2003 CHEVROLET Suburban Problems & Complaints
Real owner complaints and problems reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). View common issues by component.
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Complaints Reported
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Complaints by Component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
68 complaints
The cluster of the speedometer
Jul 19, 2024
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. AT VARIOUS TIMES, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 225,000.
Jan 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INADVERTENTLY DISABLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 02/14/17*LJ CONSUMER STATED TECHOMETER, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE. GEAR INDICATOR LIGHTS OFFER LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. UPDATED 7/16/18*JB
Dec 07, 2016
SATURDAY, I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 TO 50 MPH ON A SPLIT TWO LANE ROAD TO PICK UP MY GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING. ALL GAUGES WENT TO 0. THERE WAS NO DIGITAL READINGS EITHER. IT JUST WENT DEAD. PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON, NOTHING CHANGED. PLUGGED MY GARMIN GPS IN FOR MY SPEED GUIDE AND FILLED MY GAS TANK SO I KNEW THAT IT WAS FULL. CALLED MECHANIC TO BRING VEHICLE IN FOR HIM TO CHECK OUT ON TUESDAY. TUESDAY, (TODAY) ON MY WAY TO WORK, DRIVING ON 4 LANE INTERSTATE, 60 TO 70 MPH, ALL OF A SUDDEN, ALL OF THE GAUGES AND DIGITAL READINGS CAME ON AND BEGAN WORKING CORRECTLY. I STILL TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC, HE STATED THAT HE WILL LOOK AT IT AND CALL ME LATER. I DEPEND ON MY CAR, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. I CAN NOT JUST GO OUT AND BUY A NEW ONE EVERY TIME SOMETHING GOES WRONG. I PRAY THAT THIS DOES NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TRANSPORT MY GRANDCHILDREN AND WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY. I AM A SAFETY DIRECTOR AND SAFETY IS VERY PASSIONATE TO ME. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I LOVE MY SUBURBAN AND PLAN ON PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE SOME DAY. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY DEPENDABLE VEHICLE BUT THIS ISSUE HAS ME SPOOKED. *TR
Oct 18, 2016
ALL GAUGES IN INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT LOW OR NO READING, INCLUDING SPEEDOMETER, FUEL, TACHOMETER, TEMP. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AT WILLIE'S AUTO REPAIR INC.AT 901 S. CLIFF AVE. IN SIOUX FALLS, SD. THE GM REMANUFACTURED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PART WAS $453 AND LABOR WAS $126, WITH TAX THE TOTAL COST OF THE REPAIR WAS $613 WHICH GM SHOULD BE PAYING FOR !! I KNOW SEVERAL PEOPLE AT WORK THAT HAVE HAD TO HAVE THIS DONE TO THEIR GM TRUCKS AND TAHOES, SUBURBANS. THIS IS SO WIDESPREAD THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT !! YOU KNOW THE COMPONENT THEY REPLACE CAN'T BE MUCH ON A BOARD IN THESE "REMANUFACTURED CLUSTERS" GM NEEDS TO REPLACE THESE AT THEIR EXPENSE !!!
Jul 27, 2015
+ 63 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES
58 complaints
LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR, BRAKE LINE LEAKED ALL OF THE FLUID OUT, I DID NOT HAVE ANY BREAKS, AWFUL TIME TRYING TO STOP. THE MECHANIC INFORMED, IT HAPPENS A LOT WITH SUBURBANS
Sep 19, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, EXCESSIVE FORCE HAD TO BE APPLY TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ALONG WITH AN INDICATION TO REDUCE BRAKE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHE COULD HEAR THE AIR AND A HUMMING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Aug 25, 2020
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED IN OCTOBER 2019. IT HAS 180,000 MILES BUT IS IN GOOD OVERALL CONDITION. THE PROBLEM IS NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THIS VEHICLE OR EVEN THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. THE ISSUE IS RUSTY HYDRAULIC BRAKE LINES. THIS PROBLEM HAS PLAGUED OLDER VEHICLE OWNERS, ESPECIALLY IN THE RUST BELT MIDWEST, SINCE HYDRAULIC BRAKES WERE INVENTED. SOME CONSCIENTIOUS MANUFACTURERS SUCH AS VOLVO, HAVE SWITCHED TO A BRAKE LINE MATERIAL CALLED CUNIFER OR NICOPP, A COPPER NICKEL ALLOY C70600. THIS MATERIAL PERFORMS LIKE CONVENTIONAL STEEL LINES BUT WITHOUT THE CORROSION PROBLEM. I AM A ASE CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN,AND HAVE BEEN REPAIRING VEHICLES AS WELL AS RESTORING CARS AS A HOBBY FOR WELL OVER 50 YEARS. OVER THIS TIME PERIOD I HAVE BLOWN MANY BRAKE LINES. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY IN THAT IT NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN AN EMERGENCY STOP WHERE DAMAGE AND OR SERIOUS INJURY COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THIS LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED EARLY IN THE MORNING AT A STOP SIGN IN MY RESIDENTIAL AREA. THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE AROUND. I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE CONTINUED MOVING AS THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN TURN AROUND AND SLOWLY MOVE BACK INTO MY DRIVEWAY. SINCE MODERN VEHICLES ARE LASTING LONGER AND DO TO NEW VEHICLE COSTS MOTORISTS ARE KEEPING THEIR CARS LONGER. THE BASIC AMERICAN VEHICLES BRAKE LINES HAVE NOT CHANGED MUCH IN THE LAST 50 YEARS,OTHER THAN SOME CHEAP ATTEMPTS AT EXTERNAL COATINGS. WHY NOT MANDATE ALL MANUFACTURERS USE THE VASTLY BETTER COPPER NICKEL LINES. IT WOULD DEFINITELY SAVE LIVES AND INJURIES NOT TO MENTION COSTLY VEHICLE DAMAGE.
Mar 04, 2020
WHILE SITTING AT THE MAILBOX CHECKING MAIL AND PRESSING ON THE BRAKES FIRMLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED RED REPEATEDLY SAYING TO CHECK THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS ENOUGH BRAKING ABILITY LEFT TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN THE DRIVEWAY. ALSO, I AM THANKFUL THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY.
Mar 24, 2019
RE: "G.M. RESISTS RECALLING TRUCKS OVER BRAKE LINES", NY TIMES, JULY 7, 2014 IN SPITE OF MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN PASSING NEW HAMPSHIRE'S MANDATORY SAFETY INSPECTION IN MAY OF 2018, IN AUGUST OF 2018 A BRAKE LINE BURST, RESULTING IN LOSS OF BRAKE FUNCTION. THE LINE BURST AT A POINT BELOW THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND JUST FORWARD OF THE ABS MODULATOR, WHERE THE LINES CROSS OVER THE TOP OF THE FRAME AND ARE EXPOSED TO WHEEL SPRAY. AT THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE LINES ARE OVERLAID AND OBSCURED BY A LARGE BUNDLE OF ELECTRIC WIRES. THE ATTACHED PHOTO SHOWS THE FAILURE POINT, WITH THE SHEATHED WIRE BUNDLE MOVED UP OUT OF THE WAY. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME WAS APPROXIMATELY 167500. WITH REGARD TO THE NHTSA DETERMINATION NOT TO RECALL "ALMOST 1.8 MILLION FULL-SIZE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FROM THE 1999 TO 2003 MODEL YEARS FOR CORROSION-RELATED BRAKE FAILURES", AS SUMMARIZED IN THE 7/7/14 NY TIMES ARTICLE, DOES NHTSA'S DECISION TO ABSOLVE GM OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THIS ISSUE ALSO ABSOLVE NHTSA AND/OR GM OF RESPONSIBILITY TO NOTIFY OWNERS THAT THEY ARE IN GRAVE DANGER IF THEY ARE STILL OPERATING THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE ORIGINAL BRAKE LINES? NHTSA SHOULD KNOW FROM THEIR OWN RECORDS THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE VEHICLES ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. I KNOW BECAUSE I SEE THEM EVERY DAY. AS FOR GM'S EXCUSES: '"G.M. HAS RESISTED RECALLING THE PICKUPS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, TELLING REGULATORS THAT RUSTED BRAKE LINES ARE A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ISSUE." OBRAKE LINES ARE NOT A MOVING PART. HOW ARE THEY "MAINTAINED"? I HAVE MORE TO SAY, BUT YOU ARE LIMITING ME. *TR
Dec 11, 2018
+ 53 more complaints for this component
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
22 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN
Oct 23, 2012
IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRED SUDDEN HARD BRAKING, I EXPERIENCED AN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK REQUIRED A MUCH GREATER DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING LIGHT /SOUND UNTIL AFTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME ONE OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAD BLOWN OUT DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION, CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO VERY CORRODED AND SEEPING BRAKE FLUID. ADDITIONALLY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM (ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE HOSES, BLEED VALVES, BACKING PLATES) WERE VERY RUSTED OR DETERIORATED AND FALLING APART.
Aug 13, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/10/12. *JB
Aug 02, 2012
THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE. *TR
Mar 26, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED IT THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKES HAD RUPTURED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,050.
Feb 17, 2012
+ 17 more complaints for this component
POWER TRAIN
20 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION WHILE SHE AND HER TWO SMALL CHILDREN, AGES 2 AND 4, WERE WATCHING A MOVIE. THE BATTERY DIED DURING THE MOVIE AND THE CONTACT MOMENTARILY LEFT BOTH CHILDREN IN THE VEHICLE WHILE SHE WENT TO RETRIEVE JUMPER CABLES. THE YOUNGEST CHILD WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER OUT OF GEAR AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO MOVE, KNOCKING THE YOUNGEST CHILD OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CHILD BECAME LODGED BETWEEN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND A GRILL. THE CONTACT HEARD THE CRASH AND DISCOVERED THE CHILD PINNED BENEATH THE VEHICLE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO REMOVE THE CHILD BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND THE CHILD WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CHILD SUFFERED BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA, SMOKE INHALATION, CARDIAC ARREST AND SEVERE 2ND AND 3RD DEGREE BURNS TO THE LOWER HALF OF HIS BODY. THE CHILD DID NOT SURVIVE. THE POLICE STATED THEY TOO WERE ABLE TO MOVE THE SHIFTER OUT OF PLACE WITHOUT ENGAGING THE BRAKES. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE POLICE STATED THEY WERE DOING A SUPPLEMENTAL REPORT TO SHOW THE VEHICLE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. LAWYER WROTE IN ON BEHALF OF CLIENT STATING THAT ALL FUTURE CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING THE INCIDENT SHOULD BE DIRECT TOWARD THE LAW FIRM. UPDATED 12/03/10 UPDATED 12/22/10*JB
Jun 22, 2010
2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSFER CASE DEVELOPED A LEAK. *TGW
May 11, 2010
NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE. HEARD CLUNK - TRANMISSION WENT OUT 48,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAS NEVER TOWED ANYTHING. REPLACED TRANSMISSION - SHOP NOW SAYS REAR DIFFERNTIAL ALSO BAD.
