2003 Chevrolet Silverado Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 1%of 695 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 1% of the 695 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, 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.
“2 problems. Anti-lock brakes pulsate intermittently. Engine 6.0l exhaust manifold bolts are broken. Causing emissions codes to set and exhaust gases into cab. I have found that this a common problem for 1999 to 2007 v8 engines. Gm said there is no recall or warranty for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10556350, filed 2013-12, 75,000 miles“After a 3 mile ride, backing up truck noticed smoke then flames coming out from under the hood. Fire melted all electical lines, destroyed hood and windshield. Weather was perfect, air conditioning may have been on.”
NHTSA complaint #10464589, filed 2012-07, 84,000 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 227,792.”
NHTSA complaint #10706588, filed 2015-04, 227,792 miles“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start intermittently. The contact personally replaced the starter relay but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was not able to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10628703, filed 2014-08, 115,000 miles“This is the second of three fatal collisions investigated this year by my office involving Chevrolet pickups that caught fire after being involved in frontal collisions. This was an off set head on, passenger side to passenger side. Passenger in pickup was pinned in vehicle due to crush and consumed by fire.”
NHTSA complaint #10759204, filed 2015-08Related service bulletins
- 10056354Sep 1, 2014Gmc/chevrolet: engines, with egr system, has leakage from egr cooler engine coolant into the combustion chamber. Model 2002-15 silverado, sierra, 2004-09 kodiak c4500-c5500…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 16 | 13% |
| 2015 | 15 | 20% |
| 2014 | 16 | 13% |
| 2013 | 7 | 11% |
| 2012 | 6 | 9% |
| 2011 | 7 | 9% |
| 2010 | 10 | 16% |
| 2009 | 6 | 8% |
| 2008 | 11 | 7% |
| 2007 | 12 | 7% |
| 2006 | 3 | 2% |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 4 | 0% |
| 2000 | 3 | 0% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
257 complaintsElectrical system
116 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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