June 2006 the fuel pump stopped working when I was driving on the freeway, I was towed to the garage we normally use for maintenance. They replaced the fuel pump we did not pursue this under the original warranty on the vehicle - big mistake! In january 2009 the fuel gauge stopped working and again we stopped on the freeway and had to be towed. This time it was the fuel gauge. The fuel pump cannot be replaced under warranty as this was just for one year. We were advised to use the trip mileage to fill fuel tank. We have had two failures both at approximately 30mths.
The worst 2003 GMC Suburban problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes2
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
- Tires1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes2
- Engine1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
- Tires1
Recalls 1
Structure
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- This overheating condition can cause the running board to melt or cause a fire.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 03V094000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2003 GMC Suburban
Defect investigations
Parking brake failure
Odi's review of complaint data received since the close of ea04-011 revealed no indication that the investigation should be re-opened.more details can be found in the federal register notice enclosed in the dp05-009 public file.odi reserves the right to reopen the investigation in the future should conditions warrant.
DP05009
Parking brake failure
In a letter dated april 20, 2005, gm notified the federal safety agency that it had decided that defects that relate to motor vehicle safety exist in certain model year (my) 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series (pbr parking brake system) and my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series (trw parking brake system) pickups with manual transmissions.according to gm, some of these vehicles may have conditions that cause the friction linings to wear to an extent where the parking brake can become ineffective in immobilizing a parked vehicle.gm's action covers an estimated total of 142,585 vehicles.dealers will install a low-force spring clip retainer for vehicles equipped with the pbr parking brake system and install a redesigned parking brake cable assembly on vehicles equipped with the trw parking brake system. A total of 58 non-duplicative complaints were received by odi and gm concerning the approximately 59,000 my 1999-2002 c/k 1500 series pickup trucks with the pbr parking brake system.these included 22 alleged rollaway incidents, resulting in a rate of 38.5 rollaway incidents per 100,000 vehicles.odi is aware of 24 complaints regarding the my 2001-2005 c/k 2500 and 3500 series manual transmission trucks recalled by gm, including 5 alleging rollaway incidents.though the conditions described in gm's letter are also present in the c/k trucks with automatic transmissions, the rollaway rate in those vehicles was similar to those observed in peer vehicles studied by odi in this investigation.this engineering analysis is closed. For additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA04011
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 GMC Suburban 89
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.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire...
- 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 GMC Suburban owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 gmc suburban. The contact stated that he purchased his vehicle brand new and has currently spent over $5,000 in repairs. He has been to the dealer four different times concerning the steering wheel vibrating, shaking, and rocking while driving the vehicle. Each time he went to the dealer for the steering failure, they always found another failure to report. The dealer stated that the motor injection system was burned out and caused the steering failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle meets the manufacturer's specifications and that no other assistance could be provided. He stated that the steering wheel never worked and he has all of the repair receipts. Currently, the service engine soon light illuminates and the engine is making a loud noise, vibrating, and misfiring. He was informed that the repair would cost over $2,000. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 39,870 and failure mileage was 30,000.
I was in an accident on july 3rd in a 2003 suburban. At the time of the accident, I felt I was a safe distancee behind the car in front of me. There was construction on 635 in dallas and a car stopped in front of the car in front of me. When I applied the brakes and I reacted very quickly, I felt like the brakes did not react correctly and I ran into the car in front of me. I was in disbelief that the accident had occured. I had just purchased the suburban and attributed the delyed stopping time to the size and weight of the vehicle. Since that accident, I have had (2) situations where I needed to hit the brakes very quickly and both times I felt like the brakes were not working correctly. I just noticed that gm put out a recall for 2002 suburban and was curious if there were any other similar problems reported with the 2003 suburban. Thanks, steve burke. *jb 3770 pallos verdas dr dallas, tx 75229 214.335.5523.
Upon inspecting vehicle consumer noticed tire sidewall were dry rotted. Firestone and chevrolet, lt245/75r16le.
While driving 65 MPH ABS warning light came on, and two seconds later vehicle shut off. As a result, power steering and power brakes failed.
Compare the 2003 GMC Suburban
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 GMC Suburban
Is the 2003 GMC Suburban reliable?
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2003 GMC Suburban, close to a typical Suburban model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 GMC Suburban?
Brakes, with 2 complaints. Next is engine (1).
How many recalls does the 2003 GMC Suburban have?
1 recall, covering structure.
What year does the GMC Suburban have bad brakes?
The GMC Suburban model years with the most brakes complaints are 1994 (276 complaints), 1993 (162 complaints) and 1999 (123 complaints).
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