Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (2003)

2,092 consumer complaints on file.

#10659278November 19, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE LOOKING AT MY TRUCK AFTER GETTING IT BACK FROM THE SHOP GETTING ALL 4 OF THE BRAKE LINES REPLACED, I NOTICED THE FUEL LINES ARE LEAKING AND EXTREMELY CORRODED. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A CHEVY LOVER, AND THIS IS MY FIRST NICE VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. BOUGHT USED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. SO FAR WE HAVE NOTICED THAT JUST ABOUT EVERY RECALL FROM THE PAST WAS NEVER FIXED ON OUR TRUCK, SO WE HAD TO SHELL OUT ALMOST $900 TO REPLACE THE BRAKE LINES FRONT TO BACK. NOW THE FUEL LINES, THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS LOOSE, THESE ARE ALL RECALLS FROM THE PAST. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO PUT A TIME FRAME ON RECALLS CONSIDERING SOME PEOPLE MAY NEVER FIND OUT TIL IT'S TOO LATE, AND OTHERS MAY NOT FIND OUT TIL SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10655371November 17, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10655286November 16, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN TOWN AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE BRAKE LINE BROKE AND THERE WERE NO BRAKES. I SWERVED TO MISS THE CAR INFRONT OF ME BUT HIT HER PASSENGER SIDE REAR. SHE IN TURN HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10655008November 14, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING ON A COUNTY ROAD GOING 30 MPH WHEN A CAR PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME I HIT THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. BABIED IT HOME AND LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND BRAKE FLUID DRIPPING IN THE BACK DRIVERS SIDE BACK BY THE FUEL TANK. WE LOOKED AND THE BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED WHICH IS WHAT CAUSE THE LINE TO BREAK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653610November 8, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING THROUGH SUBDIVISION APPROX. 20 MPH I APPLIED BRAKES. PEDAL DROPPED TO FLOOR, SUDDEN LOSS OF BRAKES WITH NO WARNING. BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM DRIVER SIDE LINES REAR OF MODULE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM DUE TO GALVANIC CORROSION. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ?? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653648November 8, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SILVERADO 1500 DOWN A 3 LANE WIDE ROAD IN CONGESTED TRAFFIC UP TO A STOPLIGHT AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 15-45 MPH. I NOTICED THAT MY BREAKS FELT DIFFERENT THAN THEY NORMALLY DID, REQUIRING ME TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET "MODEST" BREAKING, NOT NEARLY THE NORMAL EMERGENCY/QUICK BREAKING ACTION I'M USED TO. AFTER SLOWLY COMING TO A STOP, I NOTICED THAT IF I HELD THE BRAKE PEDAL AT THE SAME PLACE/SAME PRESSURE, THE TRUCK STARTED ROLLING AGAIN! I EVENTUALLY HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER 2 STOPLIGHTS WITH THESE SIMILAR SLOW BRAKING CONDITIONS, THE RED "BRAKE" LIGHT ON THE DASH LIGHT LIT UP AND A MESSAGE OF "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" POPPED UP ON THE DASH PANEL. WITH SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS OF NEARING RUNNING INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, I PULLED OFF THE MAIN HIGHWAY TO A LOCAL MIDAS LOCATION, AND THEIR TECHNICIANS EXAMINED THE TRUCK IN THE PARKING LOT. THE HOOD STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH AND MY FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL. MY FRAME NEAR THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WAS COMPLETELY SOAKED IN BREAK FLUID, AND WHEN WE PRESSED DOWN ON THE BREAKS, WE COULD VISUALLY SEE THE LEAK COMING FROM THE RUSTED THROUGH BREAK LINES. THE SMOKE WAS FROM THE LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, AND COULD HAVE STARTED A FIRE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN RUST DO SO MUCH DAMAGE AND CREATE SUCH A SAFETY HABIT IN MY 13 