Brake line failed while driving, turns out all lines are rusted, need all brake lines replaced.
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.
- Brakes14
- Electrical3
- Engine2
- Fuel system2
- Transmission2
- Acceleration1
- Body1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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.
- This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- Unknown or other
- Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles
- GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities
- This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves...
- This bulletin provides information for use on a Product Assistance Claim (PAC), which is formerly known as...
- This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Service Programming System (SPS)...
- This Warranty Administration bulletin provides retail and wholesale service personnel with the...
What 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Brake line failure
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.
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Compare the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2500
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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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