RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Suburban Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Sep 23, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 301 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
10

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Sep 23, 2020
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TOWING HIS DAUGHTER'S VEHICLE AT ABOUT 60 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD AND LOWER BACK INJURY. THE FRONT PASSENGER (HIS DAUGHTER) SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY. THE TWO WENT TO THE DOCTOR THREE DAYS LATER. THERE WAS NO POLICE REPORT. THE VEHICLE BEING TOWED WAS DAMAGED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DAUGHTER'S DORM WHERE IT WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER DRIVER'S INSURANCE DENIED ANY COMPENSATION TO THE CONTACT, STATING THAT THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE (THE VEHICLE TOWING THE DAMAGED VEHICLE) WAS NOT HIT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 173,000.

NHTSA ID
11360703
Incident
Aug 7, 2020
Mileage
173,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 15, 2015

I NOTICED A SOUND LIKE THAT FROM AN OPEN WINDOW AND CHECK ALL DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS VERIFYING THAT THEY WERE CLOSED. UPON UTILIZATION OF THE REAR HATCH, IT WAS NOTED THAT ONE OF THE TWO (50%) LATCHES THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW/DOOR TO THE CAR HAD SEPARATED. I BROUGHT IT TO CHEVROLET DEALER AT THE TIME AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY DID NOT CONSIDER THE DOORS AS REQUIRED OR THIS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. AT THE TIME, I FOUND 1000'S OF PEOPLE ONLINE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I'M SURE THAT THIS HAS INCREASED 10 FOLD SINCE THEN. I ONLY USE THIS CAR AS A 2ND CAR NOW AND DO NOT UTILIZE IT DAILY. I FEAR THAT THE 2ND REAR WINDOW/DOOR LATCH WILL ALSO FAIL AND CAUSE THE ENTIRE WINDOW/DOOR TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE THUS LANDING ON THE HIGHWAY BEHIND ME (HOPEFULLY) OR ON THE POOR FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE BEHIND ME (WORSE CASE). UNFORTUNATELY, I LIVE IN THE WASHINGTON DC AREA WHERE PEOPLE LIKE TO TAILGATE. TRAVELING ON HIGHWAYS WITH THE WIND RUSHING THROUGH THE WINDOW CAUSING ADDITIONAL STRESS ON THE LATCH MAKE THE LATER SCENARIO MORE DEADLY AND MORE OF A REALITY. GM/CHEVROLET SHOULD FIX WHAT SEEMS TO ME AS A MINOR REPAIR TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHY HASN'T THIS BEEN ADDRESSED IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE LATCH?

NHTSA ID
10734101
Incident
Jul 16, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Aug 3, 2014
Crash reported4 injuries reported

I WAS DRIVING MY FRIEND TO WORK IN OK 4/30/14.. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF WHAT INSTIGATED OUR HEAD ON COLLISION BUT I HAVE SEVERAL INJURIES, HAD TO CUT OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AND AIRLIFTED TO OU MEDICAL CTR. IN OK CITY.. SHATTERED ANKLES/FEET, BROKEN NECK INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE FACET DISRUPTION THAT IS PERMANENT AND 8 BROKEN RIBS COMBINED BOTH R & L DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT WITH OUT ANY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ASHERBRIDGECRASH.COM AND I WAS IN THE WHITE SUBURBAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10618448
Incident
Apr 30, 2014
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Apr 7, 2014

AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP AND AVOID INJURING MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON. THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 50 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR OR I MIGHT NOT BE WRITING THIS TODAY (OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY ME DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE). I DISCOVERED THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE WAS BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE PREMATURELY CORRODED AND THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NHTSA AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW DARE YOU AND GM PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AT RISK BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOMPETENCE!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL??? A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF CHEVY OWNERS AS WELL AS PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE WHICH I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CARS WITH 3 TIMES AS MANY MILES SHOULDN'T EXPERIENCE. PERHAPS CONGRESS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS DERELICTION OF DUTY BY NHTSA. HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED IN ACCIDENTS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION??? IF TOTAL FAILURE OF A VEHICLE'S BREAKING SYSTEM DOESN'T SPUR A CALL TO ACTION BY NHTSA THEN WHAT WILL? WHAT COULD BE MORE VITAL TO SAFETY THAN BRAKES ON A 1/2 TON TRUCK? REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE LINE WILL COST ME OVER $1,200 AND THAT JUST ADDS INSULT TO THIS WHOLE DISGRACEFUL SITUATION. I DEMAND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT I HAVE TO CORRECT. NHTSA HAS FAILED AND IT'S COSTING WAY MORE THAN $1,200; IT'S COSTING AMERICANS THEIR LIVES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10578128
Incident
Apr 6, 2014
Mileage
60,100 mi
AirbagsBody & structureSeat belts
Filed Feb 4, 2010
Crash reported4 injuries reported

