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2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

151 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

175 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2012
Service Brakes

I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN AND I NOTICED WHILE GOING TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY THAT WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY ROOM THAT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY THERE. I WENT TO TEST THEM AGAIN AND HAD TO PUSH DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET OUR VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I THEN PARKED THE VE…

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I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE GROCERY STORE WITH MY TWO CHILDREN AND I NOTICED WHILE GOING TO LEAVE MY DRIVEWAY THAT WHEN I WENT TO BRAKE THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY ROOM THAT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY THERE. I WENT TO TEST THEM AGAIN AND HAD TO PUSH DOWN ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO GET OUR VEHICLE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I THEN PARKED THE VEHICLE UNTIL MY HUSBAND GOT HOME. AFTER HAVING OUR VEHICLE LOOKED OVER A COUPLE TIMES WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED IN SOME AREAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470366

139,575 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Electrical SystemVisibility

2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HVAC BLOWER NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL ON ALL BLOWER SPEEDS..SERVICE BULLETIN 11046, APRIL 2010..CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN DEFECT WIRING CONNECTOR AND ELECTRICAL TERMINALS OF RELAY RESISTOR MODULE AS DESCRIBED IN SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH RESULTS IN BLOWER MOTOR NOT FUNCTIONING ON CERTAIN OR ALL BLOWER SPEEDS SETTING. …

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2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HVAC BLOWER NOT FULLY FUNCTIONAL ON ALL BLOWER SPEEDS..SERVICE BULLETIN 11046, APRIL 2010..CHEVROLET HAS KNOWN DEFECT WIRING CONNECTOR AND ELECTRICAL TERMINALS OF RELAY RESISTOR MODULE AS DESCRIBED IN SERVICE BULLETIN WHICH RESULTS IN BLOWER MOTOR NOT FUNCTIONING ON CERTAIN OR ALL BLOWER SPEEDS SETTING. GM HAS ISSUED SPECIAL COVERAGE ADJUSTMENT FOR UP TO 10 YRS PER BULLETIN BUT REFUSES COVERAGE PURPORTEDLY BASED ON MY VEHICLE NOT BEING IN THE SPECIAL COVERAGE VIN: TWO PHONE CALLS TO CUSTOMER SERVICE RESULTED IN A HANG UP, PUT ON HOLD AND NOT RETURNING TO THE CALL, AND UPON ESCALATING THE CALL TO JOY, THE SUPERVISOR REFUSING TO FURTHER ASSIST...AND REFUSING TO ESCALATE THE CALL FURTHER EXPLAINING NO MANAGER IS "LIKELY" AVAILABLE, WE'VE TOLD YOU YOUR ANSWER....GM CASE #71-107-8244378 2ND ISSUE WITH ELECTRICAL; INSTRUMENTATION CLUSTER FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY AND DIGITAL DISPLAY WHICH INDICATES WHETHER YOU ARE IN PARK, REVERSE NEUTRAL DRIVE (GEAR) DIMS OR GOES OUT COMPLETELY. SAME PROBLEM I HAD ON 2005 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. BOTH VEHICLES THEY HAVE REFUSED TO FIX. 2003 HAD SPECIAL COVERAGE 07187 TO REPAIR THIS CONDITION BUT THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS NOT PROPERLY NOTIFIED TO FIX THIS CONDITION DURING THE MANUFACTURE SPECIAL COVERAGE PERIOD.L THEY KNOW IT EXIST BUT ONCE AGAIN ARE USING ANY EXCUSE TO DO THE PROPER THING AND FIX THE PROBLEM. ALSO REPORTED UNDER 71-107-8244378 REQUEST NHTSA AND APPROPRIATE AGENCIES FURTHER INVESTIGATE THESE MATTERS AND HOLD GM ACCOUNTABLE DO NOT LET GM CONTINUE TO SKIRT RECALL REPAIRS FOR KNOWN PROBLEMS BY NARROW DEFINING WHICH VEHICLES THEY HAVE TO FIX. RECALLS SHOULD COVER ALL VEHICLES THAT HAVE IDENTIFIED SAFETY ISSUE AND GM SHOULD FACESTIFF PUNISHMENT TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO VOLUNTARILY FIX PROBLEMS RATHER THAN STONEWALL, STALL, AVOID, AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT THAN FIXING THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462120

