2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
360
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
16
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
The 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has received a total of 360 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER. 16 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (63 complaints), Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel (40 complaints), and Electrical System (33 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, potentially affecting up to 1,588,461 vehicles.
Recall 06E043000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
| 88,303 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK...
Consequence: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
View full details →Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 61,944 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
View full details →Recall 05V163000 — SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
| 1,359,824 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 04V045000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
| 68,875 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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 HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
View full details →Recall 03V094000 — STRUCTURE
| 3,674 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V019000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
| 5,734 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Recall 03V037000 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
| 107 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
360 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact noticed the trailer attached was moving from left to right independently, and the trailer detached from his vehicle. The contact mentioned that he lost control of the vehicle into a parallel position when another vehicle collided with his vehicle on the front left driver side, causing the contact to get T-Boned. The contact stated that he sustained three fracture injuries to his spine, three fractured ribs, bruise on his kidney. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure was not diagnosed by a dealer or independent mechanic. The contact mentioned that both the trailer and vehicle were towed to a lot. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The cluster of the speedometer
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 0% OF MY BRAKES AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO FAILED PRIOR TO THIS I PUT IN BRAKE FLUID AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT WITHIN A MATTER OF MOMENTS
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 0% OF MY BRAKES AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO FAILED PRIOR TO THIS I PUT IN BRAKE FLUID AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT WITHIN A MATTER OF MOMENTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TOWING HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD AND LOWER BACK INJURY. THE FRONT PASSENGER (HIS DAUGHTER) SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY. THE TWO WENT TO THE DOCTOR THREE DAYS LATER. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED WAS DAMAGED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DAUGHTER'S DORM WHERE IT WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE DENIED ANY COMPENSATION TO THE CONTACT, STATING THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE (THE VEHICLE TOWING THE DAMAGED VEHICLE) WAS NOT HIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.
Safety Rating for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
General Motors, LLC has issued 16 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIT5195D — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the customer the specification for speedometer needle accuracy is +/- 2 MPH at any given speed when looking straight at the needle.
050604029 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
FLEXIBLE FUEL (RPO L59) ROUGH IDLE, MISFIRE, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0300. *TT
030846003 — EQUIPMENT
DRIVER UNABLE TO CONFIGURE ONSTAR SYSTEM. *TT UPDATE. *TT
040523006 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
REVISED BRAKE PADS REPLACEMENT-REAR. *TT
02052 — STRUCTURE
NOISE COMING FROM INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER OR TACHOMETER. *TT
3167 — STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
LOCATION OF THE LIFTGATE RELAY. *TC
030730028 — POWER TRAIN
DRIVELINE CLUNK WHEN STOPPING. *TT
030864025 — VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR
LEFT CAMPER MIRROR WILL NOT LOCK INTO DETENT WHEN MIRROR IS FOLDED INWARD. *TT
061703 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE SERVICE STABILITY MESSAGE ON THE DIC AND A CODE C0455 DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE SET AND/OR THEY HAVE A BREAK IN ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) TELLTALE WITH CHIMING IN COLD WEATHER WITH NO CODE SET. *TT
030418003 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
REVISED WHEEL DRIVE SHAFT INNER JOINT AND SEAL REPLACEMENT. *TT
Showing 10 of 16 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CHEVROLET SUBURBAN
- 1998 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 299 complaints
- 1999 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 861 complaints
- 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 382 complaints
- 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 543 complaints
- 2002 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 352 complaints
- 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN (current)
- 2004 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 264 complaints
- 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 161 complaints
- 2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 33 complaints
- 2007 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 357 complaints
- 2008 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN — 276 complaints
Other CHEVROLET Models
- CHEVROLET MALIBU — 28,991 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO 1500 — 22,175 total complaints
- CHEVROLET IMPALA — 15,197 total complaints
- CHEVROLET TAHOE — 12,511 total complaints
- CHEVROLET EQUINOX — 12,135 total complaints
- CHEVROLET BLAZER — 11,032 total complaints
- CHEVROLET SILVERADO — 10,928 total complaints
- CHEVROLET COBALT — 10,106 total complaints