2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 195about this part
- Share
- 24%of 805 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 195 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 24% of the 805 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 5 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This actually doesn't have anything to do with an accident. The instrument panel on our Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 doesn't work except for the speedometer. The mileage on this vehicle is 68,901, hours driven 2,498.6. I can't tell what the amount of gas, oil pressure, temperature, etc. Is. I really think with this low mileage this panel should have lasted longer.”
NHTSA complaint #10979052, filed 2017-04, 68,901 miles“New optima red top keeps draining. Second new battery in a month. Dead over night. I've read there's a recall on other vins. Yet mine is doing the same battery drain thing. Left my wife at mcdonald's today high and dry! Wtf! Don't make me get a ford!”
NHTSA complaint #11364868, filed 2020-10, 218,000 miles“The truck was parked on the driveway at home and on july 29, 2014 I wanted to drive it to a store and could not turn the key in the ignition. The ignition switch did not work anymore. The truck only has 93000 miles and in the past 8 years and we did not drive it every day. Many days and weeks was just parked. Therefore, the ignition switch does not have so much usage.”
NHTSA complaint #10618704, filed 2014-08, 93,000 miles“At random times while driving or turning, no matter the weather our truck randomly dies. Shifting into neutral she always starts back up right away.however due to not knowing when it will happen, it does on city streets at 25mph and had on the highway at 75mph. We are unsure still at the moment the cause or solution. We have had 4 episodes of this dangerous problem starting this year only, 2015 .”
NHTSA complaint #10808829, filed 2015-12, 128,000 miles“My son was driving, we were returning from prescott az. We were on a small down hill part of the road when the truck lost all power. I told my son to put the truck in neutral and try to restart it. That failed, it made the same noise as a dead battery would. I told him to pull off the highway. He did so and put the transmit ion in park. I told my son to try and restart it and it started right up.”
NHTSA complaint #10572504, filed 2014-03, 124,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006274Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 11002312Jun 6, 2024This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS) Error Codes E4398, E4399, E4401, E4403, M4404, M4413, M6954, M6955, E4414…
- 10252735Mar 28, 2024This bulletin provides information for electrical ground repairs using new General Motors replacement fasteners with conductive finish.
- 10244214Sep 21, 2023This informational bulletin provides information for the IPC odometer programming method quick reference guide.
- 10237671May 19, 2023This 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…
- 10230605Jan 6, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 10225615Oct 19, 2022This service bulletin provides information on Module Harvesting.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 28 | 22% |
| 2025 | 26 | 24% |
| 2024 | 43 | 13% |
| 2023 | 63 | 16% |
| 2022 | 140 | 21% |
| 2021 | 113 | 13% |
| 2020 | 117 | 16% |
| 2019 | 191 | 17% |
| 2018 | 104 | 20% |
| 2017 | 123 | 17% |
| 2016 | 119 | 15% |
| 2015 | 165 | 15% |
| 2014 | 341 | 24% |
| 2013 | 11 | 4% |
| 2012 | 21 | 10% |
| 2011 | 27 | 5% |
| 2010 | 21 | 6% |
| 2009 | 43 | 10% |
| 2008 | 91 | 10% |
| 2007 | 81 | 10% |
| 2006 | 48 | 13% |
| 2005 | 189 | 36% |
| 2004 | 267 | 34% |
| 2003 | 195 | 24% |
| 2002 | 20 | 4% |
| 2001 | 23 | 5% |
| 2000 | 20 | 3% |
| 1999 | 25 | 4% |
| 1998 | 23 | 6% |
| 1997 | 28 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
429 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 30, 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