FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 engine problems

35 of the 960 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 are about the engine — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 120,535 miles.

A

35

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Engine 15 42.9%
Engine AND Engine Cooling 9 25.7%
Engine 5 14.3%
Emission Control 2 5.7%
Exhaust System 1 2.9%
Cooling System 1 2.9%
Catalytic Convertor 1 2.9%
Crankcase (Pcv) 1 2.9%

Engine & Cooling across every Chevrolet Silverado 1500 year

1997 38 1.3%
1998 22 0.7%
1999 16 0.5%
2000 21 0.7%
2001 28 1.0%
2002 23 0.8%
2003 35 1.2%
2004 44 1.5%
2005 37 1.3%
2006 20 0.7%
2007 75 2.5%
2008 51 1.7%
2009 41 1.4%
2010 35 1.2%
2011 43 1.5%
2012 25 0.8%
2013 35 1.2%
2014 199 6.8%
2015 141 4.8%
2016 72 2.4%
2017 117 4.0%
2018 108 3.7%
2019 402 13.7%
2020 259 8.8%
2021 409 13.9%
2022 254 8.6%
2023 163 5.5%
2024 149 5.1%
2025 41 1.4%
2026 42 1.4%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Riverside, CA

ENGINE

My engine has been giving me lean condition codes p0171, p0174 and truck is lacking performance really bad and coolant problems too please message me back

NHTSA complaint #11417701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charlotte, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE OIL READER IS ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE REDUCED SPEED WARNING COMES ON THE ENGINE REDUCES SPEED AND CANNOT GO OVER 30 IN A 30 MILE RADIUS IT HAS DONE THIS TO ME 4 TIMES JUST THIS MORNING TO WORK.

NHTSA complaint #10935401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Turlock, CA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND REDUCE ENGINE POWER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON RESOLVED THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE OR PRODUCE A FAULT CODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #10930045 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 128,000 miles EL Dorado Springs, MO

ENGINE

AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING OR TURNING, NO MATTER THE WEATHER OUR TRUCK RANDOMLY DIES. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL SHE ALWAYS STARTS BACK UP RIGHT AWAY.HOWEVER DUE TO NOT KNOWING WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN, IT DOES ON CITY STREETS AT 25MPH AND HAD ON THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH. WE ARE UNSURE STILL AT THE MOMENT THE CAUSE OR SOLUTION. WE HAVE HAD 4 EPISODES OF THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM STARTING THIS YEAR ONLY, 2015 .

NHTSA complaint #10808829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,000 miles Smithville, GA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FAULTY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE HIMSELF. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED HESITATION ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER CIRCULATED WARM AIR WHENEVER ACTIVATED. THE BLOWER MOTOR CONNECTOR WAS NOT REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE MOTOR RESISTOR WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10704998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 260,000 miles Celina, OH

ENGINE

I RECEIVED A REDUCED ENGINE POWER MESSAGE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AND WHEN IT CAME ON I COULDN'T TRAVEL MORE THAN 35 MPH. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY AND MY PASSENGERS LIFE AS WE WAS ON THE VERGE OF BEING HIT. I HAD THE CHECK ENGINE CODES CHECKED AND RECEIVED 7 DIFFERENT CODES.

NHTSA complaint #10669892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 45,000 miles Chickasha, OK

ENGINE

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND THE ENGINE DIES. AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS THE ENGINE RESTARTS AND OPERATES NORMALLY FOR AN UNPREDICTABLE INTERVAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER AND OTHER MECHANIC SHOPS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE REASON FOR THE POWER FAILURE AS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CAUSE IT TO DUPLICATE FAILURE WHEN THEY HAVE IT. THIS SUDDEN UNEXPECTED CONDITION IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN IT OCCURS AND RENDERS THE VEHICLE UNUSABLE FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN SHORT USAGE.

NHTSA complaint #10669476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 142,116 miles Carthage, TN

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING DOWN BUSY ROAD, FOR NO REASON ENGINE POWER WAS SUDDENLY REDUCED WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES. CALLED GM. NO RECALLS. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN INHERENT PROBLEM, NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED ASAP.

