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2003 Chevrolet TahoeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 507 owner complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Tahoe median · #8 of 31 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints50742 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 7, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe has problems

507 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system1936
Service brakes846
Steering524
Fuel system, gasoline290
Service brakes, hydraulic293
Vehicle speed control272
Engine and engine cooling202
Air bags195
Power train191
19 other systems14210

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seat belts: rear/other

Recall 05V-163 · Apr 22, 2005 · 1,359,824 vehicles

Risk. A LAP PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT ROUTING THAT IS NOT LOW AND SNUG ON THE HIPS CAN ALLOW THE LAP BELT TO RIDE UP ON AN OCCUPANT'S ABDOMEN INSTEAD OF FITTING LOW…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.

Mileage at failure

When do electrical system problems start?

73kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 152 electrical system complaints. 79% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
14under 30k miles120under 100k miles32100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Electrical system

28 owners mentioned a cost

$508median

Middle half: $500 – $663

Service brakes

11 owners mentioned a cost

$1,000median

Middle half: $908 – $2,350

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Tahoe year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Tahoe median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe safety ratings

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. Brake line corrosion failureEA11001 · closed Apr 8, 2015
    No recall
  3. STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTUREPE03026 · closed Nov 3, 2003
    No recall
In owners' words

What Tahoe owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I bought my 2003 Chevy Tahoe used and as is at a dealership for $10,000. Yes, I've been robbed. The truck is in great LOOKING condition. Has a little bit of superficial dings and a couple dents but overall exterior is great. Interior isn't shabby. Has wear on the driver's seat but not bad. The…
Complaint 11482032 · Aug 30, 2022
WHILE DRIVING THE TAHOE CLOSE TO HOME I STARTED TO SMELL OF BURNING AND I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE DASH. I PULLED OVER AND BY THEN THE WHOLE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES (NOT RECOMMENDED)…
Complaint 11330484 · Jun 24, 2020 · 63,000 miles
TAKATA RECALL, TODAY, MAY 31, 2019, I DROVE MY TRUCK TO A MEETING AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT (IT WAS STATIONARY IN A CITY PARKING LOT). WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER THE MEETING AT 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON I OPEN MY CAR AND THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. A…
Complaint 11217202 · May 31, 2019 · 276 miles

Own a 2003 Tahoe?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.