Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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!
Upon parking, had slight difficulty placing vehicle into park gear position on very slight incline in driveway of home. Stepped out of vehicle, returned a few minutes later to find vehicle had rolled into pole. Attempted to start vehicle, but would not start, tried to put vehicle in neutral, and column shift was very loose. Applied parking brake and contacted dealer for tow next morning. Dealership determined the shift cable had broken, replaced with new shift cable. Only explanation offered was plastic sheath had cracked allowing cable to kink, they stated initially it sometimes happens, but they did not explain why. I am very concerned that if vehicle were parked on street on a slight grade it would have rolled downhill possible causing damage or injuring someone.
My 2003 Chevy Silverado goes into gear with out pressing on the brake, also the truck will go into gear with out the keys in the ignition. The e-brake is also defective, the e-brake does not hold the truck. My 2 yrs old son was sitting in the truck on 9/20/2011 when the truck went into gear. I live on a incline my truck rolled down the hill while I was chasing the truck on foot, the truck finally came to a stop when it hit a 98 Toyota tacoma which was parked in the drive way across the street. The e-brake was set , the keys were not in the truck, the truck was not running! My son could have killed himself or someone else due to the fact the truck is not safe!
When coming up to an intersection, the truck failed to come to a complete stop, in dry conditions, with ample stopping distance. The truck was revving at a high RPM, and continued to push forward with the brake pedal pushed as hard as possible. This resulted in a rolling collision. Vehicle finally stopped when shifted into park. Immediately called dealership, and GM. After 2 days in the dealership they stated nothing is wrong, and will not investigate any further. I will not drive the vehicle any longer after this scary incident.
General motors have a faulty neutral safety shift switch on their Silverado 1500 1/2 ton pickups that May lead to failure and cause the truck to burn. I have brought this to the attention of general motors but they ignored me. My truck burned and we put it out. I see others that have burned and I bet the neutral safety switch is what started it. If you were to investigate how many 03 (maybe newer maybe older) have burned you will find the cause in this switch.
1. Poor ride, vibration, while driving at various speeds. Mostly between 35 to 50 MPH. Had the problem with "stock" tires. Replaced with after market tires, slightly larger. Still had annoying vibration. To a point that I do not like to drive the vehicle! 2. Fuel economy sucks! I "upgraded" from my '92 GMC pickup which gave me 12 to 14 mpg around town to 15 to 18 mpg on a trip; to my "new" chev. Which is good for about 9.5 to 9.8 mpg around town and the best ever, on a trip was 13.4 mpg!!! 3. The bench-type seat is not adjustable to remove the "vee" feeling when driving. 4. The self-darkening mirrors are a hazard when trying to backup or change lanes! 5. The passenger front seatbelt locksup and can't be freed unless you unbuckle and reattach the belt, only to have it lockup again! …
1to2 gear slamming,within 900 miles,engine light on at 800 miles,change oil message at 740 miles,ABS light on at about 8000 miles,7500 miles would not start,poor brake performance,extended cab pass. Door squeaking loudly,bose sound speaker rattling,tail light squeaking,2-3 upshift very abrupt and loud,clunky like the transmission is falling out,turn signal right flashers will come on sometimes until you cancel the turn signal,rear bumper rusting out,truck will sometimes roll 2-4 inches when first started,Chevrolet refused this truck on a lemon law buyback ,they installed a software download for late upshift,not much help,they replaced the crank pos. …
I own a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab short box z71 4x4 pick up truck. It has the 4 speed automatic with overdrive transmission. I have a consistant shifting driveline clunk that only occurs when the transmission upshifts from 2nd to 3rd gear and then downshifts from 3rd to 2nd gear. I have had this vehicle back to the Chevrolet dealer three times so far concerning this issue. All I get is the usual GM runaround that this problem is a normal condition and no repairs should be attempted according to the TSB related to this condition. I have owned other GM vehicles in the past, and I have never had of any of them bang or clunk from the transmission when shifting gears automatically. They claim that it is some type of a momentary torque reversal problem when that particular shift occurs that causes the clunking and or banging condition in their transmission. …
We all need to contact GM at www.Chevrolet.com and complain. I purchased my 2003 Chevy 2500 hd in nov. 2005. It had 32000 miles on it. The warranty ran out at 36000 and when I hit 38000 miles the problems started. The electrical system started acting up. I had went to leave and everything was dead no power at all. I would jump it and then it was fine for the first couple of times. The last time I jumped it, it cranked but I had no power it wouldn't move in drive or reverse and all the gauges went crazy. I disconnected the battery waited a minute and reconnected it and everything was working fine again. A week later the speed odometer went crazy and wouldn't go back to zero. Now starting a few weeks ago the drive train is making a loud clanking noise and the rear wheels are wanting to lock up when I try to start off. …
2003 and up Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4.8l automatic I found I am able to shift the transmission out of park without the engine running and with the key in the accessory position. This is from no key inserted to inserting key and rotating to the accessory without going to the run or start positions. This can be done without depressing the brake pedal. This has also been verified on numerous 2003, 2004 and 2005 silverados with automatic transmission but unknown engines at several dealerships. I was told everytime this is normal operation but was unknown to them prior to me bringing the problem up to them. This problem is consistent and occurs everytime attempted. Possible scenerio involves children in the vehicle with the key set to the accesory position to permit the radio to play while the driver exits to perform some task. …
Transmission complaints in other Silverado years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado?
NHTSA has 81 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 12% of the model year's 695 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Chevrolet Silverado transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 7,000 miles, and 82% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.