RecallMyCar

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Recalls, Complaints & Specs

4 safety recalls list the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, and owners have filed 507 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

4
safety recalls
507
owner complaints to NHTSA
20 / 9
complaints citing a crash / fire
13–15
MPG combined (EPA)

4 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

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…

507 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe have filed 507 complaints with NHTSA; 20 describe a crash and 9 describe a fire. Reports cite 15 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 80,961 miles. Complaints peaked in 2007 with 85 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“When in drive the car will not go into 3rd gear. It slips from. 2nd and back passes 3rd gear completely and goes into 4th gear and the engine revs up/rpm. The transmition filter/screen has been replac”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, April 7, 2023 · Power train

“I bought my 2003 Chevy Tahoe used and as is at a dealership for $10,000. Yes, I've been robbed. The truck is in great LOOKING condition. Has a little bit of superficial dings and a couple dents but ov”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 30, 2022 · Electrical system

Fuel economy and specs

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

Combined13–15 mpg
City / Highway12–13 / 16–17
FuelGasoline or E85, Regular
EPA classSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engine8 cyl, 4.8/5.3 L
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Compare Chevrolet Tahoe model years

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

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1988 Chevrolet Tahoe01
1991 Chevrolet Tahoe03
1992 Chevrolet Tahoe06
1993 Chevrolet Tahoe08
1994 Chevrolet Tahoe219
1995 Chevrolet Tahoe6246
1996 Chevrolet Tahoe3283
1997 Chevrolet Tahoe0410
1998 Chevrolet Tahoe2263
1999 Chevrolet Tahoe1552
2000 Chevrolet Tahoe6282
2001 Chevrolet Tahoe5512
2002 Chevrolet Tahoe3449
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe4507
2004 Chevrolet Tahoe2467
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe5293
2006 Chevrolet Tahoe3114
2007 Chevrolet Tahoe41,177
2008 Chevrolet Tahoe4528
2009 Chevrolet Tahoe5284
2010 Chevrolet Tahoe3314
2011 Chevrolet Tahoe5447
2012 Chevrolet Tahoe3178
2013 Chevrolet Tahoe4232
2014 Chevrolet Tahoe390
2015 Chevrolet Tahoe14658
2016 Chevrolet Tahoe8256
2017 Chevrolet Tahoe4173
2018 Chevrolet Tahoe3104
2019 Chevrolet Tahoe2106
2020 Chevrolet Tahoe357
2021 Chevrolet Tahoe16455
2022 Chevrolet Tahoe4190
2023 Chevrolet Tahoe5225
2024 Chevrolet Tahoe367
2025 Chevrolet Tahoe149
2026 Chevrolet Tahoe327

Checking a specific 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe

How do I know if my 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe 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. 4 campaigns currently list the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe; 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 03V037000).

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.