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingSteeringFire

"REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT COMES ON AND TRUCK SLOWS TO LESS THAN 10 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. 1ST INCIDENT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED AND NOTHING CAME BACK WRONG. I THINK THE WIRING TO THE THROTTLE IS POSSIB…

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"REDUCED ENGINE POWER" LIGHT COMES ON AND TRUCK SLOWS TO LESS THAN 10 MPH AND THE POWER STEERING STOP WORKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SIX TIMES IN THE LAST YEAR. 1ST INCIDENT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. DIAGNOSTICS PERFORMED AND NOTHING CAME BACK WRONG. I THINK THE WIRING TO THE THROTTLE IS POSSIBLY TO BLAME. IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR CROSS RAILROAD TRACKS, THE REDUCED ENGINE POWER CAN COME ON. I HAVE A HUNCH AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE & FINDING THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, THAT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT CHEVY KNOWS ABOUT IT & IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. "TYPICAL"!! I AM VERY DISPLEASED, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE I LOVE MY SUBURBAN. I SUGGEST AN INVESTIGATION & RECALL OF THIS PROBLEM.I ASK THAT CHEVY TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR POOR QUALITY & REPAIRS THE PROBLEM PRONTO! OH, AND THE POWER SEATING FUSE CAUGHT FIRE AND EXPLODED THE LITTLE FUSE IN THE FUSE BOX, NOW THE SEATS WON'T WORK & NEITHER DOES THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS. THE WIRING DONE ON THIS TRUCK IS CHEAP! THE PARTS ARE CHEAP! NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452049

60,502 miles · Dec 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES FAILED DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES BLOWING OUT IN THE PROXIMITY OF THE ABS MOTOR, WHICH IS LOCATED ON THE DRIVER SIDE, ALONG THE FRAME, UNDERNEATH THE DRIVERS SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439326

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON OCT.7, 2011 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN. IN JUST NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. A WARNING SOUND CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. JUST THAT QUICK !, BRAKE LINE FAILURE! IF SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING FASTER THAN 40 MPH. THEIR MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BAD INTERSECTION COLLISION. SHE NERVOUSLY…

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ON OCT.7, 2011 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN. IN JUST NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES. A WARNING SOUND CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. JUST THAT QUICK !, BRAKE LINE FAILURE! IF SHE HAD BEEN DRIVING FASTER THAN 40 MPH. THEIR MIGHT HAVE BEEN A BAD INTERSECTION COLLISION. SHE NERVOUSLY WAS ABLE TO CREEP THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. I RESEARCHED THIS CONDITION ON-LINE AND WAS STARTLED TO FIND NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING OVER 6 MILLION VEHICLES WITH THE SAME CONDITIONS.IT'S A TRAVESTY THAT THIS CAN GO ON.IT MUST BE THE GOVERMENTS WAY OF NOT BEING ABLE TO POLICE ITS OWN COMPANY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430316

103,581 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM NOW, I WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WANT $280 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I HAVE SENT IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS, BUT THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN ASKED ME TO TAKE THE SUBURBAN HOME, BUT ONE BLOCK IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IM SO FRUSTRATED, AND I SPENT SO MUCH ON TAXI GOING BACK…

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I'M HAVING THIS PROBLEM NOW, I WENT TO THE DEALER, AND THEY WANT $280 JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I HAVE SENT IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS, BUT THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM. THEY EVEN ASKED ME TO TAKE THE SUBURBAN HOME, BUT ONE BLOCK IT HAPPENED AGAIN. IM SO FRUSTRATED, AND I SPENT SO MUCH ON TAXI GOING BACK AN FOURTH. AND NO ONE KNOWS THE PROBLEM. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND IT JUST DIES. WHEN I PULLED OFF I PUT IT IN PARK AND STARTED AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO GO ONE MORE MILE AND BAM IT DID IT AGAIN. WHY CANT ANYONE FIGURE IT OUT? WHY AREN'T THERE ANY RECALLS? I LOST ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE DIED. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET SOMEONE'S ATTENTION? WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF AT 69MPH I PRESSED THE BRAKE WHICH MADE IT HARDER AND HARDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES OR ANYTHING TO DESCRIBE THE ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, FOR FEAR THAT I MIGHT SLAM INTO SOMEONE ELSE. WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS NO DETECTION OF MISFIRE OR ANYTHING, IT JUST DIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422689

