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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Silverado 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

695Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
20Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
68Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes280 complaints

280 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V045000, 05V161000.

Electrical System121 complaints

121 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering85 complaints

85 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train84 complaints

84 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control29 complaints

29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System27 complaints

27 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility22 complaints

22 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V018000.

Air Bags21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V129000.

Equipment13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts10 complaints

10 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V225000, 05V163000.

Lighting10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V018000Reported January 23, 2003 - 110 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on January 23, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 110 vehicles across all affected models.

04V045000Reported February 4, 2004 - 68,875 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on February 4, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 68,875 vehicles across all affected models.

04V129000Reported March 17, 2004 - 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 17, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 3,662,211 vehicles across all affected models.

04V225000Reported May 11, 2004 - 736 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on May 11, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 736 vehicles across all affected models.

05V161000Reported April 22, 2005 - 90,242 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 90,242 vehicles across all affected models.

05V163000Reported April 22, 2005 - 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 1,359,824 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04005Opened February 19, 2004 - Closed September 28, 2004

TAILGATE CABLE BREAKAGE. Resulted in recall campaign 04E067000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

EA11001Opened January 5, 2011 - Closed April 8, 2015

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11001Opened January 5, 2011 - Closed April 8, 2015

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03057Opened December 8, 2003 - Closed April 9, 2004

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20024
200386
2004132
2005109
200668
200751
200821
20096
201021
201125
201249
201339
201456
201523
20165
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.