2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 4WD ROLLOVER RESULTING IN ROOF COMPACTING AND SEAT BELTS FAILING, 3 MAJOR INJURIES;: ALL WEARING SEATBELTS: DRIVER: ROAD BURN, CUT'S, BRUISES, BROKEN RIB. FRONT PASSENGER: SEVERE, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, C2, STAGE 3 SPINAL FRACTURE. WINDOW'S BROKE OUT & CAR LANDED ON RIGHT ARM RESULTING IN ELBOW DISLOCATION, FRACTURE AND MUSCLES TORN FROM THE BONE; BROKEN RIB. 2ND SEAT PASSENGER: 1/2 THROWN OUT OF THE CAR SUSTAINING 3 SPINAL FXS, RIB FX., SCAPULA FX. AND ROAD BURN. 3RD SEAT PASSENGER: THROWN FROM THE VEHICLE INTO THE FAST LANE ON ONCOMING TRAFFIC. SUSTAINING HEAD INJURY, BILATERAL COLLARBONE FRACTURE'S, SCAPULA FX. AND ROAD BURN. CHEVY SUBURBAN'S CANNOT WITHSTAND A ROLLOVER AND CHEVY WAS AWARE OF THIS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO A COURT TRIAL. IMPEACH OBAMA OBAMA & HIS CIRCUS FOR DEFYING OUR U.S. CONSTITUTION! *TR

NHTSA ID
10304978
Incident
May 13, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Jun 30, 2009

I OWN A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500. I NOTICED A LEAK ON THE BACK WINDOW. I HAVE A HATCHBACK WITH A LIFTGATE WINDOW. I OPENED IT TO CHECK THE LEAK AND WHEN I WENT TO CLOSE IT I COULDN'T. I NOTICED THAT THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMING OFF THE GLASS. I HAD TO PUSH THE TOP RIGHT OF THE WINDOW DOWN TO CLOSE IT. NOW THE REAR ACCESS DOOR WARNING IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10275312
Incident
Jun 27, 2009
Mileage
75,895 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 4, 2009

LIKE MANY OTHERS.....THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE LIFT GATE GLASS HAS COME UNBONDED ON MY 2003 SUBURBAN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10272916
Incident
May 10, 2009
Mileage
108,000 mi
Body & structureInterior & seatsSteering
Filed Jan 20, 2008

1. 2003 SUBURBAN Z71 , RATTLE AND CLUNK IN STEERING COLUMN, NOTHING LOOSE IN THE STEERING JUST CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING SHAFT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. 2. SECOND ROW MIDDLE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT AND UNABLE TO FASTEN BELT WITHOUT FORCE. CORRECTED 3. LATCHES LOCATED ON THE BACK OF THE SECOND ROW SEATS TO HOLD UP THE THIRD ROW FLOOR BOARDS WHEN USING THIRD ROW HAVE BROKEN NUMEROUS TIMES (LATCHES ARE PLASTIC WHICH MAKES NO SENSE) 4. PAINT ON THE REAR BUMPER AND LEFT BY GAS TANK FILL RUSTED (THIS WAS CORRECTED) 5. DRIVER SEAT MOTOR RUNS AFTER VEHICLE TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION MANY TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM. 6. REAR ACCESS DOOR WEATHER STRIPING STRETCHED. 7. TRUCK FAILED TO START FOR NUMEROUS REASONS OTHER THEN DEAD BATTERY. FUEL TANK PUMP MODULE WENT BAD. CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR WENT BAD. THE MOST RECENT OF 1/20/07 HAS NOT YET BEEN DETERMINED. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AS THE TRUCK IS NOT RELIABLE. INFACT MY 1994 FORD EXPLORER IS MORE RELIABLE THEN THIS TRUCK PROBLEMS BEGAN IN 2003, STARTING WITH 2ND ROW SEAT BELT ISSUES 8. EXCESSIVE SQUEAKING FROM FRONT END, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS MADE TO DEALER, BELTS REPLACED AND PULLEYS CLEANED SEVERAL TIMES THEN PULLEYS READJUSTED. 9. LEFT REAR DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215468
Incident
Sep 23, 2003
Mileage
5,900 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 5, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE WINDOW ON THE HATCHBACK, BUT IT WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HINGE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE REAR WINDOW WAS HANGING FROM THE HINGE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR $99 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 149,830.

NHTSA ID
10201940
Incident
Sep 2, 2007
Mileage
149,830 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 8, 2005

2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN 1500 (52,000 MILES) WITH REAR HATCH. RECENTLY ONE OF THE SIDES OF THE WIND REAR HATCH SNAPPED IN HALF. THIS IS A PLASTIC PIECE BOLTED ON TO THE VEHICLE STRUCTURE. WHEN I CALLED A LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALER TO INQUIRE IF THERE MAY BE A RECALL THE ANSWER WAS NO, BUT THEY SEE THE PROBLEM OFTEN. OFTEN TELLS ME THIS IS AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE FIXED AND NOT AT THE CONSUMERS EXPENSE. IT IS DANGEROUS AND MAY CAUSE PERSONAL INJURY. *NM

NHTSA ID
10135890
Incident
Aug 30, 2005
Mileage
51,900 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 9, 2004

PAINT PEELING FROM DASH BOARD. WITH AIR ON, COULD FLY INTO INFANTS MOUTH AND/OR EYES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10075066
Incident
Feb 7, 2004
Mileage
44,222 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .