Chevrolet Suburban Complaints (2003)

497 consumer complaints on file.

#10549931October 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549716October 27, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES FAILED ON HIGHWAY. HAD TO HAVE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINES REPLACED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547537October 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 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547235October 8, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
ALL BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINE RUSTED ,WAS NOT DRIVING FAST ,DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 3500. HAVE TO TAKE TRANS OUT ,I THINK GM SHOULD HELP PAY FOR THIS THEY HAVE 3 OTHER TAHOES AND SUBURBANS THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ,TOO BAD THEY GOT BAILED OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546925October 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 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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546485October 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546023September 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FAIL WITH NO PRESSURE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS, WE WERE GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL OFF ROADWAY ON TO GRASS AREA TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILL. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, IT WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AREA. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT BRAKE LINE EVER FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. WE IN NORTH EAST OF THE COUNTRY BY THE SHORE AREA ARE SUBJECT TO SALT DURING WINTER AND MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION FOR SAFETY OF PUBLIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10545277September 25, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 SUBURBAN I WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING ACTION. AS THE TRUCK CONTINUED THROUGH THE STOP SIGN (THANK GOODNESS NO OTHER CAR WAS CROSSING) I ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BREAK WHICH FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP AS WELL. I THEN INTENTIONALLY TURNED TO TRUCK OVER A CURB INTO A GRASSY AREA AS TO STOP THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ROLLING DOWN THE HILL INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. UPON EXAMINING UNDER THE TRUCK I DISCOVERED AN AREA UNDER A CLAMP LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. IT APPEARS THAT IT HAD CORRODED THROUGH. *JS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538332September 2, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN FOR A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH RECENTLY. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT ALL THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE CORRODED VERY BADLY ESPECIALLY THE BRAKE LINES. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL MY BRAKE CALIPERS. BRAKE ROTORS WERE ALMOST END OF THEIR LIFE. SO I ENDED UP REPLACING ALL 4 BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS AND THE BRAKE HOSES LEADING TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE SHOP SAID SOONER OR LATER I WOULD NEED MY BRAKE LINES REPLACED. I JUST SEARCHED ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION ON THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION HENCE DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU. FROM THE CARFAX HISTORY REPORT, THIS TRUCK WAS REGISTERED AROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA AREA FOR IT'S ENTIRE LIFE AND ALSO IT WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIPS AROUND THIS AREA. SO I GUESS THIS TRUCK WAS ON THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE U.S FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE BUT NOT CLOSER TO SALT (SEA) WATER OR WEATHER.. SHOULD YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538334September 2, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN BACK FROM WORK ONE DAY AND MY FRONT A/C BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. I TURNED A/C OFF AND REACHED HOME. WHEN I TOOK THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE BLOWER MOTOR APART TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON I FIGURED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER HAS HEATED UP AND MELTED. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THAT ONLY TO FIND OUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN 15 DAYS LATER. I SEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT YET ANOTHER ENGINEERING DISASTER BY GM. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM IN GM TRUCKS. FOR SOME REASON THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER IS OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AND WIRES CONNECTING TO IT. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I CALLED UP A CHEVY DEALERSHIP NEAR ME TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS THEY SAID NO. HENCE REPORTING THIS TO YOU. *JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10536547August 21, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN THEY NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE RUSTED SEVERELY. IN ADDITION, THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION AND WAS REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10534173August 7, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
