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2003 Chevrolet Suburban Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 301 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, most often about the brakes (30% of complaints, typically around 106,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Suburban model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Suburban problems
Brakes
91 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist, conventional.
This was the date a mechanic advised US that the brake lines are severely corroded and that they should be replaced. Our vehicle is garaged in the winter and we bought the vehicle new. The brake lines should last longer than that.
Approaching stop sign and brake pedal went to floor. After looking at lines ,they are all corroded terribly and I noticed the NHTSA has an open complaint on this very thing.
Electrical
81 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 76,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery, ignition.
The speed odometer sticks, chevy will only replace cars less than 7 yrs or under 70,000 miles. They claim that this is not a recall. My car has 108,000 miles and is not eligible for the repair. The chevy customer service manager claims that it is not a safety issue and they are voluntary replacing cars within the 7…
2003 Chevrolet Suburban. Speedometer is sometimes jerky, and will read higher speeds than what is actually being done. This isn't the typical small error that most have, this is a substantial amount. Then, when coming to a full stop, the speedometer will stay stuck at a certain speed, and only read from there on out…
Transmission
21 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, axle assembly.
Consumer stated that his 2 yr old son was able to pull his vehicle out of park without stepping on the brakes. He stated that the child was in the vehicle and was apparently playing with the gear shifter. He then moved the shift level causing the vehicle to roll backward hitting a pole and bending his front passenger…
Regular harsh engagement on my 2003 Chevrolet tahoe transmission. 1) had a huge clunk when having to suddently stop on one occasion - sounded like the transmission was going to drop/bam. 2) on an unpredictable basis the transmission harshly engages when going shifting at the slower spds. 3) brought to service dealor…
Steering
20 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 19,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, linkages, hydraulic power assist system, gear box.
I have a 2003 Suburban that makes a clunking noise when steering. The steering also feels loose. I took it to the dealer for a brake inspection while under warranty. I also told them about this clunking noise. They said it always happens and that they would tighten it up. This however is not on my invoice only the…
Complaint received via e-mail. I visited the local Chevrolet dealership service department. The previous day I had taken my 2003 Suburban purchased new from the local dealer to an independent repair service shop to find out what was wrong with my truck. I was advised I had a lot of slack and vibration at both ends of…
Air bags
18 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 65 MPH, the contact heard a loud noise inside the vehicle and the service air bag light illuminated. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The engine size and # of cylinders were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 55,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 10 MPH, the brakes failed to respond. Another vehicle, traveling approximately 50 MPH, crashed into the contact's vehicle. The air bag failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries. The contact stated that two passengers in the other vehicle sustained…
Speed control
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
Driving on cruise control at 45 MPH. Then, we turn off cruise control, but speedometer stays at 45mph. Occurs once or twice a month. Have been stopped by the police once for driving to slow. Corrected by turning car on and off three or four times in a row.
Vehicle was coming to a stop from a speed of approximately 30mph and brakes failed suddenly to bring vehicle to a stop a normal rate. Driver needed to swerve off road to avoid collision. Vehicle crashed into side curve. Not warning sign or light was lit before incident. Clear yellowish fluid drained from underneath…
Engine
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 132,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that she started the vehicle so that it could warm up and within a few minutes it was on fire. The police and fire department were called and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised her that the fire started in the…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. After having the oil changed at an independent repair shop, the contact began to smell a burning oil odor coming from the engine. The contact began to notice the vehicle was consuming oil excessively and would replace the oil approximately two to three times a week.…
Visibility and wipers
13 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles. Parts named most often: glass, side/rear, sun/moon roof assembly, defroster/defogger/hvac system, windshield wiper/washer.
Sun visor was defective. While driving sun visor fell down, blocking the driver's view. Consumer took the vehicle back to the dealer, and was told that warranty expired, and consumer would have to pay for repairs.
