2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 3%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 26 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 3% of the 805 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,317 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 16 year old son was driving the vehicle when it went into reduced engine power mode and would not accelerate beyond idle speed. It took several restarts before it cleared and would run correctly. About the time I made it home it went back into this mode again. This is a very dangerous problem as it occurs without warning at any speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10437219, filed 2011-11, 119,000 miles“I was driving at normal speeds when all of a sudden I lost power to the tranny, I took the truck to a diagnostic center and found nothing wrong with the motor, my engine light went on as well but I cant accelerate more than 35 miles an hour it accelerates slowly gaining speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10608158, filed 2014-07, 171,000 miles“Vehicle was on cruise control prior to accident, I lost consciousness & do not remember anything about the crash early on. Was informed the vehicle rolled front to rear 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 times, prior to coming to rest on its top. The vehicle was a total loss due to this accident. I spent 3 days in icu and am now recuperating at home. No airbags deployed due to this accident . The vehicle was a total loss due to the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10592067, filed 2014-05, 250,000 miles“Sound coming from transmission when push on gas,no power on right side gear light doesn't work I service 4 wd it's tell me to service I start up it's picks which gear (stationary) door on right stop working lost all power.”
NHTSA complaint #10820131, filed 2016-01, 88,000 miles“Noticed on my 2003 chevy silverado that when I put the key in the accessory position that I can slip the gear shaft into drive, reverse, whatever, without depressing the brake pedal. Also have noticed this on multiple 2006-2007 chevy express vans. When the key is in the start position or engine is started that the brake needs to be depressed to place into gear.”
NHTSA complaint #10269293, filed 2009-05, 75,123 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 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…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
- 10096073Feb 17, 2016This preliminary information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that after a transmission or torque converter replacement the vehicle may have a…
- 10201098Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
- 10190503Dec 1, 2015OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 | 20% |
| 2025 | 21 | 19% |
| 2024 | 96 | 30% |
| 2023 | 108 | 28% |
| 2022 | 190 | 29% |
| 2021 | 243 | 28% |
| 2020 | 235 | 31% |
| 2019 | 330 | 30% |
| 2018 | 171 | 33% |
| 2017 | 191 | 27% |
| 2016 | 194 | 24% |
| 2015 | 138 | 12% |
| 2014 | 154 | 11% |
| 2013 | 13 | 4% |
| 2012 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 24 | 7% |
| 2009 | 12 | 3% |
| 2008 | 25 | 3% |
| 2007 | 35 | 4% |
| 2006 | 28 | 8% |
| 2005 | 36 | 7% |
| 2004 | 27 | 3% |
| 2003 | 26 | 3% |
| 2002 | 26 | 5% |
| 2001 | 19 | 4% |
| 2000 | 16 | 3% |
| 1999 | 26 | 4% |
| 1998 | 26 | 7% |
| 1997 | 57 | 10% |
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 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