RoadVitals

2003 Chevrolet Suburban Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance 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.
17
Latest Jan 29, 2021
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.
6%
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.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. 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. 17 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 driver-assistance

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

BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 29, 2021

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAD 0% OF MY BRAKES AND ALL THE BRAKE FLUID WAS GONE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE ALSO FAILED PRIOR TO THIS I PUT IN BRAKE FLUID AND IT ALL LEAKED OUT WITHIN A MATTER OF MOMENTS

NHTSA ID
11390689
Incident
Dec 16, 2020
Mileage
199,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Oct 1, 2014
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND BRAKES FAILED SUDDENLY TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP A NORMAL RATE. DRIVER NEEDED TO SWERVE OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SIDE CURVE. NOT WARNING SIGN OR LIGHT WAS LIT BEFORE INCIDENT. CLEAR YELLOWISH FLUID DRAINED FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE NEAR DRIVER'S DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640675
Incident
Sep 25, 2014
Mileage
85,051 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 26, 2011

I HAVE 2003 SUBURBAN 1500, THAT KEEPS GETTING A ERROR MESSAGE "REDUCE ENGINE POWER". THE VEHICLE WILL ALL OF SUDDEN WHILE DRIVING, REDUCE SPEED AND I CAN'T ACCELERATE ABOVE 25-30MPH. I WILL HAVE TO PULL OVER AND TURN CAR OFF FOR 10-15 SECONDS BEFORE IT RESETS, HOWEVER IT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN! IT IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS WHEN I HAVE MY KIDS OR MY WIFE DRIVE IT BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THE CAR WILL HAVE THIS HAPPEN. STRANGELY, WHEN WE DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY WE CAN USE THE "CRUISE CONTROL" FEATURE WHEN WE REACH 25MPH AND USE THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACCELERATE THAT WAY WITH MINIMAL OCCURRENCES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO "2 CHEVY DEALERS AND 3 MECHANICS" NEITHER CAN TELL US WHAT'S WRONG! THIS IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE WE ONLY HAVE ON CAR, AND WE KNOW THIS A "SAFETY HAZARD" AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND SOMEBODY HAS TO LOOK INTO THIS! I ONLY HOPE SOMEONE WHO READS THESE COMPLAINTS HAS THE POWER TO HELP ME AND EVERYONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10427490
Incident
Aug 4, 2008
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Dec 6, 2010
Crash reported1 injury reported

ON 26OCT. 2010 I HAD A THROTTLE BODY REPLACE ON A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN AT A LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP. A DAY LATER MY WIFE AND I TOOK THE SUBURBAN OUT TO GO SHOPPING . I RETURNED TOTHE PARKING LOT TO PULL UP TO THE DOOR TO LOAD UP. AS I WAS CIIRCLING AROUND IN THE PARKING LOT THE ENGINE OF THE SUV RED LINED ,THIS CAUGHT ME TOTALLY OFF GAURD. I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO THI SUV, IT DID NOT STOPPED . THE END RESULT WAS THAT I HIT A LIGHT POLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I REPORTED THE ACCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY. MY IN INSURANCE COMPANY SENT A INVESTIGATOR OUT TO LOOK A THE SUV , HE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT REDLINED , HE GAVE ME A CALL AND SAID I HAD A ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED OR IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. LATER ON I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP THAT INSTALLED AND PROFORMED THE WORK .THEY SAID THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY A DEFECTED AND THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBILE FOR THE ACCCIDENT. THEY SAID THAT GM WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10369316
Incident
Nov 26, 2010
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 31, 2010

TRUCK STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING. MAY DRIVE FOR 20-30 MILES, THEN STALL OUT. TOOK IT TO THE CHEVRON DEALER, THEY CHECKED, DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. SAID COMPUTER SHOWS EVERYTHING O.K.. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY FAMILY, BECAUSE TRUCK WILL STOP ANYWHERE, AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE TRUCK IS 7 YEARS OLD, SOMEONE SHOULD KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10346502
Incident
Jul 11, 2010
Mileage
112,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Apr 14, 2010

DRIVING ON CRUISE CONTROL AT 45 MPH. THEN, WE TURN OFF CRUISE CONTROL, BUT SPEEDOMETER STAYS AT 45MPH. OCCURS ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH. HAVE BEEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE ONCE FOR DRIVING TO SLOW. CORRECTED BY TURNING CAR ON AND OFF THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN A ROW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10325594
Incident
Apr 9, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 27, 2009

2003 CHEVY Z71 SUB SPEED ODOMETER IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. WILL WORK ONE DAY AND BE OFF BY MORE THAN 80MPH THE SAME DAY. GM WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST AND CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENT AS WELL AS TICKETS AS WE HAVE NO IDEA OF WHAT SPEED WE ARE TRAVELING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10256516
Incident
Dec 17, 2008
Mileage
97,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalTransmission
Filed Dec 24, 2008
Crash reported

REVVING OF ENGINE TO POINT OF SCREECHING TIRES. SOMETIMES FEELING OF BEING IN NEUTRAL FOR A SECOND THEN CLUNK IN TRANNY/REAR END? ACTS AS ENGAGEMENT OF CRUISE CONTROL INCREASING SPEED, NOT ABLE TO DISENGAGE BY HITTING BRAKE. COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING. NEXT TIME PUTTER "LOCKED OUT" TECH'S. PUTER REPLACED. WORKED GOOD FOR TWO WEEKS. ENGINE REVVED, HIT PATCH OF ICE, TOTALED OUT Z-71. THANK GOD, NO INJURIES. FIGHTING IT FOR APPX 16000 MILES. 72000 TO 88000. *TR

