2003 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems

Filed Jul 17, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 149,000 miles · AR

Vehicle suddenly started going into reduced power mode and providing an error code indicating a problem with the throttle control sensor. From the hundreds of online posts (some by gm mechanics) this is an ongoing problem with many 2003-2008 trucks and suvs made by gm. When I began trying to repair this problem myself, I found out from my local chevy parts department that "they can not keep these throttle control assemblies in stock because we are replacing so many of them..." there seems to be a know problem that gm is not adequately being proactive about. This happens while driving highway, local streets and at startup. This becomes a serious safety issue when the vehicle goes into reduced power mode while the vehicle is in traffic.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Engine · 101,000 miles · AK

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet suburban. While driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Nov 24, 2014 · Engine · 149,500 miles · NC

I have been experiencing complete engine failure while driving at highway speeds without any warning. I notice a loss of power and notice the engine light is on and the vehicle is difficult to steer. After coasting to the left side of the road, the vehicle ignition is turned off and after several attempts, the car starts again and I can drive to my destination. Fuel pump and fuel lines were replaced less than 2 years ago when a similar problem was experienced.

Filed Jul 26, 2012 · Engine · 106,000 miles · MA

Driving in middle lane on highway out of state with kids in the car engine just quit--no power, couldn't signal to move or get to side of road, just sat in middle lane. Very scary!! Towed to a nearby dealer-told us the fuel pump shorted the engine and had to replace the fuel pump. No advance warning-only a blower motor seemed to be malfunctioning that morning (have had A/C problems). No issue with power until it just quit. Seems to be a common complaint when researching this year and vehicle--loss of power or decreased power. With the number of incidents found, someone should research this before another car is struck from behind and there are injuries or worse, fatalities. To have something this major happen without any symptoms or warning lights, and for the number of cases found, seems irresponsible at best, negligent at least. Please look into this!

Filed Sep 26, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · CA

I have 2003 suburban 1500, that keeps getting a error message "reduce engine power". The vehicle will all of sudden while driving, reduce speed and I can't accelerate above 25-30mph. I will have to pull over and turn car off for 10-15 seconds before it resets, however it will continue to happen over and over again! It is very scary and dangerous when I have my kids or my wife drive it because you never know when the car will have this happen. Strangely, when we drive on the highway we can use the "cruise control" feature when we reach 25mph and use the cruise control to accelerate that way with minimal occurrences. I have taken the car to "2 chevy dealers and 3 mechanics" neither can tell us what's wrong! This is frustrating because we only have on car, and we know this a "safety hazard" and extremely dangerous and somebody has to look into this! I only hope someone who reads these complaints has the power to help me and everyone with this problem.

Filed Sep 15, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 153,221 miles · SC

I was driving my suburban when a message reading "reduced engine power" came on and my car cut off. I was very lucky to only be going 20 MPH in my neighborhood. Had I been going faster and had a car been following close behind, we would have caused an accident. This problem still persists and stops every 2-3 miles. We have to pull over, leave the car off for 5-10 seconds and then restart. We are then able to go another 2-3 miles. This is our only vehicle so we have no choice but to drive with our hazards on because we have 4 kids at 3 different schools to drop off and pick up each day. After researching this issue online, I am seeing that this is occurring in hundreds of chevrolet and gm cars. It is my understanding that these 2 are the same company. I do not dare get on a major highway or interstate because of the fear of the car shutting down and causing an accident. Chevrolet and gm are aware of this problem, as many people have filed complaints with both the company and the federal safety agency. Why is there no recall to fix this? This is a very dangerous situation and could likely lead to a deadly accident. I am discussing a class action lawsuit with a number of people and once the info is collected, I will contact an attorney. Please help get these unsafe vehicles off of the road and into the dealerships to be fixed. Thank you.

Filed Sep 4, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · MI

My suburban goes to reduced power unexpectedly and the engine will stall causing a loss of power steering and control of the vehicle. My suburban has been taken in to the dealer I purchased the vehicle from on five occasions and the dealer is unable to fix the problem.. The most recent time was 9/1/2011. It went to reduced power 10 miles after leaving dealership and stalled as I pulled out into traffic from a restaurant. A number of cars had to brake excessively and swerve around me until I could angle my suburban off the road without power steering. The truck weighs 6700 lbs and I needed all my strength to turn the wheel enough to get off the road. I am fearful about driving my suburban and the high probability of injury to myself or others.

Filed Apr 19, 2011 · Engine · 132,000 miles · VT · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that she started the vehicle so that it could warm up and within a few minutes it was on fire. The police and fire department were called and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who advised her that the fire started in the lower resistor connector and the blower motor. The vehicle was deemed as destroyed. The manufacturer was contacted and an investigator inspected the vehicle but denied her claim. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Filed Feb 9, 2011 · Engine · 140,000 miles · AL · fire

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 chevrolet suburban. After having the oil changed at an independent repair shop, the contact began to smell a burning oil odor coming from the engine. The contact began to notice the vehicle was consuming oil excessively and would replace the oil approximately two to three times a week. Approximately 1 year later, upon starting the vehicle, the contact began to hear a knocking noise coming from the engine before it stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the motor was being replaced. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2008 · Engine · 12,000 miles · NV

Vehicle stalls while driving during hot weather. It will not start until the vehicle has sat for 10-20 minutes.