NHTSA complaint #10651034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 180,000 miles Rochester, WA

ENGINE

REDUCED ENGINE POWER. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING OFF AND ON FOR ABOUT 9 MONTHS, HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS EVEN AFTER REPLACING: ACCELERATOR AND RECEIVER ON THROTTLE BODY AS WELL AS CHECKING WIRING HARNESS FOR ISSUES. ESSENTIALLY, THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE THE FUNCTION OF THE ACCELERATOR WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY GIVEN TIME DURING THE USE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHY IT STILL IS HAVING THIS ISSUE...THE OTHER DAY THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AND REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE SET IN AND AT THE SAME TIME THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING GOING OUT AT THE SAME TIME WAS A ONE TIME DEAL BUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE VERY NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE HAD THIS ISSUE ON THE HIGHWAY THE OTHER DAY AND NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT IS SHOCKING THAT THERE ARE NOT THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, IF YOU LOOK UP FORUMS ON THIS TOPIC THERE ARE OVER 200,000 THREADS ON THIS VERY ISSUES. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF FORUM COMPLAINTS ABOUT REDUCED ENGINE POWER AND HOW PEOPLE HAVE SPENT $1000 PLUS AT THE DEALER AND THE ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. THE DRIVE BY WIRE FUNCTIONALITY INSTEAD OF USING A THROTTLE CABLE SEEMS TO BE HAVING ISSUES THAT EVEN GM DOESN'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR. WOULD APPRECIATE ANY LOOKING INTO ON THIS SUBJECT.

NHTSA complaint #10629811 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 148,591 miles Harrison, MI

ENGINE

I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH ON A SMOOTH PAVED COUNTY ROAD WITH MY A/C ON. IT WAS ABOUT 78 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I HAD THE A/C RUNNING ABOUT 15 MINUTES BEFORE THE AIR JUST TURNED WARM. I TRIED 3 TIMES TURNING OFF THE A/C AND BACK ON, AND THE AIR FAILED TO COOL. I STOPPED THE TRUCK, TURNED THE A/C ON, GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE A/C COMPRESSOR. THE A/C COMPRESSOR WAS NOT ENGAGING. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNDETERMINED. 2 OTHER MECHANICS FAILED TO FIND THE PROBLEM AS WELL. THE SYSTEM WAS CHARGED CORRECTLY, NOT LEAKING, AND EVEN REPLACED THE HVAC CONTROL MODULE AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. THERE ARE MANY OTHER CASES JUST LIKE MINE AND I WOULD LIKE GM TO LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM. I AM PROUD TO BE A GM CUSTOMER AND HAVE ALWAYS LIKED MY GM PICKUPS.

NHTSA complaint #10614631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 119,856 miles Eugene, OR

ENGINE

THE BOLTS ARE BROKEN OFF IN THE MANIFOLD, AFTER CHECKING YOU-TUBE I FOUND THIS IS A PROBLEM THE GM HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE.

NHTSA complaint #10588040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,230 miles RED Lake, MN

ENGINE

I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO AND AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS SAYS "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" AND I AM ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL BETWEEN 20 TO 30 MPH AND ALSO AS I COME TO A STOP LIGHT/SIGN THE TRUCK WANTS TO SPUTTER OUT AND DIE. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC SHOP THEY TELL ME ITS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT NEEDS TO BE CHANGED BUT I HAVE ALREADY CHANGED IT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS AND IS NOT THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS CONSTANTLY HAPPENING SOMETIME 3 TO 4 TIMES A DAY.

NHTSA complaint #10563697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,200 miles Beacon, NY

ENGINE

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED ON MARCH 1 2013 DIDN'T NOTICED ANY PROBLEMS EXCEPT A SLIGHT ENGINE NOISE. I THOUGHT THE ENGINE NOISE WAS TAPPING VALVES, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THE TRUCK WAS NOT ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT A YEAR. WHEN I CHANGED THE OIL FOR THE FIRST TIME I NOTICED THAT THE REAR MANIFOLD BOLT WAS MISSING, LOOKED AT THE OTHER SIDE, THAT WAS MISSING ALSO. I HEARD I COULD E-MAIL YOU TO REPORT A PROBLEM SO I DID.

NHTSA complaint #10542254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 118,000 miles Kennebunkport, ME

ENGINE

INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE HEADS ON SEVERAL EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS HAD BROKEN OFF. REPORTEDLY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY COMMON DEFECT IN GM P/U TRUCKS AND SUV'S. FROM WHAT SOME TECHNICIANS HAVE SAID, GM USED SUBSTANDARD BOLTS FOR THIS APPLICATION, AND THAT THEY SIMPLY CANNOT BEAR UP UNDER THE HEAT FROM MANIFOLDS. MANY COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED BY VEHICLE OWNERS, BUT GM REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND INSTITUTE A SAFETY RECALL FOR THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THE REPAIR OF THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COSTLY AND CAN CAUSE (AND HAS CAUSED) ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH OTHER VEHICLE COMPONENTS.

