FaultScore

2003 Chevrolet Silverado tire problems

27 of the 852 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado are about the tires — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 20,000 miles.

A

27

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Tires 21 77.8%
Tread/Belt 3 11.1%
Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire 2 7.4%
Sidewall 1 3.7%

Tires across every Chevrolet Silverado year

1998 16 4.8%
1999 95 28.5%
2000 75 22.5%
2001 57 17.1%
2002 28 8.4%
2003 27 8.1%
2004 21 6.3%
2005 14 4.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 125,000 miles Iron Mountain, MI

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HVAC BLOWER MOTOR WOULD NOT FUNCTION ON LOW SETTINGS AND THERE WERE STRONG FUMES EMITTING FROM THE VENTS. THERE WAS VOLUNTARY RECALL FOR CORROSION ON THE WIRING CONNECTOR AND HVAC BLOWER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE MILEAGE INDICATED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA complaint #10425713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 74,717 miles Winston Salem, NC

TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET PICKUP EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER H/T TIRES, TIRE SIZE 265/75/16. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE EXCESSIVELY FOR APPROXIMATELY THIRTY SECONDS. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE WHERE HE DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE TREAD WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND IMPACTED INTO THE REAR DRIVER SIDE BED, CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE. THE DEFECTIVE TIRE WAS REPLACED WITH A SPARE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE BODY DAMAGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,717. UPDATED 06/03/11 *BF THE REMAINING TIRES WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 06/13/11

NHTSA complaint #10397930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,988 miles Chattanooga, TN

TIRES

PURCHASED 2 NEW(?) WRANGLER ST TIRES FROM DEALER ON 11/09/2005 BUT DATE CODE ON TIRE WAS 2504 TO MATCH ORIGINAL 2 STILL IN GOOD SHAPE. BREAKS REDONE FRONT END ALIGNMENT PERFORMED. FRONT END OF TRUCK STILL VIBRATED AT HIGHER SPEEDS ON LEVEL ROAD. DEALER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES TO IDENTIFY CAUSE OVER 2-3 YEARS. BALANCED AND REBALANCED THE TIRES. DID HIGH SPEED TEST IN SHOP. SUSPECTED TIRES, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY EXACT PROBLEM WITH TIRES. ON 30 OCT. 2010 WHILE TRAVELING @ 70MPH ON CLEAR DAY ON STRAIGHT INTERSTATE ROAD, FRONT PASSENGER TIRE EXPLODED. ROAD WAS CLEAR, NOTHING WAS STRUCK BY TIRE, OUTSIDE TEMP WAS ABOUT 73 DEGREES F. TIRE WAS SHREDDED TO BITS AND ONLY HAD ABOUT 31K MILES ON IT. PLENTY OF TREAD AND NO UNUSUAL WEAR PATTERNS. TOOK TIRE TO DEALER AND REPLACED BOTH FRONT TIRES WITH COOPERS AND NOW THERE IS NO VIBRATION IN THE FRONT COMING FROM THE TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #10364345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Linden, MI Crash

TIRES

2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT# 10-9100758.

NHTSA complaint #10213952 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 76,600 miles NEW Orleans, LA

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

SPARE TIRE FELL OFF.

NHTSA complaint #10154151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 14,301 miles Westminster, CA

TIRES

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH AND BELOW, THE STEERING ALLOWED TOO MUCH PLAY AND MANEUVERED LOOSELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. THE RACK AND PINION HAD A SLIGHT LEAK. THE CONSUMER HAS HAD NUMEROUS COMPONENTS REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE SUCH AS WHEEL BEARINGS, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS, CONTROL ARMS, STEERING GEAR, SHOCKS, STEERING LINKAGES, COILS SPRINGS, WHEEL HUBS STEERING COLUMN AND THE POWER STEERING GEAR. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES AND LUBRICATED THE LAST TIME. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE STEERING DESIGN WAS FLAWED, WHICH CONTAINS A LOOSENESS THAT CAN'T SEEM TO BE CORRECTED. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED AT TIMES. THE DEALER STATED THE CLUTCHES WERE BURNT AND GLAZED. THE TIRES WERE EXHIBITING PREMATURE WEAR. UPDATED 08/02/06. *JB UPDATED 04/16/08

