2003 Chevrolet Express
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 15 |
| 1997 | 29 |
| 1998 | 23 |
| 1999 | 68 |
| 2000 | 84 |
| 2001 | 45 |
| 2002 | 55 |
| 2003 | 58 |
| 2004 | 21 |
| 2005 | 23 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 15 |
| 2011 | 11 |
| 2012 | 12 |
| 2013 | 22 |
| 2014 | 14 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 15 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 16 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 6 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A SMALL AMOUNT OF FUEL CONTINUOUSLY LEAKED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK IMMEDIATELY AFTER REFUELING.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120822
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS CONVERSION VAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, HE NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FUEL FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120814
7% of complaints: engine — 4 distinct reports on file.
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 3 distinct reports on file.
CRASHShow complaint excerpts
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THEY FAILED TO HOLD, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *JB ON 3-28-03, THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WOULDN'T CHECK THE BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030327
5% of complaints: seat belts — 3 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET EXPRESS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY BROKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS WORKING UP TO SPECIFICATIONS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120828
5% of complaints: power train — 3 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
CERTAIN VANS WERE BUILT WITHOUT A WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY RETAINING NUT, WHICH COULD LEAD TO A POSSIBLE BEARING SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS A MISSING RETAINING NUT, THE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY WILL BE REPLACED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2002. OWNERS
Campaign 02V305000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN VANS, THE RIGHT-HAND TIE ROD END NUT MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY. THE NUT CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN SEPARATION OF THE TIE ROD FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TIE ROD END NUT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE TIE ROD END. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 27, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED U
Campaign 02V326000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH AN 8,500 LB. OR 8,600 LB. GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING, THE NUT ATTACHING THE PITMAN ARM TO THE STEERING LINKAGE MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED ADEQUATELY RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE SEPARATION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE PITMAN ARM NUT TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION. IF THE NUT IS MISSING, THE DEALER WILL INSTALL A NEW NUT AND TIGHTEN IT CORRECTLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2002.
Campaign 02V330000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN VANS WITH A GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT OF LESS THAN 8,500 POUNDS, DURING A VEHICLE CRASH SUFFICIENT ENOUGH TO DEPLOY THE SAFETY BELT PRETENSIONER, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY NOT RELEASE AF
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE
Campaign 03V050000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN VANS HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH WATER MAY ENTER AND CORRODE THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET. IF THE LAMP SOCKET WERE TO CORRODE, THE REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP MAY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR NO
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SEALED REAR LICENSE PLATE LAMP SOCKET ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 21, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
Campaign 03V217000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DO
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE
Campaign 03V250000 — check if this car was fixed
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE V
Remedy: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUM
Campaign 04V045000 — check if this car was fixed
CERTAIN EXTENDED AND REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND CARGO VANS CONVERTED TO COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, 'CHILD RES
Remedy: TO BRING THE STANDARD CAB AND CARGO VAN VEHICLES INTO COMPLIANCE, DEALERS WILL INJECT EPOXY INTO THE AIR BAG OFF SWITCH TO PREVENT AIR BAG ACTIVATION, RELOCATE THE SWITCH BEHIND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL A
Campaign 04V225000 — check if this car was fixed
ON CERTAIN FULL-SIZE PASSENGER, CARGO, OR CUTAWAY VANS, THE FRONT AND REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL NOT UNLATCH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BUCKLES AND, IF FOUND TO BE INOPERATIVE, THE ENTIRE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD BE REPLACED. FOR BUCKLES FOUND TO BE OPERATIVE, DEALER WILL REPLACE ONLY THE UPPER BUCKLE COVER. TH
Campaign 05V558000 — check if this car was fixed
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
Fuel Filler Pipe Corrosion/Leakage
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vehicles, equipped with a left side cargo door, and originally sold or currently registered in Connecticu
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuel filler neck, free of charge. The safety recall began on October 1, 2012. Owners may contact the Chevrolet owner center at 1-866-694-6546 an
Campaign 12V388000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Chevrolet Express — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (4 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (3 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V305000 (wheels) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V326000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V330000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V050000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V217000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V250000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V225000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 05V558000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V388000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
FAQ
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Express reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Express?
The most-reported component is fuel/propulsion system, accounting for 10% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Express have?
11 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.