2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 2%of 805 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 129,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2% of the 805 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 129,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I received a reduced engine power message in the middle of the highway I was traveling at 70 MPH and when it came on I couldn't travel more than 35 MPH. I was afraid for my and my passengers life as we was on the verge of being hit. I had the check engine codes checked and received 7 different codes.”
NHTSA complaint #10669892, filed 2015-01, 260,000 miles“I purchased this vehicle used on march 1 2013 didn't noticed any problems except a slight engine noise. I thought the engine noise was tapping valves, because I was told the truck was not on the road for about a year. When I changed the oil for the first time I noticed that the rear manifold bolt was missing, looked at the other side, that was missing also. I heard I could e-mail you to report a problem so I did.”
NHTSA complaint #10542254, filed 2013-09, 91,200 miles“I was traveling at approximately 55mph on a smooth paved county road with my A/C on. It was about 78 degrees outside. I had the A/C running about 15 minutes before the air just turned warm. I tried 3 times turning off the A/C and back on, and the air failed to cool. I stopped the truck, turned the A/C on, got out and looked at the A/C compressor. The A/C compressor was not engaging. I took it to a mechanic and the diagnosis was undetermined. 2 other mechanics failed to find the problem as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10614631, filed 2014-07, 148,591 miles“I own a 2003 Chevrolet silverado and as I am driving down the road the check engine light comes on as says reduced engine power and I am only able to travel between 20 to 30 MPH and also as I come to a stop light/sign the truck wants to sputter out and die. Everytime I take it to a mechanic shop they tell me its the throttle body and that it needs to be changed but I have already changed it 4 times in the last two years and is not the problem. The problem is constantly happening sometime 3 to 4 times a day.”
NHTSA complaint #10563697, filed 2014-02, 150,230 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service 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 or…
- 10242298Aug 10, 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…
- 10211658May 2, 2022This service bulletin provides policy information on warranty administration guidelines for multiple repairs with independent causes (GM Canada Dealers Only).
- 10176607May 8, 2020This 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…
- 10156912Mar 6, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on the steps to diagnose and repair vehicles that may have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction…
- 10099252Sep 9, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a malfunction indicator lamp on or engine misfire, rough idle, extended…
- 10082869Aug 29, 2016This informational bulletin provides additional information on how to install pistons and suggest what tools to use.
- 10082814Aug 2, 2016This informational bulletin provides information to gm dealers on the correct cleaning methods when cleaning engine gasket sealing surfaces.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 74 | 58% |
| 2025 | 57 | 53% |
| 2024 | 149 | 47% |
| 2023 | 153 | 39% |
| 2022 | 257 | 39% |
| 2021 | 395 | 46% |
| 2020 | 251 | 33% |
| 2019 | 378 | 34% |
| 2018 | 103 | 20% |
| 2017 | 114 | 16% |
| 2016 | 72 | 9% |
| 2015 | 132 | 12% |
| 2014 | 191 | 13% |
| 2013 | 33 | 11% |
| 2012 | 25 | 12% |
| 2011 | 40 | 7% |
| 2010 | 33 | 9% |
| 2009 | 36 | 8% |
| 2008 | 44 | 5% |
| 2007 | 48 | 6% |
| 2006 | 7 | 2% |
| 2005 | 18 | 3% |
| 2004 | 18 | 2% |
| 2003 | 15 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 2% |
| 2001 | 11 | 2% |
| 2000 | 10 | 2% |
| 1999 | 6 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
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 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 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