Chevrolet Silverado Complaints (2003)

2,092 consumer complaints on file.

#10426327September 19, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. IN JULY 2008, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR ROTORS WERE COVERED WITH RUST CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE REAR ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED. IN SEPTEMBER 2011, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE IN THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE ROTORS WERE RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,451. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,120. UPDATED 10/21/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INNER BRAKE PADS WERE DESTROYED BY RUST, BUT THE OUTER PADS WERE STILL LIKE NEW. UPDATED 01/03/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425879September 17, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WAS DRIVING ON MY COUNTRY BACK ROAD AROUND 35 MPH AND THE BRAKES WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR WHEN I ENTERED A 4 WAY INTERSECTION LUCKILY NO ONE WAS GOING THRU AT THE TIME COULDNT STOP.BRAKE LINE BLEW FLUID UNDER TRUCK COULDNT BELIEVE THE LINES ARE TOTALLY ROTTED OUT,GM COULD NOT USE STAINLESS LINES THIS COULD OF BEEN TRAGIC THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE WITH THESE TRUCKS SOMEONE HAS TO PROTECT THE PUPLIC HERE WE NEED HELP.HEY WE WERE THERE FOR THEM DURING THE BAILOUT NOW THEY CAN HELP US OUT WE NEED A RECALL AND GIVE US WHAT WE PAID FOR.I NO THEY ARE LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUES WITH THE RUSTED BRAKE LINES WE JUST NEED SOMEONE TO ACT UPON THESE ISSUES I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE FOR SAFTEY REASONS. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425713September 16, 2011
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:FAN/MOTOR, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION ON LOW SETTINGS AND THERE WERE STRONG FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VENTS. THERE WAS VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR CORROSION ON THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND HVAC BLOWER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE INDICATED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425689September 15, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
VEHICLE STOPPED WHILE WAITING FOR FUEL PUMP. PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL, AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DURING FILL-UP, INSPECTED UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW FLUID DRIPPING FROM FRONT END. IDENTIFIED LIQUID AS BRAKE FLUID. REAR BRAKES STILL FUNCTIONED MINIMALLY. TOOK INTO MECHANIC. FRONT BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED. NEARLY ENTIRE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. AT MECHANIC'S SUGGESTION BASED ON SAFETY, REPLACED ALL BRAKE LINES -- $2100 (APPROX $300 PARTS, $1700 LABOR). MECHANIC APPLIED UNDERCOAT SPRAY TO BRAKE LINE AS RUST PROTECTION. I KEPT A SECTION OF BRAKE LINE. NOTE: PREVIOUSLY OWNED 1991 CHEVROLET C1500 HAD SIMILAR FAILURE ON THE BRAKE LINES AROUND THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425542September 15, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
THE BRAKE LINES ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN OUT AND MAKE THE BRAKES INOPERATIVE. THE BRAKE LINES ARE CONSTRUCTED OF STEEL TUBING, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN STAINLESS STEEL TO AVOID RUSTING. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. I TOTALLY DISAGREE. THESE LINES SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH LONGER. I HAVE OWNED MANY CARS WHICH HAVE BEEN MANY YEARS OLDER AND HAVE HAD MORE THAN TWICE THE NUMBER OF MILES ON THEM. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING BEFORE. *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425378September 14, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY DECELERATE, INCREASING STOPPING DISTANCE AND TIME. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED SPORADICALLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS REPLACED. THE BRAKE LINE WAS ALSO REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424726September 12, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THEY MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO EXTEND TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE BLOW OUT WAS DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT DEALER DID REPLACE THE BRAKE LINE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 2/28/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10425029September 12, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES WHEN THEY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MASSIVE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,700.