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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,843 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Owner Comments

problem #14

Jun 282023

Silverado 2500

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The component that failed according to the Chevrolet dealer is the "transfer case pump clips", which came loose inside the transfer case and wore a hole through the case causing the oil to come out. If I would not have noticed the oil on the back of my truck, I could have continued to drive the truck, which could have caused the transfer case gears to lock up the front and rear axles while driving and could have caused me to wreck, causing injury to myself, my family or someone else. I marked the area of the leak with a sharpie as depicted in the photos.

- Los Molinos, CA, USA

problem #13

Oct 072022

Silverado 2500

  • miles
I had to replace the replace the housing on my transfer case as it wore a hole in and was leaking. At a cost of 1200 dollars due to myself catching it early as later with a fully disabled case would have been 2600 dollars. My mechanic who deals in transmission repairs told me this a very common problem for Chevy trucks from 1999 to 2006. He claimed he had done 7 transfer cases in one week and was actually replacing a fully wrecked one for 2600 dollars as I brought mine in to be worked on. It had worn a hole through the transfer case and was leaking. As this seems to be a serious defect. I feel it should have been under a recall and reimbursement should be in order for those who paid out of pocket for repairs. My mechanic also stated that he has replaced them at 35, 000 miles and on up. No rhyme or reason to when they fail or leak.

- Sheridan, WY, USA

problem #12

Aug 242015

Silverado 2500

  • 163,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that the pump in the transfer case of the transmission failed. The contact stated that the failure caused a leak in the transfer case which allowed the transmission to drain all the transmission fluid from the transfer case. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.

- Casper, WY, USA

problem #11

Jan 012015

Silverado 2500

  • 109,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On November 17, 2014, I was stopped in the middle lane of a highway waiting to pull into business parking lot, when I accelerated to pull in, my truck moved forward and then would only rev up the RPM's, almost getting hit by on coming traffic on the highway, I coasted in the parking lot, as the RPM's were still up, the transmission engaged and the truck moved forward with a loud thump. Local dealership replaced a part ($900) and sent me on my way. On December 27, 2014 while driving away from my house, once again the engine would rev up and the truck just coasted until it engaged causing a loud thump. I called and left message with service writer. On January 02, 2015, I was with 1/2 mile of my house and truck would not shift, I was able to turn around and drive back to the house at a very low speed keeping the RPM's low. Truck is currently at local dealership waiting for my approval to replace transfer case which has a pin hole in it and some other parts for $3100. I realize that problems can happen with any manufacture, however this GM issue with a pinhole in the transfer case that is caused by an internal part that breaks and drivers losing power to the drive train is a regular occurrence. I found many forums and solutions on the internet and one on NHTSA. After market parts have been developed to replace the cheap parts within the transfer case to prevent this from happening, unfortunately I did not research this issue prior to having the issue. In addition, I called a local repair shop to get an estimate for the transfer case replacement, I was told they repaired three in the last two weeks and two are in the shop for the same problem. Loss of power to the drive train is not something to ignore, from personal vehicles to public safety vehicles, this power loss could turn into something much larger than some atf stain in the driveway. Thank you

- Boulder City, NV, USA

problem #10

Apr 182011

Silverado 2500

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate and make a turn from a stop, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred on four occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was not available.

- Escondido, CA, USA

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problem #9

Mar 102012

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • 99,201 miles
I purchased my Chevy Silverado truck in 2003 new off the lot at [xxx] in roseville California. Within a couple years, I made a left hand turn at an intersection and lost power. I nearly hit a homeless man with a shopping cart, as I came up over a sidewalk. I called Chevy and got towed back in. They told me it was a solenoid? they fixed it and that was that. A year later, I am driving down a busy major street and make a left turn. As turning I lose power and my truck dies. Cars behind me honking. Light changes to red and cars still behind me. Now other lights are green. I turn my key again and it turns on and I get out of the way. I have 4 teenagers in my truck with me screaming. I take my truck to [xxx] and they test drive. Nothing happens. They say there is nothing to fix. Couldn't get it to die on them. A year later, make a U turn on busy street. It dies and loses power. I have no brakes and no steering. Cars honking. Again take it to [xxx]. nothing. A year later, taking a car load of women out to dinner and drinks. All hard working mothers. I am the only non drinker. At midnight I am taking the women home. U-turn at intersection, and truck dies. Again. No brakes or steering. Scared women. Turn it over and it goes. I take my truck to [xxx]. they have just moved to another building down the street. All my records of ignition problems gone. They have no idea where any of them went. They test drive. Nothing. They have yet to fix anything on it. It hasn't done it in over a year. But no telling when it does happen. It just happens. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #8

Sep 202011

Silverado 2500

  • 68,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2003 Chevy Silverado goes into gear with out pressing on the brake, also the truck will go into gear with out the keys in the ignition. The E-brake is also defective, the E-brake does not hold the truck. My 2 yrs old son was sitting in the truck on 9/20/2011 when the truck went into gear. I live on a incline my truck rolled down the hill while I was chasing the truck on foot, the truck finally came to a stop when it hit a 98 Toyota Tacoma which was parked in the drive way across the street. The E-brake was set, the keys were not in the truck, the truck was not running! my son could have killed himself or someone else due to the fact the truck is not safe!

