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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 507 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the electrical (38% of complaints, typically around 73,000 miles). It is 5th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe problems
Electrical
193 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 73,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, wiring, ignition.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact stated that the vehicle's speedometer has been displaying the incorrect speed for the past three months. The indicator fluctuates from 120 to 80 MPH, even while the vehicle is not in motion. The dealer advised her to get a repair estimate. She was informed that the…
I purchased the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe in february 2004 at about 60000 miles the speedometer stopped working, later the rpms, and the fuel gauge stopped working. The dealership told me that they would have to send these components out and it would take a week or two, and the cost would be around $1,100. I have not had…
Brakes
111 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 109,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components.
Brake fluid discovered dripping from under front left frame onto driveway. Found brake line rusted and pitted and wet with fluid. Master cylinder was down approximately 10% below full mark. Many items in left side engine compartment rusted and corroded. Have experienced numerous component failures related to rust and…
My wife went to start the vehicle by placing foot on the brake pedal. At start-up the brake pedal went all the way to the floor and she realized she had no braking power. I crawled under the vehicle to notice a significant amount of brake fluid leaking from very corroded brake lines. Luckily, we were two blocks from a…
Steering
52 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 miles. Parts named most often: column, gear box, linkages, rack and pinion.
Thumping noise in the steering column. Started at approximately. 24000 miles. Dealer replaced steering shaft (pn 88963611). At 32000 miles the problem has returned. Gm does not have a permanent repair for this problem. Chevrolet will not cover this problem after the manufacturers warranty expires. Consider this before…
: the contact stated while driving 25mph a clunking noise came from the steering shaft. Afterwards, the steering wheel and accelerator pedal vibrated. The vibration and noise occurred while driving straight or coasting, not while making turns. The problem occurred in january 2005 the first time. The dealership…
Fuel system
36 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 38,500 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system.
Twice the fuel lines have come off the top of the gas tank spewing fuel on,under and around the car. If unnoticed could cause a severe vehicle fire.
Since january of 2006, the speedometer has failed numerous times. While standing still it will register any speed above 30 or while traveling at highway speeds it will register 0 MPH. The tachometer has failed to work three times and the gas gauge has registered half a tank while it takes 20 gallons to fill the 25…
Engine
29 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine, cooling system.
The reduced engine power light came on and reduced the car's power to only be able to go 20 MPH. I did reach 30 MPH with a down-slope. I was very scared and had my two children in the car. Thankfully, I was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. Upon researching this issue with my car make and model, it…
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart, but the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The dealer stated that the throttle body switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not…
Speed control
27 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: cruise control.
The speedometer on mu Tahoe will say that I doing 60 and the car is in park. Overtime the problem corrects itself and then it happens again. It is something that I feel is not anyhting that I have done to the vehicle. It happens approximately every 2 months. The incident date is the most recent date that it has…
2003 chevyrolettaho. Speedometer not working correctly. At times the speedometer will register speeds that are between 20-70 MPH in excess of actual speed, and at others will register speeds that are 10-40mph below actual speed. Other times the speedometer appeared to read correctly. Operation is jerky at all…
Transmission
19 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 13,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline.
While the vehicle was in the driveway and key in the accessory mode vehicle was able to come out of gear without applying the brakes. As a result, vehicle rolled forward into a fence.
Consumer complained about excessive vibration. Nechanic replaced engine mounts/ tansmission, and intermittent steering shaft, but vibration continued. There was no final solution.
Seats
19 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 83,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
My control panel lights and heat and air control knobs are going out. My back seat seatbelt sometimes want latch and my 3rd row seating will not latch to the bracket. My stearing is bad it will not line up and thats just the begining of the problems that should not happen. My grandkids ride in this vehicle.
: the contact stated the electric driver seat moved forward on its own while the vehicle being parked entrapping the drivers legs under the dashboard and upper body against the wheel. Injuries were sustained. The service dealer replaced the seat module. Update 12/1/2006 -
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 Tahoe 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.
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
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.
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 Tahoe
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (193 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles); brakes (111 complaints, typically around 109,500 miles); steering (52 complaints, typically around 34,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe have?
- 4 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 Tahoe?
- It is 5th of 27 Tahoe model years by number of complaints, with 507 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.