1.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
125,000 miles

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problem #1

May 012006

Silverado 2500 4WD 6-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles
Today I was told my 2003 Chevrolet Silverado (diesel, crew cab) needed a new transfer case. The vehicle has approximately 125,000. Our company owns two other similar 2003 vehicles (GMC model). The same thing happened to both other vehicles. One at approximately 12,000 miles, the other at 140,000 miles. Something happens within the transfer case that causes the case to be punctured and lose fluid. The case overheats and eventually the vehicle seizes up. The cost to repair this condition is $3,200. In addition it causes the anti-lock brake module to fail, resulting in another $500 of damage. I assume the anti-lock brakes no longer works once this happens. I wonder how many vehicles this is happening to. All 3 of our 2003 models experienced this. We were unable to find any transfer cases at the junk yards. The last repair we had for this took 2 weeks to get the parts - there are none in stock apparently. All of this leads me to believe this is a design defect in these vehicles and it may be potentially dangerous if it does indeed cause the anti-lock brake module to fail. It took 2 weeks at the dealer to figure out that the damaged transfer case was causing the modules to fail. Are you getting lots of complaints on this" is there a silent recall or campaign covering this problem" it is hard to pay this kind of money on a vehicle that has a $700/month payment and was presumably purchased for it's durability and safety.

- Clarkston, MI, USA