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424647September 11, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE SUBURBAN WOULD STALL WHILE WAITING IN DRIVE THRU LINES. SEVERAL TIMES. DIES WHILE IN GEAR, PUT IN PARK AND WOULD THEN START UP. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I KNEW I HAD GOTTEN A BAD TANK OF GAS, 2 MONTHS EARLIER. SO WE TRIED FUEL INJECTIONS, ETC... THE SUBURBAN WOULD DIE AND WOULD BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY DECIDED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL MODULE. $800 LATER AND IT WAS STILL HAPPENING. THE DEALER WAS DRIVING MY CAR MORE THAN I. PUTTING MILES ON THE CAR AND GMC DECIDED I HAD TOO MANY MILES ON THE VEHICLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW, IT DIES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ONE YEAR LATER AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NO ONE HAS FIGURED IT OUT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND MOSTLY DISSATISFIED THAT I SPENT 45K ON A VEHICLE AND THEN WHEN IT FAILS NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. THEY JUST WANT YOU TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424576September 10, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. PEDAL JUST WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE WARNING SYSTEM DID NOT COME ON UNTIL THE TRUCK WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINES SHOWS THAT THEY ARE RUSTED, ESPECIALLY AT THE POINTS WHERE THE CLIPS HOLD THEM TO THE FRAME. THERE APPEARS TO BE LEAKS IN MULTIPLE SPOTS WITH NO PRIOR INDICATION (SPOTS UNDER THE VEHICLE) OF ANY PROBLEM. I JUST HAD IT INSPECTED A WEEK PRIOR AND IT PASSED. I ALSO OWN A 1998 TOYOTA CAMRAY WITH 250K + MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424422September 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PEDAL ACTUATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PEDAL WAS REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL, AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424949September 9, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON SEPTEMBER 4, 2011, I EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION. ALSO, I WAS ACCOMPANIED IN THE VEHICLE BY 10 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER. I HAD TO STEER MY VEHICLE AWAY FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS I WAS UNABLE TO STOP AT THE INTERSECTION DUE TO THE LACK OF EFFECTIVE BRAKE ASSISTANCE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR DASH ILLUMINATION TO INDICATE THAT THERE WAS A BRAKE ISSUE. THANKFULLY, A TRAGIC ACCIDENT INVOLVING INJURY OR DEATH WAS AVOIDED. ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2011, I CONTACTED CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER. I INFORMED CUSTOMER SERVICE OF THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE. AT THIS TIME I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE NUMBER (71984021797) AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC SERVICE CONDUCTED BY A LOCAL CHEVROLET SERVICE GARAGE. ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2011, A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON MY TRUCK AND THE RESULTS OF THE INSPECTION WERE RELAYED TO CHEVROLET CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. LATER THAT DAY, I SPOKE WITH CUSTOMER SERVICE AND I WAS INFORMED THAT THE INSPECTION REVEALED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES WERE ROTTED AND CORRODED. SHE FURTHER STATED THE TRUCK WAS IN GOOD CONDITION WITH LOW MILEAGE AND THAT WOULD MAKE IT AN EXCELLENT CASE FOR REPAIR ASSISTANCE. SHE FORWARDED THIS INFORMATION TO A HIGHER DEPT. AND THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED THE FOLLOWING DAY. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2011, I WAS CONTACTED BY CUSTOMER SERVICE . THEY INFORMED THAT CHEVROLET DETERMINED THAT THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN. SHE FURTHER STATED THAT BRAKE LINES ARE A WEAR ITEM. I REMINDED HER THAT BRAKE LINES ARE NOT A WEAR ITEM AND THEY DONT FALL WITHIN THE CATEGORY OF TIRES, ROTORS, AND BRAKE PADS. I THAN ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR SO I COULD BETTER UNDERSTAND THE BASIS OF THE DECISION TO NOT PROVIDE REPAIR ASSISTANCE. AT THIS POINT, CUSTOMER SERVICE LAUGHED AT ME AND SAID THEY WOULD TELL ME THE SAME THING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424362September 8, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE RUNNING TO THE REAR RUPTURED UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR AND ALL BRAKING WAS IMMEDIATELY LOST TO THE VEHICLE. