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2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban 1500 years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 53.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

151 reports with mileage · 24 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 60 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

What owners actually said

175 reports
150,000 miles · Jan 28, 2014
Service BrakesStructure

BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO FLOOR, EXTREMELY LONG TIME TO STOP.NO WARNING JUST DRIVING IN COLUMBUS TRAFFIC AND LOST BRAKES. FOUND MASTER CYLINDER ALMOST EMPTY. BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH LEFT SIDE DRIVERS FLOOR/FRAME RAIL AREA. DEALER ESTIMATE $1200 TO$1600. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS ON LINE INVESTIGATION VERIFIES.WEB SITE SHOWS…

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BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST TO FLOOR, EXTREMELY LONG TIME TO STOP.NO WARNING JUST DRIVING IN COLUMBUS TRAFFIC AND LOST BRAKES. FOUND MASTER CYLINDER ALMOST EMPTY. BRAKE LINES RUSTED THROUGH LEFT SIDE DRIVERS FLOOR/FRAME RAIL AREA. DEALER ESTIMATE $1200 TO$1600. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AS ON LINE INVESTIGATION VERIFIES.WEB SITE SHOWS OPEN CASE,NO RE-CALL TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561864

194,836 miles · Jan 25, 2014
Service Brakes

WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP. THREW SHIFTER INTO PARK BEFORE IT ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DOWN EMBANKMENT AND INTO WOODS. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINES AT REAR OF VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ALL BRAKE LIN…

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WAS BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT STOP. THREW SHIFTER INTO PARK BEFORE IT ROLLED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND DOWN EMBANKMENT AND INTO WOODS. INSPECTION OF VEHICLE FOUND BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM CORRODED BRAKE LINES AT REAR OF VEHICLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE. FURTHER INSPECTION SHOWED THAT ALL BRAKE LINES ARE CORRODED AND MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10561447

103,000 miles · Jan 2, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. HAD TO USE THE PARKING BREAK AND RUN INTO THE CURB TO STOP. FOUND THERE WAS NO FLUID SO FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND PUMPED BRAKES. FLUID WAS RUNNING OUT OF THE LINE JUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I INSPECTED ALL THE BRAKE LINES AND FOUND THEM SEVERELY CORRODED AND WILL …

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BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CAR WOULD NOT STOP. HAD TO USE THE PARKING BREAK AND RUN INTO THE CURB TO STOP. FOUND THERE WAS NO FLUID SO FILLED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND PUMPED BRAKES. FLUID WAS RUNNING OUT OF THE LINE JUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. I INSPECTED ALL THE BRAKE LINES AND FOUND THEM SEVERELY CORRODED AND WILL NOW REPLACE THEM ALL. THE LAST TIME I HAD TO CHANGE A STEEL BRAKE LINE WAS ON A 1952 BUICK, BUT THAT WAS IN 1984, WHEN THE CAR WAS 32 YEARS OLD. THERE SHOULD BE EITHER A RECALL OR AT LEAST A NOTICE FROM CHEVROLET THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. I COULD HAVE EASILY WRECKED MY TRUCK AND/OR KILLED A PEDESTRIAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10558247

125,000 miles · Dec 24, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS HUGE PILE OF JUNK, IT HAS BEEN EVERY PROBLEM TO CHANGING FUEL PUMP SEVERAL TIMES, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS,BATTERIES,MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, EVERY GAUGE IN THE VEHICLE IS OFF FROM GAS GAUGE TO SPEEDOMETER TO COOLANT! THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT WRONG WITH IT. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND SO M…

