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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 35.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

41 reports with mileage · 1 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, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Steering complaints

2 reports
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30,998 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentLatches/locks/linkages

THIS CLAIM IS ON A CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AROUND 30,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS 3 TIMES, BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE, RADIO PROBLEMS, STEERING PROBLEMS AND TIRE WEAR. GENERAL MOTORS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS C…

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THIS CLAIM IS ON A CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 DIESEL TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT NEW. AROUND 30,000 MILES THIS VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR CLUTCH PROBLEMS 3 TIMES, BRAKES GOING TO THE FLOOR, THE WINDSHIELD COMING LOOSE, RADIO PROBLEMS, STEERING PROBLEMS AND TIRE WEAR. GENERAL MOTORS, THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WAS CONTACTED AN ASSURED ME THIS TRUCK WAS NOT A LEMON, I SAID IT WAS. NOW BETWEEN 30,000 AND 90,000 MILES I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. I HAD THE DOORS LOCK FOR NO REASON AT ALL, LOCK BY THEMSELVES. BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS HAVE HUNG AT THE FENDER CAUSING MASSIVE DENTS WHERE I HAD TO FORCE THE DOORS OPEN DUE TO CONTACT BETWEEN THE DOOR AND FENDER. THE INITIAL BRAKE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK. I HAD A WATER LEAK IN THE CAB AROUND THE LIGHTS, THAT CAUSED WATER DAMAGE TO THE SEATS. I REWIRED THE REAR LIGHTS, BECAUSE THE CIRCUIT BOARD WENT OUT SEVERAL TIMES. FOUR SETS OF TIRES HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THIS TRUCK AT 90,000 MILES (TIRES COST AROUND $1,000 A SET). I HAVE TRIED THREE BRANDS OF TIRES. THEY ARE GENERALS (6 PLY), GEO TRAC (10 PLY), AND TOYO (10 PLY). THE DASH SYSTEM IS GOING OUT (DASH COSTS $1200). THE TRUCK IS LACKING POWER WHEN PULLING AND TODAY 7/28/2010 THE CLUTCH ALMOST CAME OUT DURING NORMAL DRIVING AT 90,232 MILES (PROBABLY WILL COST BETWEEN $2,000 AND $3,000 IF NOT MORE). THE ENGINE OIL PLUS FILTER, THE FUEL FILTERS, AND GREASING OF THE TIE ROD ENDS ARE ALL DONE PER MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATIONS. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK, BUT LOOKING AT THE DOOR AND FENDER PROBLEM, ONE WOULD THINK IT HAS. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE. IT IS A LEMON AND A SAFETY HAZARD. THE LEMON LAW WAS CHANGED FROM THREE FAILURES TO FOUR FAILURES DURING THE TIME THIS HAPPENED. NOW THE VEHICLE LEMON LAW YEAR IS ANY VEHICLE 2004 OR AFTER. THIS TRUCK IS A 2003 MODEL. IT IS TIME ALL PARTIES INVOLVED COME TO THE TABLE AND DEAL. THE VEHICLE HAD AN OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE CLUTCH AND THE ENGINE THAT WAS NEVER FIXED. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AT FULL RPM. UPDATED IVOQ 10/01/10 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345987

51,684 miles · Jul 11, 2006
Seat BeltsSteering

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CLUNK IN THE STEERING SHAFT COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE STEERING SHAFT BE GREASED DOWN. THERE WERE NO DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF GREASING THE STEERING SHAFT HOWEVER THE PROCEDURE IS EXPENSIVE TO GET DONE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY A…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CLUNK IN THE STEERING SHAFT COLUMN. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THE STEERING SHAFT BE GREASED DOWN. THERE WERE NO DIRECTIONS REGARDING THE FREQUENCY OF GREASING THE STEERING SHAFT HOWEVER THE PROCEDURE IS EXPENSIVE TO GET DONE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER WILL CHARGE FOR GREASE THE STEERING. UPDATED 7/25/2006 - WHEN THE SHAFT MOVED UP AND DOWN THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO MOVED UP AND DOWN. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL GM PRODUCTS PERFORM THIS WAY AND THAT THERE WAS NO FIX AVAILABLE. THE SHAFT HAS BEEN LUBED TWICE AND REPLACED ONCE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT STOP BUTTON FELL OFF BELT. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10162158

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.