Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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.
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.
My nightmare started when I pulled onto a from my drive way and drove about a half block to the stop sign in my 2003 Silverado and noticed a Mini van going south. When the brakes were applied the pedal went all the way to the floor and I couldn't stop. No warning on the dash nothing. The van had to swerve off the road to avoid me and almost tipped over containing 5 people. I saw him coming but couldn't do anything to stop in such a short period of time. The last thing on my mind was no brakes. I have been driving for 39 years and never experienced brake failure in my life. Yesterday I called GM customer service and got the usual run around. They told me I had to take it to a GM dealer to have it inspected they were very clear that my car even though only has 65,000 miles on it and is kept in a garage is out of warranty and there are no recalls for the brake lines. …
I drive a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500hd. I have had the truck to the dealer where I purchased it for regular oil changes and maintenance reviews. When trying to leave the grocery store parking lot recently I noticed that my brake pedal went all the way to the floor when I attempted to stop after pulling out of my parking space. After pumping the brakes repeatedly, some pressure was present but after pumping more, it was apparent that the brakes were completely out. Looking under the truck, I saw a huge puddle of brake fluid. Putting more brake fluid in the truck does not fix the problem , as it is only forced out upon pumping the brakes - the failure is permanent and critical - the truck is not road worthy at this point! …
While stopped at an intersection at a red light, the vehicle started to creep forward toward people in the crosswalk. Depressing the brake pedal further resulted in it fading, ending in a fully depressed position with no more pedal travel available. The vehicle continued to roll forward into the crosswalk. Placing the transmission in neutral stopped vehicle movement. After stopping and inspecting under the hood and under the front end of vehicle showed leaking brake fluid from one of the metallic brake lines serving the right front brake. After taking the vehicle to my local GM dealer and placing it on the service rack, inspection showed that all the metallic brake lines are severely rusted over the majority of the line surface. The right front line disintegrated to the point where the line separated while checking the condition of the line. …
Below is a list of history with repairs to my truck. In March 2004 I bought a brand new 2003 Chevy Silverado 1500hd .first 2 yrs front rotars turned covered under warranty. Then 1-21-09 front rotars and calipars replaced due to rot.1-30-09 transmission line replaced rotted.on 6-19-09 new starter. 8-29-09 rear calipers and hose rotted 35455 miles.on 9-2-09 ABS sensor and left front brake hose rotted. On 8-28-10 power stering pump replaced. On 8-24-11 brake lines to ABS rotted 46763 miles. 10-27-11 left rear brake line rotted 47943 miles. My windsheild washer fluid reservoir needs to be replaced leaking insrument panel shows empty. I'm having my left rear brake line replaced next week...its the only one left and I dont want to take the chance of an accident. Mt mechanic states he has never seen this much rust on a fairly new vehicle. …
I was coming to the end of my driveway and the brake pedal went to the floor and wasn't providing any stopping power. The end of our driveway has an incline and I was able to use the emergency brake before traveling into oncoming traffic. I checked the brake reservoir tank and it was almost completely empty. I added more brake fluid and upon applying the brakes, fluid was coming out from underneath the truck. It was dripping from underneath the driver side door and also from some place further back on the truck. I couldn't verify whether the source near the back was a separate leak. All four of the brake lines have significant rust and need to be replaced. The truck is currently not drive-able because any new brake fluid is immediately leaking out and not providing any resistance to the brake pedal. I've checked the brake pads and rotors and they are still in almost new condition. …
I own a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500hd 4x4 quad cab truck. After picking up a camper trailer and returning to my home I noticed a significant loss of brake pressure in the pedal. Upon arriving home I noticed brake fluid leaking from a brake line on the underside of the truck at the driver's side door. The 2 lines that run from the master cylinder to the ABS unit and the 2 lines that run from the ABS unit to the left front and right front brake calipers were severely corroded (rusted). I corrected the problem myself by replacing all the brake lines. My truck only has 82,220 miles on it and this is a serious safety defect that Chevrolet should be held liable for. If a vehicle would have pulled out in front of me while returning to my house I wouldn't have been able to stop in time. …
Brake complaints in other Silverado 1500 HD years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD, 49% of the model year's 101 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.