2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 534 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Tahoe model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 21 involved a crash and 9 involved a fire. 18 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Wheels, hubDec 17, 2007
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
Campaign 07E106000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineMay 19, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).
Campaign 06E043000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, rear/otherApr 22, 2005
ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO INSTRUCTIONS ON PROPER INFANT AND YOUNG CHILD RESTRAINT (WITH CHILD SEATS OR BOOSTERS), SPECIAL VERBIAGE FOR RESTRAINING OLDER CHILD IS INCLUDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. ALSO, THE SUGGESTED SEAT BELT FIT/ROUTING FOR ADULTS, IRRESPECTIVE OF SEATING POSITION, IS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TEXT.
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 AROUND THEIR HIPBONES, AND THEREFORE, CAN EXPOSE THEM TO MORE RISK OF ABDOMINAL AND INTERNAL ORGAN INJURY.
DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, OR HUMMER AT 1-800-732-5493.
Campaign 05V163000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulicFeb 4, 2004
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.
CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.
DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.
Campaign 04V045000 on NHTSA.gov
StructureMar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
Campaign 03V094000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, door, hinge and attachmentsFeb 6, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.
AS A RESULT, THE DOOR STRENGTH MAY BE DEGRADED DURING A SIDE IMPACT VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
Campaign 03V037000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel system
39 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 21, 2005
DT: THE VEHICLE IS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71 FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE. THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT SHAKES AND RATTLES TO THE POINT OF HAVING SLACK IN IT. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY GREASED IT. THE SECOND TIME THEY GREASED IT AGAIN. THE THIRD TIME THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT BECAUSE IT WAS ON A RECALL. CONSUMER HAD TO WAIT A YEAR BEFORE THEY COULD GET THE REPLACEMENT PART. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED EVEN AFTER THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SAME AREA BUT, THE NOISE WAS A LITTLE DIFFERENT AND IT WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT IT MAY BE IN THE FRONT END DIFFERENTIAL. CONSUMER HAS NOT CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. ALSO, FUEL PUMP FAILED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. THERE WERE OTHER PROBLEMS, BUT CONSUMER FELT THEY WERE MINOR. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 24, 2005
MY FUEL PUMP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. SYMPTOM WAS THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT START. A FUEL PUMP SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN 50,000 ON A NEW CAR OR TRUCK. I THINK THE ORIGINAL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE OR THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 14, 2005
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF. CONSUMER HAD TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THEN, VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 15, 2005
HESITATION IN STARTING, VEHICLE REGISTERED NO GAS WHEN IT HAD FULL TANK. STARTED IN AUG 2003 THROUGH JULY 2004. WAS PUT IN SHOP ON 5 OCCASIONS, AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG. JULY 2004 MY VEHICLE WOULDN'T START. MY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, AND GAUGE WERE OUT. PARTS WERE FINALLY REPLACED BUT WAS TOLD THEY WOULD GO OUT AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Fuel system, Other, Dec 13, 2004
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH ENGINE SEIZED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO FOUND THE PROBLEM WAS THE FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THIS WAS THE THIRD FUEL PUMP REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITHIN LESS THEN A YEAR, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Fuel system, Other, Power train, Electrical system, Visibility, Seats, Equipment, Oct 5, 2004
