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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

449 reports
149,200 miles · Mar 7, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

A FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. HE WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH WHEN THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE NEEDLE SAID IT HAD HALF A TANK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RADIO LOCKED UP AND ALL THE NEEDLES ON THE DASH STARTED GOING CRAZY ALL THE EMBLEMS ON THE DASH LITE UP. WE PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. AS SOON AS WE WE…

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A FRIEND WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. HE WAS ONLY GOING 20 MPH WHEN THE GAS LIGHT CAME ON BUT THE NEEDLE SAID IT HAD HALF A TANK. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RADIO LOCKED UP AND ALL THE NEEDLES ON THE DASH STARTED GOING CRAZY ALL THE EMBLEMS ON THE DASH LITE UP. WE PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE TRUCK. AS SOON AS WE WENT TO TURN BACK WE HAD JUST STARTED IT NOT EVEN 3 MINUTES LATER ALL OF THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS ON THE TRUCK IT STARTED FREAKING OUT AGAIN AND NOW THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR AND WINDOW CONTROL WOULD NO LONGER WORK. EARLIER THAT DAY I HAD TAKEN IT IN A REPUTABLE SHOP TO GET THE TRUCK SMOGGED AND GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE TRUCK PASSED SMOG AND THEY SAID THE TRUCK HAD NO PROBLEMS. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD EVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10567889

195,000 miles · Mar 7, 2014
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE NOTICED A TICKING SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING AND TIMING CHAIN WERE DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FLUID. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, HE NOTICED A TICKING SOUND FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER AND THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE BEARING AND TIMING CHAIN WERE DAMAGED. ADDITIONALLY, THE TRANSFER CASE DID NOT CONTAIN ANY FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.

NHTSA ODI #10567813

150,568 miles · Mar 3, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,568. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566880

76,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON WEDFEB15/12 THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON FULLY AND UPON BRAKING THE TRUCK PULLED TOWARDS ON COMING TRAFFIC SOUNDING LIKE METAL ON METAL.-LETTER FEB20/12 TO GM.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED OUT OF MY HANDS-LETTER DEC9/13 TO GM.I HAVE COMPLAINED BY LETTER TO GM.MAR14,APR5,JUN4,OCT19 AND DEC9/13 ABOUT THIS ABS PROBLEM AND THEY KEEP CLOS…

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ON WEDFEB15/12 THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON FULLY AND UPON BRAKING THE TRUCK PULLED TOWARDS ON COMING TRAFFIC SOUNDING LIKE METAL ON METAL.-LETTER FEB20/12 TO GM.THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED OUT OF MY HANDS-LETTER DEC9/13 TO GM.I HAVE COMPLAINED BY LETTER TO GM.MAR14,APR5,JUN4,OCT19 AND DEC9/13 ABOUT THIS ABS PROBLEM AND THEY KEEP CLOSING MY FILE AND AS OF JAN9/14 BY PHONING ME REFUSE TO RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINTS.MR ROESTI-OWNER BRADLEY CHEV HAS STATED BY LETTER IF A SENSOR IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY ALL SORTS OF STRANGE THINGS COULD HAPPEN.BARNES WHEATON CHEV SERVICE MGR JESSIE-IF ONE BRAKE SENSOR ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY THE COMPUTOR WILL SEND ALL THE BRAKING POWER TO THE OPPOSITE WHEEL.NOV13/13 PRESTON CHEV SERVICE ADVISOR-HE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THESE ABS SYSTEMS AT LOW SPEEDS-REPLACED CONTROLLER TO CORRECT PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10568404

94,000 miles · Feb 23, 2014
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicSteering

STARTED THE TRUCK AND PUT INTO REVERSE. THERE WAS NO BRAKE AND NO STEERING CONTROL. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALL FLUIDS WERE TOPPED OFF AS NORMAL AND I REGULARLY MAINTAIN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING THIS ISSUE IN THE DIESEL FORUM NUMEROUS DURAMAX OWNERS HAVE ENDURED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME E…