YEARS OF DRIVING AND MAINTAINING MY VEHICLES. THE STEEL BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY CAKED IN RUST, AND HAD CLEARLY BURST WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANAGER TOLD HE WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ME TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, WITH FEAR TO MY SAFETY. IF I WAS TRAVELING AT A HIGHER SPEED, TOWING A GREATER WEIGHT, OR HAD TO MAKE A QUICKER STOP...I HAVE NO DOUBT IN MY MIND I WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, INJURY OR DEATH DUE TO THIS SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. I HAVE NEVER FELT THIS AFRAID TO DRIVE A MOTOR VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652771November 5, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES FAILED IN 2 PLACES ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DUE TO CORROSION. RUSTED THROUGH UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AND AT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR CALIPER. TRAVELING 40MPH APPLIED BRAKE TO MAKE TURN, INITIAL BRAKE RESISTANCE, THEN PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. REMOVED FOOT AND REAPPLIED PEDAL. ABLE TO MAKE TURN, TESTED UPON STOPPING WITH TWO ADDITIONAL HARD STOPS WHEN GOING LESS THAT 5MPH. BOTH INSTANCES PEDAL HAD RESISTANCE. BACKED INTO DRIVEWAY TO ATTACHED TRAILER, PRESSED PEDAL TO TEST TRAILER LIGHTS, PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND BRAKE LIGHT WARNING ILLUMINATED. LOSS OF FLUID WAS OBSERVED ON THE STREET WHERE 2 ADDITIONAL TESTS TOOK PLACE, MAIN LOSS OF FLUID APPEARED IN DRIVEWAY DURING LIGHT TEST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652921November 5, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
TRAVELING 25 MILES HOME ON INTERSTATE VAN HAD BEEN CUTTING OUT IF I PULL OVER STOP WAIT, CAN RE-START AND GO A WHILE. CANT PREDICT IT SEEMED TO STAY RUNNING IF I WENT FASTER BIG MISTAKE MOVED TO PASS IT QUIT, AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS ALMOST HAD TO GO INTO MEDIUM AFTER YELLING AND WAVING ARMS AND PRAYING I GOT BACK INTO THE RIGHT LANE PULLED OFF ONTO SHOULDER AND WENT TO PIECES. IT THEN STOPPED MORE AND MORE FINALLY GOT HOME AND HAVE NOT TOUCHED IT SINCE. I HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT SIMILAR EVENTS AND IT SEEMS IT IS THE CRANKCASE POSITIONING SENSOR. I AM JUST HAPPY TO BE ALIVE. NEED TO FIX IT AND SELL IT. THANKS FOR LISTENING I AM SENIOR CITIZEN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652019November 3, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AND WENT TO THE FLOOR IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. APPARENTLY THE BRAKE LINES RUPTURED DUE TO BEING RUSTED THROUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10652008November 3, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE TOWING A 6000 LB. TRAILER, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT DOWN NEAR FLOOR. I THOUGHT TRAILER BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. FORTUNATELY I WAS NEAR HOME. NEXT MORNING I NOTICED LARGE POOL OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE TRUCK. I FOUND THAT BADLY RUSTED BRAKE LINES ON THE 2003 SILVERADO WERE LEAKING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651887November 2, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
HAD BEEN DUCK HUNTING WITH MY GRANDSONS PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED BACKING MY TRUCK INTO GARAGE WITH BOAT ATTACHED AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. AT THAT POINT I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. HAD TO PUSH PARKING BRAKE TO STOP TRUCK. WHEN I GOT OUT I SAW PUDDLE OF LIQUID ON DRIVEWAY ( BRAKE FLUID) . I LOOKED UNDER TRUCK AND SAW THAT THE BRAKE LINE UNDER THE DRIVERS FLOOR AREA IS RUSTED AND BLEW OUT. I JUST THANK GOD THAT IT HAPPENED WHEN IT DID AND NOT AS MY GRANDSONS AND I WAS GOING DOWN HIGHWAY. I GOT ON INTERNET AND I SEE THAT THERE IS MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUE WITH BRAKE LINES ON CHEVY TRUCKS. I JUST MUST ASK HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE TO GET HURT OR DIE BEFORE GM FIXES THIS PROBLEM???? I THINK IT IS TIME FOR THEM TO STEP UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS ... