2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 4%of 449 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 72,986miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, 4% of the 449 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 72,986 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2003 Chevrolet silverado 2500hd w/ 8.1l engine. With 59,000 miles. I noticed a ticking noise coming from the engine compartment. I took into a dealership for some other service and had them check this noise also. It turned out to be a warped right side exhaust manifold. I also know people that have this same engine in there motorhomes that have had the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10392534, filed 2011-03, 50,000 miles“I have had a exhaust leak that I finally pinpointed to be broken exhaust manifold bolts. The truck was bought new by me and has never had any exhaust work done. Now I have to take it to a dealer to have this expensive repair done. Apparently this seems to be an extensive problem, with these bolts. This I understand to be an extensive repair. Gm knows there is a problem with the bolts, why wont they make it right.”
NHTSA complaint #10428267, filed 2011-10, 110,000 miles“I have a 2003 chevy 2500 silverado with the 6 liter v8. 2 years ago I noticed a ticking sound from the engine compartment. After looking closer I found a broken exhaust manifold bolt on the right side. At that time the vehicle had about 130,000 miles on it. A couple months later while changing oil I found another broken bolt on the right side. This year while changing plugs I found another broken bolt on the left side. …”
NHTSA complaint #10369949, filed 2010-12, 130,000 miles“My 2003 silverado pickup truck has been found to have a common and recurrent problem. Exhaust manifold bolts break, and on the driver side rear, they can be expensive to repair. A few minutes of web searching on this topic produced a number of results and my conclusion is the issue is common. The online complaints also indicate that the success rate for the repair is not good, with many repaired vehicles having subsequent bolt failures. My vehicle is in an authorized chevy service garage having the bolts replaced. The original estimate was for $486, if cylinder head did not need to be removed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10450482, filed 2012-03, 99,000 miles“The vehicle goes into reduced engine power while driving. The engine loses power to about 20 MPH. If driving 70 MPH it is very dangerous because the sudden reduced engine power will cause a severe accident and possibly kill somebody. This has been happening the last few months.”
NHTSA complaint #10933894, filed 2016-12, 178,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2020 | 4 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2011 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 2% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 13 | 6% |
| 2006 | 12 | 7% |
| 2005 | 16 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 6% |
| 2003 | 16 | 4% |
| 2002 | 43 | 12% |
| 2001 | 78 | 20% |
| 2000 | 11 | 8% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 2 | 3% |
| 1997 | 7 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500
247 complaintsElectrical system
86 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsFuel system
29 complaintsSteering
17 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsBody and structure
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
14 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsOther 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 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