2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Electrical System Problems
- 79
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 79 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 10 records
- instrument panel · 10 records
- instrument cluster · 8 records
- wiring harness · 5 records
- doesn work · 4 records
- needed replaced · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 25 |
| 100–150k mi | 15 |
| 30–60k mi | 14 |
| 150–400k mi | 13 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
The a/c had engaged(turned on) itself following my use earlier this day, the heater had worked well previous this morning. The temp was nineteen degrees outside and the truck was parked outside. I was unable to turn off the air conditioning, by pressing the button nor would any of the controls cause heat to come from the vents. I removed the dash trim and unclipped the radio mounts and removed the right electrical…
ODI 10553926
Air Conditioner · Electrical System · 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…
ODI 10704998
Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the passenger's side electronic controls failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was confirmed that the actuator and window motor had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 67,500.
ODI 10554814
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the speedometer displayed an inaccurate reading of 80 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000 and the current…
ODI 10511001
Electrical System
Starting to merge onto the interstate near peoria, il, i looked down and the speedometer was reading 95 mph. I looked at my gps and it read 54 mph. Without taking my eyes off the normal viewing scope, i now have no idea how fast i am going. This also seems to be a common issue with silverados. *tr
ODI 10483427
Electrical System
My instrument panel is draining the power causing problems with the lights there is a clicking sound and light dimming when the truck is running. I was told the change the ignition switch which was done but that didn't help with the problem. I don't know what else to do about this problem. *tr
ODI 10483994
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Vehicle Speed Control
Vehicle will suddenly decrease power and the message "engine power reduced" shows on message display. First time was 9/8/2012. Last time was feb 24, 2015. Has done this at 25 mph on a city street, [redacted] twice, and 55 mph on highway. Supposedly repaired three times. Am afraid to use vehicle as usually tow 5th wheel and do not want it to do this while towing.
ODI 10821900
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, smoke and flames were emitted from under of the dashboard into the cab of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that he was able merge to the side of the road and disconnect the wiring harness, which stopped the flames. The fire department was not contacted and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to a local…
Fire reported
ODI 10432650
Electrical System
2003 silverado 1500 instrument cluster panel all gauges went out. *tr
ODI 10416340
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle battery no charge lamp was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure but stated that the junction box fed by the positive battery calbe was melted and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was repaired.…
ODI 10413075
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · Electrical System
Hvac system suddenly started blowing hot air while on ac position. The only way it could be stopped was to stop the truck, shut off engine & re-start engine. *tr
ODI 10476856
Electrical System · Power Train
Reduce engine power message. 2003 chevy silverado. Driving down major 3 lane highway, message appears and trucks power goes to 15 mph. Tried to get into slower lane and off highway and was almost in a serious accident due to no power. Truck will not accelerate any faster than this. Has happened 3 times since. Major safety feature with chevrolet. Other than dinger going off and immediately after that truck looses all…
ODI 10406039
Electrical System
2003 chevrolet suburban and the speedometer is stuck on 65 when stopped and will travel upwards as i drive faster. For example in a 35 mph zone, when i guestimate my speed, i am driving according to my speedometer 110 mph! *tr
ODI 10375080
Electrical System
My 2003 chevrolet silverado 1500's gauges on the instrument panel are malfunctioning. While on the interstate the speedometer reading started showing speeds of over 100 mph while cruising at 70 mph. When i turned the truck of the gauge did not drop below 75. Since i first noticed this issue the gauge has continued to read an improper speed. The misreading has fluctuated from 20 to 75 mph off of the correct speed.…
ODI 10370727
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
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.…
ODI 10475346
Electrical System
I contacted chevy concerning my failed instrument panel and why it wasn't under a safety recall and i was told it was under a courtesy warranty recall up to 7 yrs or 80,000 miles, which i have succeeded when i could afford to get it fixed. Chevy said that it wasn't under a total recall because a speedometer not working is not a federal safety issue that is required for a recall. The dealership told me that it should…
ODI 10456537
Electrical System
Speedometer started working sporadically. Sometimes sticks below 0, sometimes moves sporadically and does not indicate correct speed. Internet search shows this is a very common problem. Gm is aware of this problem and has issued a service bulletin, but is it only valid for vehicles under 80k miles. This is a safety hazard in that the driver does not accurately know the vehicle speed and does not know if he/she is…
ODI 10315938
Electrical System
Speedo failed. Needle stuck at various speeds. Contacted gm. Not helpful at all. Guess somebody has to die before they will take any action. *tr
ODI 10316088
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Left turn signal causes the turn signals to act as hazard signals preventing other drivers from knowing the truck is turning left. It is sporadic, but often hear a buzz under steering column when it occurs. See it is an often reported problem with a failed hazard lamp flasher module whose contacts fail due to moisture. Must be replaced with a sealed module. Chevy claims there is no recall on faulty part (called…
ODI 10324511
Electrical System
The left daylight running light burned out. Upon removing the bulb the socket was brown and the electrical contacts looked charred. This was the original bulb installed at the factory. Cleaned contacts with sandpaper and installed new 4114 bulb as was removed. I still have the burned out bulb. *tr
ODI 10297691
Electrical System · Instrument Cluster/Panel
Erratic speedometer, engine trouble / check abs lights always on. No specific event, just started registering very high speeds or very low speeds that did not match actual speed of vehicle. Changes every time vehicle is turned off and turned back on or when stopped. Unable to gauge and maintain speed prudent for weather conditions in our area, which is usually snow, sleet, rain, or all three at once. Dangerous…
ODI 10308829
Electrical System
I have a 2003 chevy silverado 1500 and i want to report the defects i've noticed with my truck. First of all, the seat belt tends to jam for no reason. I was sitting at the intersection when i tried to lean over and the seatbelt was jammed. I could not move at all. This has happened several times to me and some friends. Another problem is the a/c system. My truck has dual control system and the drivers side will…
ODI 10293793
Electrical System
Speedometer is not working and/or inaccurate. *tr
ODI 10301950
Electrical System
The fuel gauge and the oil temperature gauge a few weeks ago started not working properly. The needles would stick and therefore could not read gauges. At first they would just not work from time to time, but now they do not work at all. I have a letter from chevrolet informing me that a problem like this could happen and if it did to contact my dealer for an appointment to inspect the problem. If the dealer found…
ODI 10283747
Electrical System
2003 chevy silverado speedometer reading inaccurately. Ascending to 120mph and staying while doing posted speedlimit. *tr
ODI 10282849