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Model Year Problem Record

Chevrolet Suburban 2003 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

301Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
5Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
16Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
44Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes93 complaints

93 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V045000.

Electrical System83 complaints

83 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train22 complaints

22 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure13 complaints

13 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 03V037000, 03V094000.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System12 complaints

12 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 03V019000.

Tires11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts10 complaints

10 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 05V163000.

Suspension9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Trailer Hitches and Towing2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

03V019000Reported January 27, 2003 - 5,734 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on January 27, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 5,734 vehicles across all affected models.

03V037000Reported February 6, 2003 - 107 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on February 6, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 107 vehicles across all affected models.

03V094000Reported March 7, 2003 - 3,674 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on March 7, 2003. The campaign covers an estimated 3,674 vehicles across all affected models.

04V045000Reported February 4, 2004 - 68,875 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on February 4, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 68,875 vehicles across all affected models.

05V163000Reported April 22, 2005 - 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on April 22, 2005. The campaign covers an estimated 1,359,824 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP05009Opened December 20, 2005 - Closed May 31, 2006

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04011Opened April 9, 2004 - Closed May 10, 2005

PARKING BRAKE FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 05V161000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

EA04012Opened April 30, 2004 - Closed February 28, 2005

HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES. Resulted in recall campaign 05V005000.

EA11001Opened January 5, 2011 - Closed April 8, 2015

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11001Opened January 5, 2011 - Closed April 8, 2015

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE03026Opened June 12, 2003 - Closed November 3, 2003

STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE10010Opened March 30, 2010 - Closed January 5, 2011

Brake line corrosion failure. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200318
200435
200540
200621
200730
200825
20097
201017
201113
201217
201318
201425
201511
20166
20174
20182
20192
20206
20211
20241
20251
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.