Jan 19, 2007
POWER TRAIN, LOUD WHINING REGARDLESS OF SPEED COMING FROM REAR Z71 4X4 SUBURBAN, TOOK TO POWER TRAIN SPECIALIST, REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL 552.00. *NM
Mar 02, 2006
THIS CONDITION WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE TRAGEDY DETAILED BY THE PARENTS OF LITTLE MILAN HEDMARK. WWW.KIDSANDCARS.ORG . THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BRAKE IF THE KEY MOVED FORWARD JUST ONE POSITION FROM LOCK. A CHILD COULD EASILY ACCOMPLISH THIS JUST BY BEING CURIOUS AND LEFT ALONE FOR ONLY A SECOND. PLEASE MAKE FOLKS AWARE OF THIS. 96' AND LATER MODEL CHEVROLET. *JB
Feb 21, 2006
+ 15 more complaints for this component
STEERING
16 complaints
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN THAT HAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STEERING. WHILE TURNING AT SPEED OR SIMPLY CORRECTING AS DRIVING. I HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SITE ABOUT IT BUT IT APPEARS GM IS NOT PAYING FOR A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. HAS ANYTHING BEEN DONE ON GM'S BEHALF TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS OR AM I STUCK FIXING THIS? THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BECOME VERY LOOSE WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Nov 03, 2008
VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY LOST ALL STEERING. STEERING WHEEL SIMPLY ROLLED AROUND ON THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE IN MOTION. *NM
Aug 07, 2006
SINCE THE TIME I PURCHASED MY CHEVROLET IMPALA I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH THE STEERING COLUMN. I HAVE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP NUMEROUS TIMES. 12 TO BE EXACT. THE FIRST 6 TIMES WAS WITHIN THE FIRST 7 MONTHS. I ASKED ABOUT THE LEMON LAW AND WAS TOLD THAT IT DIDN'T QUALIFY UNLESS THE EXACT PART WENT BAD 3 TIMES. TWO FULL NEW STEERING COLUMNS HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLUS ALL OTHER INDIVIDUAL PARTS HAVING BEEN FOUND INADEQUATE WERE REPLACED. THE STEERING ALSO CONTINUOUSLY SQUEALED AND CLUNKED WHEN TURNING. AFTER ALL THE REPAIRS IT IS STILL DOING IT. THEN AFTER NUMEROUS OTHER VISITS WHEN I TRIED AGAIN TO EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE LEMON LAW I WAS TOLD IT WAS THREE WEEKS TO LATE. THEY PUT ME OFF AND STALLED UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE LEMON THE TIME OR KNOWLEDGE TO INVESTIGATE. I HAVE BEEN LEFT NO RECOURSE AND I HAVE A CAR THAT STILL ISN'T FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THAT I AM AFRAID TO TAKE OUT ON THE HIGHWAYS OR INTERSTATE. I AM A WIDOWED SENIOR OF 74 I FEEL HAVE BEEN GREATLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF. MONTHS AGO THEY OFFERED ME AND EXTENDED 75,000 MILE WARRANTY. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE IT. THEN I CALLED GM CONSUMER SERVICE. I SPOKE TO JEAN WHYRE AND SHE WAS OF NO HELP AT ALL. SHE DENIED ME BOTH THE EXCHANGE OF VEHICLES AND THE WARRANTY ON THE COLUMN. SHE THEN SAID THAT SHE WAS WITHDRAWING IT CAUSE I REFUSED IT BEFORE THINKING THAT I WAS GOING TO GET A NEW CAR UNDER THE LEMON LAW. WHEN I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT TO HER SHE MALICIOUSLY RECANTED THE OFFER AND SAID I WOULD NOT GET IT THEN HUNG UP ON ME. I INQUIRED WITH THE FL. BAR ASSOCIATION BUT NO LAWYER WITH IN THE STATE WILL COVER THIS TYPE OF CASE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO GO TO FOR HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM SO I AM NOW CONTEMPLATING CONTACTING THE LOCAL TELEVISION STATION. THEY HAVE A DEPARTMENT WHICH TAKES CARE OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND ABUSE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A CASE OF GROSS SENIOR ABUSE. I WOULD TO MAKE CLEAR THAT I DID ENQUIRE ABOUT THE LEMON TWICE. *NM
Sep 11, 2005
DT: 07/03 PROBLEM BEGAN. CONTACT STATES MOSTLY DURNING TURNING, AT LOW SPEEDS, THE ELECTRIC STABILITY CONTROL MALFUNCTIONS AND RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL LOCKS AND VEHICLE AND PULLS STEERING WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND TURNS THE VEHCILE IN THE DIRECTION OF THE WHEEL LOCK UP. EVERY TIME THE MESSAGE "SERVICE STABILLITY" AND "STABILITY SYSTEM ACTIVE" POPS UP. IN ACCORDANCE WITH VEHCILE MANUAL, VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP.COMPUTER AT THE DEALERSHIP READS THAT VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING A SKID. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE SENSORS, WIRING, AND ALL REMEDIES PER GM. PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. CONTACT IS IN TOUCH WITH GM. GM HAS SPOKEN WITH DEALER AND VISITED VEHICLE, HOWEVER NO RESPONSE TO THE OWNER.
May 16, 2005
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURAN, 4X4. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED 9/2004. IT HAS DEVELOPED A RATTLE/CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STERRING COLUMN. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED, AND OR REPLACED. I WOULD THINK SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS "STEERING" COLUMN PROBLEMS WOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. PLEASE HELP!!
May 11, 2005
+ 11 more complaints for this component
AIR BAGS
14 complaints
SERVICE AIR BAG POPPED UP ON DISPLAY. NO DAMAGE HAD BEEN DONE AND IT SHOWED UP ONE DAY BUT THEN IT WOULD GO OFF AFTER I STARTED DRIVING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD AT LOW SPEEDS. NEXT TIME I TURNED IT ON IT WASN'T ON THE DASH AT ALL. IT CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY AND THEN IT HAS NOT TURNED OFF AT ALL WHILE THE CAR IS ON. WAS NOT SURE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON IT BUT NONE WERE FOUND. IN THE PAST BOTH OF MY SUBARUS HAS THIS SAME SERVICE SIGN POP UP AND BOTH WERE RECALLED. *TR
May 19, 2020
SERVICE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON.I JUST PURCHASED THE SUBURBAN.
Aug 06, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS STARTING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE IN THE PROCESS OF DIAGNOSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,000.
Oct 15, 2010
MY DAUGHTER HAD A WRECK IN HER VECHICLE AND THE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY. *TR
Apr 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY FLASHES. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,722.
Sep 22, 2008
+ 9 more complaints for this component
VISIBILITY
12 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR WINDSHIELD DETACHED COMPLETELY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 388,000.
Aug 24, 2020
I INITIALLY NOTICED A PROBLEM CLOSING THE REAR WINDOW AND ALSO NOTICED THE HINGE CONNECTING THE WINDOW TO THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE APPEARED TO BE CRACKED OR BROKEN. EVEN THOUGH I RARELY USE THE WINDOW, EVENTUALLY THE HINGE COMPLETELY BROKE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WINDOW PULLED COMPLETELY AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE WINDOW IS RAISED UP SO THERE IS A LARGE SPACE BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE GLASS COULD EASILY BECOME FULLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FALL OFF, POSSIBLY WHILE THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN. IT SEEMS, BASED ON THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN, THAT THE HINGE IS DEFECTIVE BUT GM WILL NOT ADMIT THIS AND, THEREFORE, WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR.
Jun 06, 2011
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT STOP WORKING. FUSE MUST BE REMOVED TO STOP WIPERS FROM CONSTANTLY OPERATING. INTERMITTENT FEATURE DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Feb 15, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE CONTACT'S GARAGE, SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HINGES SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR WINDOW NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,000.
Jul 22, 2008
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 AND LITTLE SATISFACTION FROM DEALERSHIP. MY DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH ANY GLASS RELATED ISSUES. COST $900 TO REPAIR. *NM
Nov 08, 2006
+ 7 more complaints for this component
TIRES
12 complaints
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE 40 AND ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW OUT. SHE WASN'T INJURED, NOR WAS THERE ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO A LOCAL TIRE SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE TIRE WASN'T PUNCTURED, THAT THE TREAD WALL COLLAPSED AND THEY RECOMMENED NEW TIRES. THE ORIGINAL TIRES WERE FIRESTONE WILDERNESS WITH 44,000 MILES ON A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. THE VEHICLE AND TIRES WERE LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD.
Jul 21, 2006
WHILE DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NJ (MILE MARKER 133.6), THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW-OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. *JB
Apr 06, 2006
WE HAVE A 2003 3/4 TON SUBURBAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2003. ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHARLESTON, SC ON INTERSTATE 26 NEAR THE I-95 INTERSECTION THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME APART AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM BOTH SIDEWALLS, AND STAYED INTACT. AIR PRESSURE WAS CHECK ON FRIDAY. THE TREAD WAS INSPECTED AND NO CUT, TEARS OR PUNCTURES WERE PRESENT. THERE WERE ONLY 2 PASSENGERS WITH LIGHT LUGGAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE IS MANUFACTURED BY BRIGDESTONE. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE IS THE FOLLOWING: LT245 75R16 120/1165 M+S R265G2 E4 0012336 LOAD RANGE E 34449EX26564 MADE IN MEXICO. *JB
Mar 29, 2006
EXITING ONTO ON RAMP RIGHT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. TIRE WAS STILL INFLATED HOWEVER TREAD HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM TIRE. *JB
Aug 10, 2005
2003 CHEVROLET K2500 SUBURBAN WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT245/75R16 TIRES. ON FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2005 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SUDDENDLY LOST PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I95 AT 65 MPH, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 94 DEGREES: HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE LOSS OF PRESSURE BEFORE THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SHOULDER. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND NO PUNCTURES. THE INSIDE SIDE WALL HAD A 1-1/2" CRACK WHERE THE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE TIRE HAD 68781 MILES OF TREAD WEAR WITH APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 10000 MILES OF TREAD LIFE LEFT. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS THAT IS EVIDENCED BY THE LONG LIFE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS STILL IN MY POSSESSION.
Jun 13, 2005
+ 7 more complaints for this component
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
9 complaints
DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD THE LOW TRAC LIGHT CAME ON WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CAR DIES PUSHED IT TO A PARKING LOT TRIED TO START WOULD NOT. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND THAT IT WAS A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COULD OF BEEN SCARY IF IT WOULD OF DIED ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE HAS 84,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Oct 26, 2009
2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN STALLED TWICE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. AFTER THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED CONSUMER NOTICED GASOLINE ALL OVER THE GARAGE FLOOR. *KB
Nov 16, 2007
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT CHEVROLET, CAVALIER 2003. THE CAR JUST QUIT WHILE DRIVING, THANK GOD I WAS ONLY ONE ON ROAD. THE CAR ONLY HAD 57,000 MILES ON IT, AND I HAVE BEEN KEEPING UP WITH MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE; SUCH AS OIL CHANGES, TRANSMISSION FLUIDS, FILTERS, ETC. AFTER BEING TOWED TO THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP AND WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP. THIS COASTED ME $721.29, WHICH WAS VERY UNEXPECTED. WHAT AMAZED ME EVEN MORE WAS MANY MORE HAD SAME PROBLEM ONCE I SEARCHED IT ONLINE. TAKE A LOOK AT THIS WEBSITE. TP://WWW.TOPIX.NET/FORUM/AUTOS/CHEVROLET-CAVALIER/TVINIC5TFU5SFSI5H I FOLLOWED ANOTHER FORUM POSTERS RESPONSE AND CAME HERE TO LET MY EXPERIENCE BE HEARD. *AK
Jun 18, 2007
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK COLLAPSED, CRUSHING THE FUEL PUMP, WHICH HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. THE FUEL TANK WAS PLASTIC. THE VENT TO THE FUEL TANK WAS BLOCKED AND CAUSED A VACUUM WHICH CRUSHED THE FUEL PUMP. THE FIRST TIME, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT 45 MPH, IT SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AN INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED, STATING THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. LESS THAN THREE MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME, AND THE VENT FOR THE FUEL TANK WAS RETRO FITTED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT HAD ANY MORE PROBLEMS. *AK
Dec 27, 2005
BEFORE COMPLETE FAILURE, OVER A PERIOD OF A MONTH THE CAR FAILED TO START/TURNOVER. AFTER 5 MINUTES & REPEATED ATTEMPTS CAR WOULD FINALLY START. ON FINAL FAILURE DATE, THE CAR WOULD NOT START EVEN WITH PERIODIC ATTEMPTS OVER 2 DAYS. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP & FUEL FILTER WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. *NM
Dec 14, 2005
+ 4 more complaints for this component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
8 complaints
TL*THE 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 LOWER RESISTOR CONNECTOR AND THE BLOWER MOTOR. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECTED THE VEHICLE BUT DENIED HER CLAIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.
Apr 19, 2011
TL*THE 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. APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR LATER, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO HEAR A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE MOTOR WAS BEING REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
Feb 09, 2011
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING DURING HOT WEATHER. IT WILL NOT START UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS SAT FOR 10-20 MINUTES. *CN
Jan 04, 2008
ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS OUR 2003 CHEVY SURBURBAN HAS STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE CAR DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE CHARGED US TO PUT IT ON THE COMPUTER MACHINE AND CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOME KIND OF DEFAULT WITH THE VEHICLE. THE LAST TIME WE WERE MAKING A 150 MILE TRIP FROM OUR HOME TO ANOTHER CITY, AND IT STOPPED 5 TIMES. WE WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND LET IT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THEN IT WOULD START BACK. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED AND THIS IS REALLY DANGEROUS. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOU ALL INVESTIGATING THIS TO SEE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, SINCE NOTHING SHOWS UP WHEN THEY TEST IT. AT THE PRESENT TIME I REFUSE TO DRIVE OR RIDE IN IT FOR FEAR IT WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AGAIN, AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PULL OVER AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT. ONCE BEFORE WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED IT , THEY FOUND OUT AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS PIN HOLES IN THE HEADS ON THE MOTOR, WHICH IT WAS TAKEN IN BECAUSE IT WAS SMOKING. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW. *JB
Aug 16, 2007
MY FIANCE AND I BOUGHT A 2003 CHEVY IMPALA IN NOV OF 2006 WITH ONLY 40,000 MILES. IN JULY OF 2007, THE CAR WAS STARTED AND SHUT OFF BY ITSELF A FEW MINUTES LATER. IT WOULD THEN NOT START. WE FIRST HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT INFORMED US THAT THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD CRACKED. IT LEAKED ANTIFREEZE INTO THE CYLINDERS, THE SPARK PLUGS AND OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE 1400.00. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A 2ND SHOP FOR A 2ND OPINION. THEY TOLD US THAT THE ANTIFREEZE THAT LEAKED HAD TOTALLY LOCKED UP THE ENGINE AND WE NEEDED A WHOLE NEW ONE. THAT WAS GOING TO COST US AT LEAST 2,000 FOR A USED ONE. WE THAN DECIDED THAT A 4 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 60K MILES ON IT SHOULD NOT BE IN NEED OF A NEW ENGINE SO WE AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO A CHEVROLET DEALER REPAIR SHOP. THEY TOLD US THE SAME THING. THE CAR WAS OFFICIALLY IN NEED OF A WHOLE NEW ENGINE. WE CONTACTED CHEVROLET'S CUSTOMER CARE DEPT AND THEY ARE SO FAR UNWILLING TO HELP. WE'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR 8-9 MONTHS AND ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON THE LOAN. PER THE DEALER, THE USED ENGINE WILL COST US 3000.00 AND A NEW ONE WILL COST IS 5050.00. *JB
Jul 31, 2007
+ 3 more complaints for this component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
8 complaints
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. *TR
Apr 14, 2010
2003 CHEVY Z71 SUB SPEED ODOMETER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WILL WORK ONE DAY AND BE OFF BY MORE THAN 80MPH THE SAME DAY. GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT AS WELL AS TICKETS AS WE HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT SPEED WE ARE TRAVELING. *TR
Jan 27, 2009
MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN SPEED ODOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP IT READS 30 MPH AND WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL GO TO 120MPH AND SOMETIMES PAST THAT. VEHICLE JUST HIT 50000 MILES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SAFEY PROBLEM THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY A KNOWN MALFUNCTION IN GM VEHICLES. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE.*CN
Jan 02, 2008
2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN- RACING SPEEDOMETER- BOUNCING FROM 0 TO 120, NOW STUCK PAST 120. NO WAY TO DETERMINE SPEED. MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM-- BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET- BIG BUCKS TO REPLACE UNIT. *AK
Jun 15, 2007
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVREOLET SUBURBAN THAT HAS A FAULTY, RACING SPEEDOMETER. I JUST SAW A NEWS REPORT ON CBS TELEVISION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MY DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS JUST MY CAR. NOW I SEE MANY CARS MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY RACES TO A VERY HIGH AND INCORRECT SPEED.*JB
May 04, 2007
+ 3 more complaints for this component
SEAT BELTS
7 complaints
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED ON MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT. FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN OCT 2003 UNTIL THE SEAT BELT FINALLY OUTRIGHT FAILED, I NOTICED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE SEAT BELT TENSION LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD APPARENTLY JAM AND EITHER NOT RELEASE FOR PROPER ADJUSTMENT, OR FAIL TO ENGAGE AND TAKE UP EXTRA BELT SLACK. THIS SEEMED TO SELF CORRECT FOR SHORT PERIODS BEFORE RE-EMERGING. FINALLY, THE TENSION MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS LEFT MY SEAT BELT TOTALLY LIMP AND USELESS WITH NO SPRING-LIKE FUNCTION TO TAKE-UP THE EXCESS BELT PORTION AND UNABLE TO PROPERLY TIGHTEN AND SECURE THE DRIVER IN PLACE. I CALLED MY CHEV DEALERSHIP AND EXPRESSED MY DESIRE TO HAVE THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY ARGUED WITH ME AS TO WHETHER THE SYMPTOM I DESCRIBED WAS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM OR NOT AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. APPROX. 10 DAYS LATER THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT I COULD BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR, BUT THAT THEY WOULD ASSESS CAREFULLY IF ACTUALLY A WARRANTY ITEM OR NOT. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN, THE CHEV DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DECIDED THAT YES - THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR HOWEVER, WAS QUITE LENGTHY IN TIME AND INVOLVED THREE CHEV MECHANICS WHO WORKED IN GRETA FRUSTRATION AND CONFUSION AS TO HOW TO REPLACE THE BELT AND TENSION DEVICE AS THEY HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE IN HOW TO ACTUALLY INSTALL THE NEW PART. I GOT THE DISTINCT IMPRESSION THAT A PROPER TECH SUPPORT MANUAL WAS EITHER LACKING OR THEY SIMPLY CHOSE NOT TO FOLLOW IT VERY WELL. REGARDLESS, SOME THEE HOURS LATER THEY DEEMED THE BELT FIXED - AND TO THEIR CREDIT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. IN HINDSIGHT, I'M NOT SURE HOW FREQUENT THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN 2003 CHEV SUBURBANS, BUT I DECIDED TO MAKE IT A MATTER OF RECORD IN CASE CHEV NEEDS TO BETTER ADDRESS HOW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SHOULD RESPOND TO SIMILAR CRITICAL SAFETY REPAIRS IN THE FUTURE. *JB
