FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Express electrical problems

10 of the 75 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Express are about the electrical system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 27,400 miles.

F

10

Complaints

0

Crashes

6

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Front Underhood 2 20.0%
Wiring 2 20.0%
Interior/Under Dash 2 20.0%
Electrical System 2 20.0%
Horn 1 10.0%
Speedometer/Odometer 1 10.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 258,051 miles Walnut, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Express. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was approximately 156,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on July 2, 2024, was 258,051.

NHTSA complaint #11724984 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles Highspire, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CONVERSION VAN. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ALL OF THE GAUGES AND ELECTRICAL FEATURES FAILED HOWEVER, THE LIGHT FUNCTIONS REMAINED OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 5/22/14

NHTSA complaint #10578288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,000 miles Columbiaville, MI Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS 2500 VAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE SAME AS MENTIONED IN RECALL # 05V104000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER THE DASH BOARD). THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

NHTSA complaint #10187752 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 7,260 miles Easton, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50-60 MPH 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS STALLED. THE VEHICLE SAT FOR ABOUT A MINUTE, THEN IT RESTARTED. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS THAT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED AS OF NOW. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO CONTACT THE DEALER SO THEY COULD EXAMINE THE VAN.*AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10135447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Collinsville, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

FIRE IN THE LEFT DASH OF A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS VAN G3.

NHTSA complaint #10097944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Frostburg, MD Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE PANIC ALARM WENT OFF AND COULDN'T BE TURNED OFF INITIALLY. DEALER ADVISED TO BRING VEHICLE IN. ALARM WENT OFF WHEN VEHICLE STARTED FOR SECOND TIME. VEHICLE DRIVEN ABOUT 3 MILES, ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. PULLED OVER, SMOKE POURED FROM UNDER HOOD, THEN FLAMES UNTIL VEHICLE ENGULFED IN FLAMES. VEHICLE TOTALLY DESTROYED BY FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10062712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,800 miles Topsfield, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

THE VEHICLE'S HORN AND WINDSHIELD WIPER EQUIPMENT FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA complaint #10051603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,700 miles Dania, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

CONSUMER WAS AWAKENED BY A HORN BLASTING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF RESIDENCE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE FRONT DOOR, VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. ENGINE WAS TOTALLY CONSUMED BY THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT FAULTY WIRING CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK *PH *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10044186 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dania Beach, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

COSNUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT WHEN IT SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10033576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 3,000 miles Hoffman Estates, IL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

FIRE THAT ORIGINATED IN THE RIGHT REAR BACK DOOR FACTORY WIRING WHERE ARCING AND ELECTRICAL FAULTING WERE PRESENT, SPECIFICALLY THE WIRING TRAVELING TO THE LOCK MOTOR, WHERE A SHORT TO GROUND OCCURRED AND IGNITED WIRING INSULATION INTO OPEN FLAME.

NHTSA complaint #10019088 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Express problems

← Full 2003 Chevrolet Express report