2003 Chevrolet Silverado Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 116about this part
- Share
- 17%of 695 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,197miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 116 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 17% of the 695 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,197 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 8 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Air conditioner shorts out. We have had every panel replaced trying to fix it, but it keeps happening. There is also a problem with this trucks brakes rotting out and brake failure. This happened 2/2013. There is also a problem with the drivers seat and seatbelt. Both have completely broken in the truck 5/2013. We have never received any recall notices for this truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10532902, filed 2013-07, 65,000 miles“Truck has 82,000 miles. Speedometer been acting up last couple of weeks.sitting park it reads 40mph.I see where everyone who owns a Silverado has this same problem with the clusters. Are all my gauges gonna go out now?....how bad are the all gonna be off?.....this is bad.....and everyone knows of this problem too...thats the worst part. My next truck will be a toyota!”
NHTSA complaint #10436013, filed 2011-11, 82,000 miles“I have a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado with 85,000 miles. The oil pressure gauge on the instrument panel stopped working at 80,000 miles. Without the engine running the needle moves all the way to the maximum. I have herd from many Silverado owners that they have experienced the same problem with there vehicles. Why is there no recall with so many complaints?”
NHTSA complaint #10259138, filed 2009-02, 80,000 miles“Speedometer malfunctioning. The new 0 seems to be somewhere around 20 to 25 MPH. In researching the problem on the internet, I see that I had been fortunate that I hadn't had problems with the cluster before this. I have had sporadic malfunctioning in the temperature gauge for several months but I could live with that...the speedometer is a major problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10282615, filed 2009-09, 66,800 miles“Speedometer in my 2003 chevy Silverado stopped working. Reads 120 MPH all the time. Priced a repair at 500 dollars. Which includes parts and labor. I understand from doing a little research that a lot of people have this problem, and not just on 03's. 2004's also. Something wrong with a 500 dollar repair on a 2 to 3 year old truck. Also a safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10183483, filed 2007-02, 52,100 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10114470Apr 17, 2015This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicle that may have an OnStar system that has progression tones when pressing the blue…
- 10112009Jan 21, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 10112900Mar 13, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that will not move in forward or reverse. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble…
- 10112737Jan 23, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
- 10112523Oct 30, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have slip in forward ranges immediately after replacing the input housing…
- 10038759Apr 1, 2011Gm: onstar is making incomplete calls without the driver knowing. When have a data connection.
- 10027804Nov 1, 2008General motors corp: special coverage adjustment; analog onstar deactivation. *pe updated 2/17/09.
- 10026542Sep 1, 2008Cadillac chevrolet gmc service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Some vehicles could develop a condition where one or more of the instrument panel gauge…
- 10023585Sep 1, 2008Cadillac chevrolet gmc service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Instrument panel cluster gauge needle function may cause inaccurate readings on some…
- 10022914Oct 4, 2007One of the following concerns when programming the mileage or the hours into an exchange instrument panel cluster that is received from an electronic service center (esc).
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 10 | 8% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 9 | 12% |
| 2014 | 20 | 16% |
| 2013 | 6 | 9% |
| 2012 | 4 | 6% |
| 2011 | 5 | 7% |
| 2010 | 8 | 13% |
| 2009 | 17 | 22% |
| 2008 | 48 | 30% |
| 2007 | 38 | 21% |
| 2006 | 14 | 8% |
| 2005 | 64 | 20% |
| 2004 | 159 | 26% |
| 2003 | 116 | 17% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 38 | 3% |
| 1999 | 51 | 3% |
| 1998 | 20 | 7% |
| 1997 | 16 | 6% |
| 1996 | 4 | 2% |
| 1995 | 8 | 3% |
| 1994 | 12 | 6% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 8% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1988 | 3 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
257 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
81 complaintsSteering
80 complaintsVehicle speed control
29 complaintsSuspension
28 complaintsTires
27 complaintsEngine cooling
26 complaintsFuel system
26 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
20 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
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