Chevrolet Suburban Complaints (2003)

497 consumer complaints on file.

#10130824August 1, 2005
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE RECENTLY SNAPPED TWO BELTS TO MY AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR AND WHEN I WENT TO MY PRIVATE GARAGE HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS TELLS ME THAT GM KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT TOLD NO ONE ABOUT IT. *JB NOW I HAVE TO PAY A NEARLY $1,000.00 BILL TO GET IT FIXED AT MY GM DEALER. THIS IS A SHAM. WHY COULDN'T THEY TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT AND ISSUE A RECALL RATHER THAN A SERVICE BULLETIN? HOW MANY REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THIS TYPE OF REPAIR, MORE THAN AVERAGE I WOULD BET? CAN YOU PROVIDE ME THOSE NUMBERS? I FIRST NOTICED THE NOISE CREATED FROM THIS PROBLEM LAST YEAR BUT WHEN IT WENT AWAY IN THE WINTER I THOUGHT IT HAD FIXED ITSELF, UNTIL I STARTED USING MY A/C AGAIN THIS SUMMER THEN IT CAME BACK. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10130006July 25, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP AT LEAST ONCE A MONTH SINCE SHE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NOVEMBER 12, 2003. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAS BEEN GOING BAD, THE FEATURE RECORD SHOWED IT WAS REPROGRAMMING IT SELF, SHUTTING HER CAR OFF AFTER SHE STARTED IT, UNLOCKING THE DOORS BY ITSELF. SHE ALMOST HIT SOMEONE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE LAST TIME IT WAS IN THE SHOP HER RPMS WENT UP TO 3000. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS SPOKEN TO THE GM SPECIALIST AND THEY COULD NOT HELP EITHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10126096June 21, 2005
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
THE BACK LIFTGATE WINDOW ON MY 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN UNEXPECTEDLY EXPLODED WHILE THE CAR WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR A COUPLE HOURS AND WAS SITTING IN THE SHADE ON A NICE WARM BUT NOT HOT DAY. I WAS ABOUT 40 FEET AWAY WHEN IT HAPPENED AND HEAR THE LOUD NOISE. NOBODY WAS NEAR THE CAR AND NO KNOWN OBJECT HIT THE GLASS TO CAUSE IT TO BREAK. GLASS PIECES WERE THROWN ~10 FEET FROM THE CAR AND SOME GLASS WAS ALSO INSIDE THE CAR. THE FRAME OF THE WINDOW WAS STILL LATCHED BUT WAS BENT OUTWARD. THE HYDRAULIC LIFTS WERE EXTENDED. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER ITS WARRANTY PERIOD BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT ACCEPT IT AS A WARRANTY CLAIM BECAUSE HE COULDN'T VERIFY THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T HIT THE WINDOW. I SUSPECT THERE MAY BE A DESIGN FLAW OR INSTALLATION FLAW THAT PLACED TOO MUCH STRESS ON THE WINDOW. A NEW WINDOW WAS ORDERED AND INSTALLED AT THE DEALER.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125401June 15, 2005
EQUIPMENT
AN INTERNAL MECHANICAL FAILURE WITHIN THE AIR CONDITIONER'S COMPRESSOR CAUSED THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AC UNIT. THIS OCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 46000 MILES. A HOSE ATTACHED TO THE COMPRESSOR COMPLETELY BLEW OFF THE VEHICLE, DISSEMINATING A WHITE CLOUD AND FREON ON THE VEHICLES DIRECTLY BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. CHEVROLET CHARGED $1700 TO REPAIR THE AC UNIT, SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH TWO OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE IDENTICAL INCIDENTS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10125108June 13, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
2003 CHEVROLET K2500 SUBURBAN WITH FIRESTONE STEELTEX LT245/75R16 TIRES. ON FRIDAY JUNE 10, 2005 THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE SUDDENDLY LOST PRESSURE WHILE TRAVELING ON I95 AT 65 MPH, AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURE OF 94 DEGREES: HOWEVER, I NOTICED THE LOSS OF PRESSURE BEFORE THE TIRE WENT COMPLETELY FLAT AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SHOULDER. UPON INSPECTION I FOUND NO PUNCTURES. THE INSIDE SIDE WALL HAD A 1-1/2" CRACK WHERE THE TIRE BEGAN TO SEPARATE. THE TIRE HAD 68781 MILES OF TREAD WEAR WITH APPROXIMATELY ANOTHER 10000 MILES OF TREAD LIFE LEFT. THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS THAT IS EVIDENCED BY THE LONG LIFE OF THE TIRE. THE TIRE IS STILL IN MY POSSESSION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122479May 31, 2005
TIRES:SIDEWALL
DT: CONTACT HAD FIRESTIONE WILDERNESS L/E TIRESON 2003 SUBURBAN. ON 5/30/05, GOING 70 MPH RIGHT REAR INNER SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. TIRE HAS 2,5000 MILES ON IT. MAXIMUM PRESSURE WAS 34 PSI.TIRES HAD 39 PSI AT THE TIME OF BLOWOUT. NO VIBRATION WAS NOTICED PRIOR TO BLOW OUT. NO VISIBLE BULGING IN THE TIRES. CONTACT STATED THAT NO OTHER DAMAGE WAS PRESENT ON TIRE, BESIDES A VERTICLE SPLIT THROUGH THE TIRE FROM THE RIM THROUGH THE TREAD. NO PROBLEMS WITH TIRES BEFORE AND NO OTHER TIRES WERE DAMAGED. RIGHT REAR TIRE.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10122054May 24, 2005
