $666.60 PLUS OTHER PARTS NEED FOR REPAIRS AND LABOR ALSO NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO CHARGES. T…

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2003 CHEVY 2500HD DURAMAX/ ALLISON TRANSMISSION HAS 94,300 MILES ON IT. FOUND DEFECT WHILE BACKING IT OUT OF DRIVEWAY; THE BACK COVER OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS CRACKED AND FLUID COMING OUT.THE COVER IS PART NO.29544804 THROUGH GM.AT A COST OF $666.60 PLUS OTHER PARTS NEED FOR REPAIRS AND LABOR ALSO NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO CHARGES. THE NEW PART IS JUST THAT, NEW FROM OLD DEFECTIVE PART. I JUST DID THE REPAIR MY SELF BECAUSE JUST LOST MY JOB THE DAY OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND COULDN'T PAY TO HAVE IT DONE. GM TELLS ME IT IS AN OLD TRUCK WHY IT FAILED AND THEY HAVE NO LIABILITY; YET THE NEW COVER IS MUCH HEAVIER IN DESIGN FROM ORIGINAL ONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275474

130,000 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Electrical SystemParking BrakePower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DESIGNED WITH A DEFECT. AS A RESULT, THE PUMP IN THE TRANSFER CASE WORE A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS ALLOWED THE OIL IN THE TRANSFER CASE TO PUMP OUT THE HOLE AND CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE TO R…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE WAS DESIGNED WITH A DEFECT. AS A RESULT, THE PUMP IN THE TRANSFER CASE WORE A HOLE FROM THE INSIDE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE TRANSFER CASE. THIS ALLOWED THE OIL IN THE TRANSFER CASE TO PUMP OUT THE HOLE AND CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE TO RUN DRIVE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. UPDATED 3/16/09 *CN THE POWER STEERING STARTED LEAKING FLUID. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK WAS COMING FROM THE HYDRO BOOSTER ONTO THE POWER STEERING GEAR. THE CONSUMER LOST HIS BRAKES. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE BOOSTER ROD WAS MISSING. THE PARKING BRAKE DID NOT WORK AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILED AS WELL. THE SPEEDOMETER DID NOT WORK IT WAS READING 60 MPH EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPDATED 03/18/09. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10259252

130,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Power Train

NOTICED TRANSMISSION LEAKING, IDENTIFIED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CRACKED IN THE SLOTS THAT HOLD THE PUMP. IDENTIFIED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON DURAMAX TRANS MISSIONS, AND IDENTIFIED AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT WAS MADE TO PREVENT FURTHER CRACKS FROM OCCURRING. IT SEEMS THAT THE HOUSING IS MADE OF MAGNESIUM AND IS NON SIMILAR M…

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NOTICED TRANSMISSION LEAKING, IDENTIFIED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CRACKED IN THE SLOTS THAT HOLD THE PUMP. IDENTIFIED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON DURAMAX TRANS MISSIONS, AND IDENTIFIED AN AFTERMARKET PRODUCT WAS MADE TO PREVENT FURTHER CRACKS FROM OCCURRING. IT SEEMS THAT THE HOUSING IS MADE OF MAGNESIUM AND IS NON SIMILAR METALS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254792

75,680 miles · Dec 7, 2008
Power Train

20030 CHEVY 2500 HD TRANSFER CASE WAS FOUND TO HAVE A HOLE IN TOP OF CASE. TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS WORN FROM INSIDE OUT. THEY SAY THEY HAVE HEARD OF THAT AND GM DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH IT BECAUSE TRUCK IS TO OLD. I HAVE 75,680 MILES ON TRUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250999

80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2008
Power TrainSteeringSuspension

MY 2003 CHEVROLET 2500HD TRUCK HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP GO OUT THREE TIMES. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL AND MAKE IT VERY HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUE REQUIRING ME TO STOP AND HAVE SOME ONE PICK UP MY TRUCK AND HAUL IT HOME. I'VE ALSO HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING GO OUT TWICE AND IS NEARING FAILURE AGAIN. THE FRO…

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MY 2003 CHEVROLET 2500HD TRUCK HAS HAD THE POWER STEERING PUMP GO OUT THREE TIMES. WHEN IT GOES OUT THE STEERING AND BRAKES FAIL AND MAKE IT VERY HAZARDOUS TO CONTINUE REQUIRING ME TO STOP AND HAVE SOME ONE PICK UP MY TRUCK AND HAUL IT HOME. I'VE ALSO HAD MY AIR CONDITIONING GO OUT TWICE AND IS NEARING FAILURE AGAIN. THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY HAS ALSO GONE OUT TWICE ON THIS TRUCK. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS MADE UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231046

35,700 miles · Jun 11, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES, ABS SENSORS, FRONT AND REAR ROTORS, AND FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LINE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE CURRENT MILEAG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD PULSATE. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES, ABS SENSORS, FRONT AND REAR ROTORS, AND FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE LINE AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE FLUSHED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,700.

NHTSA ODI #10230552

160,000 miles · May 24, 2008
Power Train

CHEVY 2500HD YEAR 2003 I FILL A BUMP EACH TIME I STOP AND PUT OFF IN MY TRUCK. IT FILL LIKE SOMETHING IS ROLLING AROUND IN THE BED. I THINK IT IS IN MY DIFFERENTIAL OR DRIVE SHAFT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228825

48,663 miles · Nov 30, 2007
Power Train

THE EVENT LEADING UP TO IS WET WEATHER. THE TRANSMISSION WILL STICK IN ONE GEAR AND WILL NOT SHIFT. WHEN I TOOK THE TRUCK IN TO CINDY CHEVORLET I WAS TOLD THAT PER G.M. POLICY THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL THE COMPUTER SHOWED A CODE FOR THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE RESPONSE I GOT FROM THREE DEALERSHIPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210384

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.