Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. While the contact was changing the oil in the vehicle, he noticed oil leaking without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who visually inspected the vehicle and determined that the fuel line was fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Holz motors (5961 s 108th st, hales corners, wi 53130, [phone]) was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that there was a fuel leak causing the vehicle to smoke abnormally. The dealer repaired the defect numerous times, but the failure continuously recurred. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The failure mileage was 25,000 and the current mileage was 196,000.
Chronic failure of fuel injectors on 2003 duramax Chevy truck, deal has replaced injectors three times, now they are failing again and want 5K to fix them. Last fix was 40,000 miles ago. Here is the short and skinny. I was informed (during an injector swap in my truck) that the different types of injectors that were tested by GM and their partners (Isuzu and Bosch) provided good data for the ongoing service campaign, but will not be released through GM parts. GM and partners (Bosch) have made 2 modifications (documented) to the injector design from original and has deemed the current incarnation of this injector adequate. That is GM's solution apparently. Will it be a permanent solution? Who can say, but it probably will be the only solution we ever see. …
In late dec my diesel fuel return line rotted out from rust, and was leaking diesel fuel all over the road while driving or stopped at idle. I didn't notice it until I stopped to re-fuel and realized fuel was dripping from the under carriage of the truck. I was on travel for christmas, about 500 miles from home and there were no open auto shops around that I could find. I was able to cut the rotted section out and band aid fix the system with some rubber fuel line and hose clamps from autozone. This fix has seemed to hold up fairly well for the time being, but I have not been using my truck. Fast forward to last week when my brake line decided to burst, spewing brake fluid all over the road and the under carriage of my truck. Luckily I was able to control the vehicle and get it towed back home where it now sits. …
Consumer complaint concerning transmission failures on 2003 Silverado. The transmission fluid was burnt, the reverse gear was inoperable and the transmission shifter was loose. The power steering fluid was low. Fluid was leaking from the gear box. The front seal on the power steering pump was worn and leaking, as well as the lower hose. The water pump gasket and lower radiator hose was leaking. The battery was replaced because it would not hold a charge. The A/C would only blow out air from the defrost vents. The A/C heater mode door actuator was worn. The check engine light illuminated. The fuel filter was replaced. The panel on the drivers seat was warped. The tires were replaced, however months later one of the tires developed a slow leak, due to a pin hole located in the sidewall. The rear pads and rotors were replaced. The front and rear shocks were replaced. …
2003 Chevy 2500hd truck brake pedal went to the floor when leaving garage.....under vehicle found brake fluid puddle....upon inspection found severely rusted brake line was leaking.....year prior had same issue with a different line, so changed out line. Even changed a rusted line that wasn't leaking....when filled reservoir with fluid and pressed pedal, brake line going to rear of truck in an obscured, above the gas tank location, started to leak....once again .....severely rusted brake line, in an area free from any road debris....so alas, after dropping the gas tank and replacing this line, which meant every line has been replaced......no leaks!!! What is going on with these lines.....I baby this truck and it is in the garage 95% of the time always clean...this should never have happened!!!! After being a Chevy man all my life.......I'm done.... …
Instrument cluster fuel gauge failure. This happens frequently, sometimes every day. Nothing has been found to correct the failure. The fuel gauge often shows inaccurate fuel level readings. It happens more often when the car is warm than when it is cold. It happens a lot when the car is hot (e.g. Heater is on very high or in the summer). I'm afraid that the fuel gauge will tell me that I have more fuel than I really do and, as a result, cause the engine to stall from fuel exhaustion on a busy highway resulting in an accident. This still happens to the vehicle often. Repairs have not been done. I have heard that many many others with this make of vehicle have the same problem. …
When driving the truck whether on a regular street or at high speeds on the highway, the engine suddenly either dies, reduces down to idle speed or idles very roughly. The reduced power signal comes on, along with the engine light. This has happened to us, several times while driving on the highway and on regular streets. We were extremely lucky not to have been killed. I researched this and found that many owners of the 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500hd had the same problem. We spent a lot of money at penske Chevrolet, and according to them, they don't know how to fix it. We bought the truck in 8/2013, without any warranty and this problem was not disclosed to us. Since 12/2013, the problem has become more frequent and now we don't drive the vehicle because it is just too dangerous. …
I was driving down the road at highway speed (65mph) and the front right steel brake line burst and I lost most of my brake fluid. Upon looking under the truck for the cause of the problem, I noticed that all of the brake lines and two of the fuel lines were badly corroded. I tow trailers often and I'm thankful I wasn't towing our 11,000lb 5th wheen camper when this happened or there would have been a horrific crash! I have done quite a bit of research and noticed that there are quite a few compliants about the same problem for this model year pickup. Is there a recall and how do I go about getting this fixed? I am out of work on medical leave and cannot afford to take the truck to the shop and "wait" for GM to think about re-embursing me.
Fuel System complaints in other Silverado 2500 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 6% of the model year's 449 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. 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 2500 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system 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.