Mar 12, 2006
I PURCHASED A PRE-OWNED 2003 CAVALIER LS EARLIER THIS YEAR. ON A REGULAR BASIS, THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT SLIPS OUT OF THE LOOP ON THE TOP OF THE SEAT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HOLD IT, WHILE I AM BUCKLING UP, AND SMACKS ME IN THE NECK. SOMETIMES I DRIVE WITH IT THIS WAY, BUT WAS SINCE TOLD BY MY MECHANIC THAT I SHOULDN'T BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB EFFECTIVELY THAT WAY. THE LATEST TIME BEING TODAY, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES I HAVE BELOW IS 15, BUT THIS IS JUST AN ESTIMATE. *JB
Dec 13, 2005
MY 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS BUCKLED INTO THE SEAT BELT, HE WAS PLAYING WITH THE SEAT BELT PUT HIS LEGS THROUGH THE SEAT BELT, HE UNBUCKLED THE SEAT BELT TO UNTANGLE AND REBUCKLE, WHEN HE UNFASTENED THE SEAT BELT THE SLACK WENT BACK INTO THE HOLDER, THE SEAT BELT BEING LOCKED WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL IT WAS COMPLETELY RELEASED , THERE WAS NO WAY TO RELEASE COMPLETELY SINCE IT WAS AROUND HIS WAIST AND NO WAY FOR HIM TO GET OUT, THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH SLACK FOR HIM TO MOVE, AS OUR FINGERS WOULD NOT EVEN FIT IN BETWEEN THE SEAT BELT AND HIS WAIST. WE HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT TO GET HIM OUT. ****THERE NEEDS TO BE A RELEASE BUTTON SO THAT THE SEAT BELTS RELEASE IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN.***** *JB
Aug 02, 2005
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELT BUCKLE. IF TAPPING ON THE BUCKLE IT WILL RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. MANUFACTURER WON'T DO ANY THING ABOUT IT.*AK
Jul 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT SEAT BELT WILL LOCK UP BEFORE BRAKING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Jul 03, 2003
+ 2 more complaints for this component
STRUCTURE
6 complaints
I OWN A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500. I NOTICED A LEAK ON THE BACK WINDOW. I HAVE A HATCHBACK WITH A LIFTGATE WINDOW. I OPENED IT TO CHECK THE LEAK AND WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE IT I COULDN'T. I NOTICED THAT THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMING OFF THE GLASS. I HAD TO PUSH THE TOP RIGHT OF THE WINDOW DOWN TO CLOSE IT. NOW THE REAR ACCESS DOOR WARNING IS ON. *TR
Jun 30, 2009
LIKE MANY OTHERS.....THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE LIFT GATE GLASS HAS COME UNBONDED ON MY 2003 SUBURBAN. *TR
Jun 04, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE LT AND THE BACK GLASS HINGE HAS CAME UNGLUED FROM THE GLASS AND FALLEN ON ONE SIDE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY FOUR GLASS COMPANY'S THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MANY OF 2003 TAHOES AND SURBURBANS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE BACK GLASS AND THAT IT IS A DEFECT. I CALLED THE CHEVROLET COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE IT WAS OVER 100,000 MILES BUT ITS THERE PROBLEM THEY ARE THE ONES THAT GLUED THE HINGES TO THE GLASS AND WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY 900.00 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GLASS ESPECIALLY WHEN I DON'T HAVE IT. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM I KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE MAKE THE CHEVROLET COMPANY FIX THIS PROBLEM. IT HAS CAUSED THE BACK GLASS TO STICK UP OVER THE BACK ABOUT A INCH AND YOU CAN NOT EVEN OPEN IT BECAUSE THE HINGE ON THE GLASS HAS COME COMPLETELY UNGLUED IT FALLS DOWN WHEN YOU OPEN IT AND IS VERY VERY HARD TO CLOSE ONCE YOU OPEN IT. BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PICK UP ON THE GLASS AND TRY TO CLOSE IT AT THE SAME TIME BELIEVE ME MY FINGERS HAS GOTTEN SMASHED MANY TIMES SO I STOPPED EVEN OPENING IT. BUT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED I REALLY USED IT ALOT TO PUT STUFF IN THE BACK WHEN THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS BEING USED IF YOU OPENED THE WHOLE DOOR THEN YOUR STUFF FALLS OUT BECAUSE THERE'S NOT MUCH ROOM TO PUT YOUR STUFF BACK THERE. *TR
Dec 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON THE HATCHBACK, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS HANGING FROM THE HINGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR $99 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,830.
Sep 05, 2007
2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 (52,000 MILES) WITH REAR HATCH. RECENTLY ONE OF THE SIDES OF THE WIND REAR HATCH SNAPPED IN HALF. THIS IS A PLASTIC PIECE BOLTED ON TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE. WHEN I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER TO INQUIRE IF THERE MAY BE A RECALL THE ANSWER WAS NO, BUT THEY SEE THE PROBLEM OFTEN. OFTEN TELLS ME THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED AND NOT AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. IT IS DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. *NM
Sep 08, 2005
+ 1 more complaint for this component
SUSPENSION
5 complaints
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE OWNER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS OVER CALIBRATED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. ALSO, THE OWNER HAS HAD 11 NEW TIRES IN THE FIRST 12,000 MILES. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A STRAIGHT TRACK ADJUSTMENT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM *SC 8JB
Apr 06, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE CONSUMER HAD THE FRONT END ALIGNED AND THE FRONT SHOCK REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. *TC
Aug 13, 2004
VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRE TREADS ON THE FRONT WERE WORN OUT. DEALER STATED TIRES WORE OUT BECAUSE THE CONSUMER DIDN'T ROTATE THE TIRES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WENT TO A FIRESTONE TIRE DEALER, WHO INSISTED THAT TIRES SHOULD NOT WEAR OUT DUE TO ROTATION, BUT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BALANCE OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Feb 20, 2004
CONSUMER PURCHASED 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS REPEADEDLY TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN MILD WINDS OCCUR.*AK
Nov 10, 2003
SERVICE ISSUE, NON-REMOVAL OF SHOCK SNUBBERS ON MAGNETIC SELECTIVE RIDE SHOCKS. *AK
Nov 08, 2003
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
4 complaints
RUNNING LAMPS LIGHT BULB SOCKETS APPEAR TO BE DEFECTIVE. NEW LIGHT BULBS DO NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE PARTS SALESMAN TOLD ME IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE WIRING SOCKET AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AS I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND I HAVE NOTICED MANY CHEVY SILVERADO'S, SUBURBAN'S, AND TAHOES WITH RUNNING LAMPS INOPERATIVE. *TR
Mar 15, 2010
HAZARD FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH "SOUNDS OFF" AFTER THE TURN SIGNAL SWITCH IS RETURNED TO THE REST POSITION AFTER SIGNALING A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN, THIS CLICKING SOUND ALSO HAPPENS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS ADJUSTED AND WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ALL BY IT'S SELF. THE HAZARD AND TURN SIGNALS DO NOT LIGHT, ONLY THE AGGRAVATING CLICKING SOUND CAN BE HEARD. I CAN ALSO MAKE THE HAZARD/SIGNAL RELAY/SWITCH CLICK BY WIGGLING THE TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR SWITCH. I HAD THE HAZARD SWITCH REPLACED AT THE DEALER BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I HAVE THE HAZARD/FLASHER RELAY/SWITCH AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Oct 31, 2007
WITH THE INCREASED BRIGHTNESS OF HEADLIGHTS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SPOT FRONT TURN SIGNALS AT NIGHT WHEN THEY ARE PLACED ADJACENT TO THE LOW BEAM LAMP. PLEASE CONSIDER MANDATING THAT SIGNAL LAMPS MUST BE AT LEAST THREE INCHES FROM THE EDGE OF THE LOW BEAM'S REFLECTOR. *LA
Oct 10, 2003
WHILE DRIVING WITH HEADLIGHTS ON THEY WOULD FLICKER OFF AND ON INTERMITTENTLY. THIS WOULD CAUSE POOR VISIBILITY FOR THE DRIVER AT NIGHT. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Sep 30, 2003
EQUIPMENT
4 complaints
2003 TAHOE ; 76,000M AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE THAT RUINED ENTIRE SYSTEM A/C SYSTEM SERVICE/INSPECTED EVERY MAY ; DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN A/C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR ; FEW MINUTES LATER AC HIGH PRESSURE LINE TO CONDENSER BURST. STOPPED CAR AND CHECKED OUT NOISE FOUND BUSTED HOSE AND OIL W/ METAL FILLINGS DRIPPING FROM LINE. IT WAS 98 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE WERE DRIVING TO FAMILY VACATION AT BEACH . HAD TO DRIVE REMAINING 5 HRS W/O AC AS IT WAS SAT PM. NO DEALER W/IN MILES SO TOOK TO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LOCAL GARAGE; HOPING IT WAS JUST A PRESSURE LINE REPLACEMENT. SHOP CALLED LATER THAT DAY TO SAY ENTIRE SYSTEM CONTAMINATED W/ FILLINGS FROM COMPRESSOR COMING APART INTERNALLY CAUSING CONDENSER TO BE STOPPED UP AS WELL DRYER AND EVAPORATOR . ENTIRE SYSTEM COMPONENTS REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED ; $1950 . NEW COMPRESSOR FROM CHEVROLET NOT SAME AS ORIGINAL DUE TO HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. *NM
Aug 02, 2006
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GM DEALERSHIP TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO REPAIR THE VIBRATION AND HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. HOWEVER, GM MANUFACTURER WROTE A LETTER TO THE DEALERSHIP , TELLING THEM TO STOP ALL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THEY COME UP WITH A SOLUTION FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THE CONTACT HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE COULD HEAR A HUMMING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED ALL THE TIME WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS OFF THEN THE CONSUMER COULD NOT HEAR THIS NOISE. *AK *JB
Oct 14, 2005
I HAVE RECENTLY SNAPPED TWO BELTS TO MY AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND WHEN I WENT TO MY PRIVATE GARAGE HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS TELLS ME THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT TOLD NO ONE ABOUT IT. *JB NOW I HAVE TO PAY A NEARLY $1,000.00 BILL TO GET IT FIXED AT MY GM DEALER. THIS IS A SHAM. WHY COULDN'T THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND ISSUE A RECALL RATHER THAN A SERVICE BULLETIN? HOW MANY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR, MORE THAN AVERAGE I WOULD BET? CAN YOU PROVIDE ME THOSE NUMBERS? I FIRST NOTICED THE NOISE CREATED FROM THIS PROBLEM LAST YEAR BUT WHEN IT WENT AWAY IN THE WINTER I THOUGHT IT HAD FIXED ITSELF, UNTIL I STARTED USING MY A/C AGAIN THIS SUMMER THEN IT CAME BACK. *JB
Aug 01, 2005
AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER'S COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AC UNIT. THIS OCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 46000 MILES. A HOSE ATTACHED TO THE COMPRESSOR COMPLETELY BLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, DISSEMINATING A WHITE CLOUD AND FREON ON THE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. CHEVROLET CHARGED $1700 TO REPAIR THE AC UNIT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE IDENTICAL INCIDENTS.
