Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (2003)
2,092 consumer complaints on file.
- #10471244August 17, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A STOP, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM ACTIVATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE FINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470877August 16, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD NOT REMOVE THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CRADLE UNDERNEATH THE TRUCK AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE SAFETY LATCH IN ORDER TO DROP IT DOWN. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470639August 14, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
SEVERE CORROSION ON ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES - VERY CLOSE TO RUSTING THROUGH AT LEFT REAR CALIPER TO AXLE MOUNT AND ALONG SIDE RAIL OF FRAME. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470351August 13, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOOR BOARD; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND TWO OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470450August 13, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS SLOWING IN TRAFFIC TO STOP AT A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WHEN APPLIED. I PASSED THE RED LIGHT AND MY TRUCK CAME TO A STOP IN THE INTERSECTION WHEN I THROUGH IT INTO PARK AND APPLIED EMERGENCY BRAKE. I NARROWLY MISSED A MOTORCYCLIST THAT WAS LEGALLY PASSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. THE BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. THIS REQUIRES A RECALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470475August 13, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND MAKE A TURN, THE PEDAL WENT SLOWLY TO THE FLOOR. I DROVE SLOWLY HOME AS I WAS ONLY A FEW HUNDRED YARDS FROM HOME. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES, I FOUND WHERE ONE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND WAS LEAKING FLUID. ALL THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470306August 12, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I BACKED INTO A TREE BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP. BENT MY BUMPER INTO THE FENDER. UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THE METAL BRAKE TUBE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE REAR HAD FAILED AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID DRAINED OUT. IT LOOKS AS IF THE HOSE RUSTED THROUGH. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I FOUND MANY OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES RUSTED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470080August 10, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
COMING TO A STOP AT THE BOTTOM OF A HILL AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO STOP BEFORE I WENT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MADE IT TO A REPAIR SHOP BARELY, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE. MECHANIC FIX THE ONE THAT BROKE BUT SAID THE OTHERS ARE ABOUT TO GO ANY TIME . NOW I'M DRIVING WITH THE FEAR OF MY BRAKES GOING AT ANY TIME BECAUSE OF $900.00 REPAIR THAT IS NEEDED.*TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10470133August 10, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
ON 6/28/2012, ENCOUNTERED NO BRAKING CONDITION WHILE DRIVING AT 25-40 MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO CHEVY DEALER WHO DISCOVERED ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WAS HEAVILY RUSTED AND HAD BURST. NEW LINE INSTALLED. ON 8/10/2012 SAME CONDITION OCCURRED TO ANOTHER BRAKELINE. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND ALL LINES HEAVILY CORRODED AND NEED REPLACEMENT EXCEPT FOR THE ONE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469566August 7, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, SUSPENSION
THE UNDER SIDE OF TRUCK IS RUSTING OUT. ALL THE CALIPERS, BRAKE LINES, AND FUEL LINES ARE RUSTED BADLY. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE TWO BRAKE LINES ALREADY. ALSO THE FRAME IS RUSTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469359August 6, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES WENT TO FLOOR WHEN DESCENDING HILL TO HOUSE. UNABLE TO STOP MY WIFE DOWN SHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR TO TRY TO SLOW TRUCK DOWN BUT STILL COULD NOT GET IT TO SLOW DOWN. END OF ROAD IS CUL-DA-SEC (LUCK IT WAS EARLY MORNING AND KIDS WEREN'T OUT PLAYING YET) WITH A WALKING TRAIL TO WOODS AT THE END. SHE FIGURED THAT WAS BEST WAY TO SLOW IT DOWN SO AIMED TOWARDS TRAIL. AFTER ENTERING THE WOODS 75 FEET THE TRUCK FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS NOT HURT AND ALSO THE TRUCK WAS NOT DAMAGED, BUT NOW MY WIFE IS AFRAID TO USE THE TRUCK. MECHANIC TOLD ME BRAKE AND FUEL LINES ARE NO LONGER STAINLESS STEEL. WHO'S BRIGHT IDEA WAS IT AT GM TO CUT COST BY MAKING THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES NOT BE STAINLESS STEEL. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF LINES NOT BEING STAINLESS AND SHAME ON ANY SAFETY INDUSTRY PERSONAL THAT DECIDED THIS WAS OK. I WOULD GLADLY PAY THE EXTRA $20 ON TRUCK COST TO HAVE IT STAINLESS. HERE IN THE NEW ENGLAND AREA THEY USE SALT ON THE ROADS DURING THE WINTER AND EVEN IF I RINSED OFF THE TRUCK EVERY DAY IT WOULD STILL CORRODE OUT THE LINES. GM GOT LUCK WITH THIS ONE THAT NO ONE WAS HURT, THEY OFFER RECALLS FOR OTHER ITEMS WHICH ARE WASTEFUL, BUT FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS THEY DON'T. I HAVE BEEN A GM OWNER FOR A LONG TIME BUT IF GM IS GOING TO TAKE RISKS WITH ME AND MY FAMILIES LIFE, THIS MAYBE THE LAST GM PRODUCT I OWN. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469379August 6, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 HD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS INOPERABLE AND THE PLASTIC WIRES THAT CAME FROM THE UNIT WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPEATED THOSE SENTIMENTS. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469160August 4, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
