Chevrolet Suburban Complaints (2003)

497 consumer complaints on file.

#10172914November 8, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER FAILURE IN 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. SPEEDOMETER IS PRODUCING INACCURATE READINGS. WILL READ 0 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WILL ALSO READ HIGHER SPEEDS WHILE VEHICLE IS STOPPED. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $550. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172298October 31, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CHEVY SUBURBAN 2003 LT 1500 FLEX FUEL V8. DEVELOPED FUEL TANK LEAK. REMEDY IS TO REPLACE FUEL TANK. GASOLINE DRIPPING DOWN BACK SIDE OF FUEL TANK. POTENTIAL FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. VEHICLE MILEAGE 120K. AGE LESS THAN 48 MONTHS. NO COLLISIONS EXCEPT MINOR TO REAR BUMPER. COST OF REPAIR OVER $1,000.00. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10172009October 27, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. SPEEDOMETER WORKED ERRATICALLY AND NOW IT JUST SITS ON 0 REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED BEING TRAVELLED. STARTED AT AROUND 25,000 MILES. COMPLAINT SEEMS TO BE COMMON AMONG OTHER GM SUV OWNERS. REQUESTING PRESSURE TO BE PUT ON GM TO DECLARE A RECALL. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10171513October 21, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED. SHOWS 120 MPH, EVEN WHEN SHUT DOWN. IT SLOWLY BEGAN TO GO FROM ZERO AT STARTUP, TO 35 AT STARTUP, TO 70 AT STARTUP AND NOW TO 120. APPARENTLY, THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WHICH CHEVY AND DEALERS ARE AWARE OF. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169658September 30, 2006
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10169167September 25, 2006
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, THE TRANSFER CASE STARTED SWITCHING FROM 2 HI TO 4 HI AND 2 LO AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND BY ITSELF. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT CAN RESULT IS A SUDDEN LOST OF CONTROL. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167821September 11, 2006
SUSPENSION:REAR, TIRES, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE LEFT REAR STRUT HAD WORN INTO THE REAR FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY AND MADE A PINHOLE SIZED PUNCTURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE PUNCTURED FUEL LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 10/4/2006 - THE LEFT REAR STRUT WAS FUBBING ON THE FUEL FILLER PIPE. THE TIRE WERE OUT OF ROUND. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10167515September 6, 2006
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD KEYLESS ENTRY AND THE POWER SUPPLY FAILED, WHICH RESULTED IN NO WAY TO GET IN OR OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT IF SOMEONE WAS TO BE INSIDE THE VEHICLE WHEN THE POWER SUPPLY FAILED, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING CONCERN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10166485August 24, 2006
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WAS AUDIBLE WHILE RUNNING. I AM NOT THE PRIMARY DRIVER, SO I WROTE THE NOISE OFF AS NORMAL. A FEW DAYS LATER HOME MY WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE COMPRESSOR HAD SEIZED UP AND THE CLUTCH WAS BURNING UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED IT AS NEEDING A NEW COMPRESSOR, DRYER-RECEIVER, ORIFICE FILTER, AND A RECHARGE AND I SHOULD BE ALL SET. NOT THE CASE, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS FILLED WITH METALLIC PARTICLES AND IMMEDIATELY PLUGGED THE FILTER. NOW, I WAS FACED WITH REPLACING MOST OF THE MAJOR COMPONENTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM TO THE TUNE OF NEARLY $1000.00. THE MECHANIC TOOK PITY ON ME AND EXTENDED ME A DISCOUNT, BUT THE PRICE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS HIGHER. THE VEHICLE HAD 61,000 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF FAILURE. I HAVE HAD COUNTLESS VEHICLES WITH A/C AND NEVER HEARD OF THIS, UNTIL IT HAPPENED AND I BEGAN TO ASK QUESTIONS AND FOUND THIS IS NOT UNCOMMON AMONGST GM AIR CONDITIONING. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164711August 7, 2006
