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2003 GMC SuburbanProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 5 owner complaints about the 2003 GMC Suburban, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints51 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage38kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 12, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 GMC Suburban has problems

5 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
Service brakes, hydraulic21
Engine and engine cooling10
Equipment10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Steering10
Tires10

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

1 recall

2003 GMC Suburban 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.

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 GMC.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Suburban 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 Suburban median. How we score

'66'74'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 GMC Suburban, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREDP05009 · closed May 31, 2006
    No recall
  2. PARKING BRAKE FAILUREEA04011 · closed May 10, 2005
    Led to recall 05V-161
In owners' words

What Suburban owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON JULY 3RD IN A 2003 SUBURBAN. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT, I FELT I WAS A SAFE DISTANCEE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THERE WAS CONSTRUCTION ON 635 IN DALLAS AND A CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND I REACTED VERY QUICKLY, I FELT…
Complaint 10134791 · Aug 30, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND TWO SECONDS LATER VEHICLE SHUT OFF. AS A RESULT, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED. *AK
Complaint 10071597 · Apr 26, 2004 · 38,000 miles

Own a 2003 Suburban?

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