AS I WAS DRIVING AND WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE, MY FOOT WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS NO BRAKE APPLICATION, I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE AND PUT THE GEAR SELECTOR IN THE LOWEST GEAR TO SLOW AND STOP THE TRUCK. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A TRAFFIC LIGHT, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY IN FRONT OF ME, THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND LEVEL, WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE OPTIMAL AND THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AT THE INTERSECTION. I HAD MY WIFE AND 16 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, WHICH MOST DRIVERS MAY NOT HAVE HAD THE QUICK THOUGHT TO REACT THE WAY I DID AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. UPON INSPECTION ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT APPEARED THAT THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THIS TURNED OUT TO BE A ROTTED BRAKELINE IN A SPOT NOT VISIBLE TO INSPECTION. THE BRAKE LINE WAS THE ONE THAT RUNS FROM THE ABS DITRIBUTION/CONTROL UNIT TO THE REAR OF THE TRUCK; AN ALMOST 12 FOOT LINE. IT ROTTED OUT WHERE THE LINE RUNS ALONG THE LEFT FRAME RAIL, ABOVE THE FUEL TANK. UPON DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH MY TYPE OF VEHICLE AND UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA. I AM NOT SURE WHY GM DID NOT USE STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE BRAKE LINES ON THESE TRUCKS OR HAS NOT ISSUES A WARNING TO OWNERS OR OFFERED TO REP[LACE THE LINES AT THEIR EXPENSE. THIS IS A TRULY UNSAFE SITUATION! STAINLESS STEEL COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURE FOR A MINIMAL EXPENSE AND PASSED ON TO THE CONSUMER. AFTER ALL THEY USED STAINLESS STEEL FOR THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM....WHY NOT THE BRAKE LINES? *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10469060August 3, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AND ENTERING A GARAGE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED WITH RUST. THE CONTACT OWNED A REPAIR SHOP AND REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES THAT LED TO THE PROPORTIONING VALVES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,273. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. UPDATED 09/05/12*LJ UPDATED 09/10/2012 *JS *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468983August 2, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES FAILED BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES TO THE FRONT WHEELS ROTTED AND BURST. ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE ROTTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468743July 31, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A LOCAL 2-LANE HIGHWAY, HIT THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN FOR A CAR THAT MOVED INTO MY LANE, PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I ALMOST REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET A RECALL? DOES A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK NEED TO GET KILLED BEFORE SOMEONE DOES THE RESPONSIBLE THING? BRAKE LINES RUN AROUND $1500 TO REPLACE. IT LOOKS LIKE THE LINE IN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT BURST. IN REVIEWING THIS ONLINE, I SEE MANY MANY MANY MANY CHEVY OWNERS ARE HAVING HE SAME PROBLEM. NEVER GM AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENED TO PRIDE AND QUALITY IN AMERICAN MANUFACTURING? IT'S A SHAME, MY TOYOTA AND INFINITI DO NOT HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468337July 30, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35MPH, AND WENT TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I HAD NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE MALFUNCTIONING. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WENT ON AFTER THE BRAKES FAILED. *TR WENT UNDER THE TRUCK, AND NOTICED ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED. IN THE PROCESS OF CALLING A MECHANIC TO FIX THE LINES. BUT WENT ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL, NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. VERY LUCKY ONLY PERSON ON ROAD, AND DID NOT INJURE MYSELF OR OTHERS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10468371July 30, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
IN DRIVEWAY PUT FOOT ON BRAKE AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. FOUND REAR BRAKE LINE HAS LEAK IN SECTION BEHIND FUEL TANK. INSPECTED OTHER FOUR LINES GOING INTO ABS UNIT AND FOUND THOSE LINES RUSTED BADLY ALSO. NOTED UNDERCARRIAGE HAS LOTS OF RUST EVERYWHERE. FUEL LINES ALSO VERY RUSTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467945July 27, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
EVERYTHING RELATED TO MY TRUCK'S BRAKES SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE. I HAD JUST DRIVEN THE TRUCK ~100 HIGHWAY MILES WITHOUT INCIDENT. AFTER REACHING MY DESTINATION, I BACKED MY TRUCK UP AND HITCHED MY BOAT TRAILER TO IT. THE TRUCK BRAKES WORKED FINE AS I MANEUVERED THE TRUCK TO ALIGN IT WITH THE TRAILER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY IMMINENT FAILURE - NOTHING ON THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS AND THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD A NORMAL FEEL TO IT. AS I BEGAN TO PULL AWAY WITH MY BOAT IN TOW AND PREPARED TO TURN, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED - NO WARNING LIGHT AND ABSOLUTELY 100% LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. I QUICKLY PLACED THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND THE DRAG OF THE TRAILER ACROSS THE LAWN SLOWED THE TRUCK ENOUGH THAT I WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. AFTER OPENING THE HOOD, I NOTICED THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. I ADDED 12 OUNCES OF THE APPROPRIATE BRAKE FLUID, RESTARTED THE TRUCK, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL WENT TO THE FLOOR. MY WIFE, WHO WAS STANDING ALONGSIDE THE TRUCK (SHE WAS BEHIND IT AS I BACKED UP - THANK GOD THE BRAKES DIDN'T FAIL AT THAT POINT), NOTICED A STREAM OF BRAKE FLUID COMING FROM UNDER THE TRUCK AND NEAR THE FIREWALL. I CALLED AAA AND HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A LOCAL AAA APPROVED SERVICE CENTER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT MY BRAKES LINES WERE LEAKING, SEVERELY CORRODED THROUGHOUT, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK IS STILL IN THE SHOP. I'M SAVING THE BILL AND ALL OF THE RELATED PARTS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY INCONVENIENCED - NOT HURT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10467727July 25, 2012SERVICE BRAKES
SEVERE CORROSION LEAD TO A BRAKE LINE FAILURE AND SUBSEQUENT INABILITY TO STOP. BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED WAY BEFORE THEY SHOULD HAVE, AND MUCH MORE THAN THE FUEL AND STEERING LINES. THE LINE LEADING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS UNIT WAS THE ONE THAT FAILED, BUT ALL ARE SHOWING SEVERE CORROSION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0