Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (v6) was apparently designed with the air conditioner evaporator coil situated over the distributor and points. The condensor coil drips moisture onto and into the distributor causing corrosion. This corrosion causes the engine to hesitate and vibrates excessively at acceleration to 45 MPH. My new vehicle has already had the distributor and points replaced to "remedy" the situation. The dealership was supposed to wrap the condensor coil with tape which would cause the condensate to drip further into the engine but as it turns out they didn't "get around" to wrapping the coils. As a result, after running the A/C, the engine is hesitating after only 20 miles of driving. They stated the fix is good for as long as the tape holds up. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. After restarting, the vehicle resumed normal operation. The failure recurred numerous times at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the throttle body was faulty. The contact was able to repair the vehicle himself. Recently, the vehicle exhibited hesitation on different occasions when the accelerator pedal was being applied. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the air conditioner circulated warm air whenever activated. The blower motor connector was not replaced; however, the motor resistor was replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
On multiple occasions the vehicle has lost power at highway speed and the engine dies. After a few attempts the engine restarts and operates normally for an unpredictable interval. This has happened at least 10 times. The authorized dealer and other mechanic shops have not been able to diagnose the reason for the power failure as they have not been able to cause it to duplicate failure when they have it. This sudden unexpected condition is very dangerous when it occurs and renders the vehicle unusable for anything other than short usage.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. While driving 70 MPH, the check engine and reduce engine power warning indicators illuminated. The contact stated that turning the vehicle off and back on resolved the issue. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure or produce a fault code. The contact stated that the failure recurred three times. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
At random times while driving or turning, no matter the weather our truck randomly dies. Shifting into neutral she always starts back up right away.however due to not knowing when it will happen, it does on city streets at 25mph and had on the highway at 75mph. We are unsure still at the moment the cause or solution. We have had 4 episodes of this dangerous problem starting this year only, 2015 .
I received a reduced engine power message in the middle of the highway I was traveling at 70 MPH and when it came on I couldn't travel more than 35 MPH. I was afraid for my and my passengers life as we was on the verge of being hit. I had the check engine codes checked and received 7 different codes.
My engine has been giving me lean condition codes p0171, p0174 and truck is lacking performance really bad and coolant problems too please message me back
Reduced engine power. This has been occurring off and on for about 9 months, have taken it to dealer multiple times and replaced everything that was said would fix the problem. The problem still occurs even after replacing: accelerator and receiver on throttle body as well as checking wiring harness for issues. Essentially, the vehicle will lose the function of the accelerator without warning at any given time during the use of the vehicle. The dealer has told me that they don't have any idea why it still is having this issue...the other day the vehicle was being driven and reduced engine power mode set in and at the same time the power steering went out. Thought the power steering going out at the same time was a one time deal but it happened again the very next day. The vehicle had this issue on the highway the other day and nearly caused an accident. …
I have a 2003 Silverado that has been having rough idling issues. The truck doesn't idle rough everyday,but when it does the voltage fluxuates between 10-14 volts. Before this started happening it stayed at a steady 14 volts. Now the voltage is dropping and the RPM's are dropping to around 200-300 rpms then some times it will die in motion. I have replaced the alternator and had the battery tested they are good. There was low fuel pressure so I replaced the pump,still nothing is helping. I found a internet site (www.topix.com) there is 15 pages of people with the same problem. Nobody can find a definite problem. There is people spending thousands on their vehicle to fix it and the parts don't always help. I have no warning lights coming on,so I don't even know where to start anymore. I'm broke. I feel that GM needs to do something for all the people affected by this.
The suburban would stall while waiting in drive thru lines. Several times. Dies while in gear, put in park and would then start up. Dealer could not find any problems. I knew I had gotten a bad tank of gas, 2 months earlier. So we tried fuel injections, etc... The suburban would die and would be towed back to the dealer. They decided I needed to replace the fuel module. $800 later and it was still happening. The dealer was driving my car more than I. Putting miles on the car and GMC decided I had too many miles on the vehicle to do anything about it. Now, it dies while driving the vehicle. One year later and the problem still exists and no one has figured it out. I am scared to drive the vehicle and mostly dissatisfied that I spent 45K on a vehicle and then when it fails no one knows how to fix it. They just want you to buy a new vehicle.
Engine complaints in other Silverado 1500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 4% of the model year's 805 complaints. The component named most often is engine (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.