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2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 problems

The most common problem on the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 is brakes, typically around 101,000 miles. It has 3.0 times the complaints of a typical Suburban 2500 model year.

Typical year3.0x the typical complaints
Owner complaints
21
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
93
Worst area
Brakes

The worst 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    14
  • Electrical
    3
  • Engine
    2
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Transmission
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

Brake failure 8

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 93

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 93 bulletins for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

What 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed May 29, 2017 · Brakes · 160,000 miles · VA

Brake line failed while driving, turns out all lines are rusted, need all brake lines replaced.

Filed Feb 1, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 190,000 miles · NC

I will be driving down the road both hwy and city. The suburban will go into reduced engin and lose all its power and speed. I have to pull over and cut the car off and restart it and it's fine to go for maybe a mile and it does it again. They can not pin point what the problem is . It's very dangerous.

Filed Jan 31, 2016 · Brakes · NY

Brake line failure

Filed Sep 15, 2015 · Brakes, Fuel system · 72,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet suburban 2500. While driving 35 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and it traveled all the way to the floorboard. The contact was able to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they performed an interim repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that all the brake lines were rusted and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed by the independent mechanic that the vehicle may need the fuel pump line replaced as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000.

Filed May 25, 2015 · Brakes · 140,000 miles · PA

The metal brake line between the ABS modulator valve and front right wheel ruptured when the brake pedal was pressed. The line failed due to corrosion. All brake lines in the vehicle had similar levels of corrosion near the area the aforementioned line ruptured, and at various other locations on the vehicle. A brake line between the master cylinder and ABS modulator had failed in a similar mannner approximately 8 months previously. The transmission cooler lines had also failed due to corrosion approximately 2 years ago. The corrosion and rust on many other components beneath the vehicle and in the engine compartment is rather concerning. Power steering lines (including power brakes, since the vehicle has hydro-boost brakes) appear to be next. All metal brake lines were replaced immediately after the most recent failure for an owner cost of about $500. It is my understanding that the federal safety agency recently closed an investigation of brake line failure due to corrosion on several gm trucks and suvs. After about 4 years, this investigation determined that "a safety-related defect has not been identified at this time." apparently they don't read the complaints on their own website...

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Brakes · MI

As I was coming to an intersection with a red light, I went to slow stop from 30 MPH and my brakes failed almost causing me to crash into the intersection. When I applied the brakes they did not engage and my brake pedal went to the floor.

Filed Oct 16, 2014 · Brakes · 101,000 miles · OH

I was slowly backing up at a flat launch ramp to put our boat into the water. As the trailer reached the water, I pressed harder on the brake pedal. When I did that, the brake pedal went to the floor and the vehicle continued to roll backwards until the boat reached the water. Fortunately that stopped the vehicle from moving and allowed me to apply the parking brake. One of my brake lines had burst. The repair shop said the brake lines were all rusted and not in very good shape. Contrary to what gm is claiming, my vehicle could not stop in a safe distance and that was without the boat/trailer attached. If we had been exiting the highway when this happened (which we did shortly before the failure), the results could have been catastrophic.

Filed Sep 1, 2014 · Brakes, Transmission · 137,096 miles · PA

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.

Filed Aug 15, 2014 · Brakes · 80,909 miles · MA

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.

Filed Mar 9, 2013 · Brakes · 130,000 miles · MA

A complete loss of brake pressure with no warning light indicator - when inspected the drivers side line had corroded almost directly under the drivers side door. This is the second time of occurrence, the first being the passenger side brake line in same location.

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Questions about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

Is the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500, 3.0 times a typical Suburban 2500 model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500?

Brakes, with 14 complaints, typically around 101,000 miles. Next is electrical (3).

How many recalls does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 have?

No recalls on record.

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