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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
4%of 101 total for the year
Median mileage
95,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD, 4% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,500 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.

“Below is a list of history with repairs to my truck. In march 2004 I bought a brand new 2003 chevy silverado 1500hd .first 2 yrs front rotars turned covered under warranty. Then 1-21-09 front rotars and calipars replaced due to rot.1-30-09 transmission line replaced rotted.on 6-19-09 new starter. 8-29-09 rear calipers and hose rotted 35455 miles.on 9-2-09 ABS sensor and left front brake hose rotted. On 8-28-10 power stering pump replaced. On 8-24-11 brake lines to ABS rotted 46763 miles. 10-27-11 left rear brake line rotted 47943 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #10433070, filed 2011-10, 35,455 miles

“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”

NHTSA complaint #10423245, filed 2011-09, 71,000 miles

“Gm 2004 1500hd truck: GM can't fix the reduce engine power problem. The code that they can't fix keeps saying its the throttle body sensor. I have had GM dealer try to fix what this code is telling them but still have the problem. Based off research this is a major problem with many other GM truck owners. When this sensor light comes on & displays reduce engine power the truck basically shuts down. I've had this happen running in the left lane of a major hwy and almost got run over. Please have GM do something about this problem because I'm sure if it hasn't killed anyone yet it will. …”

NHTSA complaint #10402737, filed 2011-05, 120,000 miles

“Ok the problem I'm about to state is a huge problem with the 2003 1500 hds since they where new and chevy has had several complaints over the years with a refusal to repair. The throttle actuator control is what the pedal sensor tells to move the throttle body. …”

NHTSA complaint #10629944, filed 2014-09, 148,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2005415%
2004212%
200344%
200229%

Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD

Brakes
49 complaints
Electrical system
30 complaints
Steering
9 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Engine
3 complaints
Vehicle speed control
3 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 HD

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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