RecallMyCar

2003 Chevrolet Suburban Recalls, Complaints & Specs

5 safety recalls list the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, and owners have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

5
safety recalls
301
owner complaints to NHTSA
23 / 4
complaints citing a crash / fire
13–14
MPG combined (EPA)

5 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Seat belts: rear/other

    NHTSA 05V163000 Reported 1,359,824 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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…

    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…

  2. Service brakes, hydraulic

    NHTSA 04V045000 Reported 68,875 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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.

  3. Structure

    NHTSA 03V094000 Reported 3,674 vehicles potentially affected SOUTHERN COMFORT CONVERSIONS

    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.

    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…

  4. Hinge and attachments (structure)

    NHTSA 03V037000 Reported 107 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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.

    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…

  5. Tank assembly (fuel system)

    NHTSA 03V019000 Reported 5,734 vehicles potentially affected GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

    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…

    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…

301 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have filed 301 complaints with NHTSA; 23 describe a crash and 4 describe a fire. Reports cite 30 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 82,949 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 40 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 21, 2026 · Electrical system

“The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, the contact noticed the trailer attached was moving from left to right independently, and the trailer detac”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 17, 2025 · Trailer hitches

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban (Suburban 1500 2WD, Suburban 1500 4WD, Suburban 1500 AWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined13–14 mpg
City / Highway12–13 / 16–17
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine8 cyl, 5.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Chevrolet Suburban model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Chevrolet Suburban model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1977 Chevrolet Suburban02
1978 Chevrolet Suburban03
1979 Chevrolet Suburban01
1981 Chevrolet Suburban11
1982 Chevrolet Suburban11
1983 Chevrolet Suburban03
1984 Chevrolet Suburban06
1985 Chevrolet Suburban09
1986 Chevrolet Suburban07
1987 Chevrolet Suburban018
1988 Chevrolet Suburban330
1989 Chevrolet Suburban362
1990 Chevrolet Suburban354
1991 Chevrolet Suburban352
1992 Chevrolet Suburban3189
1993 Chevrolet Suburban0499
1994 Chevrolet Suburban3858
1995 Chevrolet Suburban6457
1996 Chevrolet Suburban3360
1997 Chevrolet Suburban2414
1998 Chevrolet Suburban2201
1999 Chevrolet Suburban1634
2000 Chevrolet Suburban8282
2001 Chevrolet Suburban6440
2002 Chevrolet Suburban2286
2003 Chevrolet Suburban5301
2004 Chevrolet Suburban4204
2005 Chevrolet Suburban6129
2006 Chevrolet Suburban123
2007 Chevrolet Suburban4292
2008 Chevrolet Suburban4213
2009 Chevrolet Suburban5106
2010 Chevrolet Suburban3117
2011 Chevrolet Suburban3148
2012 Chevrolet Suburban4101
2013 Chevrolet Suburban4118
2014 Chevrolet Suburban359
2015 Chevrolet Suburban11429
2016 Chevrolet Suburban6220
2017 Chevrolet Suburban5141
2018 Chevrolet Suburban481
2019 Chevrolet Suburban378
2020 Chevrolet Suburban444
2021 Chevrolet Suburban12199
2022 Chevrolet Suburban4124
2023 Chevrolet Suburban3126
2024 Chevrolet Suburban142

Checking a specific 2003 Chevrolet Suburban

How do I know if my 2003 Chevrolet Suburban has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Chevrolet dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V019000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.