NHTSA complaint #10526133 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 168,000 miles Norfolk, NE

ENGINE

I HAVE A 2003 SILVERADO THAT HAS BEEN HAVING ROUGH IDLING ISSUES. THE TRUCK DOESN'T IDLE ROUGH EVERYDAY,BUT WHEN IT DOES THE VOLTAGE FLUXUATES BETWEEN 10-14 VOLTS. BEFORE THIS STARTED HAPPENING IT STAYED AT A STEADY 14 VOLTS. NOW THE VOLTAGE IS DROPPING AND THE RPM'S ARE DROPPING TO AROUND 200-300 RPMS THEN SOME TIMES IT WILL DIE IN MOTION. I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND HAD THE BATTERY TESTED THEY ARE GOOD. THERE WAS LOW FUEL PRESSURE SO I REPLACED THE PUMP,STILL NOTHING IS HELPING. I FOUND A INTERNET SITE (WWW.TOPIX.COM) THERE IS 15 PAGES OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NOBODY CAN FIND A DEFINITE PROBLEM. THERE IS PEOPLE SPENDING THOUSANDS ON THEIR VEHICLE TO FIX IT AND THE PARTS DON'T ALWAYS HELP. I HAVE NO WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON,SO I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO START ANYMORE. I'M BROKE. I FEEL THAT GM NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING FOR ALL THE PEOPLE AFFECTED BY THIS. *TR

NHTSA complaint #10475346 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Maynard, MA

ENGINE

THE BOLT HEADS ON THE EXAUST MANIFOLD ARE SNAPPING OFF CAUSING AN EXAUST LEAK AND A POSSIBLE EMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10473256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 189,216 miles Eden Prairie, MN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

REDUCED ENGINE POWER GENERIC CODE P2135.

NHTSA complaint #10456743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

West Lebanon, IN

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAKING OFF LEAVING STUDS IN THE HEADS (4) MY LATE 2002 CHEVY Z71 DEVELOPED AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER STARTED BANGING AT IDLE OR AFTER PARKED. ENGINE HAS BLACK EXHAUST ON THE HEAD WHERE WE FOUND THE MAIN LEAK. SO, CARBON MONOXIDE HAS BEEN COMING INTO THE CAB AND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT SEEMS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. WHEN CHECKING INTO THE ISSUE, I FOUND EVERY TRUCK IN OUR COMPANY FLEET HAS THIS SAME ISSUE AND OUR ASSOCIATES THAT HAVE PERSONAL TRUCKS DRIVING TO WORK CHECKED THEIRS AND THEY ALSO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. FROM 1999 THRU 2008 YEARS. WHEN CONTACTING OUR LOCAL CHEVY DEALER, THEY ADVISED THEY HAD NEVER SEEN OR HEARD OF ANY ISSUES LIKE THIS. I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE. EVERY PERSON I MENTION THIS TO, CHECKS THEIR TRUCK AND HAS THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE BROKEN BOLTS. THERE IS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CONTRACTING AND EXPANDING TOO MUCH- CHEAP STEEL ATTACHED TO ALUMINUM HEADS APPEAR ON ALL OF THE V-8 TRUCK ENGINES. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE AS WELL AS THE COSTS TO REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10448181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Mansfield, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

WHILE MAKING A TURN THE ENGINE CUT OFF. HAS DONE THIS 5 TIMES NOW.IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WAS VERY SCARY!

NHTSA complaint #10436009 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 134,000 miles Round Rock, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

THE SUBURBAN WOULD STALL WHILE WAITING IN DRIVE THRU LINES. SEVERAL TIMES. DIES WHILE IN GEAR, PUT IN PARK AND WOULD THEN START UP. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS. I KNEW I HAD GOTTEN A BAD TANK OF GAS, 2 MONTHS EARLIER. SO WE TRIED FUEL INJECTIONS, ETC... THE SUBURBAN WOULD DIE AND WOULD BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY DECIDED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL MODULE. $800 LATER AND IT WAS STILL HAPPENING. THE DEALER WAS DRIVING MY CAR MORE THAN I. PUTTING MILES ON THE CAR AND GMC DECIDED I HAD TOO MANY MILES ON THE VEHICLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. NOW, IT DIES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. ONE YEAR LATER AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND NO ONE HAS FIGURED IT OUT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND MOSTLY DISSATISFIED THAT I SPENT 45K ON A VEHICLE AND THEN WHEN IT FAILS NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. THEY JUST WANT YOU TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10424647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 56,000 miles Oxford, NJ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE TRAVELED OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AND THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER MODE WARNING MESSAGE APPEARED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FUEL PEDAL ACTUATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE PEDAL WAS REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL, AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10424422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 150,000 miles Gassaway, WV