Jun 15, 2005
ENGINE
3 complaints
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Aug 12, 2015
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY WARNING. I NOTICE A LOSS OF POWER AND NOTICE THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER COASTING TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE CAR STARTS AGAIN AND I CAN DRIVE TO MY DESTINATION. FUEL PUMP AND FUEL LINES WERE REPLACED LESS THAN 2 YEARS AGO WHEN A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS EXPERIENCED. *TR
Nov 24, 2014
DRIVING IN MIDDLE LANE ON HIGHWAY OUT OF STATE WITH KIDS IN THE CAR ENGINE JUST QUIT--NO POWER, COULDN'T SIGNAL TO MOVE OR GET TO SIDE OF ROAD, JUST SAT IN MIDDLE LANE. VERY SCARY!! TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER-TOLD US THE FUEL PUMP SHORTED THE ENGINE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP. NO ADVANCE WARNING-ONLY A BLOWER MOTOR SEEMED TO BE MALFUNCTIONING THAT MORNING (HAVE HAD A/C PROBLEMS). NO ISSUE WITH POWER UNTIL IT JUST QUIT. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WHEN RESEARCHING THIS YEAR AND VEHICLE--LOSS OF POWER OR DECREASED POWER. WITH THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS FOUND, SOMEONE SHOULD RESEARCH THIS BEFORE ANOTHER CAR IS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND THERE ARE INJURIES OR WORSE, FATALITIES. TO HAVE SOMETHING THIS MAJOR HAPPEN WITHOUT ANY SYMPTOMS OR WARNING LIGHTS, AND FOR THE NUMBER OF CASES FOUND, SEEMS IRRESPONSIBLE AT BEST, NEGLIGENT AT LEAST. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS! *TR
Jul 26, 2012
SEATS
3 complaints
DRIVER'S SEAT MEMORY DOES NOT WORK. WHEN YOU GET IN AND PUT YOUR KEY IN OR PRESS THE BUTTON IT MOVES THE SEAT TO EXTREME POSITIONS. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 TIMES, AND THEY FINALLY TOLD US THAT WE NEED TO JUST TURN THAT (PAID FOR) OPTION OFF THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT.*AK
Apr 28, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT DROPPED BACK. DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Jun 16, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH REAR PASSENGER SEATS ON A 2003 Z71 SUBURBAN.*MR THE SAFETY PATROL WAS UNABLE TO PROPERLY PUT THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE LATCH SYSTEM WAS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE SAFETY OF HER CHILDREN. IT WAS EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT IT WAS ILLEGAL TO PLACE A CAR SEAT IN FRONT OF ANYTHING THAT PULLS DOWN, THE REAR CENTER SEAT CONTAINED A DRINK HOLDER/ARM REST AND THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ONLY SLID FORWARD FOR ACCESS TO THE REAR THIRD SEAT. *CB *JB
Dec 15, 2003
TRAILER HITCHES
2 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.
Sep 17, 2025
THE FACTORY TRAILER HITCH ON MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN BROKE WHILE I WAS TOWING A TRAVEL TRAILER. THE WELDS WERE IMPROPERLY DONE. THE "U" BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE SQUARE RECEIVER TORE AS IF WEAK METAL. *JB
Jan 12, 2007
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
2 complaints
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.
Sep 23, 2020
I WAS DRIVING MY FRIEND TO WORK IN OK 4/30/14.. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF WHAT INSTIGATED OUR HEAD ON COLLISION BUT I HAVE SEVERAL INJURIES, HAD TO CUT OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AND AIRLIFTED TO OU MEDICAL CTR. IN OK CITY.. SHATTERED ANKLES/FEET, BROKEN NECK INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE FACET DISRUPTION THAT IS PERMANENT AND 8 BROKEN RIBS COMBINED BOTH R & L DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT WITH OUT ANY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ASHERBRIDGECRASH.COM AND I WAS IN THE WHITE SUBURBAN. *TR
Aug 03, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaints
I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN WHEN A MESSAGE READING "REDUCED ENGINE POWER" CAME ON AND MY CAR CUT OFF. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO ONLY BE GOING 20 MPH IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. HAD I BEEN GOING FASTER AND HAD A CAR BEEN FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND, WE WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS AND STOPS EVERY 2-3 MILES. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER, LEAVE THE CAR OFF FOR 5-10 SECONDS AND THEN RESTART. WE ARE THEN ABLE TO GO ANOTHER 2-3 MILES. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE SO WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE WITH OUR HAZARDS ON BECAUSE WE HAVE 4 KIDS AT 3 DIFFERENT SCHOOLS TO DROP OFF AND PICK UP EACH DAY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS OCCURRING IN HUNDREDS OF CHEVROLET AND GM CARS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE 2 ARE THE SAME COMPANY. I DO NOT DARE GET ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF THE CAR SHUTTING DOWN AND CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. CHEVROLET AND GM ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH BOTH THE COMPANY AND THE NHTSA. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL TO FIX THIS? THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND COULD LIKELY LEAD TO A DEADLY ACCIDENT. I AM DISCUSSING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WITH A NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND ONCE THE INFO IS COLLECTED, I WILL CONTACT AN ATTORNEY. PLEASE HELP GET THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES OFF OF THE ROAD AND INTO THE DEALERSHIPS TO BE FIXED. THANK YOU. *KB
Sep 15, 2011
MY SUBURBAN GOES TO REDUCED POWER UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE ENGINE WILL STALL CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY SUBURBAN HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.. THE MOST RECENT TIME WAS 9/1/2011. IT WENT TO REDUCED POWER 10 MILES AFTER LEAVING DEALERSHIP AND STALLED AS I PULLED OUT INTO TRAFFIC FROM A RESTAURANT. A NUMBER OF CARS HAD TO BRAKE EXCESSIVELY AND SWERVE AROUND ME UNTIL I COULD ANGLE MY SUBURBAN OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER STEERING. THE TRUCK WEIGHS 6700 LBS AND I NEEDED ALL MY STRENGTH TO TURN THE WHEEL ENOUGH TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I AM FEARFUL ABOUT DRIVING MY SUBURBAN AND THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF INJURY TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. *TR
Sep 04, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEATS
2 complaints
THE ISSUE STARTED WITH THE DRIVERS MEMORY SEAT NOT REMEMBERING THE SEAT POSITION AND THE EASY EXIT PUSHED THE SEAT FORWARD IN TO THE STEERING WHEEL INSTEAD OF BACK. THEN CAME THE ISSUE WITH THE SPEEDOMETER. I RECEIVED THE LETTER IDENTIFYING THIS PROBLEM HOWEVER LIKE SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE MY VEHICLE HAS MORE THAN 70,000 MILES AND ALTHOUGH IT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A PROBLEM GM WILL NOT CONSIDER IT A RECALL AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM THAT GM SHOULD FIX FREE OF CHARGE NO MATTER THE MILEAGE. MY HUSBAND ALSO HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH HIS 2005 3/4 TON SILVERADO. *TR
Feb 11, 2008
THE 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN HAS AN INTERMITTENT, RECURRING ISSUE WITH THE CLUSTER THAT CAUSES IT TO SHORT OUT. THERE ARE MANY EXAMPLES OF THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER CUSTOMERS LISTED ON THE INTERNET. IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, THIS PROBLEM RESULTS IN ELECTRONIC FAILURES THAT PRESENT THEMSELVES IN THESE WAYS: 1) THE SPEEDOMETER EITHER FAILS TO OPERATE OR DISPLAYS THE MAX SPEED. 2) WHEN TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO WILL AUTOMATICALLY TURN ON AND BEGIN PLAYING AS YOUR EXITING THE VEHICLE 3) WHEN PLACING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, THE AUTOMATIC SEAT WILL BEGIN MOVING BY ITSELF, DOES NOT REMEMBER THE PREVIOUS SETTINGS AND WILL FORCE YOU INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. I COULD NOT STOP THE SEAT FROM JAMMING ME INTO THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE CAR. THE REASON THEY KNOW ABOUT IT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE REPLACED SO MANY OF THEM ALREADY. WHEN I CONTACTED GM, ALL THEY WOULD DO IS OFFER ME A ONE TIME SERVICE OF $200 WHICH WOULD NOT APPLY TO FIXING THE FAULTY CLUSTER. *JB
Mar 28, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2 complaints
PERIODICALLY OUR CAR'S GAS GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER STICK. IT IS INTERMITTENT AND WE CANNOT FIND A CONNECTION AS TO WHEN/WHERE. WE RECENTLY RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVY RECOGNIZING THERE IS A DEFECT IN THEIR MANUFACTURING BUT ALSO INCLUDES A REFUSAL TO FIX OUR SUBURBAN BECAUSE IT HAS MORE THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD FALL UNDER A MANDATORY RECALL. CARS HAVE TO BE ABLE TO KNOW HOW FAST THEY ARE GOING AND IF THEY HAVE ENOUGH FUEL TO GET THERE. *TR
Jan 14, 2008
I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM CHEVROLET STATING "THIS LETTER IS INTENDED TO MAKE YOU AWARE THAT YOUR VEHICLE COULD DEVELOP A CONDITION WHERE ONE OR MORE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGE NEEDLES MAY STICK, FLUTTER, OR BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS MAY CAUSE INACCURATE READINGS, INCLUDING THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE" THE LETTER CONTINUES TO STATE THAT "GENERAL MOTORS IS PROVIDING SPECIAL COVERAGE THAT EXTENDS THE WARRANTY" IF "YOUR 2003 CHEVROLET MODEL YEAR CHEVROLET TAHOE WITHIN 7 YEARS OF THE DATE" OR "70,000 MILES". MY CHEVROLET TAHOE HAS BOTH THESE ISSUES. THEY STARTED ABOUT TWO WEEKS BEFORE I RECEIVED THE LETTER. WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND AND WOULD LIKE A RESPONSE FROM GENERAL MOTORS IS WHY MY SAFETY IS NOT AN CONCERN TO THEM BECAUSE I HAVE DRIVEN MORE THAN 70,000 MILES IN MY TAHOE? I TRAVEL THROUGH A LOT OF RURAL AREAS TO WORK AND I FEEL IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO NOT RUN OUT OF GAS. I FEEL IT EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. THE SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING 60 OR 70 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I AM GOING DOWN THE ROAD IT REGISTERS THAT I AM GOING OVER 120 MILES PER HOUR. THIS IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I AM GOING. NOT TO MENTION THE POTENTIAL FOR SPEEDING TICKETS. I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT GENERAL MOTORS CARES ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY MILES THEY HAVE DRIVEN. THESE GAUGES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE REPLACED AND THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD. NOT BEING ABLE TO MONITOR YOUR RATE OF SPEED OR BE AWARE IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET HOME ARE SAFETY ISSUES TO ME FOR MY HEALTH AS WELL AS MY PEACE OF MIND AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY GENERAL MOTORS DOESN'T FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR CORRECTING THIS DEFAULT THEY ARE AWARE FOR ALL THEIR TAHOE OWNERS. I HAVE A COMPLAINT WITH THE GENERAL MOTORS ANSWER CALL CENTER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE. *TR
