2003 Chevrolet Silverado Recalls, Complaints & Specs

6 safety recalls list the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, and owners have filed 695 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

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6 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

1. Parking brake

   NHTSA 05V161000 Reported April 22, 2005 90,242 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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.

   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…

2. Seat belts: rear/other

   NHTSA 05V163000 Reported April 22, 2005 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for…

   Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may…

3. Anchorage (seat belts)

   NHTSA 04V225000 Reported May 11, 2004 736 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have one seating position, the center rear seat, equipped with child restraint lower anchorages.

   Remedy: To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a…

4. Hinge and attachments (structure)

   NHTSA 04V129000 Reported March 17, 2004 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.

   Remedy: Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners…

5. Service brakes, hydraulic

   NHTSA 04V045000 Reported February 4, 2004 68,875 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   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.

   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.

6. Windshield (visibility)

   NHTSA 03V018000 Reported January 23, 2003 110 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

   Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.

   Remedy: Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on january 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free…

695 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado have filed 695 complaints with NHTSA; 42 describe a crash and 11 describe a fire. Reports cite 26 injuries and 2 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 54,206 miles. Complaints peaked in 2004 with 132 filed that year.

Most-reported components

• Service brakes124
• Electrical system61
• Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel46
• Service brakes, hydraulic45
• Power train: automatic transmission44
• Steering38
• Service brakes, hydraulic: rotor31
• Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip29

What owners are reporting

“While routinely driving my 03 chev silverado truck, the brakes failed. When i was able to safely stop and move to a safe place, i looked under the vehicle and saw brake fluid leaking from one of the b”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 31, 2016 · Service brakes

“Significant corrosion of the fuel (gasoline) lines causing leak and possible safety hazard (fire). Several forums report brake and fuel line premature failure due to corrosion. GM not addressing this”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 26, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado (Silverado 1500 2WD, Silverado 1500 4WD, Silverado 2500 2WD (Bifuel), Silverado SS 1500 AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Compare Chevrolet Silverado model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Silverado model year in NHTSA's database.

Checking a specific 2003 Chevrolet Silverado

Other Chevrolet models

• Malibu19,364 complaints
• Silverado 150018,029 complaints
• Impala10,434 complaints
• Tahoe10,032 complaints
• Equinox9,161 complaints
• Blazer8,192 complaints
• Suburban8,164 complaints
• Cobalt7,681 complaints

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.