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Air bagsPart report

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Air bags Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
2%of 449 total for the year
Median mileage
100,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 2% of the 449 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,000 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I have a 2003 chevy silverado pickup with 71937 miles today just driving down the road on the dic display it put a message out of service air bags and red light is on dash also. I called the chevy dealer where I bought it and they told me it is out of warranty and I would have to pay for repairs and oh he said the air bags would not work until it was repaired. All the forums I have read so far say that the problem after they have it repaired still comes back. Is this not a safety issue that should be covered by GM ?”

NHTSA complaint #10268767, filed 2009-05, 70,247 miles

“The speedometer and tachometer were acting erratically, speedometer would read 110 MPH at normal highway speed, the tachometer would read 0- 1000 RPM at normal highway speeds, had to send cluster for repair. Main grounding strap was broken due to excessive corrosion and replaced after being towed to dealer. Air bag service light is on intermittently while driving, problem to be resolved.”

NHTSA complaint #10906734, filed 2016-09, 95,000 miles

“When starting vehicle , after initial dash lights times out, I now get an AIRBAG 9malfunction light). Tried resetting, did not work. Now, every time I start the engine, the comes on and stays on.”

NHTSA complaint #11529895, filed 2023-07

“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet 2500 hd. The contact stated that the driver crashed into another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact stated that there were no injuries but the vehicle was destroyed. There was a police report filed. The manufacturer was not notified. The cause of the air bags was unknown. The failure mileage was 139,000. The VIN was unavailable.”

NHTSA complaint #10472651, filed 2012-08, 139,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet SILVERADO 2500 hd. The contact stated that while driving t 30 MPH, the contact crashed into another vehicle and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver and passenger sustained injuries however, the extent of the injuries were unknown. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 173,776.”

NHTSA complaint #10620702, filed 2014-08, 173,776 miles

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202618%
202411%
202222%
202122%
202011%
201934%
2018611%
201747%
201643%
20151710%
2014615%
201324%
2012917%
20114038%
2010629%
20092439%
200810656%
20078743%
200684%
2005114%
200441%
2003112%
200251%
200131%
200043%
199922%
199811%
199723%

Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

Brakes
247 complaints
Electrical system
86 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
30 complaints
Fuel system
29 complaints
Steering
17 complaints
Engine cooling
16 complaints
Engine
15 complaints
Body and structure
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
15 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints
Tires
14 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500

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