There are 50 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Silveradoin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
While driving down a 50 mph roadway there was a line of cars slowing for a vehicle to make a turn. When gently pushing the brakes to slow down, brake went clear to the floor and could not slow down. Truck was driven into the ditch to avoid rear-ending vehicles. This happened immediately without warning, all braking prior to this incident was normal. When taken to our mechanic, they advised the brake lines underneath were notorious for rusting out and failing, new stainless steel lines were then installed to correct the problem.
Hydroboost valve pump shows a recall.,and it's not working properly
RUSTED OUT AND LEAKING BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINES UNDER THE DRIVERSIDE DOOR WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE FRAME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DROVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.*DT*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY STOP AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND FAILED, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,900.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 2500. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SON WAS DRIVING 2 MPH IN A PARKING LOT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, THE LOW BRAKE FLUID INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LINDSAY BUICK GMC (250 W SHIRLEY AVE, WARRENTON, VA 20186, (540) 987-2082) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,703.
VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. HAD TO APPLY EMERGENCY BRAKES TO STOP VEHICLE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. VEHICLE WAS ON A STATE HWY. VEHICLE WAS GOING STRAIGHT.
REAR BRAKES RUSTED OUT FLUID BURST OUT NO BRAKES TWO YRS AGO. FAST FOREWORD SATURDAY 12/22/2018 BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR ,LINE FROM BRAKE BOOSTER TO PROPORTIONING VALVE BLEW OUT RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH.
BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO WARNING WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO RUN OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION AND STOP THE VEHICLE SLOWLY USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, I COULD SEE BRAKE FLUID POURING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINES UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THERE APPEARED TO BE SIGNIFICANT CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES WHERE THE FLUID WAS NOW POURING OUT.
THE BRAKE LINES ON MY 2003 SILVERADO 1500 ARE RUSTING COMPLETELY OUT. TWO YEARS AGO I HAD TO REPLACE A PORTION OF THE PASSENGERS FRONT BRAKE LINE BECAUSE OF CORROSION. LAST YEAR I HAD TO REPLACE THE LINE THAT GOES FROM THE ABS TO THE REAR FLEXIBLE HOSE FITTING. TODAY I DISCOVERED THAT A LINE FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER IS LEAKING, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN UNDERNEATH TO SEE IF IT IS THE FRONT OR REAR SUPPLY LINE. THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD A 1968 CAMARO FOR 19 YEARS, SOLD IT IN 2004 AND IT'S BRAKE LINES WERE IN PERFECT CONDITION NEVER A PROBLEM. THAT'S 36 YEAR OLD AND NEVER A PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A 2006 COLBALT SS, IT'S LINES ARE OKAY BECAUSE THEY HAVE A COATING ON THEM THAT PROTECTS THE METAL. WHY DOESN'T THE TRUCK HAVE THE SAME COATING? IS SOMEONE GOING TO HAVE TO DIE OR BE SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED. BY THE WAY ALL THE FAILURES HAPPEN WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, APPLYING THE BRAKES, NOT WHEN I WAS STANDING STILL.
WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2003 CHEVY SILVERADO 1500 THROUGH THE STATE INSPECTION LANES TOTAL FAILURE OF THE BRAKES. UPON INSPECTION OF THE AREA WHERE FLUID WAS DRIPPING ALL THE BRAKE LINES TO THE ABS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. AT LEAST ONE OF THESE LINES FAILED WHILE DOING THE BRAKE CHECK DUMPING THE WHOLE SYSTEM ON THE FLOOR. THANK GOD IT WAS IN THE INSPECTION LANE AND NOT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH MY GRANDSON IN THE VEHICLE OR MY PREGNANT DAUGHTER IN LAW! THE VEHICLE INSPECTOR SAID THIS IS NOT THE FIRST CHEVY TRUCK THAT HAS HAPPENED IN HIS LANE AND I SHOULD CHECK FOR ANY RECALLS. THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR AS ALL THE LINES FRONT TO BACK WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED AND FILLED.
AS I GOT TO A BOTTOM OF A HILL AND APPLIED BRAKE, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, WAS ABLE TO GET STOPPED WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING USING PARKING BRAKE AND REVERSE. FOUND BRAKE LINE HAD RUPTURED BELOW DRIVERS SIDE. LUCKY NOT GOING DOWN HIGHWAY AND HAVING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY OR QUICK STOP, COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES IF NOT DEATHS.
BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHEN COMING TO STOP AT BOTTOM OF HILL. WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING, USING PARKING BRAKE AND REVERSE. COULD OF BEEN SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF HAD TO MAKE A QUICK OR EMERGENCY STOP ON BUSY HIGHWAY.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT SIGNAL IT TURNED YELLOW. KNOWING THAT I WASN'T GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT TURNED RED I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP. WHILE PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKES EVERYTHING FELT NORMAL WITH RESISTANCE FROM THE PEDAL UNTIL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST ITS RESISTANCE OR PRESSURE AND WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD LITTLE TO NO BRAKES. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME AS I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP IN TIME. I THEN PULLED OVER AND AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE REAR HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. CORROSION THAT WAS CAUSED BY USING INFERIOR PRODUCTS THAT CANT SUSTAIN THE ELEMENTS IT'S USED IN. I NOW SEE THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT GM HASN'T INFORMED ITS OWNERS OR RECALLED. SHAME ON THEM. WHY DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO DIE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN ON AN ISSUE SUCH AS BRAKE FAILURE. THEY GOT LUCKY IN MY CASE.
BRAKE LINE FAILURE IN SEVERAL PLACES. WAS UNDER VEHICLE PERFORMING AN OIL CHANGE. NOTICED FLUID ON THE BOTTOM OF THE FUEL TANK. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE REAR MOST HARD BRAKE LINE LEAKING. CONTINUED TO INSPECT ALL HARD LINES AND FOUND SEVERAL AREAS WHERE LEAKS WERE PRESENT. REMOVED VEHICLE FROM USE AND STARTED REPLACING ALL HARD BRAKE LINES. NEW LINES ARE STAINLESS STEEL THUS I SHOULD NEVER RUN INTO THIS ISSUE AGAIN. GM SHOULD HAVE USED STAINLESS STEEL LINES IN THE FIRST PLACE RATHER THAN PLAIN STEEL LINES. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES LINES BROKE LIKE TWIGS WHEN I BENT THEM TO THROW THEM AWAY. I HAVE NEVER SEEN BRAKE LINES IN THIS TYPE OF CONDITION ON A VEHICLE WITH 130,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED BRAKE LINE FAILURE ON A VEHICLE LIKE THE CHEVY SILVERADO. THE NHTSA NEEDS TO FORCE GM TO PERFORM A RECALL AND RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
THE BRAKE LINE KEEP RUSTING OUT ON THESE VEHICLE AND THAT IS VERY DANGOURES TO ME AND OTHER PEOPLE ON THE RODE
WHILE PARKED I ATTEMPTED TO PUT VEHICLE INTO GEAR, BUT FOOT WENT TO FLOOR WHILE ENGAGING BRAKES. CHECKED UNDER CAR AND DIDN'T NOTE FLUID LEAK SO I CHECK RESERVOIR WHICH WAS FULL. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP THAT SAID THAT LINES CORRODED AND FAILED. THEY DESCRIBED HOW THEY WOULDN'T ONLY REPLACE CORRODED LINE SINCE OTHER LINES WOULD BREAK OFF. FAILED TO MENTION THAT THIS IS COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR 1999-2003 TRUCKS IN NORTHEAST. QUOTED $150.00 FOR KIT AND $850 FOR LABOR TO INSTALL. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY BOB FISHER (READING, PA) DEALERSHIP EACH YR. SINCE 2015 SO I'M CONCERNED THAT THEY NEVER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. AN UNKNOWN INJURY WAS SUSTAINED TO THE DRIVER OF THE OTHER VEHICLE, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO APPROVED AUTO (17 DANVILLE RD, PLAISTOW, NH 03865) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP, THE DRIVER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. AFTER DEPRESSING THE PEDAL A SECOND TIME, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AGAIN AND THE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. A CRASH ALMOST OCCURRED DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES LOCATED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE RAIL HAD RUPTURED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (GRAHAM CHEVROLET CADILLAC, 1515 W 4TH ST MANSFIELD, OH 44906) AND WAS INFORMED OF THE REPAIR COST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
Showing 1–20 of 50 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026