130,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Structure

REAR WINDOW HINGE BROKEN PASSENGER SIDE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419736

151,525 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

SUBURBAN LOSES POWER AND ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNINGS BEFORE SHUT OFF AND NO CODES AFTER SHUT OFF. AFTER WAITING 5-10 MINUTES, VEHICLE CRANKS AND RUNS AGAIN. RANDOMLY, IT MAY SHUT OFF AGAIN IN 1-2 MILES OR RUN FOR DAYS WITHOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING WHEN ONE IS ON THE INTERSTATE RUNNING 70 MPH AND YOU…

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SUBURBAN LOSES POWER AND ENGINE DIES WHILE DRIVING. NO WARNINGS BEFORE SHUT OFF AND NO CODES AFTER SHUT OFF. AFTER WAITING 5-10 MINUTES, VEHICLE CRANKS AND RUNS AGAIN. RANDOMLY, IT MAY SHUT OFF AGAIN IN 1-2 MILES OR RUN FOR DAYS WITHOUT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING WHEN ONE IS ON THE INTERSTATE RUNNING 70 MPH AND YOUR ENGINE SHUTS OFF. YOU LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AS YOU TRY TO MAKE IT TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED!!! THE BATTERY DIED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART YESTERDAY. THE DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY WHY THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, SO NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419470

106,995 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

UPON BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM A SHORT ERRAND, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED SINCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STOPPED THE CAR AT LOW SPEED. ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM WERE LIGHTED AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" CAME ON. UPON INSPECTION, T…

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UPON BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AFTER RETURNING FROM A SHORT ERRAND, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED SINCE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE STOPPED THE CAR AT LOW SPEED. ALL INSTRUMENT PANEL LAMPS FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM WERE LIGHTED AND THE MESSAGE "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" CAME ON. UPON INSPECTION, THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY AND THE FLUID WAS DRIPPING FROM THE UNDERSIDE A LITTLE FORWARD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE CAR TOWED TO THE AUTO REPAIR SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO HAVE RUSTED OUT STEEL BRAKE LINES IN A CLUSTER OF FOUR LEADING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER BACK TOWARD THE REAR OF THE CAR. LUCKILY THIS TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING OCCURRED AT THE VERY END OF THE TRIP SINCE THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY PROBLEM BEFOREHAND. SIX LENGTHS OF THE RUSTED STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418507

26,000 miles · Aug 5, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

IN 2003 I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND PRESENTLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. THREE WEEKS AGO MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AT 30 MPH. SHE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE FRONT PASSENGER STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS…

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IN 2003 I PURCHASED A NEW CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AND PRESENTLY HAS 26,000 MILES ON IT. THREE WEEKS AGO MY WIFE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE AT 30 MPH. SHE USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM, THE FRONT PASSENGER STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THRU. ON FURTHER INSPECTION, ALL THE BRAKE LINES WERE RUSTY AND IN BAD SHAPE. I HAVE INQUIRED INFORMATION FROM 6 CHEVROLET DEALERSHIPS IN THE STATE OF MARYLAND, ALL OF WHICH HAVE SEEN AND REPAIRED THE EXACT PROBLEM MANY TIMES. I AM TOLD THAT IN 2006, GM STARTED ANNODIZING THEIR STEEL BRAKE LINES AGAIN. BUT FOR THE SUBURBANS BUILT IN 2003 AND 2004, THE PROBLEM WAS NEVER RECTIFIED AND GM HAS NO RECALL ON THEM. SINCE SUBURBANS ARE PRIMARILY USED TO TRANSPORT PEOPLE, I WOULD THINK THIS ISSUE WOULD BE OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO YOU. I REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES WITH AFTER MARKET STAINLESS STEEL LINES AT MY OWN EXPENSE, $1200. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10417657

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.