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STARTED THE TRUCK AND PUT INTO REVERSE. THERE WAS NO BRAKE AND NO STEERING CONTROL. I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALL FLUIDS WERE TOPPED OFF AS NORMAL AND I REGULARLY MAINTAIN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER REVIEWING THIS ISSUE IN THE DIESEL FORUM NUMEROUS DURAMAX OWNERS HAVE ENDURED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH SOME ENDING IN CRASHES. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!!!!!!!!!!! SIMULTANEOUS BRAKE AND STEERING FAILURE. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? WOW! I TRIED CHATTING WITH GM AND WAS DUMPED DURING THE CHAT. NO HELP THERE! I'LL TRY AGAIN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565489

120,000 miles · Feb 21, 2014
Service Brakes

THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE I WAS HOOKING THE TRUCK TO A TRAILER. I WAS BACKING THE TRUCK TO ALIGN THE BALL TO THE HITCH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. VERY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A 8,000 TRAILER BEHIND IT. I LIVE IN OHIO, BUT THIS IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK THAT IS US…

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THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE I WAS HOOKING THE TRUCK TO A TRAILER. I WAS BACKING THE TRUCK TO ALIGN THE BALL TO THE HITCH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. VERY LUCKY THIS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND NOT GOING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A 8,000 TRAILER BEHIND IT. I LIVE IN OHIO, BUT THIS IS A TWO WHEEL DRIVE TRUCK THAT IS USED STRICTLY TO TOW A RACE CAR TRAILER. IT'S NEVER BEEN DRIVEN IN THE SNOW. COST ALMOST $800 TO REPLACE EVERY BRAKE LINE ON THE TRUCK AS THEY WERE ALL BADLY RUSTED AND IT WOULD BE JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE ANOTHER LINE FAILED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10565243

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

28,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT IN ADDITION TO APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT BEGAN TO DOWN SHIFT IN ADDITION TO APPLYING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE RUPTURED AND CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK EXCESSIVELY ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ODI #10561649

98,000 miles · Jan 27, 2014
Service BrakesCrash

WAS BACKING INTO MY DRIVE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. COULDN'T STOP AND BACKED RIGHT INTO MY 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. THE BRAKE LINE WERE SO CORRODED IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. TOOK THE TRUCK TO BELLE TIRE AND HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED WHICH COST NEARLY $700. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL PEOPLE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLE…

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WAS BACKING INTO MY DRIVE AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. COULDN'T STOP AND BACKED RIGHT INTO MY 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER. THE BRAKE LINE WERE SO CORRODED IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE. TOOK THE TRUCK TO BELLE TIRE AND HAD THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED WHICH COST NEARLY $700. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL PEOPLE COULD GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561576

92,000 miles · Jan 21, 2014
Service Brakes

WENT TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE. THEY INDICATED BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING RUSTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER A BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH ON LINE (WEB) AND TALKING TO GM AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT., IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A LARGE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. THERE ARE …

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WENT TO DEALER FOR OIL CHANGE. THEY INDICATED BRAKE LINES WERE GETTING RUSTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A FEW WEEKS LATER A BRAKE LINE BURST WHILE PULLING IN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER A BIT OF RESEARCH ON LINE (WEB) AND TALKING TO GM AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT., IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A LARGE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. THERE ARE MANY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHEVY TRUCKS WITH FAULTY BRAKE LINES. THIS SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE A RECALL. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIALS DEFECT FROM NEW THAT SHOWS ITSELF AFTER A FEW YEARS. NO OTHER CAR I OWN, (TWO THAT ARE OLDER AND HIGHER MILES), HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I WILL SUE GM AFTER I REPLACE THESE LINES. AS A PHYSICIST AND EXPERT MECHANIC, THIS IS AN OBVIOUS MATERIALS DEFECT WITH SIGNIFICANT DANGER AND SAFETY ISSUES. NHTSA AND GM WILL BOTH BE CULPABLE FOR INJURIES AND DEATH IN NOT PROTECTING THE PUBLIC FROM THIS OBVIOUS DANGER. THE BRAKE LINES CRUMBLE IN YOUR HANDS AFTER 9 YEARS OF USE, TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. GM ADMITTED TO ME THAT THEY USED BAD MATERIALS AND BLAMED IT ON USING FOREIGN METAL SUPPLIERS. THIS DOES NOT ADMONISH THEM FROM THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. COME ON NHTSA, MAKE GM STAND UP AND RECALL THESE POTENTIAL DEATH TRAPS. THE LEAST YOU CAN DO IS LET PEOPLE KNOW THEIR BRAKE LINES COULD BURST AT ANY TIME WITH NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560879

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.