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651347October 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO PULLING A TRAILER WHEN A DOG JUMP OUT IN FRONT OF US. HE PUT ON HIS BRAKE BUT HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY. THERE WAS A CAR IN THE OTHER LANE, A DROP OFF ON OUR SIDE OF THE ROAD AND A DOG IN FRONT OF US. WITH GOD'S HELP MY HUSBAND MISSED ALL OF THAT. MY HUSBAND STARTED CHECKING AND FOUND A RUPTURED BRAKE LINE PROBABLY DUE TO THE RUST ISSUE. NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THE COST OF TOWING THE VEHICLE AND REPLACING THE BRAKE LINES - WHICH WON'T BE CHEAP. GM NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651395October 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I DEPRESSED BRAKE PEDAL TO SHIFT THE TRUCK FROM PARK, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR! PUMPING THE BRAKES DID NO GOOD. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND BRAKE FLUID WAS RUNNING DOWN FROM UNDER THE DRIVER'S SEAT AREA. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES COMING OUT OF THE ABS MODULES HAD SPRUNG A LEAK AT THE POINT WHERE IT BENDS OVER THE TOP OF THE FRAME RAIL. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, AN ACCIDENT IS LIKELY, AS THERE WAS NO BRAKE, DESPITE THE DUAL MASTER CYLINDER! ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE OEM FACTORY FORMED BENDS ARE. THE BRAKE LINES ARE ACTUALLY AT THE POINT OF CRUMBLING IN PLACES. TO COUNTER ANY CLAIMS ABOUT SEVERE CORROSION ENVIRONMENT CAUSING THE PROBLEM, CONTRAST THE BRAKE LINES TO THE FUEL LINES ON THIS VEHICLE WHICH HAVE NO TO VERY MINIMAL CORROSION. I ALSO OWN ANOTHER 2003 GM VEHICLE WITH FAR MORE MILES, AND IT ALSO HAS VERY LITTLE BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I HAVE OWNED BOTH THESE VEHICLES FROM NEW, AND THE SILVERADO HAS LESS MILES, AND LESS WINTER SALT EXPOSURE THAN THE OTHER VEHICLE. I HAVE ALSO OWNED OTHER VEHICLES FOR MANY MORE YEARS AND MILES THAN THIS SILVERADO, AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE THE HORRIBLE CRUMBLING OF THIS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE BRAKE LINE MATERIAL USED ON THE SILVERADO. PLEASE NHTSA, TAKE SOME ACTION ON THIS OBVIOUSLY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION CAUSED BY DEFECTIVE MANUFACTURER MATERIALS! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10651034October 29, 2014
ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN BUSY ROAD, FOR NO REASON ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY REDUCED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. CALLED GM. NO RECALLS. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM, NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650702October 28, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I FILED COMPLAINT 10650327 YESTERDAY AFTER LOOSING BRAKING ABILITY BECAUSE OF A BRAKE LINE RUPTURE IN THE SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES OF MY TRUCK. MY TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TODAY THEY TOLD ME THE HYDRAULIC MODULE THE BRAKE LINES CONNECT TO IS CRUMBLING APART WHEN THEY TRY TO UNSCREW THE LINE CONNECTIONS. THEY TOLD ME THE MODULE IS ALUMINUM AND THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE STEEL WHICH IS AN APPARENT DESIGN FAILURE. WHAT APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING IS ACCELERATED DETERIORATION BETWEEN THE TWO METALS CAUSED BY GALVANIC CORROSION. SURELY THIS CONDITION SHOULD HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED DURING ES TESTING IN THE PROTOTYPE STAGES OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND IS A DESIGN FLAW. IT IS A KNOWN FACT THAT STEEL CONNECTED TO ALUMINUM ESPECIALLY IN THE PRESENCE OF WATER OR ESPECIALLY SALT WATER WILL EXPERIENCE RAPID AND ACCELERATED CORROSION AND POTENTIAL FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10650327October 27, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINE RUPTURE AND LOSS OF BRAKES. SEVERELY RUSTED BRAKE LINES, DRIVER SIDE ALONG FRAME