STOPPED TO GET GAS. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T STOP, WARNINGS STARTED GOING OFF AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING, HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO LOOK UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW ALL THE FLUID, TOLD ME TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FLUID WAS SPRAYING FROM A LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532298July 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED. WHEN I CHECKED, MOST OF MY BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CRUMBLING. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE WHICH IS RARELY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. FURTHERMORE, IT HAS RECEIVED UNDERCARRIAGE CLEAN WATER WASHING TWICE A YEAR SINCE 2006 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE LINES WILL EVENTUALLY RUST BUT THIS CASE SEEMS EXTREME, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A WELL CARED FOR, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE THAT RARELY SEES ROAD SALT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10532239July 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
WIFE JUST RETURNED FROM WORK, BACKING INTO THE GARAGE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR (NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS)? WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER AND LOOKED BRAKE LINES WERE RUPTURED NEST TO FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10510658May 5, 2013
SEAT BELTS
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, THE COVER ON ALL THREE SEAT BELT LATCHES IN THE SECOND ROW OF OUR SUBURBAN HAVE FAILED. THEY ARE MADE OF 2 PIECES OF PLASTIC THAT CLIP TOGETHER TO COVER THE MECHANISM AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE FOR THE SEAT BELT TAB TO BE INSERTED INTO THE LATCH. NOT HAVING THE LATCH COVERED MAKES IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE ANY SEAT BELT FOR PASSENGERS IN THE SECOND ROW. IT IS ALSO DIFFICULT TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO RELEASE THE SEAT BELT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE THE SEAT BELTS EVEN FOR AN ADULT. NONE OF OUR CHILDREN CAN SECURE THEIR SEAT BELT WHEN RIDING IN THIS CAR. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EACH TIME WE GET IN THE CAR TO ASSIST THEM. IN ADDITION, IT IS EASY TO SCRAPE AGAINST THE EXPOSED METAL OF THE LATCH MECHANISM WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY RECALLS OR OTHER INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10509923April 29, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
MY SON WAS DRIVING IN BAKERSFIELD CA, HE WAS ON BUENA VISTA, WHEN HE CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT MING AVE. THE LIGHT CHANGED AND WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND HE SKIDDED THRU THE INTERSECTION, THRU THE RED LIGHT. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH ON THAT ROAD, THE TIME WAS 11AM. NO OTHER CAR WAS HIT. HE HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A AAA SHOP, THEY SAID THE FRONT BRAKE TUBING OFF THE ABS BOXED TO THE FRONT CALIPER FAILED FROM RUSTING OUT (WITH NO WARNING). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AT THAT SHOP AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO 3 WAY CHEV. I CALLED THE CHEVY FACTORY LINE AND SPOKE TO A REP. SHE SAID THEY MIGHT WARRANTY SOME OF THE REPAIR BUT THEIR DEALER SHIP HAD TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED HER OF THE MILEAGE AND GAVE HER THE VIN# I TOLD HER I ALSO BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HERITAGE CHEVY IN MD. I CALLED THEM AND GOT A PRICE TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE TUBING FOR $1600.00 AND IF IT NEEDED A ABS BOX IT WOULD BE TOTAL OF $3400.00 FOR EVERYTHING.3WAY CHEVY IN BAKERSFIELD SAID IT WOULD COST $7597.07 FOR EVERYTHING BUT IT MAY BE MORE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE CAB FROM THE FRAME. THEY ALSO SAID THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW BECAUSE OF THE SALT THAT IS USED ON THE ROADS. THIS IS A 4X4 AND I LIVE IN NORTHERN MD AND I BOUGHT FOR THE SNOW AND I TOW A 24 FOOT BOAT THAT WEIGHS 6300 LBS. THE FACTORY REP SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE, WHICH I ORIGINALLY TOLD THEM ABOUT. THE FACTORY REPS KEEP ON TRANSFERRING ME TO OTHER REPS TILL I GAVE UP. I WAS ASE TECH( EVERYTHING EXCEPT TRANSMISSIONS ) , MD STATE INSPECTOR AND MD CERTIFIED EMISSIONS FOR OVER 20 YEARS. THIS BRAKE PROBLEM WITH THE GM TRUCKS WILL EVENTUALLY GET SOMEONE HURT OR KILLED. I SOLD THE TRUCK FOR $ 1500.00 WITH NO BRAKES AS IS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504881March 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED A COLLISION WITH CAR THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT. INSPECTION UNDER THE CAR SHOWED BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED AROUND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504275March 23, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN DOWN THE ROAD AND MY SPEEDOMETER STOPPED WORKING. I LOOKED ONLINE AND I FOUND OVER 40 INCIDENTS ON WWW.SAFECAR.GOV ALONE. WHATS THE PROBLEM WITH GETTING THIS SAFETY PROBLEM FIXED. I CAN GO TO THE DEALER AND GET IT FIXED FOR $500 OR MORE. DO PEOPLE NEED TO GET HURT OR DIE BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS NOTICED BY CHEVROLET OR GMC? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502170March 9, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE PRESSURE WITH NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR - WHEN INSPECTED THE DRIVERS SIDE LINE HAD CORRODED ALMOST DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OF OCCURRENCE, THE FIRST BEING THE PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE IN SAME LOCATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501334March 5, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
THIS WAS THE DATE A MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER AND WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Chevrolet Suburban