Most common 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems
Share of the 449 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 complaints by model year
Best Silverado 2500 years: 2014, 2012, 2013. Years to avoid: 2024, 2022, 2020, 2015, 2025. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500:
Hydraulic pump failres
GM is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between May 1999 and October 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early October 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes.
What 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners say
Brakes all 247 →
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering failed causing the steering wheel to become hard to maneuver. The contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the hydro boost area when the brake pedal or accelerator pedal were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed that the intermediate shaft was faulty. The intermediate shaft was replaced however, the failure recurred. The contact requested the dealer to replace the power steering pump but the dealer informed the contact that the failure was caused by the power steering pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 115,000.
While driving down a 50 mph roadway there was a line of cars slowing for a vehicle to make a turn. When gently pushing the brakes to slow down, brake went clear to the floor and could not slow down. Truck was driven into the ditch to avoid rear-ending vehicles. This happened immediately without warning, all braking prior to this incident was normal. When taken to our mechanic, they advised the brake lines underneath were notorious for rusting out and failing, new stainless steel lines were then installed to correct the problem.
Electrical system all 86 →
Drove vehicle and noticed fan blower was not working, located fuse for blower, pulled and verified fuse is OK. Put fuse back in checked blower and fan was working. The next day my husband drove the vehicle for approx.10 min and smoke started billowing out from under the dash (pass. Side). He turned around, came home and we used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire under the glove box and also covered by a plastic covering not quickly able to be removed. Disconnected the batteries and removed the cover exposing the wiring. We can see the wiring and relay that have melted. Called GM (11/3, 9 - 10 bus. Days to respond), the vehicle is over warranty coverage, because I don't feel that a 5yr vehicle should just catch on fire. GM responded with a denial because of ma laws but I live in me so they are looking into it again with the cs rep that handles me. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 hd. While driving approximately 40 MPH the speedometer began to display a speed of 10 MPH. As a result the vehicle was involved in a crash. A police report was filed. A passenger in the other vehicle was injured. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop where the body damages were repaired but the failure was not diagnosed. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge and the speedometer intermittently displayed an improper reading. The failure mileage was 90,000 and the current mileage was 104,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Engine & cooling all 31 →
In the middle of the taxiway, while I was traveling my truck turned off while it was running and did not turn on again, putting my safety at risk by being in the middle of the taxiway, after several minutes the truck was able to be removed from the road, then I was able to investigate that I am not the only one that the same thing has happened to him, there is no Safety Recall in this regard, the GM fabric is aware of these cases but only wrote a TSB, it was diagnosed with the scanner and it gave code U1800, before the event there were no lights warning but after the event there is a check engine light on.
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While driving 25 MPH, the contact made a left turn and the reduced engine power light illuminated. The steering failed and the vehicle crashed into a tree. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was destroyed. The contact suffered nerve pain in the back and legs from the impact of the crash. Medical attention was not received. A police report was filed and the vehicle was towed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 196,000.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0L 8-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 10 / 11 / 10 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 a good car?
Based on 449 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2003 Silverado 2500 rates avoid: 3.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Silverado 2500 at the same age. It is one of the Silverado 2500 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The brakes — 247 complaints, 55% of all complaints for this model year, most often about foundation components › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the electrical system (86) and engine & cooling (31).
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2012 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2022, 2020, 2015 and 2025. See the full Chevrolet Silverado 2500 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 83,000 miles; 21% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.