Dec 06, 2007
STEERING,SUSPENSION
2 complaints
NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, REPLACED STEERING SHAFT, INNER TIE RODS, FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS, IDLER ARM AND RELAY ROD, POWER STEERING PUMP AND GEAR ASSEMBLY. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL LEADS ITSELF AND ESSENTIALLY LOCKS INTO A HARD RIGHT OR LEFT TURN AND RARELY AUTOMATICALLY RELEASES FROM THE TURN BY ITSELF. CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITH THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT. THE FOUR TIRES WERE CUPPED. *TC
Nov 30, 2004
2003 CHEVRLOET SUBURBAN, POSSIBLY OTHER SUVS AND TRUCKS BASED ON THE SAME OR SIMILAR CHASSIS (E.G. SILVERADO) ACCORDING TO PERSONAL RESEARCH: <P> VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITH REGARDS TO STEERING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES EVEN AT LOW SPEEDS AT THE SLIGHTEST INFLUENCE OF "EXTERNAL FORCES" SUCH AS WIND, ROAD GROOVES, ROAD UNEVENESS. FEELS LIKE BUMPSTEER, BUT WITH THE ABILITY OF WIND OR TURBULENCE FROM PASSING LARGE TRUCK TO INDUCE IT. ESSENTIALLY VEHICLE DARTS LEFT AND RIGHT NO MATTER THE STEERING INPUT. DOES NOT OCCUR ON STRAIGHT SMOOTH ROADS. HAS HAPPENED SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOTHING HAS IMPROVED NOR HAS ANY REAL DIAGNOSIS BEEN MADE (THEY REFUSE TO IF YOU INSIST). HAS OCCURED SINCE THE FIRST DAY OF PURCHASING VEHICLE. <P> EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH 2002 SILVERADO, DISCUSSED AND RESOLVED ON EDMUNDS.COM: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/[email protected]@.EF12499 <P> OTHER VERY SIMILAR NHTSA COMPLAINTS/ODI: COMPLAINT # 10045857 "CONSUMER PURCHASED 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS REPEADEDLY TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHEN MILD WINDS OCCUR." <P> COMPLAINT # 10058005 "WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHILE MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT STEERING BECAME LOOSE" <P> COMPLAINT # 10025081 (2003 SILVERADO) "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY BECOME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL."*AK
May 16, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
1 complaint
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
Jan 29, 2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
1 complaint
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED GOING INTO REDUCED POWER MODE AND PROVIDING AN ERROR CODE INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR. FROM THE HUNDREDS OF ONLINE POSTS (SOME BY GM MECHANICS) THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH MANY 2003-2008 TRUCKS AND SUVS MADE BY GM. WHEN I BEGAN TRYING TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM MYSELF, I FOUND OUT FROM MY LOCAL CHEVY PARTS DEPARTMENT THAT "THEY CAN NOT KEEP THESE THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLIES IN STOCK BECAUSE WE ARE REPLACING SO MANY OF THEM..." THERE SEEMS TO BE A KNOW PROBLEM THAT GM IS NOT ADEQUATELY BEING PROACTIVE ABOUT. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY, LOCAL STREETS AND AT STARTUP. THIS BECOMES A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES INTO REDUCED POWER MODE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN TRAFFIC.
Jul 17, 2016
STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
I NOTICED A SOUND LIKE THAT FROM AN OPEN WINDOW AND CHECK ALL DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS VERIFYING THAT THEY WERE CLOSED. UPON UTILIZATION OF THE REAR HATCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT ONE OF THE TWO (50%) LATCHES THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW/DOOR TO THE CAR HAD SEPARATED. I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVROLET DEALER AT THE TIME AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THE DOORS AS REQUIRED OR THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. AT THE TIME, I FOUND 1000'S OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I'M SURE THAT THIS HAS INCREASED 10 FOLD SINCE THEN. I ONLY USE THIS CAR AS A 2ND CAR NOW AND DO NOT UTILIZE IT DAILY. I FEAR THAT THE 2ND REAR WINDOW/DOOR LATCH WILL ALSO FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENTIRE WINDOW/DOOR TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE THUS LANDING ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND ME (HOPEFULLY) OR ON THE POOR FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME (WORSE CASE). UNFORTUNATELY, I LIVE IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA WHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO TAILGATE. TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS WITH THE WIND RUSHING THROUGH THE WINDOW CAUSING ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE LATCH MAKE THE LATER SCENARIO MORE DEADLY AND MORE OF A REALITY. GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD FIX WHAT SEEMS TO ME AS A MINOR REPAIR TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LATCH?
Jul 15, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
I AM A TEACHER AND GOT A CALL IN MY CLASSROOM THAT MY SUBURBAN WAS ON FIRE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND WHEN I GOT OUTSIDE, SURE ENOUGH THERE WAS SMOKE ALL IN THE SUBURBAN AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE (NOT THE HOOD). WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, THEY ENTERED THE VEHICLE, DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, AND PROCEEDED TO TEAR OUT MY REAR HEADLINER TO EXTINGUISH THE ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT WAS OCCURRING. MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND IT WAS DEEMED REPARABLE, WHICH I WAS NOT TOO HAPPY ABOUT SEEING AS WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE BEYOND ELECTRICAL. THE FIRE ORIGINATED NEAR THE REAR DOME LIGHT AND BURNED THE HEADLINER AND MELTED THE PAINT OFF THE ROOF THE VEHICLE. THE LOCATION OF THE FIRE WAS NOT A IN A PLACE WHERE ANY MECHANIC COULD CHECK TO HAVE PREVENTED THIS FROM OCCURRING AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD. I AM NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO AFFORD A NEW SUBURBAN AND DO LOVE MINE, BUT AM NOW JUST CONCERNED. I AM THANKFUL NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE AND THAT NO ONE WAS HURT.. BUT HAD A PARENT DROPPING A KID OFF TO SCHOOL NOT NOTICED THE SMOKE COMING OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT, THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. I HAD ALSO JUST FILLED MY TANK UP THE DAY BEFORE SO THE CAR WAS SITTING WITH 30 GALLONS OF GASOLINE IN IT. I AM ALSO THANKFUL THAT I WAS NOT TRYING TO SCRAMBLE TO GET MY 4 KIDS OUT OF THE CAR (AND YES WE DO USE THE 3RD ROW SEAT DAILY). I THINK THIS INCIDENT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT TO PREVENT ANY OTHER OWNER OF A 2003 SUBURBAN FROM HAVING A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD HAVE LEAD TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
Jan 08, 2015
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
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 VEHICLE NEAR DRIVER'S DOOR. *TR
Oct 01, 2014
AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
TL* 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 MAJOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Sep 09, 2014
STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaint
AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP AND AVOID INJURING MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON. THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 50 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR OR I MIGHT NOT BE WRITING THIS TODAY (OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY ME DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE). I DISCOVERED THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE WAS BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE PREMATURELY CORRODED AND THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NHTSA AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW DARE YOU AND GM PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AT RISK BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOMPETENCE!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL??? A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF CHEVY OWNERS AS WELL AS PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE WHICH I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CARS WITH 3 TIMES AS MANY MILES SHOULDN'T EXPERIENCE. PERHAPS CONGRESS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS DERELICTION OF DUTY BY NHTSA. HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED IN ACCIDENTS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION??? IF TOTAL FAILURE OF A VEHICLE'S BREAKING SYSTEM DOESN'T SPUR A CALL TO ACTION BY NHTSA THEN WHAT WILL? WHAT COULD BE MORE VITAL TO SAFETY THAN BRAKES ON A 1/2 TON TRUCK? REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE LINE WILL COST ME OVER $1,200 AND THAT JUST ADDS INSULT TO THIS WHOLE DISGRACEFUL SITUATION. I DEMAND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT I HAVE TO CORRECT. NHTSA HAS FAILED AND IT'S COSTING WAY MORE THAN $1,200; IT'S COSTING AMERICANS THEIR LIVES. *TR
Apr 07, 2014
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
1 complaint
LOOKING FOR A CONSUMER RECALL REPORT. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED. ATTEMPTED TO REGISTER WITH DATA BASE. *TR
Feb 11, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 complaint
I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN NEW IN 2003. IN MAY OF 20011, I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD IN PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING FROM HOME TO STORE. TOOK THE SUBURBAN TO OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON CHEVROLET DEALER WHO SAID CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES THAT WERE LEAKING AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES. IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS, I HAD DRIVEN THE SUBURBAN ON MOUNTAIN ROADS IN NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE AREA THAT WERE UNPAVED AND HAD STEEP INCLINES, WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD A FAILURE ON THOSE ROADS OR ON PAVED HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE TRIP HOME. ALL BREAK LINES WERE REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE SUBURBAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT FUEL TANK VENT THAT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS REQUIRED REPLACING THE FUEL TANK SINCE THE VENT WAS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY!! THE NEW TANK WITH VENT COST $829 DOLLARS BRINGING THE TOTAL COST OVER $3,000 DOLLARS. NOTE, I ALSO PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD NEW, WHICH I STILL HAVE, AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR OVER 70,000 MILES AND IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AS THE 2003 SUBURBAN, AND IT HAS NO SIGNS OF RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES OR FUEL LINES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS OF OTHER MODEL YEARS AND IT IS A LIFE ENDANGERING FAILURE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY CHEVROLET FOR THESE REPAIRS AND A RECALL ISSUED ALL SUBURBANS TO CHECK FOR THIS RUSTING OF THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES TO AVOID LOSS OF BRAKES THAT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT AND LOSS OF LIFE. *TR