STEERING
VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY LOST ALL STEERING. STEERING WHEEL SIMPLY ROLLED AROUND ON THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE IN MOTION. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10164270August 2, 2006
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
2003 TAHOE ; 76,000M AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE THAT RUINED ENTIRE SYSTEM A/C SYSTEM SERVICE/INSPECTED EVERY MAY ; DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN A/C STOPPED BLOWING COLD AIR ; FEW MINUTES LATER AC HIGH PRESSURE LINE TO CONDENSER BURST. STOPPED CAR AND CHECKED OUT NOISE FOUND BUSTED HOSE AND OIL W/ METAL FILLINGS DRIPPING FROM LINE. IT WAS 98 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE WERE DRIVING TO FAMILY VACATION AT BEACH . HAD TO DRIVE REMAINING 5 HRS W/O AC AS IT WAS SAT PM. NO DEALER W/IN MILES SO TOOK TO HIGHLY RECOMMENDED LOCAL GARAGE; HOPING IT WAS JUST A PRESSURE LINE REPLACEMENT. SHOP CALLED LATER THAT DAY TO SAY ENTIRE SYSTEM CONTAMINATED W/ FILLINGS FROM COMPRESSOR COMING APART INTERNALLY CAUSING CONDENSER TO BE STOPPED UP AS WELL DRYER AND EVAPORATOR . ENTIRE SYSTEM COMPONENTS REPLACED AND SYSTEM FLUSHED ; $1950 . NEW COMPRESSOR FROM CHEVROLET NOT SAME AS ORIGINAL DUE TO HISTORY OF PROBLEMS. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10158597May 30, 2006
AIR BAGS
NONMOVING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT UPON ENGINE START. 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN Z71, VIN: [XXX]VEHICLE MILEAGE: 37,802. WE LOADED THE CHILDREN (FOUR CHILDREN UNDER THREE YEARS OF AGE) INTO THE VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, AND I PULLED THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AND ONTO THE DRIVEWAY. THEN, I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO WAIT FOR MY WIFE, WHILE SHE GATHERED A FEW FINAL ITEMS FOR OUR PICNIC. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, MY WIFE OPENED THE REAR LIFT GATE TO PLACE A STROLLER IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE (THIS CANNOT BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THE VEHICLE INSIDE THE GARAGE IT MUST BE PULLED OUT ONTO THE DRIVEWAY, AT LEAST PARTIALLY, IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS TASK). MY WIFE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND SAT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. I WAS ALREADY IN THE DRIVER SEAT WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE TRANSMISSION IN PARK. I TURNED THE KEY TO START THE ENGINE AND EXPERIENCED AN IMMEDIATE DEPLOYMENT OF ALL FOUR AIRBAGS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE (STEERING WHEEL, PASSENGER DASHBOARD, AND SIDE-IMPACT BAGS ON THE DOOR-SIDE OF BOTH THE DRIVER SEAT AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT). *NM UPDATED 07/16/02012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10158406May 23, 2006
AIR BAGS
2003 SUBURBAN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN ENGINE WAS STARTED. *TS *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10154703April 6, 2006
TIRES:SIDEWALL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY IN NJ (MILE MARKER 133.6), THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW-OUT WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153973March 29, 2006
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WE HAVE A 2003 3/4 TON SUBURBAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 42,000 MILES. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE BRAND NEW IN JANUARY 2003. ON THE WAY HOME FROM CHARLESTON, SC ON INTERSTATE 26 NEAR THE I-95 INTERSECTION THE RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME APART AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM BOTH SIDEWALLS, AND STAYED INTACT. AIR PRESSURE WAS CHECK ON FRIDAY. THE TREAD WAS INSPECTED AND NO CUT, TEARS OR PUNCTURES WERE PRESENT. THERE WERE ONLY 2 PASSENGERS WITH LIGHT LUGGAGE IN THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE IS MANUFACTURED BY BRIGDESTONE. THE INFORMATION ON THE TIRE IS THE FOLLOWING: LT245 75R16 120/1165 M+S R265G2 E4 0012336 LOAD RANGE E 34449EX26564 MADE IN MEXICO. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10153998March 29, 2006