NHTSA complaint #10153881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,145 miles Horton, MI

TIRES

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE DID NOT BRAKE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR TIRE TO HAVE THE TIRES REPLACED. THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THE TIRES WORE OUT. THIS RESULTED FROM THE ROTORS BEING RUSTED. ALSO, THE REAR BRAKES WORE OUT DUE TO THE ROTORS BEING RUSTED. THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HOWEVER, THE REPAIRS HAVEN'T BEEN DONE AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #10143128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,500 miles Palo Alto, CA

TIRES

DT: PIECES OF TIRE KEEP FALLING OFF THE SIDEWALLS ON FOUR TIRES THAT CAME WITH VEHICLE. THE TIRE PRESSURE RECOMMENDED IS 44 PSI. APART FROM THE PIECES COMING OFF THE TIRES, THERE ARE NO BULGES OR ANYTHING OF THAT SORT.*AK UPDATED 11/15/05.

NHTSA complaint #10139303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Maricopa, AZ

TIRES

4X4 NOT WORKING, CHARCOAL CANISTER, CD-PLAYER 3 TIMES, COMPLETE NEW BRAKE SYSTEM FROM ROTORS,SEALS,CALIPERES ETC. THAT I PAID FOR $1,000., WINDOW REGULATOR, DOOR LATCHES, NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING AREA, DASH PEELING APART, CHAPMAN CHEVY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES TWICE WITHIN 50,000 MILES-I FINALLY WENT AND SPENT $1,200 ON NEW TIRES TO MAKE SURE MY FAMILY AND I OUR SAFE

NHTSA complaint #10126360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Grove City, OH

TIRES

BLOWOUT OF DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WHILE GOING APROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON ST RT 56. CAUSED OVER $3,OOO.OO WORTH OF DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. TIRE TAKEN TO FIRESTONE. DEALER. DEALER SENDING TIRE TO THEIR NASHVILLE, TN TECH CENTER FOR EVALUATION.

NHTSA complaint #10116822 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles North Little Rock, AR

TIRES

WHEN BRAKING AT ANY SPEED BRAKE PEDAL WOULD GO TO THE FLOOR, AND THERE WOULD BE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK ABS DISPLAYED BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED ON INCLINES. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE ODOMETER FAILED AND ADDED EXTRA MILEAGE. THE TIRES STARTED SEPARATING AFTER 300 MILES. THE RADIO BECAME HOT AND SHORTED OUT. THE AIR CONDITIONER SHORTED OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE NEW VEHICLE CHECKLIST WAS NOT FILLED OUT NOR REVIEWED WITH HIM. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE ENGINE KNOCKS. THE CONSUMERS FINGERS WERE BURNED BY THE RADIO AFTER IT GOT HOT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A GROWLING NOISE IN THE POWER STEERING. THE CONSUMER HEARD A BUZZING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE COMING DOWN A HILL. THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WENT OUT AND TURNED BLACK. THE HEADLIGHT WAS REPLACED WITH THE WRONG HIGH BEAM LIGHT. THE CD PLAYER WILL NOT TAKE THE CD. THE SPEEDOMETER WILL ONLY GO TO 20 MPH AT TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #10107108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvine, CA

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

SEVERE TIRE PULLS, LEFT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED MOST PULL. EVEN DEVELOPED A SMALL BULGE IN THE TIRE TREAD ITSELF. CONDITION WORSENED WITH MILEAGE. CONSUMER TOOK HIS TRUCK TO 4WP STORE AND ASKED THEM TO REPLACE DEFECTIVE TIRES UNDER PURCHASED WARRANTY. STORE MANAGER STATED THAT THE TIRE PULLS WERE COMMON AMONG ALL TIRE BRANDS AND FAILED TO REPLACE TIRES UNDER WARRANTY. CONSUMER AT A LATER TIME REPLACED WORN SUSPENSION PARTS DUE TO OUT OF BALANCE CONDITION AND VIBRATION CAUSED BY TIRE BULGES. CONSUMER ALSO FILED COMPLAINT WITH THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS STATE ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. *NM FB F2

