Dt*: the contact stated the brake pedal was spongy and the vehicle required excessive stopping distance. This caused an accident, while driving 45 MPH the vehicle would not stop when a vehicle pulled out in front of the contact. There was minor damage to both vehicles, but a police report was not taken. The dealership determined the front and rear rotors were rusted. The rear rotors and pads must be replaced. The vehicle is located in a salt belt state. Updated 03/03/06.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado: soft or spongy brake pedal
9 of the 695 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado describe soft or spongy brake pedal.
- owner complaints
- 9
- of this car's complaints
- 1%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 22 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Soft or spongy brake pedal by model year
What owners say
Poor braking, very spongy pedal.
Dt:contact stated the braking system was defective. The pedal went down very far and was spongy. It took a long time for the truck to stop. The consumer stated pumping the pedal did not help. Contact bought vehicle new and was having this problem somewhat since he purchased it, but did not realize it was so bad until he drove other vehicles. This happens at any speed. The dealer said it was operating as designed. *ak the consumer stated the ABS light came on. When the consumer drove 45 MPH down a gravel road, and applied the brakes, there was no ABS function and the wheels did not lock. Although the truck did eventually stop, it took a great distance to do so. The steering shaft was replaced.
Brake pedal feels very spongy. When brakes are applied hard the stopping didtance is very poor. In fact on dry pavement, the vehicle ABS system will not engage. When I add my boat trailer (whithin the manufactures hauling spec) the vehicle is scary to drive, it feels like you cannot stop. I have contacted the dealer and they have no way to make the truck stop better. Please help!!
2oo3 chevrolet silverado, brakes are spongy, will not stop quickly, pedal needs more force than any other vehicles I have driven, dealer says nothing wrong, they appear normal, I disagree, this has been an ongoing complaint on this truck, date is when truck was 2 weeks old as reference. Trucks right rear wheel will also lock up on damp road upon trying to stop. Intermittent problem, dealer could do nothing.
While driving vehicle leaked fuel. When this occurred the brake pedal became hard and failed to stop vehicle when the pedal was depressed, resulting in a rear end crash. Consumer sustained minor injuries. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, and dealership only repaired the body parts damaged by the crash. However, dealership indicated it couldn't find any leak. When the consumer picked up the vehicle from the dealership there was smoke coming out from under the hood. Dealership indicated that the smoke was caused by fluid from the radiator, and the body parts they had replaced. The failure recurred while driving on the highway at 55 MPH. This caused the vehicle to hydro plane from the diesel fuel, and consumer lost control of the vehicle. It was towing a trailer at the time of the incident. The trailer jack knifed and damaged the side of the vehicle. It was towed to another dealership, who found a leak in the fuel injector line.
At any speed when pressing the brakes pedal would go to the floor and feel spongy. Also, when pressing the brakes vehicle will take an extremely long time to stop. Dealer had the vehicle four times concerning this problem. The dealer informed the consumer that the brakes were designed that way. *ak
When the brake pedal was pressed, the pedal felt a little spongy. The consumer had to start braking early to avoid an accident. The consumer believed there was air in the hydraulic brake system. *jb *sc
I own a 2003 chevrolet silverado k1500 purchases in july 2003. When towing a travel trailer (approx 4,000 lbs) I have noticed what feels like a "spongy" brake pedal. Recently, I discovered that if steady, moderately heavy pressure in maintained on the brake pedal, it will slowly go down completely to the floor. Dealer service manager has similar truck with identical situation. They have no answer. Question was directed by dealer to district service rep who stated something to the effect that this is a design situation and there is no fix!!!! I suspect gm is avoiding a costly recall. However, they should know that one accident could well cost more than the recall, particularly if there is loss of life. How is one expected to remain stopped on a grade for any period of time when the brake pedal goes to the floor?
Service bulletins that may apply
- Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- Chevrolet/gmc/cadillac: anytime hydraulic brake pipes assembly need replacing, pre-formed and pre-flared...
- Antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds (clean wheel speed sensor mounting surface)
- ABS light on, dtc's C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss of communication with brake module
- Service brake booster message
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) light on, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCS) C0265, C0201, U1041 set and/or loss...
- Anti-lock braking system (ABS) telltale illuminated with diagnostic trouble code C0550
- Low brake pedal, red brake light on, brake system warning message on
Related recalls
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
- Risk
- If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 or gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 05V161000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic
- What is wrong
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- Risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- Remedy
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1‑866‑982‑2339; chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438; gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463; or hummer at 1‑866‑486‑6376.
Recall number 04V045000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado spongy pedal
Is soft or spongy brake pedal a common problem on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado?
9 of 695 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado (1%) mention soft or spongy brake pedal. The model year with the most reports is 2003.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado?
There are 2 recalls and 22 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
Brake failure 86ABS 27Harsh shifting 25Grinding brakes 18Steering noise 17Knocking 12No deployment 11Slipping 11Stalling 11Wipers 10Check engine light 9Premature wear 9Fire or smoke 8Airbag light 7Ball joint 7Jerking 7Loss of power 7Power steering loss 7Tire blowout 7Fuel pump 6Fuel gauge 5Headlights 5Overheating 5Pulling 5
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2003 Chevrolet Silverado?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history