NHTSA ID
10252711
Incident
Dec 1, 2008
Mileage
88,000 mi
AirbagsDriver assistanceSeat belts
Filed Feb 27, 2008
Crash reported4 injuries reported

VEHICLE: 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN CRASH: AS VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO AN APPROACHING INTERSECTION WITH A STOP SIGN (IN A NEIGHBORHOOD) SPEED LIMIT APPROX 25, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO HIGH RATE OF SPEED (CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED) CAUSING DRIVER LOSS OF CONTROL, VEHICLE LEFT THE ROAD HITTING A MAILBOX, TELEPHONE POLE AND FINAL IMPACT (T-BONED) WITH A PARKED FORD F150 EXTRA CAB PICKUP TRUCK SITTING IN A DRIVEWAY WITH A LAWN TRAILER ATTACHED. SUBURBAN ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER IMPACT PUSHING BOTH VEHICLES (AND THE TRAILER) APPROXIMATELY 50 FEET. NO AIR-BAG DEPLOYMENTS EVEN THOUGH FRONT BUMPER WAS IN THE INTERIOR OF THE PICKUP TRUCK AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK OR HOLD. BOTH VEHICLES TOTAL LOSS INJURIES: ALL 4 PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES DRIVER - BROKEN NOSE FROM MIRROR KNOCKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM IMPACT WITH TELEPHONE POLE, SEVERE CHEST/ABDOMEN BRUISING CONTACT WITH STEERING WHEEL, MULTIPLE CUTS AND ABRASIONS FROM FLYING DEBRIS & GLASS. PASSENGER BACK LEFT - CUTS & ABRASIONS FROM GLASS & DEBRIS AND BRUISING FRONT PASSENGER - DEEP TISSUE/BONE BRUISING ON BOTH LEGS,AND RIGHT KNEE, BRUISING ON BOTH ARMS AND CHEST. PASSENGER BACK RIGHT - BRUISING ON KNEES AND FEET. *TR

NHTSA ID
10219340
Incident
Feb 6, 2008
Mileage
121,176 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 2, 2008

MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN SPEED ODOMETER IS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP IT READS 30 MPH AND WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL GO TO 120MPH AND SOMETIMES PAST THAT. VEHICLE JUST HIT 50000 MILES. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SAFEY PROBLEM THAT CAN LEAD TO ACCIDENTS AND SPEEDING TICKETS CAUSED BY A KNOWN MALFUNCTION IN GM VEHICLES. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD NOT BE AN OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE.*CN

NHTSA ID
10213531
Incident
Nov 28, 2007
Mileage
50,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 15, 2007

2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN- RACING SPEEDOMETER- BOUNCING FROM 0 TO 120, NOW STUCK PAST 120. NO WAY TO DETERMINE SPEED. MANY REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM-- BUT NO RECALL AS OF YET- BIG BUCKS TO REPLACE UNIT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10193476
Incident
Jan 1, 2006
Driver assistance
Filed May 4, 2007

I HAVE A 2003 CHEVREOLET SUBURBAN THAT HAS A FAULTY, RACING SPEEDOMETER. I JUST SAW A NEWS REPORT ON CBS TELEVISION ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MY DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS JUST MY CAR. NOW I SEE MANY CARS MAY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE SPEEDOMETER RANDOMLY RACES TO A VERY HIGH AND INCORRECT SPEED.*JB

NHTSA ID
10189798
Incident
May 1, 2007
Mileage
30,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 26, 2007

SPEEDOMETER FAILED INTERMITTENTLY FOR A PERIOD OF ABOUT SIX MONTHS THEN STOPPED WORKING ALL TOGETHER. I AM TOLD BY DEALER AND OTHER SUBURBAN OWNERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10186174
Incident
Mar 23, 2007
Driver assistance
Filed Mar 21, 2007

SPEEDODOMETER ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IS FAILING. I HAVE INQUIRED THE DEALER ABOUT A RECALL, REPAIR, WITHOUT SUCCESS. I HAVE READ THAT THE SPEED ODOMETER HAS BEEN FAILING FOR MANY GM OWNERS BUT GM WILL NOT RECALL THE DEFECTIVE ODOMETER.*AK

NHTSA ID
10185793
Incident
Jan 14, 2006
Mileage
26,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 30, 2006

SPEEDOMETER QUITS REGISTERING SPEED OF VEHICLE AT TIMES, THE ODOMETER CONTINUES TO WORK. NEXT TIME DRIVING VEHICLE SPEEDOMETER WORKS. DEALER SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND EVENTUALLY THE SPEEDOMETER WILL QUIT AND I WILL HAVE TO BUY A NEW ONE. I DO FEEL THAT A NON WORKING SPEEDOMETER IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10169658
Incident
Sep 23, 2006
Mileage
62,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 5, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. ALTHOUGH THE DEALER DID NOT INSPECT OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER GEAR FAILED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK UPDATED 01/25/06. *JB

NHTSA ID
10146966
Incident
Dec 20, 2005
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceInterior & seats
Filed Nov 29, 2005

DT: CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE SPEEDOMETER MALFUNCTIONED, AND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS IT STUCK. THIS OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT WAS HOT OUTSIDE OR WHEN THE CLUSTER PANEL HEATED UP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143955
Incident
Sep 15, 2005

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 .