NHTSA complaint #10101121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,680 miles Beckley, WV

TIRES:SIDEWALL

I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM MY DOCTOR IN MY 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO ON WV RT. #3, IN BECKLEY, WV, TRAVELING AT A SPEED LESS THAN 30 MPH, WHEN THE RT. REAR TIRE RUPTURED ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL; I HAD NOT HIT OR RUN OVER ANY OBJECT, AND THE TIRE SHOWS NO TRAUMA TO ITS CARCASS.

NHTSA complaint #10098026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Murfreesboro, TN

TIRES

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TIRES NEEDED TO BALANCE AND ROTATED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #10097081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 22,000 miles Westfalls, NY

TIRES

TIRE JUST FELL APART ON THE THRUWAY. LUCKILY MY WIFE AND I ARE OK. I AM GOING TODAY TO BUY NEW TIRES. I WILL NOT KEEP OR OWN FIRESTONE TIRES AGAIN. THIS WAS NOT A BLOWOUT, THE TIRE FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #10093755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Fayetteville, GA

TIRES

2003 CHEVY 1500HD TAKEN TO 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS FOR A VIBRATION IN RUNNING GEAR, LAST DEALER INSTRUCTED ME TO LOWER TIRE PRESSURE FROM 50 IN FRONT AND 80 IN THE REAR TO 45 POUNDS ALL AROUND. THIS IS HALF THE RECOMMENED PRESSURE OF THE TRUCK AND I ASKED IF THIS WOULD BE SAFE, I WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #10088321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27,675 miles Battle Mountain, NV

TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

(1) WHILE CROSSING OVER A CATTLE GUARD AT 10-25 MPH THE SPARE TIRE HOIST AND SPARE TIRE FELL OFF THE TRUCK WHICH ARE MOUNTED UNDERNEATH THE 2003 CHEVY DURAMAX PICKUP TRUCK. ( 2 )THE TIRE IMPACTED THE TRAILER BRAKE PLUG HOOKUP AND BROKE THE WELDS HOLDING IT ON. (3) ACCIDENT REPORTED TO SUPERVISOR AND INTERAGENCY SAFETY COMMITEE. VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED AND REPAIRS MADE WHEN POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #10083171 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,140 miles Covington, GA

TIRES

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 $3.00 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.

NHTSA complaint #10071175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 18,000 miles Dalton, GA

TIRES

TIRES DEVELOPED BUBBLES, AND THE STEEL BELTS ARE VISIBLE IN PLACES. ALSO, EXHAUST SYSTEM IS DESIGNED WITH THE PIPES SITTING DIRECTLY ON TOP OF THE SPARE TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10063217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richmond, IN

TIRES

I OWN A 2003 Z71 EXTENDED CAB 4X4 SILVERADO W/ LESS THAN 9,000 MILES. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ON WET PAVEMENT THERE IS NO TRACTION (THE TIRES JUST SPIN). THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS WHEN TAKING OFF (IE FROM A STOP LIGHT) OR STOPPING. THIS CAN CAUSE A POTENTIAL VEHICLE CRASH SITUATION ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE ACCELERATING ACROSS TRAFFIC.

NHTSA complaint #10049738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Acworth, GA

TIRES

ORIGINAL GOODYEAR TIRES HAVE NO TRACTION IN WET CONDITIONS. VEHICLE HAS HYDROPLANED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRAVELING CAUTIOUSLY SLOW IN WET WEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10048869 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

