2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 429about this part
- Share
- 53%of 805 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 429 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 53% of the 805 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,000 miles. 18 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was lucky to see a spot of fluid on my driveway. Figured it was brake fluid so I had my wife pump the brakes while I looked for the leak. When she pushed down hard the line busted and I lost about all my brake fluid. I've inspected my lines and they are all rusted. I have the truck in the shop now to replace all brake lines. Only 127000 miles on the truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10807335, filed 2015-11, 127,000 miles“Luckily, I was on my street near my house when my brakes completely failed. The brake peddle went right to the floor...I had to use the emergency brake to stop the truck. I found the problem to be rusted out brake lines and when I used the internet I see that this is a common problem with this truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10956299, filed 2017-02, 135,000 miles“Hopped into my vehicle friday morning and the brake pedal went to the floor. Rear brake line rusted away. Fortunately it happened in my driveway. The day before I was pulling my boat on the interstate at 70 MPH. There's a scary thought. Btw, vehicle has not been operated during the winter months the past three years.”
NHTSA complaint #10732020, filed 2015-07, 106,000 miles“I have already replaced my brake lines once on the truck. At a stoplight I had my brakes give out again. Local mechanic states my rear brake line has rusted through again. This is a known serious safety issues and GM continues to deny that it's a safety issue. Brakes are too important to have constant rusting issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10764514, filed 2015-09, 130,000 miles“Just had work done on the truck and in the parking lot of the autoshop my brake line burst causing me to have no brakes. Limped the truck down the street to my work until I could tow it home. There is no reason even with living in a snow state that my brake lines should have failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11023748, filed 2017-09, 127,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10226382Oct 18, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10178353Jun 26, 2020This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10162149Jun 24, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10161004May 13, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10129088Jan 23, 2018This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10078876May 11, 2016This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10246647Sep 1, 2014Pre-Formed and Pre-Flared Hydraulic Brake Pipe Kits Now Available for Service
- 10246646Apr 1, 2014Pre-Formed and Pre-Flared Hydraulic Brake Pipe Kits Now Available for Service
- 10246645Nov 1, 2013Pre-Formed and Pre-Flared Hydraulic Brake Pipe Kits Now Available for Service
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 12 | 9% |
| 2025 | 6 | 6% |
| 2024 | 11 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 6% |
| 2022 | 58 | 9% |
| 2021 | 45 | 5% |
| 2020 | 116 | 15% |
| 2019 | 195 | 18% |
| 2018 | 99 | 19% |
| 2017 | 190 | 27% |
| 2016 | 266 | 33% |
| 2015 | 374 | 34% |
| 2014 | 281 | 20% |
| 2013 | 5 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 4% |
| 2011 | 17 | 3% |
| 2010 | 7 | 2% |
| 2009 | 17 | 4% |
| 2008 | 28 | 3% |
| 2007 | 62 | 7% |
| 2006 | 171 | 48% |
| 2005 | 131 | 25% |
| 2004 | 330 | 41% |
| 2003 | 429 | 53% |
| 2002 | 363 | 71% |
| 2001 | 307 | 66% |
| 2000 | 422 | 69% |
| 1999 | 373 | 64% |
| 1998 | 122 | 34% |
| 1997 | 134 | 24% |
| 1996 | 3 | 43% |
| 1994 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
195 complaintsSteering
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsSuspension
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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