Dec 27, 2012
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
I HAVE 2003 SUBURBAN 1500, THAT KEEPS GETTING A ERROR MESSAGE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER". THE VEHICLE WILL ALL OF SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING, REDUCE SPEED AND I CAN'T ACCELERATE ABOVE 25-30MPH. I WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF FOR 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE IT RESETS, HOWEVER IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN! IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN I HAVE MY KIDS OR MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL HAVE THIS HAPPEN. STRANGELY, WHEN WE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WE CAN USE THE "CRUISE CONTROL" FEATURE WHEN WE REACH 25MPH AND USE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE THAT WAY WITH MINIMAL OCCURRENCES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO "2 CHEVY DEALERS AND 3 MECHANICS" NEITHER CAN TELL US WHAT'S WRONG! THIS IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ON CAR, AND WE KNOW THIS A "SAFETY HAZARD" AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SOMEBODY HAS TO LOOK INTO THIS! I ONLY HOPE SOMEONE WHO READS THESE COMPLAINTS HAS THE POWER TO HELP ME AND EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Sep 26, 2011
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
ON 26OCT. 2010 I HAD A THROTTLE BODY REPLACE ON A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP. A DAY LATER MY WIFE AND I TOOK THE SUBURBAN OUT TO GO SHOPPING . I RETURNED TOTHE PARKING LOT TO PULL UP TO THE DOOR TO LOAD UP. AS I WAS CIIRCLING AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT THE ENGINE OF THE SUV RED LINED ,THIS CAUGHT ME TOTALLY OFF GAURD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO THI SUV, IT DID NOT STOPPED . THE END RESULT WAS THAT I HIT A LIGHT POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY IN INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A INVESTIGATOR OUT TO LOOK A THE SUV , HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT REDLINED , HE GAVE ME A CALL AND SAID I HAD A ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. LATER ON I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT INSTALLED AND PROFORMED THE WORK .THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY A DEFECTED AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBILE FOR THE ACCCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACCIDENT. *TR
Dec 06, 2010
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 complaint
TRUCK STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. MAY DRIVE FOR 20-30 MILES, THEN STALL OUT. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVRON DEALER, THEY CHECKED, DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SAID COMPUTER SHOWS EVERYTHING O.K.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY, BECAUSE TRUCK WILL STOP ANYWHERE, AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK IS 7 YEARS OLD, SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR
Jul 31, 2010
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
1 complaint
2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4WD ROLLOVER RESULTING IN ROOF COMPACTING AND SEAT BELTS FAILING, 3 MAJOR INJURIES;: ALL WEARING SEATBELTS: DRIVER: ROAD BURN, CUT'S, BRUISES, BROKEN RIB. FRONT PASSENGER: SEVERE, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, C2, STAGE 3 SPINAL FRACTURE. WINDOW'S BROKE OUT & CAR LANDED ON RIGHT ARM RESULTING IN ELBOW DISLOCATION, FRACTURE AND MUSCLES TORN FROM THE BONE; BROKEN RIB. 2ND SEAT PASSENGER: 1/2 THROWN OUT OF THE CAR SUSTAINING 3 SPINAL FXS, RIB FX., SCAPULA FX. AND ROAD BURN. 3RD SEAT PASSENGER: THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE INTO THE FAST LANE ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SUSTAINING HEAD INJURY, BILATERAL COLLARBONE FRACTURE'S, SCAPULA FX. AND ROAD BURN. CHEVY SUBURBAN'S CANNOT WITHSTAND A ROLLOVER AND CHEVY WAS AWARE OF THIS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A COURT TRIAL. IMPEACH OBAMA OBAMA & HIS CIRCUS FOR DEFYING OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION! *TR
Feb 04, 2010
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE. CONDENSATION ACCUMULATES INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHTS. AFTER FUELING THE VEHICLE, SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL . SHE SPECULATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS AN ELECTRICAL DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT SHE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,200 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
Nov 06, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
THE FUEL PUMP ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HAS FAILED. IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES IN THE PAST. I WISH I HAD KNOWN BEFORE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED IN 2005, WITH APPROXIMATELY 32,000 MILES ON IT. THE "THROTTLE BODY MODULE", "STEERING GEAR", DASH CLUSTER, AND NOW FUEL PUMP HAVE ALL FAILED! THIS HAS MADE ME VERY UPSET WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 72,000 MILES ON IT. I THOUGHT BUYING AMERICAN WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. NOW I'M WORRIED ABOUT MY 2004 GMC SIERRA. *TR
Feb 10, 2009
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
REVVING OF ENGINE TO POINT OF SCREECHING TIRES. SOMETIMES FEELING OF BEING IN NEUTRAL FOR A SECOND THEN CLUNK IN TRANNY/REAR END? ACTS AS ENGAGEMENT OF CRUISE CONTROL INCREASING SPEED, NOT ABLE TO DISENGAGE BY HITTING BRAKE. COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING. NEXT TIME PUTTER "LOCKED OUT" TECH'S. PUTER REPLACED. WORKED GOOD FOR TWO WEEKS. ENGINE REVVED, HIT PATCH OF ICE, TOTALED OUT Z-71. THANK GOD, NO INJURIES. FIGHTING IT FOR APPX 16000 MILES. 72000 TO 88000. *TR
Dec 24, 2008
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
VEHICLE: 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN CRASH: AS VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO AN APPROACHING INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN (IN A NEIGHBORHOOD) SPEED LIMIT APPROX 25, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGH RATE OF SPEED (CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED) CAUSING DRIVER LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX, TELEPHONE POLE AND FINAL IMPACT (T-BONED) WITH A PARKED FORD F150 EXTRA CAB PICKUP TRUCK SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A LAWN TRAILER ATTACHED. SUBURBAN ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER IMPACT PUSHING BOTH VEHICLES (AND THE TRAILER) APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. NO AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENTS EVEN THOUGH FRONT BUMPER WAS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OR HOLD. BOTH VEHICLES TOTAL LOSS INJURIES: ALL 4 PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES DRIVER - BROKEN NOSE FROM MIRROR KNOCKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM IMPACT WITH TELEPHONE POLE, SEVERE CHEST/ABDOMEN BRUISING CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL, MULTIPLE CUTS AND ABRASIONS FROM FLYING DEBRIS & GLASS. PASSENGER BACK LEFT - CUTS & ABRASIONS FROM GLASS & DEBRIS AND BRUISING FRONT PASSENGER - DEEP TISSUE/BONE BRUISING ON BOTH LEGS,AND RIGHT KNEE, BRUISING ON BOTH ARMS AND CHEST. PASSENGER BACK RIGHT - BRUISING ON KNEES AND FEET. *TR
Feb 27, 2008
STEERING,STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,SEATS
1 complaint
1. 2003 SUBURBAN Z71 , RATTLE AND CLUNK IN STEERING COLUMN, NOTHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING JUST CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. 2. SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND UNABLE TO FASTEN BELT WITHOUT FORCE. CORRECTED 3. LATCHES LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE SECOND ROW SEATS TO HOLD UP THE THIRD ROW FLOOR BOARDS WHEN USING THIRD ROW HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES (LATCHES ARE PLASTIC WHICH MAKES NO SENSE) 4. PAINT ON THE REAR BUMPER AND LEFT BY GAS TANK FILL RUSTED (THIS WAS CORRECTED) 5. DRIVER SEAT MOTOR RUNS AFTER VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION MANY TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 6. REAR ACCESS DOOR WEATHER STRIPING STRETCHED. 7. TRUCK FAILED TO START FOR NUMEROUS REASONS OTHER THEN DEAD BATTERY. FUEL TANK PUMP MODULE WENT BAD. CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WENT BAD. THE MOST RECENT OF 1/20/07 HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AS THE TRUCK IS NOT RELIABLE. INFACT MY 1994 FORD EXPLORER IS MORE RELIABLE THEN THIS TRUCK PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2003, STARTING WITH 2ND ROW SEAT BELT ISSUES 8. EXCESSIVE SQUEAKING FROM FRONT END, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS MADE TO DEALER, BELTS REPLACED AND PULLEYS CLEANED SEVERAL TIMES THEN PULLEYS READJUSTED. 9. LEFT REAR DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. *TR
Jan 20, 2008
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
