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2003 Chevrolet Silverado recalls, complaints and safety ratings

There are 6 US recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, and 8 in Canada. Owners filed 695 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes, hydraulic.

6US recalls
0urgent recalls
695owner complaints
–overall crash rating

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Check by VIN to confirm the exact model and see every recall for it.

Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.

US recalls (6)

Parking brake

2005-04-22 · campaign 05V161000 · 90,242 vehicles

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND BUILT WITH EITHER PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS OR TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEMS, THE PARKING BRAKE FRICTION LININGS MAY WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.

Risk and remedy

Risk: IF THE PARKING BRAKE DOES NOT HOLD, UNINTENDED VEHICLE MOVEMENT COULD OCCUR, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING CLIP RETAINER FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM. ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REDESIGNED PARKING BRAKE CABLE ASSEMBLY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 29, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Seat belts: rear/other

2005-04-22 · campaign 05V163000 · 1,359,824 vehicles

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Risk and remedy

Risk: A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Seat belts: front, anchorage

2004-05-11 · campaign 04V225000 · 736 vehicles

CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS.' THESE VEHICLES HAVE ONE SEATING POSITION, THE CENTER REAR SEAT, EQUIPPED WITH CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES.

Risk and remedy

Risk: THE STANDARD REQUIRES CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN TWO SEATING POSITIONS FOR VEHICLES WITH THREE REAR SEATING POSITIONS. THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES, WHICH ONLY HAVE FRONT SEATING POSITIONS, HAVE AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO DISABLE THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG AND DO NOT HAVE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. THE STANDARD REQUIRES PASSENGER SEAT CHILD SEAT LOWER ANCHORAGES IN VEHICLES WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH. HOWEVER, THE STANDARD DOES NOT REQUIRE VEHICLES WITH ONLY FRONT SEATING POSITIONS TO HAVE LOWER ANCHORAGE PROVISIONS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN AIR BAG OFF SWITCH.

Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THEN INSTALL A COVER OVER THE RESULTING OPENING. THE SUN VISOR LABEL AND OWNER'S MANUAL WILL ALSO BE CHANGED. THE CORRECTION FOR THE EXTENDED CAB VEHICLE WILL CONSIST OF CHANGING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT TO A SEAT THAT HAS CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER ANCHORAGES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Structure: body, tailgate

2004-03-17 · campaign 04V129000 · 3,662,211 vehicles

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE GALVANIZED STEEL TAILGATE SUPPORT CABLES THAT RETAIN THE TAILGATE IN THE FULL OPEN (HORIZONTAL) POSITION MAY CORRODE, WEAKEN, AND EVENTUALLY FRACTURE. IF BOTH CABLES FRACTURED, THE TAILGATE WOULD SUDDENLY DROP AND STRIKE THE TOP SURFACE OF THE REAR BUMPER.

Risk and remedy

Risk: ANYONE SITTING OR STANDING ON THE HORIZONTAL SURFACE OF THE TAILGATE WHEN BOTH CABLES FRACTURED COULD BE INJURED BY FALLING FROM THE TAILGATE. ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THE BUMPER REMOVED, THE TAILGATE MAY DROP EVEN LOWER. ADDITIONALLY, IF THERE IS CARGO ON THE TAILGATE THE CARGO MAY FALL OFF IF THE SUPPORT CABLES FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CABLES. INTERIM OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 7, 20004. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 24, 2004, WHEN REPLACEMENT PARTS WERE AVAILABLE, AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH OCTOBER 29, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR VISIT WWW.MYGMLINK.COM, AND ENTER YOUR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

Service brakes, hydraulic

2004-02-04 · campaign 04V045000 · 68,875 vehicles

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Risk and remedy

Risk: CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Visibility: windshield

2003-01-23 · campaign 03V018000 · 110 vehicles

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING." SOME OF THESE VEHICLES LACK A CONTINUOUS URETHANE BONDING BEAD BETWEEN THE BODY SURFACE AND THE WINDSHIELD.

Risk and remedy

Risk: IN VEHICLES WITH THIS CONDITION, THE WINDSHIELD MAY NOT BE RETAINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SAFETY STANDARD DURING A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE, RESEAL, AND REINSTALL THE WINDSHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Canadian recalls (8)

Show 8 Canadian recalls

Heater and defroster

2011-02-21 · campaign 2011-074

On certain vehicles, the interface between the electrical terminals of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) blower relay resistor module and the wiring connector (which powers the module) may be incapable of conducting higher current levels for sustained periods of operation. In addition, moisture and other contaminants (such as road de-icing materials) may enter the fresh air intake plenum and contact the internal circuit of the module or corrode the terminals. These conditions may cause the relay resistor module or wiring connector to overheat, causing various symptoms such as: the HVAC blower may not function on certain or all blower speed settings; a burning-plastic smell or smoke may be present in the vehicle, or; the HVAC blower may run continually with the ignition in the OFF position. These warning signs could, in certain instances, be leading indicators of an impending vehicle fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Owners will be provided with additional warranty coverage for the blower motor resistor module/wiring connector overheating condition. Under this "special warranty coverage", should this condition occur within 10 years or 240,000 km from first vehicle registration, dealers will install a replacement blower motor resistor and resistor module connector.