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE WAS BY USE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424383September 8, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES FAILED ON MY 2003 SILVERADO 2500 HD DUE TO BRAKE LINE CORROSION. I PURCHASED THE TRUCK NEW IN SEPTEMBER 2002. LUCKILY, MY SON, WHO WAS DRIVING, HAD JUST PULLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN SAFELY HOME. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER IN WINCHESTER, KENTUCKY, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CORRODED BRAKE LINES AND REPLACED THEM. I FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE SAME PROBLEM VIA GOOGLE SEARCH AND THE NHTSA INCIDENT EA11-001, WHICH DESCRIBES THE SAME SYMPTOMS I EXPERIENCED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424323September 8, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500 HD. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN IT WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ALSO DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING WHEN HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES WERE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,900. UPDATED10/13/11 *BF UPDATED11/07/11*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10424185September 7, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES BECAME PREVALENT INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. UPON INSPECTION OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM IT WAS DETERMINED 5 OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD PREMATURELY FAILED ALLOWING EXHAUST GAS TO ESCAPE FROM THE ENGINE INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY USED SPARINGLY WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RIDE IN THE TRUCK UNTIL THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ARE REPAIRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423267September 5, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
STEEL BRAKE LINES ROTTED AND RUPTURED CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. THE PEOPLE IN FRONT OF US WERE IN EXTREME DANGER OF BEING INJURED OR KILLED AS THEY SUDDENLY STOPPED DUE A TRAFFIC JAM. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR AS THE ROTTED BRAKE LINE RUPTURED SPILLING THE BRAKE FLUID OUT TO THE ROAD. TO PREVENT INJURY TO OTHERS I DROVE THE TRUCK INTO A GUARDRAIL AT A GLANCING BLOW UNTIL IT STOPPED. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I WAS TRAVELING WITH MY 13 YR OLD DAUGHTER TO VISIT HER DYING GRANDMOTHER FOR LAST TIME. MY DAUGHTER WAS CRYING HYSTERICALLY AND CLEARLY DISTRAUGHT AT THE ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423800September 5, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MOVING AT 30 MPH TOWARDS INTERSECTION WITH LIGHT , WENT TO SLOW DOWN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR ( NO BRAKE RESPONSE). APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE TRUCK SWERVED SIDEWAYS. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC COMING THE OTHER WAY. THIS WAS A VERY SERIOUS NEAR MISS. SUDDEN FAILURE OF BRAKING SYSTEM. THIS NEEDS A RECALL ASAP AS ITS HAPPENING ON TOO MANY OF THESE CHEVY TRUCKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423224September 4, 2011
STEERING
THERE IS A RUBBING AND THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. IT ONLY DOES IT AT LOW SPEEDS OF 5 TO 25 MPH, OR WHEN I TRAVEL OVER A ROUGH ROAD, OR IN OR OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. CHEVY OR GM WON'T REPAIR IT WITHOUT ME FORKING UP THE MONEY FIRST. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH 1999 THROUGH ABOUT 2007 CHEVY AND GM TRUCKS. GM SHOULD TAKE THE RESPONSIBLY FOR THIS AND FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO THE VEHICLE OWNER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10423245September 4, 2011
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
MY BRAKE LINES RUPTURED UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT BY THE ABS BOX. I INSPECTED ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES AND THEY ARE ALL RUSTED BADLY AND NEED REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. I WAS PULLING MY SEADOO'S WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE TRUCK. I HAVE READ A TON OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET TODAY. WHEN IS ANYONE GOING TO MAKE CHEVY REPLACE ALL OF THE BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION LINES? THIS TRUCK IS ONLY A 2003 AND LOOKS LIKE A 1903 UNDERNEATH. THE WHOLE FRAME AND UNDERCARRIAGE IS RUSTING BADLY. PLEASE HELP. THANK YOU *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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