Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Suburban

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 363 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V163000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
1,359,824
Reported to NHTSA
2005-04-22
Owners notified
2005-07-21

Defect description

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 OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.

Safety risk

A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.

Manufacturer 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, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V045000

Service brakes, hydraulic

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
68,875
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-04
Owners notified
2004-06-18

Defect description

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 VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Safety risk

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Manufacturer 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 HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V094000

Structure

Component
Structure
Manufacturer
SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS
Vehicles affected
3,674
Reported to NHTSA
2003-03-07
Owners notified
2003-03-07

Defect description

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 UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Safety risk

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V037000

Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments

Component
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
107
Reported to NHTSA
2003-02-06
Owners notified
2003-02-17

Defect description

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 UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

Safety risk

AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V019000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
Vehicles affected
5,734
Reported to NHTSA
2003-01-27
Owners notified
2003-02-20

Defect description

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 ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes63120,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel4073,000 mi
Electrical system3388,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1789,000 mi
Air bags14120,722 mi
Vehicle speed control1480,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission1215,000 mi
Steering1020,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump747,000 mi
Suspension710 mi
Structure: body675,895 mi
Engine and engine cooling5140,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)5172 mi
Tires512,000 mi
Engine4106,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner465,000 mi
Seat belts49,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other4—
Steering: column45,900 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear445,800 mi
Air bags: frontal35,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring39,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine35,100 mi
Latches/locks/linkages35,900 mi
Seats35,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip322,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor336,933 mi
Structure35,900 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments3108,000 mi
Tires: sidewall368,781 mi
Tires: tread/belt342,000 mi
Trailer hitches3150,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module210,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery244 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer2291,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline25,000 mi
Equipment246,400 mi
Exterior lighting230,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit29,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings271,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector29,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system250,000 mi
Suspension: front260 mi
Unknown or other250,000 mi
Visibility285,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly21 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electronic stability control (ESC)1112,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Exterior lighting: headlights118,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1199,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline135,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly150,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system120,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system153,817 mi
Parking brake11 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable1163,864 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)132,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Power train: axle assembly148,173 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor123,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust155,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner13,800 mi
Seats: mid/rear assembly15,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper169,114 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings140,000 mi
Steering: linkages1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly11 mi
Structure: frame and members1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1121,176 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls130,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer1170,407 mi
Visibility: windshield1388,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels110 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.