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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
122,900 miles · Sep 26, 2012
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TIRES, SIZE: TA 245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD EQUIPPED WITH BF GOODRICH COMMERCIAL TIRES, SIZE: TA 245/75/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TREAD ON THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE SEPARATED AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO EXPLODE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STRUT SUPPORT RODS AND THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT BECAME DAMAGED FROM THE TIRE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SHIPPED THE TIRE TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY INSPECTED THE TIRE AND NOTICED THAT AN OBJECT HAD STRUCK THE TIRE AND CAUSED THE TREAD SEPARATION FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE OF THE TIRE WAS 23,000. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,900. UPDATED 12/31/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED EBERHARDT TIRE WAS CONTACTED AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THAT TIRE AND WAS GIVEN THE INFORMATION TO REACH MICHELIN NORTH AMERICA. A MICHELIN REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT APART OF THEIR VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE CONSUMER WAS GIVEN A CLAIM NUMBER AND CLAIM PACKET ANYWAY. EBERHARDT AND THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD A LARGE PROTRUSION ON THE OUTER EDGE. THIS TIRE WAS IN THE COURSE SEPARATING.. THIS INFORMATION WAS DOCUMENTED ON THE REPLACEMENT RECEIPT FROM EBERHARDT'S TIRE. MICHELIN DENIED THE PROPERTY DAMAGE CLAIM CAUSED BY THE LEFT REAR TIRE. MICHELIN STATED THEIR INSPECTION REVEALED THAT A RADIAL BREAK THROUGH THE CASING IN THE CROWN AREA CAUSED BY AN IMPACT BY OBJECT OR OBSTRUCTION. UPDATED 1/7/2013*JS

NHTSA ODI #10477186

69,676 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Fuel System, DieselService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH) AND THE FRONT RIGHT STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST AND I LOST MOST OF MY BRAKE FLUID. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, I NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND TWO OF THE FUEL LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED. I TOW TRAILERS OFTEN AND I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T TOWING O…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEED (65MPH) AND THE FRONT RIGHT STEEL BRAKE LINE BURST AND I LOST MOST OF MY BRAKE FLUID. UPON LOOKING UNDER THE TRUCK FOR THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, I NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND TWO OF THE FUEL LINES WERE BADLY CORRODED. I TOW TRAILERS OFTEN AND I'M THANKFUL I WASN'T TOWING OUR 11,000LB 5TH WHEEN CAMPER WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC CRASH! I HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT OF RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT THERE ARE QUITE A FEW COMPLIANTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL YEAR PICKUP. IS THERE A RECALL AND HOW DO I GO ABOUT GETTING THIS FIXED? I AM OUT OF WORK ON MEDICAL LEAVE AND CANNOT AFFORD TO TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE SHOP AND "WAIT" FOR GM TO THINK ABOUT RE-EMBURSING ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476885

70,101 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP THE G…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND WHEN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO COME TO A STOP THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED AND REMAINED AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE BRAKE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,101. UPDATED 12/3/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10476783

70,101 miles · Sep 24, 2012
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD WITH 70,100 MILES MY 15 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER WITH HIS DAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND NO KNOWN CAUSE AT THE TIME. SUBSE…

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BRAKE LINE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. 2004 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD WITH 70,100 MILES MY 15 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT AT A SHOPPING CENTER WITH HIS DAD IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. HE ATTEMPTED TO STOP AND VEHICLE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND NO KNOWN CAUSE AT THE TIME. SUBSEQUENT FAILURE LOCATED AT LEFT FRONT WHEEL WELL AS CORRODED BRAKE LINES COMING ALONG CHASIS FROM BRAKE VALVE BODY MASTER CYLINDER. NO WARNING LIGHTS OF ANY KIND ON DASHBOARD. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF DATE OF INCIDENT (YESTERDAY). *TR UPDATED 11/13/12 *CN UPDATED 12/3/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10476781

207,000 miles · Sep 18, 2012
Service BrakesFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE IG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AS VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE IGNITED IN FLAMES AND BURNED PARTS OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, THE INSULATION FIREWALL, THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE WHEEL WELL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 207,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475834

92,455 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Service Brakes

WHILE BACKING-UP TO UNLOAD A 24 FT BOAT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. STOPPED VEHICLE BY APPLYING EMERGENCY BRAKE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVROLET DEALER. COST $1836.15 TO REPLACE ALL BRAKE LINES, PLUS $85 FOR TOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474181

139,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Air BagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS WAS UNKNOWN.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO INJURIES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAGS WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10472651

105,500 miles · Aug 25, 2012
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING HOME THURS. AUG 23, 2012 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I DROVE THE TRUCK HOME WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. WHILE AT HOME I INSPECTED THE TRUCK, AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROU…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME THURS. AUG 23, 2012 IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RESISTANCE. I DROVE THE TRUCK HOME WITH VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER. WHILE AT HOME I INSPECTED THE TRUCK, AND FOUND A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID ON THE GROUND UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR. WHILE INSPECTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TRUCK I FOUND THAT THE BRAKE LINES JUST IN FRONT OF THE ABS MODULE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472468

32,680 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Service Brakes

BRAKE LINE RUPTURE FROM THE ABS MODULE TO REAR OF THE TRUCK. THE BRAKE LINE IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND I CAN SEE BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING OFF THE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. I BELIEVE IT RUPTURE IN MY DRIVEWAY RETURNING FROM A TRIP WITH MY CAMPER ATTACHED TO THE BED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471665

96,700 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Service Brakes

DURING REPAIR, ALL BRAKE LINES APPEAR TO BE CORRODED TO THE POINT OF BREAKING. APPROXIMATE COST OF REPAIR IS $1300.00. DEALER STATED HE IS REPAIRING MANY EARLY 2000 CHEVROLET PICKUPS FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471602

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.