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVARADO 1500. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSFER CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10368168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Angelo, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

FOUL SMELL FROM AIR VENTS DUE TO NO REPLACEABLE CABIN FILTER OR ACCUMULATION OF MOISTURE IN DUCTS OR A/C COILS.

NHTSA complaint #10245709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,835 miles Richland, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED THE 17TH OF JUNE AND TWO WKS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ITS WAS REAL HARD TO GET IN 2ND GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHECKED IT OUT FOR US. THE PROBLEMS ARE THERE IS NO CAT CONVERTER,TWO SEALS AND A SENSOR THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NOT TO MENTION 2ND GEAR IS MESSED .THE SERVICE MANAGER TOLD US AND GAVE US THE LIST OF THINGS WRONG AND THEY ARE THE 2ND GEAR ,THE SYNCHRONI,3ND GEAR,SYNCHRONI AND THE RING IN FIRST. ALL THIS IS TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CAT CONVERTER. A AND Z AUTOS GOT MAD THAT WE TOOK IT TO THE CHEVY DEALER. THEY KEEP GIVING US THE RUN AROUND AND HAVE NOT FIXED THE TRUCK YET AND THEY STILL HAVE IT AT THEIR SHOP. THEY WILL NOT RETURN OUR CALLS .

NHTSA complaint #10238794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 120,535 miles Richland, MS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SECOND GEAR WAS NOT CATCHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE CHEVROLET DEALER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER HAD BEEN CUT OUT, WHICH WAS ILLEGAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,535 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,640. UPDATED 09/10/08.

NHTSA complaint #10237982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakewood, CO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON I BEGAN LOSING COOLANT FLUID FROM MY SILVERADO TRUCK, BUT IT WAS NOT LEAKING OUT UPON THE GROUND. AFTER A MONTH OF THIS PROCESS, AND HAVING TO CONTINUALLY ADD COOLANT TO MY ENGINE, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC I HAVE KNOWN FOR SEVERAL YEARS. THINKING IT WAS MOST LIKELY A BAD HEAD GASKET (WHICH I FOUND OUT WERE BEING ERODED AWAY FROM THE "COOLANT "ITSELF), WE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET. LESS THAN ONE WEEK LATER, I AGAIN HAD TO ADD MORE COOLANT. AGAIN WE REMOVED THE HEADS AND INVESTIGATED THE PROBLEM. WHEN WE SEARCHED ONLINE MECHANICAL DATA BASES, WE DISCOVERED THAT MY TRUCK HAD BEEN FITTED WITH DEFECTIVE HEADS, PRODUCED FROM A PLANT IN MEXICO. WE EVEN DISCOVERED A GENERAL MOTORS MEMO REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THIS PLANT PRODUCED OVER 1.5 MILLION HEADS FOR VARIOUS VEHICLES. IT SEEMS THAT INFERIOR METAL PRODUCTS WERE THE REASON THE HEADS THEMSELVES WERE ALLOWING COOLANT TO BE SUCKED INTO THE CRANKCASE, COMPROMISING THE OIL, AND DAMAGING OR SEIZING UP THE ENGINE. I HAVE TALKED WITH SEVERAL SERVICE SHOPS,(GREASE MONKEY, JIFFY LUBE), AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS AN EVER GROWING PROBLEM, THE ONLY REMEDY OF WHICH IS TO TOTALLY REPLACE THE HEADS. THE EXPENSE TO THE CONSUMER,WHO DIDN'T INTEND TO PURCHASE A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, RANGES FROM $1,800 TO $9,000 IN REPAIRS, AND MAY WELL EFFECT SOME SIX TO 800,000 VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I SPOKE TO ONE WOMAN WHO WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN HER ENGINE SEIZED UP. IT WAS A MIRACLE SHE DID NOT LOSE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE CONTACTED GENERAL MOTORS REGARDING SOME FORM OF COMPENSATION FOR MY EXPENSES, AND AS YOU WOULD EXPECT, THEY JUST BLEW ME OFF AND TOLD ME NO RECALL WAS BEING CONSIDERED. I HAVE NO IDEA IF THIS PLANT IN MEXICO IS PART OF THE NAFTA PROGRAM, BUT IT SURE SEEMS STRANGE THAT GM WANTS TO KEEP SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE SO QUIET, AND REMAIN SO UNCONCERNED OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND EXPENSE. I WOULD THINK A RECALL TO CURB THESE FAILURES WOULD BE THE VERY LEAST GM SHOULD OFFER.

