1) brake line rusted and had to be replaced. 2) a new battery was installed only to be totally dead within 1 week 3) alternator replaced as that was thought to be the problem 4) finally found the problem and it is the ABS system as the modulator / pump for this system would continually run even when the vehicle was turned off.
The worst 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes49
- Electrical30
- Engine10
- Steering9
- Fuel system6
- Transmission4
- Acceleration3
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Driver assistance1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD 366
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- Unknown or other
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
See all 366 bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD
What 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The instrument panel cluster will stop working. No gauges, speedometer, or tachometer. Usually occurs after vehicle has been driven, turned off and restarted. Know of several people having/had the same issue with this year model. Sometimes the cluster will become active again while driving, but usually doesn't.
Bright lite indicator lite comes on dash with no key in ignition, kills battery over nite. Gas gauge in dash doesn't always work, truck has to get moving, sometimes right away and sometimes a little longer. Had to replace my throttle body control a couple months prior
Several of the exhaust manifold bolts have snapped/sheared causing exhaust leaks between the exhaust manifold and exhaust port on the cylinder head. I'm learning that this is a common issue that has gone unaddressed by the manufacturer, but is clearly an emissions and functionality issue. Please help in holding the manufacturer accountable for this apparent mechanical defect. As of now, they offer no assistance in repairing the issue.
My whole dashboard stops working the gauges lights everything just stopped working. I was traveling down interstate and everything stopped working but after a few seconds it all came back on for about 30 seconds and it all shut off again and never came back on I made it home and turned the truck off and went inside. I got up the next morning to go to work and cranked the truck and no gauges or lights were not working still. I slammed my hand down on top of the dashboard and everything came on and was working but that didn't last long and everything shut off again.
Brake lines rusted through and ruptured resulting in total brake loss and a crash. The lines failed at a point directly under the driver seat. It was in motion on a city street and struck another vehicle also damaging that.
265/65/16 michelin ltx m/s2 tire, these tires were new and purchased on 6/21/16, on 7/11/16 less then one month I had to brake hard to avoid an accident. The 3 rows of treads in the middle of all four tires became severely separated and worn rendering all four tires as junk causing the pickup to shake badly while going down the road. To make matters worse michelin didn't want honor any warranties, claims, etc., including the michelin plus guaranty. This is where if you are not 100% satisfied within 30 days you can get a replacement free. After one braking incident all the tires was junk. I would not recommend these tires to anyone. The tread pattern of these tires is the direct cause. I also have pictures.
Jan. 2014 in northeast illinois I went to apply brakes for a red light and peddle went to the floor. I was fortunate that there was not another vehicle already stopped at the light in front of me, and was not hit as I coasted through the red light. I was able to use the parking brake for stopping while I maneuvered to my home. Upon inspection the next day, I found the brake line that runs along the truck frame and feeds brake fluid to the front brakes had ruptured. I was astound when I saw the condition of the remaining brake lines under the vehicle and the fact that the lines were not made of stainless steel or some other material that would not rust when exposed to the road salt that used heavily during the winter months in northeast illinois. I'm also concern about the fuel lines because their condition is the same as the brake lines and appear to made out of a ferrous material also.
These incidents happened during the following yrs at least 3 times a year now for each yr from 2005 till 2015 coming home from daughters and lost all head lamps and driving lights so was driving in complete darkness with no lights , thankfully we made it home the last 2 miles next day took to mechanic and he replaced the lamps , two weeks later got pulled over due to running lights one was out and got warning about that .......................this has happened 12 times since we owned this truck since 2005 and we have had to replace the whole headlamp assembly but now after 6 months lights go out again and get pulled over due to only one headlamp is there a problem with the wiring? Mostly this is just on drivers side headlamp and running light it keeps blowing the lamps out occasionally it blows both sides and front running lamps.
The brake lines basically rusted off the truck, the first occurrence I went to use the truck and the brake pedal went to the floor and I started smelling brake fluid. Had it towed to have repairs done (06/04/2011) the lines that showed the main problem were changed for new. Exactly 2 years I had my big car trailer hooked up loaded with my tractor. Another line going to the rear of the truck ruptured in the yard. Going back to the shop again, I had a company out west make all new stainless steal lines for it.(06/20/2014) and now I'm again broken down again (03/07/2015). This has cost me a considerable amount of money and I'm not through I fear. This time the ABS system wants to continue to run and running the battery down. Gm should be on top of this.
Compare the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD
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Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD reliable?
Owners have filed 101 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD, 4.6 times a typical Silverado 1500 HD model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD year score?
The 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD scores 20 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD?
Brakes, with 49 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is electrical (30).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD have bad brakes?
The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD model years with the most brakes complaints are 2003 (49 complaints), 2002 (14 complaints) and 2001 (11 complaints).
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