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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
40,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKING WHILE PULLING A TRAVEL TRAILER AND TWO SEPARATE STEEL BRAKE LINES RUPTURED. IN PROCESS OF REPLACING ALL STEEL LINES DO TO HIGH LEVEL OF CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405515

85,028 miles · May 20, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

5/12/2011 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD 85,000 MILES WHILE APPROACHING STOPPED TRAFFIC BEGAN TO BRAKE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY. STRUCK THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROX. 20 MPH WHICH STRUCK THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF THEM. LUCKILY NO INJURIES REPORTED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. $1,500 REPA…

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5/12/2011 2003 CHEVROLET 2500 HD 85,000 MILES WHILE APPROACHING STOPPED TRAFFIC BEGAN TO BRAKE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR AND HAD NO BRAKING ABILITY. STRUCK THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF ME AT APPROX. 20 MPH WHICH STRUCK THE AUTOMOBILE IN FRONT OF THEM. LUCKILY NO INJURIES REPORTED AT TIME OF INCIDENT. $1,500 REPAIRS TO FRONT END OF MY TRUCK AND UNKNOWN AMOUNT OF DAMAGES TO REPAIR OTHER AUTOMOBILES. BOTH WERE DRIVABLE ALTHOUGH APPROX. SAME AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AS MINE. TRUCK WAS TOWED FROM SCENE. DEALERSHIP FOUND BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. ALL BRAKE LINES HAD TO BE REPLACED, $1,600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402159

160,000 miles · May 19, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING TO A STOP WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE C…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTING TO A STOP WHEN SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE BRAKE LINES FRACTURED UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CAUSING A SMALL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE BRAKE LINES WERE VERY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10402026

55,000 miles · May 9, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRAKES ON A TRAILER IT WAS HAULING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE BRAKES ON A TRAILER IT WAS HAULING. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP10003 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10399659

89,900 miles · May 4, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

I'VE HAD IT LESS THAN 1 YEAR, AND HAS UNDER 90,000 MILES. I LEFT MY HOUSE AND GOT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENTIRE CAB OF THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME TO THE SCENE. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ABOVE THE HEAD LINER KILLED THE ELECTRONICS IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. NO LIGHTS, POWER SEATS…

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I'VE HAD IT LESS THAN 1 YEAR, AND HAS UNDER 90,000 MILES. I LEFT MY HOUSE AND GOT 1/4 MILE DOWN THE STREET AND THE ENTIRE CAB OF THE TRUCK FILLED WITH SMOKE. HAD TO CALL 911 AND HAVE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT COME TO THE SCENE. AN ELECTRICAL FIRE ABOVE THE HEAD LINER KILLED THE ELECTRONICS IN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. NO LIGHTS, POWER SEATS, RADIO, DASH CLUSTER, EXTERNAL LIGHTS AND SIGNALS, HORN, WINDOWS,NOTHING WORKS, ENGINE WONT START. THE FIRE APPEARS TO HAVE STARTED NEXT TO THE ON STAR SPEAKER IN THE HEADLINER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399090

145,000 miles · May 1, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

CORRODED BRAKE LINES ON 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398445

50,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Fuel System, Diesel

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, SOMETIMES EVERY DAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FUEL GAUGE OFTEN SHOWS INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS WARM THAN WHEN IT IS COLD. IT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THE CAR IS HOT (E.G. HEATER IS ON VERY HIGH OR IN…

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY, SOMETIMES EVERY DAY. NOTHING HAS BEEN FOUND TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE FUEL GAUGE OFTEN SHOWS INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS. IT HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN THE CAR IS WARM THAN WHEN IT IS COLD. IT HAPPENS A LOT WHEN THE CAR IS HOT (E.G. HEATER IS ON VERY HIGH OR IN THE SUMMER). I'M AFRAID THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WILL TELL ME THAT I HAVE MORE FUEL THAN I REALLY DO AND, AS A RESULT, CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL FROM FUEL EXHAUSTION ON A BUSY HIGHWAY RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS STILL HAPPENS TO THE VEHICLE OFTEN. REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN DONE. I HAVE HEARD THAT MANY MANY OTHERS WITH THIS MAKE OF VEHICLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENS NOT ONLY TO THE FUEL GAUGE, BUT ALSO THESE OTHER GAUGES: THE SPEEDOMETER (WHICH COULD CAUSE ME TO DRIVE TOO FAST FOR CONDITIONS OR BREAK THE SPEED LIMIT), OIL PRESSURE, ENGINE TEMP, VOLTMETER, TRANSMISSION TEMP AND TACHOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398276

56,660 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD PICK UP W/ A LITTLE OVER 50,000 MILES. THIS WINTER WHILE DRIVING THE BREAK PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR AND COULD NOT STOP. A SNOW EMBANKMENT STOPPED ME LUCKILY WITH NO INJURY AND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TH…

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I OWN A 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 2500HD PICK UP W/ A LITTLE OVER 50,000 MILES. THIS WINTER WHILE DRIVING THE BREAK PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO FLOOR AND COULD NOT STOP. A SNOW EMBANKMENT STOPPED ME LUCKILY WITH NO INJURY AND NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A NEARBY CHEVROLET DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED RIGHT THROUGH THE CALIPERS WERE CORRODED AT THE BLEEDER VALVE AND ROTORS WERE DELAMINATING . THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT IS COMMON WITH THESE VEHICLES. I CANNOT SEE A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE W/ LOW MILES HAVING SUCH A MAIN MAJOR SYSTEM FAILURE AS THIS. THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $3,200 I CANNOT AFFORD THIS SO THE VEHICLE (WHICH IS MINT CONDITION) IS NOW SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397966

50,000 miles · Mar 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD W/ 8.1L ENGINE. WITH 59,000 MILES. I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TOOK INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR SOME OTHER SERVICE AND HAD THEM CHECK THIS NOISE ALSO. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A WARPED RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS SAME ENGINE IN THERE MOTO…

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2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500HD W/ 8.1L ENGINE. WITH 59,000 MILES. I NOTICED A TICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. I TOOK INTO A DEALERSHIP FOR SOME OTHER SERVICE AND HAD THEM CHECK THIS NOISE ALSO. IT TURNED OUT TO BE A WARPED RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I ALSO KNOW PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS SAME ENGINE IN THERE MOTORHOMES THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392534

169,000 miles · Mar 5, 2011
Electrical System

ALL GAUGES QUIT WORKING. THEY WILL WORK EVERY NO AND THEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386533

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.