2003 Chevrolet Express Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 10%of 59 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 26,757miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Express, 10% of the 59 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 26,757 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My speedometer quickly jumps from one indicated speed to another speed that is clearly inaccurate, down as low as -0- while driving, accompanied by the transmission attempting to downshift on it's own, which causes a severe engine over-rev condition or going into a neutral momentarily with no input from me as the driver. There are no specific actions I can take to trigger the erratic symptom, nor any specific action I can take to cause normal operation. …”
NHTSA complaint #10667542, filed 2014-12, 15,500 miles“Driving on interstate at 65 MPH, the ABS warning light came on, and the speedometer started jumping erratically from actual speed to lower speeds 45, 25 + others as low as 8 (eight) MPH. This caused the transmission to downshift unpredictably, over-revving the engine speed. It happened repeatedly so I documented the odometer erratic movement on my cell phone as a video, showing road movement + all gauges + audio events like engine over-revving at same time. The video is of high quality and the events taking place are documented with the video. Rural area with few cars on road at the time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629518, filed 2014-08, 16,614 miles“Left front wheel bearing hub assembly separated causing thumping and grinding noise. Immediately drove to dealer for repairs. Upon inspection, it was found that the right front hub assembly had begiun to separate as well. Both front hub assemblies replaced under extended warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10124627, filed 2005-06, 36,900 miles“Dt: contact owns 2003 Chevrolet Express g3500 passenger van. The van will accelerate on its own sporadically. This started around 7-20-05. It does it while stopping at stop light and it will also do it while driving on the highway. The idle speed control motor, throttle position sensor, cooling sensor, ECM, and the prom have all been changed within 5-6 weeks. He says it did it at any speed sporadically. He made an appointment to bring the car in again for a possible repair. The check engine light will usually come on after an incident.”
NHTSA complaint #10134945, filed 2005-08, 60,000 miles“This vehicle was bought brand new but unbeknownst to me was made in canada (something which would not have been acceptable to me had I been told). Upon possession the windshield molding came off on the ride home. The driver side tierod end went at 12,000 miles and again at 24,000 miles because upon inspection the ball joints were never properly tightened. The bolts on the transmission were found by the dealer to have been never properly tightened. The sidedoor hinge had to be replaced at a cost of $600 because it froze up and could not be opened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10588771, filed 2014-05Related service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 15% |
| 2020 | 9 | 53% |
| 2019 | 4 | 50% |
| 2018 | 4 | 36% |
| 2016 | 1 | 7% |
| 2014 | 1 | 7% |
| 2013 | 1 | 5% |
| 2012 | 1 | 8% |
| 2011 | 3 | 25% |
| 2010 | 2 | 13% |
| 2009 | 1 | 10% |
| 2008 | 3 | 21% |
| 2007 | 1 | 6% |
| 2006 | 2 | 17% |
| 2005 | 1 | 4% |
| 2004 | 1 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 10% |
| 2002 | 7 | 13% |
| 2001 | 3 | 7% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 10% |
| 1997 | 6 | 21% |
| 1996 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Express
11 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsElectrical system
10 complaintsBody and structure
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Express
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology