2003 1500 Hd Problems

Domano 68 · April 25, 2007

I am looking at buying a new 03 1500 HD and wanted to know if there were any specific problems with this year model. What to look for, etc. Thanks in advance as always!

HD03 · April 25, 2007

I put over 100,000 miles on mine in about 3 years with no problems.

jdrockin · April 26, 2007

I have an '02 1500HD with nearly 100k on it and haven't had any majors problems...(knock on wood). Great truck, could get a little better mileage, though...

sirjeffro · April 27, 2007

Check for a "clunking" noise that you can feel and hear in the steering column/shaft. I believe it's referred to as the steering intermediate shaft. Mine was making racket at 19k miles. Dealer said there was a service kit to lubricate it. It would run around $225.00 because "The HD trucks need two kits." I dunno...does an HD have a bigger longer steering shaft than a std. 1500? AND they said it would need to be re-lubed about every 20-25k miles!

Finally got the steering intermediate shaft replace at no charge (this was in Dec. '06....truck was purchased June 26, 2003) due to low mileage. Of course it also helps to be on the church deacon board with the owner of the Chevy dealership.

It looks like the part number for the shaft was 19153614, someone with more resources may be able to confirm this.

Also had a leaking axel seal at 4k miles...no problem there, though.

Otherwise the truck has been GREAT. I now have just uder 22k miles and will be replacing the original tires soon. It makes a pretty good family truckster for trips, and never shuns at taking on a load or trailer for us.

I hope this helps.....

silverado3500 · April 28, 2007

The lube kit should only run you about $8-9, the replacement shaft might cost 225, but definately not the lube. I've done the lube several times on mine and friends trucks. The job start to finish should take no more than 30 minutes, and is simple to do. The only other "issue some have reported is the cold start knock (piston slap), though there seems to be no effect on the durability of the engines.