Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Chevrolet Silverado owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I purchased a new Chevrolet Silverado truck on 8/15/2003. I drove it 15,000 miles and the transmission went out and was replaced. On another trip returning from denver to durango I was driving on a mountain road when the back wheels suddenly, without warning locked up. This caused the truck to go into an uncontrolled skid and I crashed into the side of the mountain. The truck bounced back into the road and almost forced other cars off the highway. The opposite side of the highway was very steep with no guardrail. Had I skidded that direction, I would have tumbled some 200 feet or more. To add to this the airbags did not deploy upon direct frontal impact with the mountain. All of this information was noted in the colorado highway patrol accident report # 908fzeh21p. General motors has accepted responsibility but 10+ weeks later has not replaced the totaled truck!
Dt: the contact's vehicle was pulling a trailer. When he applied brake pressure the vehicle failed to stop before striking another vehicle in the rear end. There was damage to both vehicles. However, no one was injured. A police report was taken at the scene. He took the vehicle to the dealer. A manufacturer's representative inspected the vehicle. Collected crash data from the vehicle computer, which indicated when brake pressure was applied the vehicle accelerated. The dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. The contact traded the vehicle after the accident. The air bags failed to deploy. Updated 03/09/06
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost power and failed to accelerate. The ABS, check engine, and passenger side air bag lights remained illuminated. In addition, the power steering failed. The failures recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed, but a failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
While driving 55 MPH consumer's vehicle was involved in a front collision. Upon impact, dual air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained head injuries due to his head hitting the steering wheel. The Chevrolet testers came to inspect the vehicle. They concluded that the impact was not hard enough nor was the vehicle going fast enough for the air bag to deploy.
The vehicle was in an accident and rolled over, the consumer stated she must have fallen asleep at the wheel. Neither front driver or passenger air bags deployed. Driver could not recall whether there was pre-impact braking, but assumed so since it was a natural reaction. Both passengers were wearing seat belts, and the air bag warning light was not illuminated at any time prior to the collision. Driver sustained serious injuries, such as broken ribs/ contusions and bruises. The passenger was killed. Odi spoke to consumer. The complainant was driving the vehicle and May have fell asleep at the wheel. Husband was most likely a sleep in the passenger's front seat at the time of the crash. The vehicle drifted into opposite lane. The driver upon realization of what was going on over corrected and hit a concrete drain resulting in the vehicle flipping 2 1/2 times. …
Air bags not deploying on a new Chevy Silverado pick-up/ following a vehicle crash. Driver was injured, and scarred. Was hospitlized and still having problems and will have a lifetime scar on face area. Also legs and thighs are scarred. Our son was traveling at a high rate of speed passing, lost control went off highway head on into deep ditch, flipped over, went side to side coming to rest sideways on tires that were now flat and still no airbag deployment. Sent a complaint and pictures, police report and medical records to GM, no satisfaction from there. What does a vehicle have to have done to have an airbag deploy???? Vehicle was totaled. Son is permantly scarred, and parents have lost faith in Chevy trucks, and airbags. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when the air bag warning light indicator illuminated on the instrument panel intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the technician suggested replacement of both air bags sensors under the seats. The failure mileage was 75,000. The current mileage was 76,000. Updated 6/1/10 the consumer stated the light comes on occasionally. Updated 06/07/10
While driving at 65 MPH on the highway, the driver lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a frontal collision. The vehicle went into an embankment. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained injuries. Broken sternum, spine and ribs. The consumer was wearing his seat belt. The sdm crash down load from the crash was sent to odi with pictures of the vehicle. Cw
Truck colided with guard rail. Bounced off, hit vehicle 1, then into vehicle 2 then stopped after hitting vehicle 3 a semi truck. All damage was done to front of the Chevy Silverado. At no time did the airbags deploy. Silverado was determined to be totaled due to the excessive damage on the front. Airbags should have deployed during one of the impacts.
Air bags did not inflate with a front end crash that pushed the motor in the dash. Son received head injuries would like to know what you are going to do about this. Pickup was a total loss. Frame was bent. Our attorney would like to push this but I would like to know what you will do for us first. I have pictures if you would like to see them.
Airbag complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Silverado airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, though it has 6 recalls for other components. 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 77% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 15 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries and 1 death to air bags 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.