Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Chevrolet Silverado recalls
Parking brake
NHTSA campaign 05V161000 · reported April 22, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 90,242 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with manual transmissions and built with either pbr parking brake systems or trw parking brake systems, the parking brake friction linings may wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.
- The risk
- If the parking brake does not hold, unintended vehicle movement could occur, which could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with a pbr parking brake system. On vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system, dealers will install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly. The recall began on july 29, 2005. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Seat belts: rear/other
NHTSA campaign 05V163000 · reported April 22, 2005 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
- The risk
- A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Seat belts: front, anchorage
NHTSA campaign 04V225000 · reported May 11, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 736 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain extended and regular cab pickup trucks and cargo vans converted to compressed natural gas (cng) fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 225, 'child restraint anchorage systems.' these vehicles have one seating position, the center rear seat, equipped with child restraint lower anchorages.
- The risk
- The standard requires child seat lower anchorages in two seating positions for vehicles with three rear seating positions. The standard cab and cargo van vehicles, which only have front seating positions, have an air bag off switch to disable the front passenger air bag and do not have child restraint lower anchorages in the passenger seat. The standard requires passenger seat child seat lower anchorages in vehicles with an air bag off switch. However, the standard does not require vehicles with only front seating positions to have lower anchorage provisions if the vehicle is not equipped with an air bag off switch.
- The fix
- To bring the standard cab and cargo van vehicles into compliance, dealers will inject epoxy into the air bag off switch to prevent air bag activation, relocate the switch behind the instrument panel and then install a cover over the resulting opening. The sun visor label and owner's manual will also be changed. The correction for the extended cab vehicle will consist of changing the front passenger seat to a seat that has child restraint lower anchorages. The recall began on september 9, 2004. Owners should contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Structure: body, tailgate, hinge and attachments
NHTSA campaign 04V129000 · reported March 17, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 3,662,211 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the galvanized steel tailgate support cables that retain the tailgate in the full open (horizontal) position may corrode, weaken, and eventually fracture. If both cables fractured, the tailgate would suddenly drop and strike the top surface of the rear bumper.
- The risk
- Anyone sitting or standing on the horizontal surface of the tailgate when both cables fractured could be injured by falling from the tailgate. On vehicles that have had the bumper removed, the tailgate may drop even lower. Additionally, if there is cargo on the tailgate the cargo may fall off if the support cables fracture.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the cables. Interim owner notification began on april 7, 20004. The recall began on september 24, 2004, when replacement parts were available, and will continue through october 29, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or visit www.mygmlink.com, and enter your vehicle identification number.
Service brakes, hydraulic
NHTSA campaign 04V045000 · reported February 4, 2004 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 68,875 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
- The risk
- Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
- The fix
- Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on june 18, 2004. Owners should contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; gmc at 1-866-996-9463; or hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Visibility: windshield
NHTSA campaign 03V018000 · reported January 23, 2003 · GENERAL MOTORS CORP. · 110 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Certain pickup trucks fail to conform to federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 212, "windshield mounting." some of these vehicles lack a continuous urethane bonding bead between the body surface and the windshield.
- The risk
- In vehicles with this condition, the windshield may not be retained in accordance with the safety standard during a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will remove, reseal, and reinstall the windshield. Owner notification began on january 28, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Mar 31, 2016 · Service brakes · 210,515 miles
WHILE ROUTINELY DRIVING MY 03 CHEV SILVERADO TRUCK, THE BRAKES FAILED. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY STOP AND MOVE TO A SAFE PLACE, I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND SAW BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES WHICH HAD FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. AS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, I HAVE EXCELLENT DRIVING SKILLS…
Feb 26, 2016 · Fuel/propulsion system · 124,000 miles
SIGNIFICANT CORROSION OF THE FUEL (GASOLINE) LINES CAUSING LEAK AND POSSIBLE SAFETY HAZARD (FIRE). SEVERAL FORUMS REPORT BRAKE AND FUEL LINE PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. GM NOT ADDRESSING THIS KNOWN PROBLEM.
Feb 17, 2016 · Structure
BRAKE LINES, GAS LINE, TRANSMISSION FLUID LINES ALL RUSTED/CORRODED BEGINNING AT UNDER 50,000 MILES. * HAD NEAR ACCIDENTS AS THE BRAKE LINES BLEW WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AND WAS DECELERATING IN AN ATTEMPT TO COME TO A STOP..PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I CONTINUED ON (FOOT OFF THE GAS) UNTIL THE TRUCK SLOWED DOWN…
Feb 1, 2016 · Service brakes · 129,000 miles
FRONT BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND SPILLED BRAKE FLUID WHILE MOVING AT SLOW SPEED. HAD FRONT BRAKE LINES REPLACED. SIX MONTHS OR SO LATER, REAR BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH AND SPILLED BRAKE FLUID WHILE MOVING AT SLOW SPEED. HAD REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED. ABS IS NOW CONTAMINATED AND IS CAUSING STOP TIME DELAY…
Jan 4, 2016 · Electrical system · 126,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING, THE HEATER BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AND I SMELLED BURNING PLASTIC OR INSULATION. I PULLED OVER AND FIGURED OUT IT WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. LOGICALLY I PULLED THE BOTTOM COVER OFF FROM BELOW THE BLOWER ASSY.(FORMER MECHANIC). SMELL WAS COMING FROM PLUG HARNESS AND RELAY. MELTED WIRE INSULATION AND…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received March 31, 2016.