2003 SUBURBAN IN 10/2006 I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITIONING WAS NOT WORKING. AT THAT TIME THE VEHICLE WAS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY W/ 42,900 MILES ON IT. I DO NOT DRIVE IT DURING SUMMER MONTHS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE WITH 6,000 MILES ON IT, BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT IT WAS DRIVEN ONLY BY THE SALES MANAGER AND RECEIVED AN "A" TITLE, AS A NEW VEHICLE. I CONTACTED GM'S CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 10/23/06 AND WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR AN OFFICIAL DIAGNOSIS AND ESTIMATE. I DID SO, AND THE ESTIMATE WAS FOR $1,034.25, INVOLVING REAR A/C LEAKING VAPORLINE AT REAR WHEEL OPENING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASSURED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD HAVE DONE TO CAUSE THAT, AND THAT THE RUSTING STARTED MONTHS BEFORE MY WARRANTY WOULD HAVE EXPIRED. AFTER MONTHS OF CORRESPONDENCE, I WAS ADVISED TO GET IT FIXED IN APRIL, 2007. HOWEVER,AFTER HAVING IT FIXED AT THEIR ADVICE, GM SUBSEQUENTLY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME AT ALL IN RECOVERING THE COST OF THIS EXPENSIVE PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS LATER, I FOUND THAT I NEEDED ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS REPLACED, BECAUSE, AS THE GARAGE MECHANIC PUT IT "I'VE NEVER SEEN SUCH TERRIBLE RUSTING OF ALL THE HARDWARE ON THAT NEW OF A VEHICLE." HE EVEN ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SUBMERGED IN WATER! IT HAS NOT. THIS REPAIR THEN COST ME ANOTHER $800. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, I AM EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS OUTCOME. I BOUGHT A VEHICLE THAT COST OVER $42,000 AND EXPECTED IT TO LAST ME FAR MORE THAN 3 YEARS WITHOUT A RUST PROBLEM. *TR
Sep 17, 2007
PARKING BRAKE
1 complaint
PARKING BRAKE CABLE SNAPPED. UNABLE TO RELEASE PARKING BRAKE. *TR
Sep 16, 2007
SUSPENSION,PARKING BRAKE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
1 complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE SAME DAY THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE REPAIR SHOP THREE TIMES AND EACH TIME THE MECHANIC STATED THAT EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAS NOT WORKED SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SUNROOF LEAKED, A BLOWN FUSE WAS REPLACED. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER TIGHTENED THE CONNECTION, THERE WAS A RATTLE COMING FROM THEE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD. UPDATED 10/24/07.*JB
Sep 10, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
1 complaint
2003 CHEVROLET CAVALIER LS SPORT BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY NEEDING A FUEL PUMP AT 67000 MILES. A VERY EXPENSIVE JOB TO BE DONE SO EARLY IN THE CAR'S LIFE. *AK
May 23, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF THE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE CORRODED AT 13,000 MILES AND REPLACED THEM. THE FAILURE REPEATED ITSELF AT 18,000 MILES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR DEFECT REPAIRS AND ANY FUTURE REPAIRS DUE TO THE DEFECT. THE DEALER STATED RECALL ON SEATBELTS. UPDATED 06/26/07 *TR
Apr 30, 2007
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
THE FUEL GAUGE QUIT FIRST, THEN THE SPEEDOMETER. THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND IN THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN A TURN IS MADE. *JB
Feb 02, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1 complaint
COATING OF RADIO BUTTONS IS PEELING OR COMING OFF. *JB
Jan 15, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
SPEEDOMETER QUITS REGISTERING SPEED OF VEHICLE AT TIMES, THE ODOMETER CONTINUES TO WORK. NEXT TIME DRIVING VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WORKS. DEALER SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND EVENTUALLY THE SPEEDOMETER WILL QUIT AND I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE. I DO FEEL THAT A NON WORKING SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Sep 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
1 complaint
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD KEYLESS ENTRY AND THE POWER SUPPLY FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IF SOMEONE WAS TO BE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE POWER SUPPLY FAILED, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING CONCERN.
Sep 06, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaint
DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED, AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IT STUCK. THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE OR WHEN THE CLUSTER PANEL HEATED UP. *AK
Nov 29, 2005
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
DT: CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST SEVEN TIMES SINCE APRIL. WHEN THE VEHICLE TURNS OVER IT JUST DOES NOT START. HE CAME BACK FROM MYRTLE BEACH, AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 80 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND STALLED. HE MANAGED TO COAST OFF THE INTERSTATE, IT THEN STARTED BACK UP WITH ONE ATTEMPT. HE TRAVELED ABOUT 150 MILES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN AND IT STARTED BACK, THIS TIME IT STARTED AND WAS RUNNING A LITTLE ROUGH. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE NEXT EXIT AND FOUND A DEALER WHO TOLD HIM THAT HE COULD MAKE IT BACK TO OHIO IF HE DID NOT DRIVE IT VERY FAST. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER THAT WAS NOT ABLE TO HANDLE THE PRESSURE. HE DROVE BACK AT 55 MPH, AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHUT DOWN. THE NEXT MORNING HE TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER IN FARRIS OHIO WHERE HE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER CHANGED THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE FUEL PUMP, AND SOMETHING HE THINKS IS CALLED A UBECK. HE WAS FRUSTRATED THAT HE SEEMED TO SPEND TOO MUCH TIME AT THE DEALER INSTEAD AT HOME.*AK
Aug 17, 2005
STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING, AND CONSUMER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK
Nov 19, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
1 complaint
CONSUMER NOTICED A WIRE BURNING SMELL, AND AIR BAG INDICATOR SERVICE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. *AK
Jul 14, 2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT
1 complaint
CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL FOUR DOORS DON'T WORK PROPERLY. RADIO IS NOT WORKING AS WELL. WHILE DRIVING, ALL GAUGE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATES THE DASH BOARD. DEALER REPLACED. ALTERNATOR, RADIO TWICE, DOOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE DASH BOARD INCLUDING THE GAUGES AND STILL PERSIST THE PROBLEM INTERMITTENTLY. *LA
Jun 15, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES,CHILD SEAT
1 complaint
THERE IS A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE WAY THE 2002 CHEVY SUBURBAN IS MANUFACTURED. WORK WITH ME....IF YOU HAVE A CAR SEAT, WHICH MOST EVERYONE DOES IF THEY OWN A SUBURBAN, AND IT IS BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT...YOU CAN'T GET TO THE THIRD REAR SEAT, BECAUSE YOU WOULD HAVE TO MOVE THE CAR SEAT EVERY TIME YOU WANTED TO ACCESS THE THIRD SEAT. SO WE THOUGHT IN ORDER TO ACCESS THE REAR THIRD SEAT WE WOULD JUST MOVE THE CAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT, HOWEVER THERE IS NO LATCH MECHANISM LOCATED THERE. *JB APPARENTLY WE ONLY HAVE LATCH IN THE SECOND SEAT IN THE MIDDLE AND BEHIND. *JB THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE OWNED THREE SUBURBANS AND PURCHASED OUR NEW ONE IN 2003 SPECIFICALLY FOR THE LATCH UPGRADE.
Feb 22, 2004
SUSPENSION,TIRES
1 complaint
2003 SUBURBAN ROLLED OVER IN ROAD AFTER TRYING TO AVOID CHAIR THAT WAS OBSTRUCTING MIDDLE LANE. *LA
Dec 20, 2003
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1 complaint
WHILE DRIVING FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SHIFT STICKS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. GENERAL MOTORS SAYS THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, AND IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM. *AK VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH FOUR WHEEL DRIVE SHIFT STICKING CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY. GENERAL MOTORS CLAIMS THAT THIS MAY BE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. GENERAL MOTORS HAS FAILED TO FOLLOW UP ON REMEDY FOR PROBLEM.*MR
Oct 06, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS
1 complaint
SEAT BELT STRAPS IN THE DRIVER'S AND MIDDLE SEAT IN THE SECOND ROW BECOME TIGHT TO THE POINT THAT THE PASSENGER MUST UNBUCKLE THE SEAT BELT AND REATTACH AS THE RIDE PROGRESSES. ALSO, THE MIDDLE SEAT BELT HAS RELEASED ON A NUMBER OF OCCASSIONS SENDING MY DAUGHTER FLYING TO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IN HER CAR SEAT ON HARD BRAKING. SECOND, THE AUDIO CONTROLS BEHIND THE CENTER CONSOLE BECOME EXTREMELY HOT, EVEN MORE SO WHEN THEY ARE IN USE.
Sep 23, 2003
Where to Find VIN for Problems Check
To check for problems and complaints on your 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban, you'll need the VIN number. Find your VIN in one of these 4 common locations.
Understanding VIN Structure for Problem Reports
Each character in your 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban 17-digit VIN helps identify specific complaints and problems affecting your vehicle model.
How to Check 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban Problems in 3 Steps
1
Locate Your VIN
Find the 17-character VIN on your 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban dashboard (visible through windshield), door jamb, engine bay, or vehicle documents.
2
Review by Component
Browse owner-reported complaints organized by vehicle component (engine, transmission, brakes, electrical) to identify common issues and problem patterns for this model year.
3
Check Safety Issues
Review crash and fire incidents for each component to assess safety concerns. Contact your CHEVROLET dealer or report problems to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many problems does the 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban have?
The 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban currently has 327 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.
What are the most common problems with 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban?
The most common problems reported for the 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.
Where does this 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban problem data come from?
All problem and complaint data for the 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.
How do I report problems with my 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban?
You can report safety problems with your 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban directly to NHTSA at SaferCar.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. Your complaint helps identify patterns and may lead to recalls or investigations.
Where can I find my VIN to check problems?
Your 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban VIN is located in 4 places: (1) Dashboard near windshield on driver's side, (2) Driver's door jamb sticker, (3) Engine bay, (4) Vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Is the 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban reliable?
Reliability can be assessed by reviewing the number and severity of owner complaints for the 2003 CHEVROLET Suburban. Check complaints by component, crash reports, and fire incidents above to evaluate potential issues and problem patterns.
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