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IN DECEMBER OF 2003. ON MAY 13, 2005, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL RAPIDLY. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL NOT EASILY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR AND REVERSE GEAR DOES NOT FUNCTION AT ALL. THE CAR CAME WITH A 3 YEAR 36,000 MILE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY AND I HAVE PUT 48,000 MILES ON IT IN THE EIGHTEEN MONTHS THAT I'VE OWNED IT. 98% OF THE MILES ON THE ODOMETER ARE HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE TOWED A BOAT EXACTLY 4 TIMES. I TOOK THE CAR TO A CHEVROLET DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2452.00 CHEVROLET HAS OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE PARTS & WANTS ME TO PAY FOR THE LABOR-$900.00 THERE ARE TWO TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETINS RELATING TO THIS PROBLEM- #030730028 "DRIVETRAIN "CLUNKS" WHEN STOPPING" AND 00822B, "NO SECOND & FOUTH GEARS AND NO REVERSE"
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10121088May 16, 2005
AIR BAGS
DT: VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AT 5000 MILES, AND NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. CHEVY FIXED IT 3 TIMES, AND IT STILL KEEPS COMING ON. THE LAST TIME, THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE AIR BAGS. AT FIRST GM SAID THE AIR BAG DEFECT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ACCIDENT THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, AND NOW THEY SAY IT IS BECAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. IT IS VERY UNSAFE. IN ADDITION, THE PASSENGER AND MIDDLE FRONT SEATBELTS REQUIRE AN EXTENSION BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO SHORT, AND SO IT IS UNSAFE. *TT
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10120690May 11, 2005
STEERING:COLUMN
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURAN, 4X4. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED 9/2004. IT HAS DEVELOPED A RATTLE/CLUNKING NOISE IN THE STERRING COLUMN. I CALLED THE DEALER, AND WAS INFORMED THEY HAVE HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS, AND THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING COLUMN NEEDS TO BE REMOVED AND GREASED, AND OR REPLACED. I WOULD THINK SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS "STEERING" COLUMN PROBLEMS WOULD RESULT IN A RECALL. PLEASE HELP!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10116765April 11, 2005
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
WHILE PARKED IN A PARKING GARAGE WITH THE REAR HATCH OPEN (RETRIEVING ITEMS FROM THE BACK) THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY SORT OF CONTACT OR APPARENT CAUSE. OWNER WAS INJURED BY EXPLODING GLASS.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10113051April 6, 2005
SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE OWNER HAD DIFFICULTY MAINTAINING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS OVER CALIBRATED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL PULLING TO THE LEFT. ALSO, THE OWNER HAS HAD 11 NEW TIRES IN THE FIRST 12,000 MILES. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A STRAIGHT TRACK ADJUSTMENT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *NM *SC 8JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10111342March 8, 2005
STEERING
THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY CONSUMER AND WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *JB SHAFT WAS REPLACED. *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10113510March 7, 2005
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DOING NORMAL BRAKING, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SOFT PEDAL APPLICATION WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND A MANUFACTURER SERVICE REP. BOTH INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10108555February 18, 2005
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
THE POWER STEERING WOULD GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY AND MOMENTARY WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEED. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER BEING INSPECTED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. *NM *TC
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10110340February 11, 2005
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE VEHICLE HAS GOING TO THE SHOP 8+ TIMES FOR SIMILAR PROBLEM. VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND DIES OUT. SOME TIMES IT WILL RESTART AFTER 5 MINUTES, AND SOME TIMES IT WILL NOT RESTART. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES, ALONG WITH THE MODULE. THEY ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL SENDER, RELAY, CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AND FUEL FILTER. THE DEALER HAS FAILED TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10106793February 11, 2005