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT HEATER COMES ON BY ITSELF. BLINKER SENSOR WILL TELL ME THAT THE BLINKER IS ON WHEN IT ISN'T. CD/RADIO LIGHTS BLINK ON AND OFF. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW ROLLS DOWN BY ITSELF. FUEL GUAGE DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND WILL OFTEN SAY IT'S FULL WHEN IT'S EMPTY OR IT'S EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL OR HALF A TANK WHEN IT IS EMPTY. FUEL INJECTORS KEEP CLOGGING UP WITH CARBON. TRANSMISSION FAILURE FROM STOP AND DELAY ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Sep 9, 2004
PURCHASED 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE ON 1/13/2003. SINCE THEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SERVICES OVER 10 TIMES FOR ENGINE STALLING OUT OR FOR VEHICLE TRYING BUT NOT CRANKING. FUEL PUMP WAS TO BLAME AT LEAST 3, BAD GAS HAS BEEN THE BLAME TWICE, CPU BRAIN TWICE AND ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM ONCE. AS LONG AS VEHICLE HAS HALF TANK OF GAS VEHICLE RUNS FINE. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 2, 2004
ENGINE STARTS AND DIES OUT. SENT TAHOE TO SERVICE 3 TIMES. FIRST PROBLEM OCCURRED ON 2-16-04. SECOND PROBLEM ON 3-16-04, AND RETURNED ON 3-18-04. PICKED UP VEHICLE AND ON THE NEXT MORNING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN. WHEN PICKED UP ON THE THIRD ATTEMPT FOR REPAIR, SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT IS OKAY TO DRIVE CAR, THEY HAD DONE A TEMPORARY FIX ,AND WE NEEDED TO KEEP 1/2 TANK OF GAS UNTIL GENERAL MOTORS CREATED A NEW FUEL PUMP. VEHICLE STILL NOT FULLY REPAIRED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL FILTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 18, 2004
THE TAHOE WAS PURCHASED DEC. 30 2002. IN APRIL WE WERE DRIVING 65 ON THE INTERSTATE. THE TAHOE STALLED, WE PULLED OVER PUT IN PARK AND STARTED IT. WE DROVE ABOUT 13 MILES IT DID THE SAME THING. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOOK IT IN. THEY COULD FIND NOTHING. IN JUNE WE WERE ON THE INTERSTATE DRIVING 60 TO 65 AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. WE HAD BEEN HOME ABOUT 30 MIN. AND MY HUSBAND WENT TO MOVE THE TAHOE AND IT WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP CAME TO PICK IT UP AND KEPT IT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE RUBBER ON A FULE FILTER IN THE GAS TANK THAT WAS CLOSING UP WHEN IT HAD PRESSURE ON IT. ONCE THE TAHOE DIED THE PRESSURE RELEASED AND THE FUEL COULD FLOW THROUGH.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 16, 2004
I HAVE A 2003 TAHOE CHEVROLET I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK ON TWO OCCASIONS. FOR A CHECK BECAUSE WHEN YOU TRY TO CRANK VEHICLE, IT HESITATE TO CRANK IT TRY TURN OVER THE ENGINE. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP THEN THE NEXT DAY IT DID THE VERY SAME THING.. DO YOU A A COMPLAINT OF THIS ..THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASE THE VEHICLE. *AK
Steering, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 6, 2004
WHEN I HAD MY 2003 TAHOE FOR ONLY 6 MONTHS, MY TAHOE STALLED IN THE ROAD AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. WELL, THEY FIXED IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES. ALSO, I HAD TO BRING BACK MY TAHOE TO THE DEALER LAST WEEK BECAUSE OF A THUMPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THEY SAID THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SHAFT JUST NEEDED SOME LUBRICATION. MY CONCERN IS THAT I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 14 MONTHS WITH 15700 MILES ON IT AND I ALREADY HAVE PROBLEMS. COULD MY VEHICLE BE A LEMON? PLEASE RESEARCH ABOUT OTHER 2003 TAHOE'S IF THEY HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 18, 2003
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY - FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 HOURS - IT LOST ALMOST 1/2 TANK OF GAS. SPOUSE (A MECHANIC FOR 25 YEARS) IDENTIFIED AN OBVIOUS FUEL LEAK ON THE VEHICLE, BUT DEALERSHIP INSPECTION STATED THEY FOUND NOTHING, THAT THERE WERE NO "CODES" IDENTIFIED, THUS NO FAILURE. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 17, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING GASOLINE WAS LEAKING FROM GAS TANK. *AK