AND LEADING TO ABS MODULE ARE SEVERELY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF DELAMINATION CAUSING ABRUPT LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND ANY ABILITY TO STOP. FORTUNATELY THIS RUPTURE HAPPENED WHILE MANEUVERING THE TRUCK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND NOT WHILE ON THE ROAD AS THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649937October 25, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 PULLING A 27 FOOT CAMPER TO A WEEKEND CAMPING DESTINATION ALONG WITH MY FAMILY INCLUDING TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. UPON OUR ARRIVAL AT THE CAMPGROUND, I APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON, AND MY FOOT AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR! I HAD TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING! I BELIEVE THE BRAKES ON MY TRAVEL TRAILER SOMEWHAT AIDED IN SLOWLY BRINGING MY TRUCK TO A STOP AS I PULLED INTO OUR WEEKEND CAMPING DESTINATION. UPON A VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES, THE STEEL BRAKE LINES ARE ENTIRELY COATED WITH RUST THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE TRUCK. THE STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO RUST WHICH CAUSED IMMEDIATE TOTAL LOSS OF MY TRUCKS BRAKING SYSTEM. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT DRIVING IN THE HILLS AT HIGHER SPEEDS WHILE PULLING MY 6000 LB CAMPER DURING OUR ROUTE TO OUR FAMILY CAMPING DESTINATION. I HAD YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR, AND ONE STRAPPED IN A CAR SEAT. THANK GOD THE TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE GOING DOWNHILL WITH PULLING THE CAMPER THROUGH SOME OF THE VERY STEEP HILLS OF SOUTHERN INDIANA! WHEN WILL G.M. ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE DANGEROUS STEEL BRAKE LINES THAT ARE ENTIRELY RUSTING THROUGH? CHILDREN AND MY FAMILY COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY BEEN INJURED OR DIED DURING A WEEKEND CAMPING TRIP DUE TO THIS TOTAL BRAKE LINE FAILURE! AT CURRENT TIME, I HAVE CONTACTED CHEVY DEALERSHIPS, THEY ESTIMATE A COST OF $1500 - $2000 TO REPLACE ALL THE RUSTY BRAKE LINES AND TO MAKE THIS TRUCK SAFE AGAIN! I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THIS TRUCK AND PUT IT BACK INTO A WORKING SAFE DRIVING CONDITION AT THIS TIME. I CAN ONLY EXPRESS MY CONCERNS AND HOPE PEOPLE DO NOT GET INJURED OR DIE FROM A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED BY G.M.S RUSTY BRAKE LINES ON AUTOMOBILES SIMILAR TO MINE. WHY CAN WE NOT GET G.M. TO RECALL THESE FAULTY BRAKE LINES OR PROVIDE SOME ASSISTANCE TO AID WITH REPLACEMENT COST TO MAKE THESE AUTOMOBILES SAFE AGAIN? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10649012October 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT WHEN IT TURNED YELLOW, PRESSED ON THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. TRUCK SLOWED A LITTLE, AND I ENDED UP COASTING THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. LUCKILY THE CROSS TRAFFIC HAD NOT MOVED YET WHEN I WENT THROUGH. GOT THE TRUCK STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WALKED AROUND TO INSPECT, FOUND BRAKE FLUID ON LEFT REAR TIRE AND INSIDE WHEEL WELL. FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM FRAME AND I COULD FEEL THE HOLE IN BRAKE LINE. MADE IT HOME BY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO SLOW AND STOP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648537October 18, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3 OF THE 6 EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAVE BROKEN OFF ON LEFT SIDE ,2 ON THE RIGHT SIDE . I NOW HAVE THE EXHAUST TICKING SOUND AND ON OCCASION GET EXHAUST SMELL INSIDE CAB.I NOTICED THE FIRST BROKEN BOLT AT APPROX 55000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 112000 MILES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10648580October 18, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
CORRODED BRAKE LINE FAILED. COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. NO BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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