2003 Chevrolet Silverado Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 81about this part
- Share
- 12%of 695 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,128miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 81 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, 12% of the 695 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,128 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Frequently my 2003 chevy Silverado hesitates to pull off after coming to a complete stop. I've taken it to two dealerships for the problem with the transmission. They state it is a problem with the computer programming which has the transmission pulling off in second gear instead of first and they have no solution for this problem, just keep driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10156089, filed 2006-04, 25,000 miles“4x4 not working, charcoal canister, cd-player 3 times, complete new brake system from rotors,seals,caliperes etc. That I paid for $1,000., window regulator, door latches, noise coming from the steering area, dash peeling apart, chapman chevy replaced all four tires twice within 50,000 miles-I finally went and spent $1,200 on new tires to make sure my family and I our safe”
NHTSA complaint #10126360, filed 2005-06, 15,000 miles“I am complaining of a clunking sound and a hard shift coming from the transmission in a 2-3 upshift in a 03 Silverado automatic. I have taken it to the dealer many times and they tell me that GM says the noise and shifting is normal. I have driven many cars and nothing I have driven shifts like that. I wish GM would have to do a recall and correct the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10086770, filed 2004-08, 6,000 miles“We have had several thing go wrong with our truck. We have had the expandable mirrors replaced once and fixed several times, the transmission was rebuilt, the speedometer quit working and the memory does not recall the driver or seat position.”
NHTSA complaint #10116067, filed 2005-03, 41,000 miles“General motors have a faulty neutral safety shift switch on their Silverado 1500 1/2 ton pickups that may lead to failure and cause the truck to burn. I have brought this to the attention of general motors but they ignored me. My truck burned and we put it out. I see others that have burned and I bet the neutral safety switch is what started it. If you were to investigate how many 03 (maybe newer maybe older) have burned you will find the cause in this switch.”
NHTSA complaint #10130023, filed 2005-07, 16,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113664May 29, 2015This informational bulletin provides technicians with information regarding automatic transmission oil cooler flow test essential tool J-45096 TransFlow®.
- 10112401Oct 9, 2013This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have not engagement into drive, delayed, no engagement into reverse, and or…
- 10023751Feb 1, 2013Engine surge or stall at stop and/or dtc p0742 possible tcc applied. Equipped with allison lct1000 transmission rpo m74 or mw7. *nj updated 4/22/13.
- 10112697Dec 27, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
- 10112681Dec 17, 2012This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that may have a planetary gear whine noise in first and second gear. Technician…
- 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…
- 10013129Oct 8, 2008Service engine soon light is illuminated and the vehicle may not start. Diagnostic trouble code p0706, which relates to transmission range switch performance may be stored.
- 10026804Oct 1, 2008Gmc: fluid leak from transmission oil cooler lines due to corrosion. All 2000-2006 light duty trucks equipped with the light duty automatic transmission.
- 10024345Feb 1, 2008Eaton locking differential chatter shudder noise on turns, equipped with a locking rear differential rpo g80. *nj updated 7/17/2008.
- 10017464Jan 1, 2008Service 4wd light illuminated, diagnostic trouble code (dtc) c0374 set. *tt updated 10/05/07. *nj inspect wiring harness to transfer case speed sensors, replace wiring harness…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 33 | 26% |
| 2016 | 1 | 20% |
| 2015 | 11 | 14% |
| 2014 | 37 | 30% |
| 2013 | 11 | 17% |
| 2012 | 11 | 16% |
| 2011 | 4 | 5% |
| 2010 | 7 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 21 | 11% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 29 | 9% |
| 2004 | 49 | 8% |
| 2003 | 81 | 12% |
| 2002 | 70 | 10% |
| 2001 | 64 | 7% |
| 2000 | 103 | 8% |
| 1999 | 97 | 6% |
| 1998 | 14 | 5% |
| 1997 | 35 | 13% |
| 1996 | 22 | 12% |
| 1995 | 20 | 8% |
| 1994 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 1% |
| 1992 | 4 | 10% |
| 1990 | 1 | 4% |
| 1988 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado
257 complaintsElectrical system
116 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 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