Seats and restraints

2005-04-25 · campaign 2005-119

On certain vehicles, the 2nd row centre occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants. A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow unfavourable occupant kinetics in the event of a crash. Moreover, the higher routing allows the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the guide loop.

Brakes

2005-04-22 · campaign 2005-116

On certain 1999-2002 1500 series and 2001-2005 2500 & 3500 series trucks equipped with a manual transmission, the parking brake friction lining may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle. Correction: Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer on vehicles equipped with PBR parking brake system and install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly on vehicle equipped with a TRW parking brake system.

Other

2004-03-18 · campaign 2004-102

On certain vehicles, the galvanized-braided-steel tailgate support cables used to support the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position can corrode over time and fracture when loads are applied to them. Tailgate support cable corrosion may not be visible because of the plastic sheathing covering the cable. If one cable fractured, the remaining cable may retain the tailgate in a horizontal position. If the remaining cable was weakened by corrosion, it could fracture within moments of the first cable fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop approximately 10 degrees and strike the top surface of the rear bumper. If anyone is sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fracture, they could fall and be injured. On vehicles without a rear bumper, the tailgate may drop to a lower position. Correction: Dealers will replace the existing galvanized support cables with stainless steel support cables.

Brakes

2004-01-29 · campaign 2004-037

On certain vehicles, the relief valve o-ring seal within the brake hydro-boost module could fail. If this happens during braking applications, the driver may be able to hear an engine compartment noise similar to the sound that occurs when the steering wheel is turned to a full stop position. The driver could also experience a slight increase in steering efforts while braking and parking. Under certain driving conditions, a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort may be required to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seal failure. Correction: Dealers will inspect the hydro-boost module, and replace it, if necessary.

Visual system

2003-11-26 · campaign 2003-294

Certain vehicles do not comply with either CMVSS 105, or CMVSS 135. The red brake warning indicator will not be illuminated while the ABS is modulating the front brakes. Correction: Since this does not pose any safety risk, no corrective action is required.

Label

2003-03-17 · campaign 2003-063

On certain vehicles, the following statements were omitted from the SIR caution label: "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front" for the vehicles without an air bag switch or "Never put a rear-facing child seat in the front unless air bag is off" for vehicles with an air bag switch and "Sit far back as possible from the air bag". The statements are printed in the Owner's Manual. Correction: None required as instructions are in the owners manual and this is well known by the public.

Other

2003-01-24 · campaign 2003-016 · 7 vehicles

Certain vehicles fail to conform to CMVSS 212 - Windshield Mounting. These vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield. In vehicles with this condition, the windshield may not be retained in accordance with safety standard during a crash. Correction: Dealer will remove, reseal and reinstall the windshield.

Owner complaints (695)

Owners filed 695 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado (42 crashes, 11 fires, 26 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 35 model years of this model, it ranks #5 for the most complaints (median 76).

Most-reported problemComplaints
Service brakes, hydraulic130
Service brakes124
Electrical system116
Power train81
Steering80
Vehicle speed control29
Suspension28
Tires27

Crash test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado.

VersionOverallFrontalSideRollover
2003 Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab–––3★
2003 Chevrolet Silverado 4-DR––––

Fuel economy

EPA ratings for each 2003 Chevrolet Silverado version.

VersionCity MPGHighway MPGCombinedYearly fuel cost
Silverado 1500 2WD 4.3 L Automatic 4-spd141916$4,200
Silverado 1500 2WD 4.3 L Manual 5-spd141916$4,200
Silverado 1500 2WD 4.8 L Automatic 4-spd141815$4,450
Silverado 1500 2WD 4.8 L Manual 5-spd141916$4,200
Silverado 1500 2WD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd131715$4,450
Silverado 1500 2WD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd131815$4,450
Silverado 1500 4WD 4.3 L Automatic 4-spd131714$4,800
Silverado 1500 4WD 4.3 L Manual 5-spd131714$4,800
Silverado 1500 4WD 4.8 L Automatic 4-spd131614$4,800
Silverado 1500 4WD 4.8 L Manual 5-spd131714$4,800
Silverado 1500 4WD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd131614$4,800
Silverado 1500 4WD 5.3 L Automatic 4-spd121614$4,800
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Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada). Recalls updated 2026-10-29.