2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

◆ Worse than typical
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than 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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Tahoe Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2003 highlighted. 1988: 1 complaints 1988 1991: 3 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 8 complaints 1994: 19 complaints 1995: 246 complaints 1995 1996: 283 complaints 1997: 410 complaints 1998: 263 complaints 1999: 552 complaints 2000: 282 complaints 2000 2001: 512 complaints 2002: 449 complaints 2003: 507 complaints 2003 2004: 466 complaints 2005: 292 complaints 2005 2006: 114 complaints 2007: 1176 complaints 2008: 528 complaints 2009: 283 complaints 2010: 314 complaints 2010 2011: 446 complaints 2012: 178 complaints 2013: 231 complaints 2014: 90 complaints 2015: 657 complaints 2015 2016: 252 complaints 2017: 168 complaints 2018: 98 complaints 2019: 101 complaints 2020: 53 complaints 2020 2021: 421 complaints 2022: 174 complaints 2023: 196 complaints 2024: 60 complaints 2025: 34 complaints 2025 2026: 17 complaints 2026
2003: 507 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19881
19913
19926
19938
199419
1995246
1996283
1997410
1998263
1999552
2000282
2001512
2002449
2003507
2004466
2005292
2006114
20071176
2008528
2009283
2010314
2011446
2012178
2013231
201490
2015657
2016252
2017168
201898
2019101
202053
2021421
2022174
2023196
202460
202534
202617

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24%

24% of complaints: electrical system — 124 distinct reports on file.

SERVICE BRAKES 17%

17% of complaints: service brakes — 84 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

EXITING FROM THE EXPRESSWAY WITH TRAFFIC LIGHT ABOUT 20 YARDS AWAY, CARS WERE STOPED DUE TO RED LIGHT AND I AM COMING DOWN HILL EXITING. APPLYING THE BREAKS AND THE PADDLE GOES TO THE FLOOR, I REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE ON THE FAR RIGHT .

NHTSA ODI report, 20180417

RETURNED TO A FRIENDS FROM A TRIP TO ACCESS MY VEHICLE AND HEAD FOR HOME.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121011

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%

13% of complaints: electrical system — 65 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TAKATA RECALL, TODAY, MAY 31, 2019, I DROVE MY TRUCK TO A MEETING AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT (IT WAS STATIONARY IN A CITY PARKING LOT).

NHTSA ODI report, 20190531

STEERING 6%

6% of complaints: steering — 30 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 5%

5% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 26 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SAFETY TIMELINE

2003 — complaint volume: 507
R 20030217 — structure

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 U

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.

Campaign 03V037000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030307 — structure

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO

Campaign 03V094000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030612 — PE (closed 20031103)

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE

R 20040618 — service brakes, hydraulic

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 V

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 HUM

Campaign 04V045000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050721 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF

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, 200

Campaign 05V163000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20051220 — DP (closed 20060531)

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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 S

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.

Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20061018 — fuel system, gasoline

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 MANUFACTURE

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).

Campaign 06E043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20080207 — wheels

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND

Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

Campaign 07E106000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20110105 — EA (closed 20150408)

Brake line corrosion failure

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (124 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (84 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (65 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 03V037000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V094000 (structure) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V045000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V163000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E043000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E106000 (wheels) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2025 ▲ 2020 ▲ 2024

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2015 ■ 1999

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe?

The most-reported component is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel, accounting for 24% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.