- Moreno Valley , CA, USA

problem #7

Apr 302004

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 144 miles
1. poor ride, vibration, while driving at various speeds. Mostly between 35 to 50 mph. Had the problem with "stock" tires. Replaced with after market tires, slightly larger. Still had annoying vibration. To a point that I do not like to drive the vehicle! 2. fuel economy sucks! I "upgraded" from my '92 GMC pickup which gave me 12 to 14 mpg around town to 15 to 18 mpg on a trip; to my "new" chev. Which is good for about 9.5 to 9.8 mpg around town and the best ever, on a trip was 13.4 mpg!!! 3. the bench-type seat is not adjustable to remove the "vee" feeling when driving. 4. the self-darkening mirrors are a hazard when trying to backup or change lanes! 5. the passenger front seatbelt locksup and can't be freed unless you unbuckle and reattach the belt, only to have it lockup again! I have had the vehicle back to two different dealers on three seperate occasions principally for the mileage and the very annoying vibration! I have contacted General Motors, also with no success! I've changed tires, asked to have the transmission checked for the vibration, only to have seperate service managers tell me that "it seems okay to me, and that there's nothing on the computer to indicate a problem!" and "you put bigger tires on the truck! you can't do that!" I just "celebrated" (?!!!) my first anniversary with the truck and its been a miserable year!

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

problem #6

Oct 152003

Silverado 2500

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,140 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. the trans is clunker and has computer software issues causing shifting problems and dealer can not duplicate. The computer thinks it is ok so no codes will be stored. I also pointed out the GM tsb's to them on this problem. I may as well go to the zoo for service at least I get to expect poor service from wild animals. I wrote the vp of GM and he responded to me and forwarded my letter to vp of sales and service. Went back for repairs and still have same problems and the new tires with 1000 miles are bad just like the others. $38,000 piece of junk with $3 hr monkeys repairing it. What a joke, they can have this truck back since there is nothing wrong with it. I was also refused service two times by my local dealer because I bought it else where. Service manager said: "you are not our loyal customer and if we decide to service you, you go behind our loyal customers, reguardless of order". I think he may be looking for other employment now that the vp called me to discuss my concerns, but that is still against the law and the GM contract. Think I am going to just get a horse and when it stops working just shoot it.

- Covington, GA, USA

problem #5

May 132003

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • 6,903 miles
Vehicle seems to go into 4-wheel drive by itself while driving. This has happened to me three times already. I want to switch dealers but GM told me no I have to stay with the dealer who worked on the vehicle. As this happens the vehicle slows down considerably causing the seat belt to lock and hold me back. Also at times the vehicle just slows down while at highway speeds. The check 4 wheel drive light comes on and the push buttons on the panel do not operate. (the lights go out) I also think this has caused my odometer to fast forward. It tells me now that I have 29900 miles on the truck. I have all records and need help. I travel to work 8 times a month and round trip is 114 miles this does not seem to work out. Can they check the electronics and see actual miles from the computer.

- Beachwood, NJ, USA

problem #4

Sep 272003

Silverado 2500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 4WD, abrupt jerking from transmission or drive train, tends to occur when accelerating at low speeds, distracts from good control of truck. Truck has 14,000 miles and problem has been evident for last 10,000 miles.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #3

Mar 172003

Silverado 2500 8-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 309 miles
While driving at any speed up a hill, the transmission decelerated even when the consumer's foot was on the accelerator, which made the vehicle difficult to control. The vehicle also died on take off. Grommets on lower controls rubbed the torsion bars. While pushing accelerator pedal the consumer had to build up rpms by pressing the gas. The vehicle did not take fuel until the rmps built up when climbing hills.

- Malvern, AR, USA

problem #2

Mar 272003

(reported on)

Silverado 2500

  • miles
The vehicle switched from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive with out warning.

- Boxford, MA, USA

problem #1

Dec 152002

Silverado 2500

  • 9,000 miles
The vehicle down shifted erratically, which caused the rear wheels to lock and the vehicle to spin.

- Novelty, OH, USA

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