Chevrolet Suburban Complaints (2003)

497 consumer complaints on file.

#10641451October 4, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. GOT OUT OF TRUCK AND NOTICED BRAKELINE BROKEN UNDER DRIVERSIDE DOOR.. ALL LINES LOOK HORRIBLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10640675October 1, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP FROM A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30MPH AND BRAKES FAILED SUDDENLY TO BRING VEHICLE TO A STOP A NORMAL RATE. DRIVER NEEDED TO SWERVE OFF ROAD TO AVOID COLLISION. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO SIDE CURVE. NOT WARNING SIGN OR LIGHT WAS LIT BEFORE INCIDENT. CLEAR YELLOWISH FLUID DRAINED FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE NEAR DRIVER'S DOOR. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10639790September 29, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
LOSS OF BRAKING POWER AND STOPPING ABILITY. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THIS YEAR VEHICLE HAD THE INCORRECT BRAKING SYSTEM INSTALLED AT MANUFACTURE. IT IS A 5780 POUND VEHICLE (3/4 TON) WITH 1/2 TON BRAKING SYSTEM FACTORY INSTALLED. ON WAY HOME FROM NY STATE TO FLORIDA I HAD LESS AND LESS STOPPING POWER. BRAKE FLUID UP TO FULL LEVEL. EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM FRONT WHEELS. I DROVE AT SLOWER SPEEDS IN ORDER TO KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE IN FRONT OF ME IN CASE I NEEDED TO STOP QUICKLY, WHICH I FELT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT STOP IN TIME TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE CONTACTED GM TO REPORT AND ASK WHAT CAN BE DONE. IN THE INTERIM I HAVE HAD NEW ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS INSTALLED AS A STOP GAP MEASURE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS NOT A PERMANENT FIX AS THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE REQUIRES THE 3/4 TON BRAKING SYSTEM RATHER THAN THE 1/2 TON SYSTEM THAT IS ON THE VEHICLE. THERE WILL BE EXCESSIVE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR AS A CONSEQUENCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10637879September 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THE BRAKES ON MY 2003 SUBURBAN FAILED SUDDENLY WITH NO WARNING AS I WAS TAKING THE EXIT RAMP OFF THE INTERSTATE NEAR MY HOUSE. I BRAKE SHARPLY WHEN A VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE RIGHT TRAVEL LANE INTO THE EXIT LANE, AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SUDDENLY WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AT THE MOMENT THAT HAPPENED, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CHIMED CONTINUOUSLY AND DISPLAYED "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM". THE TRUCK SEEMED TO HAVE NO BRAKING POWER WHATSOEVER, AND I HAD TO SLOW THE TRUCK USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD JUST DRIVEN AROUND 55 MILES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON I-95 AND THE BELTWAY, WITH TRAFFIC OFTEN SLOWING, SPEEDING UP, THEN SLOWING AGAIN, THEN SPEEDING UP AGAIN. IF THIS BRAKE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED THEN, INSTEAD OF ON THE SLIGHTLY UPHILL EXIT RAMP OFF I-66 1/2 MILE FROM MY HOUSE, IT LIKELY WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS CRASH. AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK HOME, I SAW FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE RUNNING UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. A FEW DAYS LATER, I SPOKE WITH A SERVICE REP AT THE DEALER, WHO GAVE ME A VERBAL ESTIMATE THAT REPLACING JUST THAT ONE BRAKE LINE WOULD COST AROUND $500, AND TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM (WHICH HE RECOMMENDED) WOULD COST AROUND $2000. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED IN A WEEK OR SO LATER AND HAD ALL OF THE LINES REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10631783September 9, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. ANOTHER VEHICLE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO PASSENGERS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINED MAJOR INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
3
Deaths:
0
#10629913September 1, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
ONE OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES BETWEEN THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE ABS MODULATOR VALVE RUPTURED DURING A STOP DUE TO CORROSION. ALL BRAKE LINES IN THE VEHICLE HAVE SIMILAR LEVELS OF CORROSION NEAR THE AREA THE AFOREMENTIONED LINE RUPTURED, AND AT VARIOUS OTHER LOCATIONS ON THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES HAD FAILED APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS PREVIOUSLY DUE TO CORROSION. THE CORROSION AND RUST ON MANY COMPONENTS BENEATH THE VEHICLE AND IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT IS BECOMING RATHER CONCERNING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10622436August 15, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM THE DRIVEWAY, COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE DRIVEWAY, A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID WAS RUNNING OUT FROM A LOCATION UNDER THE DRIVERS DOOR AREA. AFTER INSPECTION, THE BRAKE LINE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTED THROUGH AND RUPTURED. ALL BRAKE LINES LOOK TOTALLY RUSTED. LIMITED OR NO BRAKES IS A BIG PROBLEM ON A 3/4 TON VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE'S UNDER CARRIAGE IS WASHED ON A VERY REGULAR BASIS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10618448August 3, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
