Poor braking power. Replaced rotors & rear brakes due to rotors rusting out at only 23,000 miles. In hard stop pedal will go to floor. Chevy says this is normal...been this way since new.
The worst 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical3
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical3
- Body1
- Brakes1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
DP05009
Hydraulic pump failres
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.
EA04012
Parking brake failure
Odi opened pe03-057 to assess parking brake ineffectiveness in the subject vehicles.these vehicles are equipped with four wheel disc brakes that incorporate a single-shoe drum-in-hat parking brake independent of the service brakes.complaint and warranty data indicate that the parking brake linings tend to wear out early in the life of the vehicle (at an average of 24 months in service), reducing the parking brake system's torque below that needed to immobilize the vehicle.gm has attributed this accelerated wear to foreign material intrusion and a failure of the brake shoe to properly self-center within its brake drum.effective with the start of my 2003 production, a newer reduced force hold-down clip was introduced to facilitate brake shoe disengagement from the drum surface.this part is also available at the service level for the my 1999-2002 vehicles.gm has indicated that the paking brake is intended to operate in conjunction with the transmission to immobilze parked vehicles, and that in many cases, accelerated parking brake lining wear is caused by rough use, vehicle modifications, and driving with the parking engaged. Odi has upgraded the preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis to gather further information concerning parking brake usage factors and the circumstances surrounding the seventeen reported vehicle crashes.
PE03057
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series 7
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- General motors: information provided by bulletin for all 2012 and prior general motor trucks and passenger...
- IPC, interior lights and/or headlamps flicker
- Tech 2 update available for the passenger door module
- Crankshaft rear oil seal leaks during extreme cold weather operation
- Unneeded replacement of power-folding mirrors
- Passenger door module replacement
- Customers may comment on a displayed warning message indicating reduced brake power on 2003 full-size...
What 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2003 chevy silverado has a speedometer issue that says I ma going 30 when I am stopped. Gm puts out a recall but will only fix it if the mileage is less than 70k. Mine went out at 72k, how convenient. This in my opinion is a safety issue not knowing how fast you are going. If not knowing how fast you are going then why do we have speed limits?
Repacked the steering column due to a popping noise. Then it came back. So they said they replaced it. And know it is back again.
When the weather gets cold the instrument panel quits working, or parts of it quit working. When the weather gets above 20 degrees above zero the gauges start working. It is a very dangerous thing to have happen when driving. We have contacted the service department to learn this is a common problem with 2003-2003 gm pickup trucks. This is a factory defect according to our service man at our local vehicle repair center. He said he has had several of these trucks in with the same problem. He believes the problem is, when the weather gets cold, the connections retract and no longer make contact. He said he has had to send the instrument panel back to gm and they fix it and return it at a cost of over $250.00. We purchased this truck new and do not believe this instrument panel should be failing when the weather gets cold. It is dangerous, and very annoying.
While at a 4th celebration on the tailgate of my american chevrolet truck my wife and 15 month old little boy, was sitting there and the tailgate cables on my 2003 duramax broke causing my wife and child to hit the ground busting his lip. I only hope the is no teeth damage. Will chevrolet replace my bent tailgate knowing there is a recall, if they cant make cables fast enough, get-r-done, want my tail gate fixed also and my kids teeth.
Drive train: clunk/clank during upshift under light/easy acceleration. Also during downshift such as when slowing for stop lite. Also dduring slowing for turn or upon quick acceleration. Vehicle has 4193 miles. Problem has been with vehicle since new! Oct '03. Vehicle also has dead spot in accel when this problem occurs. Note: when shifting trans (at) from park to drive or to reverse or any combination there is a very noticeable delay in the trans shifting. This could be related to overall problem. The clunk/clank noise is very noticeable. Very audible,not only that, you can also feel it. N my opinion this could cause a loss of control if vehicle fails to shift when needed. Apple chevrolet in red lion,pa said noise is normal. Bull!
2003 cehvrolet 3500 duramax diesel, when computer thinks engine will stall it is programed to jump the RPM's 300 by it self, happened within 10 days of owners hip and several times after, dealer had truck 5 out of the first 8 weeks of ownership can not fix as they cannot duplicate and it does not send a fault code. I have wokrd my way up at chev and was told tough, iand if I had an ccident and caused injury to some one that they have lawyers on staff fo that. The owner of the dealership addmitted to me he would not drive the vehicle or let anyone in his do so. After 8 wks they offered to do a buy back at over an $8000. Loss. I have beed advised that if I trade or sell the truck I have to disclose this defect or else I am liable. I have done an informal survey and dicovered at least 20% do the same thing and the real number could be as high as a third do. The pickup truck is too heavy to be covered under any lemon law and gm knows this. I have been dealing with a mr. Mccabe at 1‑800‑231‑1841 ext 57480 file # I-99869537. Basicly I have been told the problem is in my head. The last time I picked the pickup up at the dealership it did this sudden acceleration I almost hit a car there. Two weeks ago I ahd an accident because of this causing $2400 in damages. I am frustrated and don't know where to turn. Customer relations claims they have no record of this problem, but the power train division addmitted to my dealer they do. I won't let my 17 year old son or anyone else drive the truck as I can not afford to put myself in a liabilty situation because of the truck. When talking to other owners with the same problem, they have the same results when they take it back to the dealer no fault coeds therfore no problem! Help purchased date 04/01/2003.
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Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series
Is the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series, 1.8 times a typical C/K Series model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series?
Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is body (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet C/K Series have?
No recalls on record.
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