2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 2%of 805 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,317miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2% of the 805 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,317 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10424647, filed 2011-09, 134,000 miles“Major repairs first the axle seal started leaking 24000 miles,also notified manufacturer didn't get repair until , return for check at 36000 ,I fixed the truck myself because wasn't getting service from dealership where I purchased my truck,flow Chevrolet,of winston salem. Now I had noticed ticking when I would start the engine cold and have been left to settle with having the truck repaired with it costing me the consumer, even if ,the dealership I working with me. But at 51000 or better I shouldn't behaving these type of repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10109818, filed 2005-02, 51,000 miles“My complaint is the braking system on my 2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 1500 extended cab, 4x4 truck. The brakes have always felt spongy. After complaining about the low brake pedal, my dealer advised that I needed to have my rear rotors repaired & the rear brake shoes replaced., so I had the work done. One week later, I again complained that now when I'm stopped at a traffic light, the brake pedal would go even lower. The braking system was checked out, the master cylinder was checked, & I was told everything was ok, there were no leaks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10116382, filed 2005-04, 40,000 miles“Just 100 miles after PCM was replaced , out of warranty, engine warning light came on. Since unable to get to dealership fast enough I did some research in my manual, which stated that if I shut down vehicle and light goes off then probably nothing major to worry about. Intermittently the light has came on, then gone off for the past 4000 miles. So with my oil change, had dealership run test on diagnostics, found bad catalytic converter. Cost of repair, $ 862. Well, I don't have that kind of money just floating around. Therefore, I couldn't get it done this time around. …”
NHTSA complaint #10190099, filed 2007-05, 80,317 miles“The truck was purchased the 17th of june and two wks later the service engine light came on and its was real hard to get in 2nd gear. We took it to the chevy dealership and they checked it out for us. The problems are there is no cat converter,two seals and a sensor that needs to be replaced. Not to mention 2nd gear is messed .the service manager told us and gave us the list of things wrong and they are the 2nd gear ,the synchroni,3nd gear,synchroni and the ring in first. All this is to do with the transmission and the cat converter. A and z autos got mad that we took it to the chevy dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10238794, filed 2008-08, 120,835 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 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…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 10236164Apr 24, 2023This Preliminary information communicates information that will need to be provided to TAC to aid in diagnosing if a vehicle comes in with misfire and DTC Codes P0300 - P0308…
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 1% |
| 2024 | 20 | 6% |
| 2023 | 26 | 7% |
| 2022 | 25 | 4% |
| 2021 | 60 | 7% |
| 2020 | 26 | 3% |
| 2019 | 50 | 5% |
| 2018 | 10 | 2% |
| 2017 | 4 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 0% |
| 2015 | 12 | 1% |
| 2014 | 9 | 1% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 7 | 1% |
| 2007 | 27 | 3% |
| 2006 | 13 | 4% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 25 | 3% |
| 2003 | 20 | 2% |
| 2002 | 13 | 3% |
| 2001 | 17 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 35 | 6% |
| 1996 | 1 | 14% |
| 1994 | 2 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
429 complaintsElectrical system
195 complaintsSteering
56 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsFuel system
28 complaintsBody and structure
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
26 complaintsAir bags
21 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 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