2003 Chevrolet Silverado Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 3%of 695 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 31,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 3% of the 695 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 31,250 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While changing my oil I noticed excessive rust on the brake fluid lines running from the front of the truck to the electronic brake module under the truck (along to frame rail). I began to search for pre-bend replacements and found several reports of issues with Chevrolet vehicles having this problem. I want to ensure the vehicle is safe to drive but I am unable to find exact replacement brake fluid lines. It appears that people are replacing them with straight stock brake lines and getting the correct shape and length is difficult. These things appear to be hard to replace. …”
NHTSA complaint #10525851, filed 2013-07, 81,524 miles“Constant wind noise from hood hinge flaps and top windshield seal at 50 and above. Also driver door seal squeals. I repaired the flapping noises myself after the dealer tried 6 times and said it was my bug deflector. The door seal was replaced after 6 trips and is worse now than then. I repaired this as well as I could. They replaced 1 of 3 seals. After 6 visits for my goodyear tires (nothing found wrong again) they decide to replace them. It took 2 weeks to get tires and then they replaced 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #10071175, filed 2004-01, 10,140 miles“Similar to NHTSA campaign id ea11001, brake lines rusted through on frame behind driver side front wheel. Frame/underside of vehicle is very rusted for vehicle's age/mileage. Chevrolet dealer estimating $2,700 to replace with stainless steel lines. Luckily, no cars/people were in front of truck when brake lines burst and greatly reduced braking power/increased stopping distance.”
NHTSA complaint #10419727, filed 2011-08, 58,000 miles“Dt: contact stated he and 2 others jumped on a tailgate to transport a couple of feet away. The cables on the driver's side tailgate broke, causing the tailgate to go down. This , in turn, it caused him to fall out, hitting the pavement. Injuries were sustained.”
NHTSA complaint #10144580, filed 2005-12, 27,575 miles“In-dash gear selector light is inoperable. Light stopped burning for no reason and during the day time can not see what gear the vehicle is currently in. There is a possibility that vehicle could not be in park and could roll away from vehicle operator when it was thought to be in a parked position. To fix the light one large part that covers multiple dash components is replaced not just a single component and this part costs hundreds of dollars even if other components are working fine. This component also has to be installed by a dealership since it covers the odometer.”
NHTSA complaint #10328239, filed 2010-04, 96,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V129000Mar 17, 2004On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal)…Covers: Chevrolet Silverado 2000–2004, GMC Sierra 2000–2004, Chevrolet Avalanche 2002–2004 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10113406Feb 8, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10112034Jan 28, 2014This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have slack in one of the tailgate cables. Technician should not replace…
- 10037570Apr 1, 2012Gm: on some truck models there is some frame corrosion. *rm updated on 5/2/2012.
- 10011755Oct 4, 2006Tailgate cable slack. This includes 1998-2006 chevrolet and gmc full and mid size trucks. *eh updated.
- 10014808May 10, 2005Door hinge replacement kit.
- 10015770Oct 1, 2004Rattle type noise coming from the rear of the cab during body twist maneuvers or over bumps. Gm tech link.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2015 | 3 | 4% |
| 2014 | 16 | 13% |
| 2013 | 9 | 14% |
| 2012 | 14 | 21% |
| 2011 | 15 | 20% |
| 2010 | 12 | 19% |
| 2009 | 14 | 18% |
| 2008 | 14 | 9% |
| 2007 | 23 | 13% |
| 2006 | 6 | 3% |
| 2005 | 11 | 3% |
| 2004 | 25 | 4% |
| 2003 | 19 | 3% |
| 2002 | 36 | 5% |
| 2001 | 53 | 6% |
| 2000 | 94 | 7% |
| 1999 | 84 | 5% |
| 1998 | 10 | 4% |
| 1997 | 7 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 4% |
| 1995 | 11 | 4% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 1 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
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 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 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