I WAS DRIVING MY FRIEND TO WORK IN OK 4/30/14.. I HAVE NO RECOLLECTION OF WHAT INSTIGATED OUR HEAD ON COLLISION BUT I HAVE SEVERAL INJURIES, HAD TO CUT OUT OF THE DASHBOARD AND AIRLIFTED TO OU MEDICAL CTR. IN OK CITY.. SHATTERED ANKLES/FEET, BROKEN NECK INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE FACET DISRUPTION THAT IS PERMANENT AND 8 BROKEN RIBS COMBINED BOTH R & L DUE TO SEVERE IMPACT WITH OUT ANY AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. ASHERBRIDGECRASH.COM AND I WAS IN THE WHITE SUBURBAN. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#10617757July 30, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL THE LIGHT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL TURNED RED. I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES, HEARD A POP AND HISSING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE TRUCK WAS SLOWING BUT NOT BY MUCH. I PULLED IT INTO LOW GEAR AND BLEW THE HORN. THE CAR SITTING AT THE LIGHT TOOK NOTICE AND PULLED OUT OF THE WAY AND I WAS ABLE TO GO AROUND THE CORNER ONTO LEVEL GROUND AND STOP THE TRUCK. WHEN I OPENED THE DOOR BRAKE FLUID WAS POURING OUT ON THE GROUND. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THE FAILURE AND THE TRUCK HAS BEEN GM DEALER SERVICED INCLUDING BRAKES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10611165July 17, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 SUBURBAN AND HEADING SOUTHBOUND ALONG WASHINGTON BLVD. IN ARLINGTON COUNTY. AS I APPROACHED MERGING TRAFFIC FROM RT. 50/ARLINGTON BLVD. AND FT. MYER, I ADJUSTED MY SPEED TO ALLOW VEHICLE #1 TO MERGE IN FRONT OF ME. SIMULTANEOUSLY, VEHICLE #2 SPED UP TO ABRUPTLY MERGE IN FRONT OF VEHICLE #1, CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO BRAKE HARD DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ME. I ALSO HAD TO BRAKE HARD TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLE #1 AND UPON DOING SO MANAGED TO GET STOPPED WITHOUT CONTACT, BUT AT THE SAME TIME LOST ALL FURTHER BRAKING ABILITY. THE BRAKE LIGHT AND A WARNING MESSAGE TO "SERVICE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY" BOTH ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND CALLED AAA FOR TOW SERVICE. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER'S INITIAL ASSESSMENT WAS THAT THE BRAKE LININGS HAD LEAKED OUT. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK TOWED AND FURTHER ASSESSED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE LINES HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO THE ABS MODULE. ALTHOUGH NOW A 11 YEAR OLD VEHICLE, IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED ROUTINELY BY EITHER THE CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED OUR SUBURBAN, OR WITH OUR LOCAL SUNOCO MECHANIC. IT ALSO RECENTLY PASSED INSPECTION IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OR WARNING OF ANY POSSIBLE BRAKE ISSUES. FORTUNATELY, THIS INCIDENT WAS NOT SERIOUS; HOWEVER, I BELIEVE IT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED ENTIRELY HAD GM NOTIFIED OWNERS OF POSSIBLE BRAKE LINE FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10608059July 3, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION AT A STOP SIGN. THERE WAS A CAR APPROACHING ON MY LEFT THAT HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND DID NOT HAVE A STOP SIGN. THEY WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND IT SUDDENLY DROPPED TO THE FLOOR. MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE PATH OF THE ONCOMING CAR AND I COULD NOT STOP. I CUT MY WHEEL TO THE RIGHT AND ACCELERATED QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. AFTER I WAS CLEAR OF THEM, I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND THE REAR METAL BRAKE LINE HAD FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10604335June 18, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU GOING TO ANTI LOCK BLOCK. THESE LINES RUN ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10598530June 16, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKE FLEX LINES BETWEEN ABS AND MASTER RUSTED AND FAILED, TWICE, WITHIN 2 YEARS, BRAKE LINES RUSTED OUT BETWEEN 90-106 K MILES, GM DOES NOT MAKE THE PARTS ANYMORE, AND AFTERMARKET PARTS ARE SKETCHY QUALITY FROM CHINA! POOR DESIGN, CHEAP STEEL LINES, TOO THIN, AND NO SUPPORT OF THEIR PRODUCTS! CLEARLY GM HAS A MYRIAD OF OTHER RECALLS AND FAILURES, BUT THESE ARE BRAKES, A CRITICAL PART AND SAFETY COMPONENT IN VEHICLES THAT ARE SUPPOSEDLY THEIR BREAD AND BUTTER- IF YOUR GOING TO DESIGN SAFETY PARTS TO COMPORT WITH FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS, SUPPORT THE PRODUCT FOR REASONABLE USE WHICH IS 25 YEARS, BETTER DESIGNS. 3 BRAKE FAILURES IN 3 YEARS, OVER $1800 NOW AND NO PEACE OF MIND IT WILL NOT FAIL AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10594095May 26, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WHEN DEPARTING FOR THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE STOPPING TIME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO TOW A 19 FOOT BOAT, THE TRIP WAS ABORTED IN THE FIRST MILE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, A SEVERE LEAKING OF BRAKE FLUID WAS DISCOVERED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE CHECKED AND EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE LINES WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS OR REDUCED PRESSURE FROM ANY INDICATOR SIGNAL. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED AS THE BRAKES WORKED WITHOUT ISSUE THE PREVIOUS EVENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10592464May 19, 2014
PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND FUEL LINES WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 221,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587925May 12, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
THANKFULLY IN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AND WE NOTICED FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE LEFT REAR. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THERE WAS HEAVY RUST ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE METAL BRAKE LINE AT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. ALL OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES ARE IN VERY POOR CONDITION DUE TO RUST CONTAMINATION. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING A RUST ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LINES ON 2003 CHEVY SUBURBANS. WE HAVE MAINTAINED OUR VEHICLE WITH REGULAR SERVICE, AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. OUR SUBURBAN LOOKS NEW INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. IN 2008, WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE BACKING PLATES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THANKFULLY, GM PAID FOR THE REPAIR. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND WITH 94,038 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES), WE FEEL THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH IS NOT AN EXPECTED REPAIR. THE BRAKES FAILING COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SUBURBAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10587753May 12, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
SLOWING DOWN TO TURN ON TO I95, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER, NO WARNING. THANK THE LORD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND SLOW DOWN WITH OUT HAVING A ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER THEY REPLACED ALL TO LINES. HAD TO TAKE IT TO OTHER GM DEALER TO TIGHTEN AND REPLACE A PART THE OTHER DEALER HAD STRIPPED THE THREADS ON AND TRIED TO FIX IT WITH TEFLON TAPE. ALSO TIGHTEN BODY MOUNTS THE DEALER LEFT LOOSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10586533May 5, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
RIGHT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR ISSUES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DASH ALERT CAME ON TO SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE. EVEN AT SLOW SPEED, THE HEAVY VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL FEET TO STOP. THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE HEADING TO THE REAR AXLE BURST IN 3 OR 4 PLACES CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. ALL LINES TO AND FROM THE ABS MODULE ARE HEAVILY RUSTED AND LOOK MUCH WORSE THAN OTHER COMPONENTS. AS I LOOKED INTO THIS ONLINE, I'VE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS VEHICLES HAVING THIS AND MUCH WORSE PROBLEMS INVOLVING ACCIDENTS. I CAN'T SEE HOW THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE EVER STOPPED SAFELY. I JUST DROVE IT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD NO WARNING SIGNS. THIS IS MORE THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THESE BRAKE LINES ARE SUB STANDARD AND COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BETTER. ANOTHER SIGN OF LARGE CORPORATIONS TRYING TO USE INFERIOR MATERIALS TO BOOST THEIR STOCKHOLDERS PROFITS. SOMEONE HELP US. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584019April 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A PARKING SPACE THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND PRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST. THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME AND THE LOCAL DEALER HAD NOT PROVIDED A REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584029April 21, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
ON APPROXIMATELY APRIL 7, 2014, WHILE ENGAGING VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT, I DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE PEDAL WENT ALL WAY TO FLOOR. HAD VEHICLE SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED TO CHEVROLET OF GADSDEN, AL FOR EXAMINATION. WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE LINE ON DRIVERS SIDE HAD DEVELOPED A LEAK, AND THE BRAKE LINE WAS SO CORRODED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COMFORTABLE WITH A STANDARD REPAIR. I.E., THEY REFUSED TO WORK ON VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT I CAN COME AND PICK IT UP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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