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EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THIS HUGE PILE OF JUNK, IT HAS BEEN EVERY PROBLEM TO CHANGING FUEL PUMP SEVERAL TIMES, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS,BATTERIES,MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, EVERY GAUGE IN THE VEHICLE IS OFF FROM GAS GAUGE TO SPEEDOMETER TO COOLANT! THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT WRONG WITH IT. AFTER THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND SO MANY TIMES OF BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH 4 LITTLE KIDS IN THE DEAD OF WINTER WITH NO HEAT. I WOULD LIKE A LIFETIME WARRANTY FROM CHEVROLET TO COVER ANY EXPENSE INCURRED WHILE OWNING SUCH A PIECE OF CRAP AND FOR THE HUMILIATION I HAVE INCURRED BY BEING SEEN IN A CHEVY BECAUSE THEY ARE JUNK!!!!!OR WOULD LIKE BOOK VALUE OF VEHICLE SO I CAN GO BUY A FORD BECAUSE THEY RUN FOR 250,000 MILES PLUS!!! NOT 125,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557192

68,500 miles · Dec 24, 2013
Service Brakes

REAR BRAKE LINE CORROSION AND LOW BRAKE FLUID. CHEVROLET DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKE LINES. LOST BRAKE PRESSURE ON DECEMBER 23, 2003 AND TOWED VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS FRONT BRAKE LINE CORROSION AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING BRAKE LINES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557165

103,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED AN ERRONEOUS READING OF 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED AN ERRONEOUS READING OF 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554323

92,450 miles · Oct 27, 2013
Service Brakes

BRAKES FAILED ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO HAVE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549716

121,084 miles · Oct 10, 2013
Service Brakes

WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH I BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A CHANGING LIGHT SIGNAL. THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF BRAKES BEGAN TO SLOW THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. I RAPIDLY LET OFF AND RE-APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO GAIN IN BRAKING. I COASTED THROUGH T…

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WHILE TRAVELING 35MPH I BEGAN TO BRAKE FOR A CHANGING LIGHT SIGNAL. THE INITIAL APPLICATION OF BRAKES BEGAN TO SLOW THE VEHICLE UNTIL THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER WAS EXPERIENCED. I RAPIDLY LET OFF AND RE-APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH NO GAIN IN BRAKING. I COASTED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION ON A RED LIGHT. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. I DOWNSHIFTED AND USED THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND EVENTUALLY STOP. A BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ONLY AFTER THE COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. INSPECTION OF THE BRAKE LINE REVEALED A RUPTURE TO THE FRONT RIGHT BRAKE LINE NEXT TO THE FRAME RAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547537

75,233 miles · Oct 6, 2013
Service Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO ENTER ON TO THE FREEWAY. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. NO EASY TASK AT 45MPH. I VEERED AROUND THE CARS AND WENT OFF OF THE ROAD. AFTER LOOKING, MY SUBUR…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE ROAD COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN GETTING READY TO ENTER ON TO THE FREEWAY. MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP. I HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. NO EASY TASK AT 45MPH. I VEERED AROUND THE CARS AND WENT OFF OF THE ROAD. AFTER LOOKING, MY SUBURBAN I FOUND THAT 2 BRAKE LINES HAD BLOWN OUT AND WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE AREA THAT THEY RUSTED WAS DIRECTLY BELOW THE DRIVERS AREA. I LOOKED AT THE REST OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND ALL OF THE LINES ARE SEVERELY RUSTED. IN 28 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD A BRAKE LINE GO OUT ON ME. I'VE OWNED SOME CARS WITH UPWARDS OF 250,000 MILES TOO. MY 03 SUBURBAN HAS 75,000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED SOMEONE. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND SEE THAT THERE IS COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT OF THIS PROBLEM. WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO ACT ON THIS? GM SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND FIXING THEM. THESE ARE FAMILY VEHICLES THAT CAN CARRY AS MANY AS 8 OR 9 PEOPLE. THIS IS A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10546925

80,000 miles · Oct 2, 2013
Service BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT AN INTERSECTION BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FRONT CALIPERS WOULD NE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AT AN INTERSECTION BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AND CRASHED INTO A CURB. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND THE FRONT CALIPERS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10546485

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.