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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,256 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 3500 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2003 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #24

Dec 222003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

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

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.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #23

Sep 122003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 800 miles
1to2 gear slamming, within 900 miles, engine light on at 800 miles, change oil message at 740 miles, ABS light on at about 8000 miles,7500 miles would not start, poor brake performance, extended cab pass. Door squeaking loudly, bose sound speaker rattling, tail light squeaking,2-3 upshift very abrupt and loud, clunky like the transmission is falling out, turn signal right flashers will come on sometimes until you cancel the turn signal, rear bumper rusting out, truck will sometimes roll 2-4 inches when first started, Chevrolet refused this truck on a lemon law buyback, they installed a software download for late upshift, not much help, they replaced the crank pos. Sensor, truck now starts, replaced taillight, one less squeak, put nuts on the rear door speaker, now it hopefully wont fall out, they wedged the rear passenger door, temporary fix,1500 miles later squeezing again, oil life monitor reset(fixed),repaired, the 2-3 upshift clanking they say is normal(rattles the inside of the cab when it happens)brakes fade at low pedal pressure, they say its normal(seems there is a recall on this sight for that),turn signal causing flashers to come on, unknown why, or how to fix it, dealership not eager to fix rust issue on bumber, not airtight cabin wind noise, Chevrolet claims it as normal, they changed alternator, and plug-ins for late upshift, no change, eager to rid of this truck!!!

- Sherillsford, NC, USA

problem #22

Feb 162004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
Transmission slips between dead stop to second gear-more noticeable when wheel is turned. "clunking" noise when shifting. Dealer was unable to find anything wrong. (2003-2500hd crew).

- Oxford, PA, USA

problem #21

Mar 082004

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,760 miles

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

Transmission shifted through all ranges while in first gear (low) would not down shift to pass.

- Albany, NY, USA

problem #20

Mar 012003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
Power train & transmission, clunks & slips quite often on acceleration and sometimes will downshift unexpectedly at lower speeds.

- Omaha, NE, USA

problem #19

Feb 102003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,000 miles
When taking off from a stop transmission slips, causing vehicle to fail to move, then engages when rpms is high causing vehicle to jerk into gear. Can be very dangerous when pulling into a intersection and vehicle fails to move. I have almost wrecked several times because of the delay. Does not happen all the time dealership has been notified 7 times and failed to fix it.

- Hartman, AR, USA

problem #18

Mar 282003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles

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

Transmission has rough studder/slippage when shifting from first to second gear. It doesn't occur every acceleration.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #17

Sep 102003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Clanking in transmission between 1 and 2.

- Lakeland, FL, USA

problem #16

Nov 282003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1 miles
Drive line "clunk". appears to be too much play in the drive train. Clunking sound when automatic tran shifts. Been to two dealers 4 times. They say it's "normal". talked to GM and they say it's "normal".

- Pekin, IL, USA

problem #15

Jun 012003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
Harsh 1-2 shift slipping 1-2 shift followed by harsh engagement.

- Shannon, IL, USA

problem #14

May 012003

Silverado 3500

  • 6,500 miles

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

While driving between first and second gears transmission slipped intermittently, causing vehicle shutter violently, and became very hard to down shift.

- Cato, NY, USA

problem #13

Oct 062003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
While driving and making left or right turns steering made a noise. Also, brakes and transmission problems. Dealer notified.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #12

Jul 102003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
Problem with transmissiopn hard shift from 1 to second and at times wont shift until you release gas and step on gas again. This happens at any time and with any road condition

- Lake Forest, CA, USA

problem #11

Aug 252003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7,255 miles
2003 Chevrolet Silverado the truck will shift in 4 low while driving.the service 4 wheel drive light will come on. The truck has been to the dealer, dealer can not give reason why the truck does this or has been able to repair it.sooner or later this truck will cause a accident when it pops into 4 low on its own.

- Wilbraham, MA, USA

problem #10

Jul 292003

Silverado 3500 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,200 miles
Transmission failure.

- Troy, NY, USA

problem #9

Dec 232002

Silverado 3500 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,849 miles
At low RPM the transmission will free wheel after stop or between low gears. After stopping the truck will raise rpms, but not move, then drop into gear. Runs fine for a while then without warning can re-appear. Has been a major factor in two near-collisions when exiting shopping areas and finding no power connected as truck rolls into intersection. Has also rolled backwards once only on uphill when transmission free wheeled. Has been presented to dealer four times (five but once did not even look at) and can not duplicate problem. Once also to dealer because brake petal went to floor while stopped at intersection - was told this was a normal function of the anti-lock braking system. Date is of first incident.

- Tualatin, OR, USA

problem #8

Dec 312002

Silverado 3500

  • 6,000 miles
The vehicle shifted into 4 wheel drive without warning.

- Shelbyville, IN, USA

problem #7

May 052003

Silverado 3500

  • miles
While driving the second gear of the automatic transmission didn't shift properly. The dealer inspected the vehicle but could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 272003

Silverado 3500 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • 900 miles
Purchased 2/2003; "service transmission" light comes on intermittently; dealer unable to fix problem. Grinding noise in transmission; advised by dealer not to use 4WD low as it may become stuck.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #5

Apr 092003

Silverado 3500 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,864 miles
While driving 65 mph the vehicle shifted from 2 wheel drive to 4 wheel drive low. The dealer was aware of this problem and stated that the manufacturer had no remedy for it at this time (2500 hd).

- Milton, NH, USA

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