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR BRAKE PADS WEAR DOWN ON THE INSIDE OF ROTOR TO THE ROTOR CAUSING METAL ON METAL DAMAGE WITHOUT WEARING THE OUTSIDE PADS SIGNIFICANTLY. PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 65,000 MILES RESULTING IN COSTLY REPAIRS AND LOSS OF USE OF VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10152512March 12, 2006
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED ON MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN LT. FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN OCT 2003 UNTIL THE SEAT BELT FINALLY OUTRIGHT FAILED, I NOTICED SEVERAL INSTANCES WHERE THE SEAT BELT TENSION LOCKING MECHANISM WOULD APPARENTLY JAM AND EITHER NOT RELEASE FOR PROPER ADJUSTMENT, OR FAIL TO ENGAGE AND TAKE UP EXTRA BELT SLACK. THIS SEEMED TO SELF CORRECT FOR SHORT PERIODS BEFORE RE-EMERGING. FINALLY, THE TENSION MECHANISM STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. THIS LEFT MY SEAT BELT TOTALLY LIMP AND USELESS WITH NO SPRING-LIKE FUNCTION TO TAKE-UP THE EXCESS BELT PORTION AND UNABLE TO PROPERLY TIGHTEN AND SECURE THE DRIVER IN PLACE. I CALLED MY CHEV DEALERSHIP AND EXPRESSED MY DESIRE TO HAVE THIS FIXED IMMEDIATELY AS A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY ARGUED WITH ME AS TO WHETHER THE SYMPTOM I DESCRIBED WAS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM OR NOT AND INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER PARTS. APPROX. 10 DAYS LATER THEY NOTIFIED ME THAT I COULD BRING IT IN FOR REPAIR, BUT THAT THEY WOULD ASSESS CAREFULLY IF ACTUALLY A WARRANTY ITEM OR NOT. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN, THE CHEV DEALERSHIP MECHANIC DECIDED THAT YES - THEY WOULD FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY. THE REPAIR HOWEVER, WAS QUITE LENGTHY IN TIME AND INVOLVED THREE CHEV MECHANICS WHO WORKED IN GRETA FRUSTRATION AND CONFUSION AS TO HOW TO REPLACE THE BELT AND TENSION DEVICE AS THEY HAD LITTLE EXPERIENCE OR KNOWLEDGE IN HOW TO ACTUALLY INSTALL THE NEW PART. I GOT THE DISTINCT IMPRESSION THAT A PROPER TECH SUPPORT MANUAL WAS EITHER LACKING OR THEY SIMPLY CHOSE NOT TO FOLLOW IT VERY WELL. REGARDLESS, SOME THEE HOURS LATER THEY DEEMED THE BELT FIXED - AND TO THEIR CREDIT, I HAVE NOT HAD ANY RECURRENT PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. IN HINDSIGHT, I'M NOT SURE HOW FREQUENT THIS PARTICULAR SAFETY FAILURE HAS OCCURRED IN 2003 CHEV SUBURBANS, BUT I DECIDED TO MAKE IT A MATTER OF RECORD IN CASE CHEV NEEDS TO BETTER ADDRESS HOW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS SHOULD RESPOND TO SIMILAR CRITICAL SAFETY REPAIRS IN THE FUTURE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10151605March 2, 2006
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
POWER TRAIN, LOUD WHINING REGARDLESS OF SPEED COMING FROM REAR Z71 4X4 SUBURBAN, TOOK TO POWER TRAIN SPECIALIST, REPLACED DIFFERENTIAL 552.00. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10150697February 21, 2006
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THIS CONDITION WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BY THE TRAGEDY DETAILED BY THE PARENTS OF LITTLE MILAN HEDMARK. WWW.KIDSANDCARS.ORG . THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE BRAKE IF THE KEY MOVED FORWARD JUST ONE POSITION FROM LOCK. A CHILD COULD EASILY ACCOMPLISH THIS JUST BY BEING CURIOUS AND LEFT ALONE FOR ONLY A SECOND. PLEASE MAKE FOLKS AWARE OF THIS. 96' AND LATER MODEL CHEVROLET. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10149138January 31, 2006
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
AT START-UP, USUALLY WHEN ENGINE HAS BEEN RUN/WARMED, A "CLICKING" (AS IF THE OIL LEVEL WAS LOW/LIFTERS) SOUND IS HEARD FOR 30-PLUS SECONDS. MY CONCERN IS THE LONG-RANGE (I.E., OUT OF WARRANTY) EFFECTS THIS CONDITION WILL HAVE ON THE LIFE OF THE ENGINE. THE CONCERN HAS BEEN EXPRESSED TO SERVICE REPS AT ANCIRA CHEVROLET, WHO, AT 3-4 OCCASIONS, REPLIED THAT IT IS "NORMAL." *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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