NEW Market, AL

TIRES

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO WITH 17,000 MILES ON IT AND THE VIBRATION WITH THE TIRES ARE DRIVING ME CRAZY. I HAVE HAD THEM ROTATED REGULARLY. INFACT, I HAVE ROTATED THEM MORE THAN ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER HAD. I RECIENTLY HAD THEM "TRUED" AND BALANCED. THE VIBRATION CONTINUES. AFTER A VISIT TO MY LOCAL BILL HEARD CHEVY DEALER, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TIRES ARE IN SUCH BAD SHAPE THAT THEY WOULD NOT "INDEX" THEM. I NOW MUST SHOW THEM DOCUMENTATION OF WHEN, WHERE AND WHO ROTATED MY TIRES IN THE FIRST 6,000 MILES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SITUATION. NOW I ROTATE MY TIRE MYSELF AND THEREFOR, I HAVE NO PAPERWORK ON IT. CHEVROLET SAYS TO TAKE THE VECHILE TO A GOODYEAR TIRE DEALERSHIP AND SEE WHAT THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT. I GOT MORE/BETTER RESPONSE FROM THEM. IF THE TIRES ARE 25% OR LESS IN WEAR, THEN THEY WILL REPLACE THEM. KEEP IN MIND, I HAD THEM "TRUED" WHICH MEANS I HAD THEM "SHAVED" TO A MORE ROUND SHAPE. SO NOW I HAVE GONE THE EXTRA MILE TO GET THE VIBRATION OUT OF THE TIRES BY "TRUEING" THEM AND NOW I HAVE TO HAVE THEM "DEAPTH CHECKED" TO SEE IF THERE IS ENOUGH TREAD TO JUSTIFIY A REPLACEMENT. WOW! TALK ABOUT DAMNED IF YOU DO AND DAMNED IF YOU DON'T! CHEVROLET NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THERE CUSTOMERS. I DIDN'T BUY A TRUCK WITHOUT TIRES, I BOUGHT A PACKAGE DEAL. BUT WHEN NEEDED AFTER THE SALE, IT'S THE OTHER GUYS MALFUNCTION AND YOU NEED TO GO AND SEE THEM. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR CAR COMPANIES? DON'T BELIEVE THE COMERCIALS YOU SEE ON TV.

NHTSA complaint #10046821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montgomery, AL

TIRES

TIRES CAUSE YOU TO SKID ON ANY SURFACE AND HAVE ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCCIDENTS. THEY HAVE LITTLE TRACTION AT ALL! VERY DANGEROUS!!

NHTSA complaint #10045771 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Montgomery, AL

TIRES

TIRES ON 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO DO NOT HAVE GRIP, THEY SLIDE ON SLOPES EVEN IN DRY WEATHER. YOU MUST PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR YOU WILL SLIDE OR TIRES WILL JUST SPIN WHEN YOU PROCEED ON A HILL OR SLIGHT INCLINE, NO TRACTION AT ALL, CONSIDER DANGEROUS.

NHTSA complaint #10041225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,900 miles Holly, MI

TIRES

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE VEHICLE HAD A TIRE BLOWOUT. THE CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL TO THE SIDE, GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND EXAMINED THE TIRES. HE NOTICED THAT A TIRE WAS BLOWN OUT AT THE SIDE. VEHICLE DID NOT HIT OR BUMP ANYTHING BECAUSE THE BLOW OUT WAS AT THE LEFT REAR SIDE OF THE TIRE. CONSUMER STATED THAT HE CHANGED THE TIRE AND TOOK THE DAMAGED TIRE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP HIM BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS NOT A RECALL TIRE. GENERAL, AMERI-TRAC, SIZE 255/70R16. *AK THE SIDEWALL HAD BLOWN OUT AND THERE WAS NO SIGN OF TREAD DAMAGE. (THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS FINE AND THE VEHICLE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING IN THE BED WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.) *SCC

NHTSA complaint #10040457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Port Richey, FL

TIRES:TREAD/BELT

THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRACTION OF THE TIRES WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLIDE WHEN STOPPING AND TURNING CORNERS. CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER; DEALER SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10033934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Deer Park, TX

TIRES

TIRES- NEW 2003 CHEVY SILVARDO-TRUCK SLIPS EASILY ON WET ROAD- GOING CORNERS AND IN STRAIGHT CONDITIONS-

NHTSA complaint #10005685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2003 Chevrolet Silverado problems

← Full 2003 Chevrolet Silverado report