Model year
2003 Chevrolet Suburban
NHTSA lists 5 recalls and 301 complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 196 complaints under SUBURBAN 1500 and SUBURBAN 2500. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (63), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL (40), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (33). NHTSA lists 6 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 13–14 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,800–$5,150, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 282 complaints
- 2001 440 complaints
- 2002 286 complaints
- 2003 301 complaints
- 2004 204 complaints
- 2005 129 complaints
- 2006 23 complaints
- 2007 292 complaints
- 2008 213 complaints
- 2009 106 complaints
- 2010 117 complaints
- 2011 148 complaints
- 2012 101 complaints
- 2013 118 complaints
- 2014 59 complaints
- 2015 431 complaints
- 2016 220 complaints
- 2017 142 complaints
- 2018 84 complaints
- 2019 78 complaints
- 2020 44 complaints
- 2021 200 complaints
- 2022 124 complaints
- 2023 131 complaints
- 2024 45 complaints
- 2025 31 complaints
- 2026 18 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
05V163000 · Apr 22, 2005
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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…
04V045000 · Feb 4, 2004
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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…
03V094000 · Mar 7, 2003
STRUCTURE
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…
03V037000 · Feb 6, 2003
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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…
03V019000 · Jan 27, 2003
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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…
Complaints
301 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 23, fire flag on 4, injury field 30, deaths field 1. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| SUBURBAN 1500 | 0 | 175 |
| SUBURBAN 2500 | 0 | 21 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE03026 | STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE · WHEELS; WHEELS:MULTI PIECE; WHEELS:RIM | Jun 12, 2003 | Nov 3, 2003 |
| EA04011 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND… | Apr 9, 2004 | May 10, 2005 |
| EA04012 | HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST; STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM | Apr 30, 2004 | Feb 28, 2005 |
| DP05009 | PARKING BRAKE FAILURE · PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL; PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL; PARKING BRAKE | Dec 20, 2005 | May 31, 2006 |
| PE10010 | Brake line corrosion failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | Mar 30, 2010 | Jan 5, 2011 |
| EA11001 | Brake line corrosion failure · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | Jan 5, 2011 | Apr 8, 2015 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Suburban 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 12 | 16 | 13 | — | — | $5,150 |
| Suburban 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
| Suburban 1500 AWD · 5.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · FFV | 13 | 17 | 14 | — | — | $4,800 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Chevrolet Suburban at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.