STEERING
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. I VISITED THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE PREVIOUS DAY I HAD TAKEN MY 2003 SUBURBAN PURCHASED NEW FROM THE LOCAL DEALER TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SERVICE SHOP TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG WITH MY TRUCK. I WAS ADVISED I HAD A LOT OF SLACK AND VIBRATION AT BOTH ENDS OF MY STEERING COLUMN. I HAD LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THIS AREA WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE WHEELS TURNED THEY DID NOT TURN SMOOTHLY, BUT ROUGHLY, AND JUMPED IN THE TURNING PROCESS AS THOUGH IT STOPPED AND STARTED CONTINUOUSLY. THE REPAIR SHOP HAD SINCERE CONCERNS THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, AND SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER FULL BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT I TAKE IT BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE SERVICE DEALERSHIP KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG, AND STATED THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. MECHANIC HAD TO ORDER THE REPAIR PARTS, WHICH WOULD TAKE 3 TO 4 WEEKS. NEVERTHELESS, I WAITED FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO CALL ME WHEN THE PARTS CAME IN. AFTER OVER A MONTH I CALLED TITLE BACK, AND HE AGAIN SAID IT COULD BE 3 OR 4 WEEKS BEFORE THEY COME IN, AND THEY WOULD CALL ME. AS OF THE DATE OF THIS LETTER I NEVER BEEN NOTIFIED THAT THESE PARTS WERE RECEIVED. APPARENTLY, THEY COULD NOT GET THE PARTS NEEDED TO DO THE WARRANTY REPAIRS. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WHEELS JUMP WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNING. *TC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10109124January 28, 2005
STEERING
RE DEFECTIVE STEERING COLUMN FOR A 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN, REPLY ATTN ESTHER CLARK. *BF THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AND HE WAS INFORMED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER AND IT TOOK OVER SEVERAL MONTHS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107843January 24, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A 2 LANE ROAD WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE DEFROST VENT. SMOKE INCREASED OVER THE NEXT 45 SECONDS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO PULL OVER DUE TO LARGE DITCHES ON EITHER SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ENGINE DIED AFTER 35 SECONDS OF SMOKE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN A CORNER AND GET OFF THE ROAD. AFTER EXITING THE TRUCK A FIRE CONSUMED THE ENTIRE TRUCK THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME 10 MIN LATER AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. THE ASST. FIRE CHIEF MENTIONED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE HEATING VENT SYSTEM. I CAN PROVIDE NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS OF THE CHIEF UPON REQUEST. THE TRUCK WAS A TOTAL LOSS. TO DATE MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS TAKEN ONE WEEK TO RETRIEVE THE TRUCK FROM THE IMPOUND LOT AND CHEVY'S PRODUCT LIABILITY DIVISION HAS NOT HELP WITH ANY EXPENSES INCURRED BY MYSELF INCLUDING $3,800.00 IN TOOL PURCHASES WHICH WERE DESTROYED IN THE FIRE. HELP GETTING A NEW TRUCK OR CAR RENTAL EXPENSES. MY INSURANCE ONLY PAYS 30 PER DAY MY COST ON A TRUCK IS 55.PER DAY. THE CHEVY'S PRODUCT LIABILITY HAS BEEN RUDE AND VERY MATTER OF FACT SPEAKING THAT THE WILL ONLY COVER THE NADA VALUE ON MY TRUCK REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE NOTE IS WITH MY BANK. ANY EXPENSES INCURRED WILL ONLY BE LIMITED TO WHAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY PAYS. ON BOTH TOOLS AND AUTO. *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107687January 21, 2005
STEERING
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN THAT HAS A STEERING /CLUNKING NOISE IN THE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT. I HAVE CALLED MANY DEALERS AND THEY SAID IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND THE PARTS ARE ON ORDER, I CHECKED OTHER CUSTOMER COMPLAINT SITES AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE PARTS FOR OVER 6 MONTHS. MY DEALER TOLD ME HE HAS A LIST OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR OVER 4 MONTHS. HAS ANYTHING BEEN DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM OR IS GM DISREGARDING THE DEFECT IN THE PARTS. WHEN WILL MY SUBURBAN BE FIXED, IF AT ALL ? *NM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10107467January 18, 2005
STEERING
THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL. WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WILL JERK TO THE RIGHT. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE DEFECT ARE ON BACK ORDER. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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