Passenger side, glued-on hinge to hatchback glass failed. Hinge separated from glass causing glass to fall toward child, standing near rear of vehicle. Glass is a large, heavy panel and should be secured with more reliable material. Search of internet (to find proper fix to problem) found hundreds of similar incidents…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: A lap portion of the seat belt routing that is not low and snug on the hips can allow the lap belt to ride up on an occupant's abdomen instead of fitting low around their hipbones, and therefore, can expose them to more risk of abdominal and internal organ injury.
Fix: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on july 21, 2005. Owners may contact cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, gmc at 1-866-996-9463, or hummer at 1-800-732-5493.
Full defect summary
On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2nd row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips of occupants, especially smaller occupants, seated in this position. Appropriate use of a child seat or booster seat, as recommended for small children, does improve the fit condition for this user group. In addition to instructions on proper infant and young child restraint (with child seats or boosters), special verbiage for restraining older child is included in the owner's manual. Also, the suggested seat belt fit/routing for adults, irrespective of seating position, is described in the owner's manual text.
Brakes: service brakes, hydraulic
Risk: Consequently, the valve o-ring seal may fracture. Steering efforts may be slightly increased while braking or parking. Under certain driving conditions, a fractured seal may require a slight increase in the applied brake pedal effort to achieve the same vehicle deceleration rate as prior to the seat fracture.
Fix: 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 hummer at 1-866-486-6376.
Full defect summary
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 vehicles were produced with an out-of-specification brake hydro-boost housing relief valve bore.
Body and structure: structure
Risk: This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began march 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southern comfort at 1-800-745-6096.
Full defect summary
Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc. These units contain a courtesy light or lights that might overheat when the wire harness is exposed to excessive moisture and road salt.
Body and structure: hinge and attachments
Risk: As a result, the door strength may be degraded during a side impact vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began february 17, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact cadillac at 1-800-458-8006, chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020, or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 214, "side impact protection." these vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door upper hinge. On some of these vehicles, one or two of the welds may not be to specification.
Fuel system: tank assembly
Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will install a fuel tank shield. Owner notification began february 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 or gmc at 1-800-462-8782.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, vehicles, during a 30 degree left angle frontal impact of sufficient severity, a tear could develop in the mid-frame cross member at its attachment to the left frame rail. If the mid-frame cross member tears during frontal impact and produces a sharp edge, contact of the sharp edge with the fuel tank could result in a puncture of the fuel tank and possible fuel leakage.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
On january 11, 2011, odi opened ea11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (my) 1999 through 2003 general motors (gm) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the united states that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:connecticut, delaware, district of columbia, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia and wisconsin.the subject vehicles represent the first five my's of gm's gmt800 platform production, of whi
Brake line corrosion failure
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received defect petition dp10-003 on march 2, 2010, requesting the investigation of model year (my) 2003 chevrolet silverado 2500hd 4WD pickup trucks for corrosion failures of the vehicle brake lines.dp10-003 was granted and on march 30, 2010, preliminary evaluation pe10-010 was opened on more than six million model year 1999 through 2003 light trucks and sport utility vehicles manufactured and sold by general motors corporation (gm).on july 2, 2010, odi received gm's response to an information request, which included gm's assessment of the frequency and safety consequences of the alleged defect. Gm stated that:(1) the brake system of the subject veh
Parking brake failure
Summary
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
Hydraulic pump failres
Summary
Gm is conducting a recall on all subject vehicles build between may 1999 and october 14, 1999.significant changes were incorporated into production in early october 1999, and vehicles built after that date have lower warranty failure rates.the complaint and warranty data appear to support the effectiveness of these changes. Gm made additional changes in november 1999, february 2000, may 2001, and february 2004.odi will continue to monitor this problem and will take further action, if warranted, in the future.for further technical details see the attached engineering analysis report.
Parking brake failure
Summary
In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified NHTSA that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned park
Steel wheel rim fracture
Summary
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control. A defect trend has not been identified at this time.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (91 complaints, typically around 106,000 miles); electrical (81 complaints, typically around 76,500 miles); transmission (21 complaints, typically around 16,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 22, 2005 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Chevrolet Suburban?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Suburban model year since 2000, with 301 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.