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: service brakes
112 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 30, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE FRONT ABS BEGAN PULSATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE ABS HUB NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,700.
Service brakes, Electric, Oct 5, 2009
I OWN A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE Z71 AND RECENTLY EXPERIENCED SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS. WHEN SLOWING DOWN, BELOW 10MPH, THE ABS KICKS IN RANDOMLY. THIS HAPPENS ON CLEAN, DRY PAVEMENT. THIS IS A FRIGHTENING THING TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE, ESPECIALLY SOMEONE WHO IS DRIVING AROUND TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I DID SOME ONLINE RESEARCH AND NOTICED THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. I ALSO NOTICED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR OLDER VEHICLES THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING TO AND I WONDER WHY THE RECALL DOESN'T PERTAIN TO 2003 AND NEWER VEHICLES. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE LOOKING INTO THIS FURTHER AND MAKE SOME TYPE OF RESOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I DO SEE A BULLETIN POSTED BY CHEVROLET SO APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON AND DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 21, 2008
RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL HUB FAILURE ON OWNER'S 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD WITH GRINDING NOISE FROM WHEEL. HUB REPLACED BY CHEVROLET DEALER, AND INFORMED THAT DRIVER'S WHEEL HUB NEEDS REPLACEMENT TOO. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) ON THE ISSUE BY CHEVROLET, WHICH DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY ISSUE, EVEN THOUGH THE HUB HAS THE POTENTIAL OF SHEARING OFF AT SPEED. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 4, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH DOWNHILL AND APPROACHING A STOP, THE ANTILOCK BRAKES PUSHED BACK ON THE CONTACT'S FOOT. THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP AND ANOTHER VEHICLE NEARLY CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKES UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V045000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME, THE DEALER HAD A TECHNICIAN INSPECT THE VEHICLE. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKES FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $200. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 31, 2007
2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE PROBLEM WITH BRAKES. CUSTOMER STATED THAT HE HAD TO RUN A RED LIGHT BECAUSE THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AFTER TAKING IT AROUND THE BLOCK. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED STOPPING DISTANCE WAS POOR AND THE PEDAL EVENTUALLY WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE CONSUMER LEARNED OF A RECALL 1 YEAR LATER, HOWEVER HE WAS TOLD HIS YEAR OF VEHICLE AND THE STATED HE RESIDED IN WAS NOT INCLUDED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 1, 2007
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE AT 35 MPH AND WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP SIGN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT THE BRAKES WERE BEING PUMPED. THE BRAKES WOULD ONLY SLOW THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT STOP IT AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE ABS WAS INADVERTENTLY ACTIVATING AT A LOWER SPEED. *AK UPDATED 02/22/07. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 9, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHILE THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ABS HYDRAULIC BRAKE PUMP FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2005, crash
THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE TRUCK WHEN DEPRESSED BETWEEN 10-15 MPH UPON APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THIS RESULTED IN THE TRUCK REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALL THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AN HOUR BEFORE THE BRAKE FAILURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A RATTLING/THUMPING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO TOGETHER WITH INSURANCE COMPANY HAD TO INSPECT THE TRUCK TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 21, 2004
ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONCERN: EARLY THIS SUMMER I HAD TO SUDDENLY STOP ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS DRY PAVEMENT ON A COMPLETELY CLEAR STRAIGHTAWAY. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WENT INTO PLAY AND THE TAHOE WAS SOMEHOW PULLED US TO THE SIDE. MY WIFE SAID "WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT" "WHY". I FELT THE SAME WAY. HAD WE BEEN ON ICE OR A WET SURFACE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED US TO LOOSE CONTROL COMPLETELY. IT ALMOST FELT LIKE WE WERE GOING TO LOOSE CONTROL. THERE IS NO PULLING OR CONCERNS HOWEVER DURING NORMAL BRAKING. DATE BELOW IS APPROXIMATELY. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Nov 7, 2003
PARKING BRAKE PREMATURE WEARING RESULTS IN VEHICLE THAT CAN ROLL DOWN A HILL AND CAUSE INJURY OR ACCIDENT. WITH 28,000 MILES ON MY 2001 CHEVY TAHOE, THE PARKING BRAKE WILL NOT HOLD. AFTER PAYING THE DEALER TO LOOK AT THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE SHOES WERE WORN. I WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER NEWER MODEL TRUCKS HAVE THE SAME CONDITION. THE SERVICE TECH SAID, "DRIVING JUST 10 FEET WILL WEAR THEM OUT." I INFORMED I DO NOT DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE ON. ON PERHAPS 2-3 OCASSIONS DID I MOVE WITH THE BRAKE ON AND ONCE THE CHIME SOUNDED IT WAS TAKEN OFF. DRIVING 10 FEET IS HARDLY ACCEPTABLE. I CONTACTED CHEVROLET ABOUT THIS BUILT-IIN REQUIREMENT FOR SERVICE THAT MAKES THE DEALER HAPPY AND CAUSES A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. THEY WERE NOT WILLING TO MAKE ANY "GOODWILL" GESTURES, CITING THIS WAS A WEAR ISSUE. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 21, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR, AND VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 2, 2003
WHILE SLOWING DOWN, CONSUMER STATES" VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ENGINE WAS RACING, WHICH RESULTED IN CONSUMER CRASHING VEHICLE INTO A CONCRETE WALL. CONSUMER STATES FOOT WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR ON BRAKE PEDAL, AFTER HITTING WALL ENGINE WAS STILL RACING LIKE WALL WAS STOPPING IT FROM TAKING OFF. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. TS