Three problems related to transfer case have been reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 based on all problems reported for the 2003 Silverado 1500.
Purchased a used 2003 silverado, 120,000km. Encoder motor on transfer case (4x4) failed. Was towed and part replaced. Cost $900. 00. Encoder off my truck was corroded and seized. Very poorly built. This is apparently a part common to most 4x4 gm trucks. This must be a major problem for the industry and consumers.
At approximately 50000 miles I noticed an oil leak from the transfer case in the 2003 silverado z71. I took vehicle to the dealer in my area, who diagnosed it as a faulty top seal on the transfer case, and charged me $500 for the repair as the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Two weeks later and less than 1000 miles I noticed the same area was leaking. I took it back to the dealer, and the technician told me you have pin holes in the side of your case. It' was like a flaw in the casting. They told me they would clean it off and apply a layer of jb weld epoxy to it to seal it up. However, 3000 miles later was still was leaking. After a week of waiting and missing phone calls gm customer care and the dealer told me I needed a new transfer case and they would gladly pay half of the repair, $875 would be my half as the truck was no longer under warranty.
Service 4wd message comes on, loose all 4wd capability. This happened while driving to work in snow, thus causing a safety concern.