2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500: 0 recalls, 175 owner complaints and up to 14 mpg combined.
Recalls
0 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Wheels Equipment recall #07E106000 · 2007 · 130,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Wheel separation can result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (60): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (4), door / lock issues (4).
- Brakes (42): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (24).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (18): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (11), brake failure / soft pedal (8).
- Body & structure (14): the most common themes are door / lock issues (4), noise or vibration (2), rust / corrosion (2).
The 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 has 175 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 23 Suburban 1500 model years for complaints (2.8× the average Suburban 1500 year). Complaints peaked in 2007 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 90,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2002 (120 complaints, 0 recalls), 2004 (182 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 17 | 14 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 16 | 13 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, but 1 equipment or tire recalls may apply. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 problems?
Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (60), brakes (42), brakes (hydraulic) (18).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 get?
EPA ratings run up to 14 mpg combined (5.3 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.