Known Recalls

Model year record

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 628 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.

Owner complaints

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

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel12468,000 mi
Service brakes84110,835 mi
Electrical system6586,000 mi
Steering3054,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2655,000 mi
Air bags1690,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1683,978 mi
Fuel system, gasoline1465,000 mi
Seats13105,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1118,971 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1029,000 mi
Engine9166,514 mi
Unknown or other985,000 mi
Equipment872,300 mi
Steering: column813,000 mi
Exterior lighting738,416 mi
Power train: automatic transmission736,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip720,000 mi
Steering: gear box: shaft sector710,000 mi
Seat belts683,000 mi
Suspension624,000 mi
Suspension: front610,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt68,900 mi
Steering: linkages517,000 mi
Tires530,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe410,300 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system475,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages473,430 mi
Power train497,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)45,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings485,808 mi
Structure442,000 mi
Structure: body4133,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear468,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring396,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine335,015 mi
Parking brake328,887 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler3153 mi
Visibility379,670 mi
Visibility/wiper3129,000 mi
Air bags: frontal210,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)2110,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner237,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.259,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Fuel/propulsion system2105,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)29,500 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust262,000 mi
Service brakes, electric288,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate252,500 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments254,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire289,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls245,000 mi
Visibility: windshield210,000 mi
Wheels289,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Child seat: base1—
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system137,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1723 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1—
Exterior lighting: fog lights12,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery11,920 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings138,516 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump113,000 mi
Interior lighting15,500 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch18,100 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)168 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1153 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly180,000 mi
Seat belts: integrated child seat1—
Seat belts: rear/other114,335 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner15,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light166,510 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings128,887 mi
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)152,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: pinion shaft128,400 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: hub166,510 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems175,000 mi
Tires: sidewall18,900 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1172,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor1130,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element169,500 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly1600 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of 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.