The Lemon Index2003 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2003 Chevrolet Suburban is about average by owner complaints: 124 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 108, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 13 to 14 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 497 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 49K to 120K miles on the car (406 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 51K–100K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 89K–162K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 9K–55K miles
Recalls 8
- wheels 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, …
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2…
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 8 recalls
- seat belts 2005
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, ESPECIALL…
- brakes 2004
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…
- body structure 2003
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.
- body structure 2003
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.
- fuel system, gasoline 2003
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 R…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 793 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Potential battery drain condition
- Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in the steering wheel
- Whine noise from rear axle
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2011–2015
- ClosedBrake line corrosion failure2010–2011
- ClosedParking brake failure2005–2006
- ClosedParking brake failure2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $4600–4950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving approximately 45 mph and would start to shift between 2nd and 3rd gears vehicle would give a strong jerking motion. Have taken to dealership, and mechanic could not locate cause of problem.
2003 Chevrolet Suburban owner · NHTSA complaint 10042188
More owner reports
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.
NHTSA complaint 10143955
While driving four wheel drive shift sticks, causing the vehicle not to accelerate properly. General motors says this is an electrical problem, and is looking into the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10042380
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 108; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (21%), transmission & drivetrain (15%) and steering (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have?
8 safety recalls (latest: wheels). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban get?
13 to 14 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 49,000 and 120,000 miles. The middle report was at 84,500 miles, from 406 complaints.
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 15% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $4600 to $4950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works