MYRModel Year Report

2003 Chevrolet Suburban

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
301
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

30% of complaints

Complaints per year

1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 301 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1984 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1990 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1996 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 301 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2008 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2014 2015: 429 complaints 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2020 2021: 196 complaints 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints
1981: 1 complaint 1981 1982: 1 complaint 1983: 3 complaints 1983 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1985 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1989 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1991 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1995 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1997 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2001 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2003 301 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2007 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2009 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2013 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 429 complaints 2015 2016: 219 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 77 complaints 2019 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 196 complaints 2021 2022: 121 complaints 2023: 123 complaints 2023 2024: 43 complaints

2003: 301 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015429
2016219
2017141
201881
201977
202044
2021196
2022121
2023123
202443

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

30% · 91 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My complaint is that GM used substandard materials in of all things the brake lines! I lost all braking ability when one of my brake lines blew due to rust. How does this happen?

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-26

Total brake failure caused a collision with car that had slowed in front. Inspection under the car showed brake fluid sprayed around the left side of the rear axle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-28

My low mileage 2003 Suburban has been garage kept since I purchased it new. In March 2011 my brake lines failed causing me to hit the stopped vehicle in front of me.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-09-16

Electrical system

28% · 83 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and wiring.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-23

Also filed under Seat belts

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-05-21

The cluster of the speedometer

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-07-19

Power train

7% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and transfer case (4-wheel drive).

CRASHDEATH

Air bags

7% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-09-23

Also filed under Structure

Steering

7% · 20 reports

Most commonly citing column and hydraulic power assist system.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 301 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-02-17Structure03V037000 Certain sport utility vehicles fail to comply with requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 214, "Side impact protection." These vehicles are built with four welds on the rear door…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the welds on the left rear door upper hinge. If a weld is found out-of-specification, a bolt will be installed to secure the hinge. Owner notification began February 17, 2003.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2003-02-20Fuel system, gasoline03V019000 On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, vehicles, during a 30 degree left angle frontal impact of sufficient severity, a tear could develop in the mid-frame cross member at its…

    Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel tank shield. Owner notification began February 20, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-03-07Structure03V094000 Certain pickup truck, van, and mini van conversions equipped with southern comfort built running boards that contain certain courtesy lights manufactured by american technology components, inc.…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the wiring harness on these running boards. Owner notification began March 7, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2003-06-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-11-03 Steel wheel rim fracture
  6. I
    2004-04-09Engineering analysisClosed 2005-05-10 Parking brake failure
  7. I
    2004-04-30Engineering analysisClosed 2005-02-28 Hydraulic pump failres
  8. R
    2004-06-18Service brakes, hydraulic04V045000 Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 135, ?passenger car brake systems.? Some of these…

    Remedy: Dealers are to replace the hydro-boost relief valve. The recall began on June 18, 2004. Owners should contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339; Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438; GMC at 1-866-996-9463; or…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2005-07-21Seat belts05V163000 On certain crew cab pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the 2ND row center occupant seat belt routing may make it difficult to position the lap portion of the safety belt low around the hips…

    Remedy: Dealers will cut open the guide loop, remove a portion of the loop, and then the remaining two sides should be folded over and secured with a retainer free of charge. The recall began on July 21…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2005-12-20Defect petitionClosed 2006-05-31 Parking brake failure
  11. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2006-10-18Fuel system, gasoline06E043000 Certain replacement fuel filters, fram brand name p/n G3727, with date codes X52911 through X60801 sequentially or X600141 and a mexico country or origin marking on the fuel filter housing…

    Remedy: Honeywell will notify owners and replace the fuel filters free of charge. The recall began on October 18, 2006. Owners may contact fram customer service at 1-800-890-2075 (Option 1).

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. I
    2010-03-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-01-05 Brake line corrosion failure
  14. I
    2011-01-05Engineering analysisClosed 2015-04-08 Brake line corrosion failure

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 91 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 83 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 03V037000 · Structure
  • Recall 03V019000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V094000 · Structure
  • Recall 04V045000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 05V163000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E043000 · Fuel system, gasoline
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 30% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.