NHTSA complaint #10208889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Jacksonville, NC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AND LOSES POWER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE SHOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CONTACT PLANS TO CALL THE CHEVROLET DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

NHTSA complaint #10195979 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,317 miles Eastpointe, MI

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

JUST 100 MILES AFTER PCM WAS REPLACED , OUT OF WARRANTY, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE UNABLE TO GET TO DEALERSHIP FAST ENOUGH I DID SOME RESEARCH IN MY MANUAL, WHICH STATED THAT IF I SHUT DOWN VEHICLE AND LIGHT GOES OFF THEN PROBABLY NOTHING MAJOR TO WORRY ABOUT. INTERMITTENTLY THE LIGHT HAS CAME ON, THEN GONE OFF FOR THE PAST 4000 MILES. SO WITH MY OIL CHANGE, HAD DEALERSHIP RUN TEST ON DIAGNOSTICS, FOUND BAD CATALYTIC CONVERTER. COST OF REPAIR, $ 862. WELL, I DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY JUST FLOATING AROUND. THEREFORE, I COULDN'T GET IT DONE THIS TIME AROUND. SO I DON'T HAVE THAT FIXED. I WAS TOLD GM GIVES UP TO 80,000 WARRANTY ON THE PCM MODULE AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. STRANGE HOW THE LIGHT CAME ON JUST 100 MILES OVER THE LAST WORK DONE. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO ME AND MY TRUCK?

NHTSA complaint #10190099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 53,451 miles Frackville, PA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

VEHICLE WAS IDLING POORLY, IT HAD A ROUGH IDLE THAT WOULD SHAKE THE VEHICLE. THIS CAME AND WENT, IT WAS NOT A CONSTANT PROBLEM BUT SLOWLY GREW WORSE. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT 4 OF THE EIGHT CYLINDERS, ONE ENTIRE BANK, WAS MISFIRING. THE TROUBLE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY OXYGEN SENSOR THAT WAS DUMPING 50% MORE FUEL THAN NEEDED INTO THESE CYLINDERS. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED AS WAS THE SPARK PLUGS WHICH HAD BECOME FOULED.

NHTSA complaint #10176549 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 40,000 miles Rochester, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

MY COMPLAINT IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 EXTENDED CAB, 4X4 TRUCK. THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS FELT SPONGY. AFTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THE "LOW" BRAKE PEDAL, MY DEALER ADVISED THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY REAR ROTORS REPAIRED & THE REAR BRAKE SHOES REPLACED., SO I HAD THE WORK DONE. ONE WEEK LATER, I AGAIN COMPLAINED THAT NOW WHEN I'M STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO EVEN LOWER. THE BRAKING SYSTEM WAS CHECKED OUT, THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CHECKED, & I WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS OK, THERE WERE NO LEAKS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS WAS THE BIGGEST COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS TRUCK. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. IN THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE WIPER BLADE WAS DEFECTIVE, THUS SCRATCHING THE WINDSHIELD. I HAD TO COMPLAIN TO GET THE WINDSHIELD REPLACED & THE WIPER REPAIRED. ALSO WITHING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING, THE 4X4 SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE LOW. ANOTHER COMPLAINT THAT THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR OF OWNERSHIP WAS THE WIND NOISE DUE TO A FAULTY DOOR GASKET ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS WAS NOT REPLACED, ONLY TEMPORARILY FIXED, WHICH ONLY CORRECTED THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT WHILE. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE O2 OXYGEN SENSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. WITHIN A MONTH, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, THIS TIME IT IS A STUCK OPEN VALVE SOLONOID DEALING WITH THE EMMISSION SYSTEM OF WHICH I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF 364.00 TO REAPAIR, THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 2 YEARS OLD, & I'M TIRED OF HAVING TO TAKE THE TIME TO GET IT TO THE DEALER'S FOR REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10116382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 problems

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