Page 2 of 7 · complaints 51–100 of 301

2003 Chevrolet Suburban complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2003 record →

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 18, 2014120,000 milesMI

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU GOING TO ANTI LOCK BLOCK. THESE LINES RUN ALONG THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 26, 201457,000 milesFL

WHEN DEPARTING FOR THE DAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THE STOPPING TIME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPROMISED. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING USED TO TOW A 19 FOOT BOAT, THE TRIP WAS ABORTED IN THE FIRST MILE AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE BRAKES, A SEVERE LEAKING OF BRAKE FLUID WAS DISCOVERED. THE BRAKE LINES WERE CHECKED AND EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE LINES WAS DISCOVERED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS OR REDUCED PRESSURE FROM ANY INDICATOR SIGNAL. THE FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED AS THE BRAKES WORKED WITHOUT ISSUE THE PREVIOUS EVENING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 12, 201496,836 milesNY

SLOWING DOWN TO TURN ON TO I95, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. HAD NO BRAKES WHAT SO EVER, NO WARNING. THANK THE LORD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OUT OF TRAFFIC AND SLOW DOWN WITH OUT HAVING A ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO GM DEALER THEY REPLACED ALL TO LINES. HAD TO TAKE IT TO OTHER GM DEALER TO TIGHTEN AND REPLACE A PART THE OTHER DEALER HAD STRIPPED THE THREADS ON AND TRIED TO FIX IT WITH TEFLON TAPE. ALSO TIGHTEN BODY MOUNTS THE DEALER LEFT LOOSE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 12, 201494,038 milesVA

THANKFULLY IN OUR DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AND WE NOTICED FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE LEFT REAR. OUR VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC REPORTED THE FOLLOWING: THERE WAS HEAVY RUST ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE METAL BRAKE LINE AT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH. ALL OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES ARE IN VERY POOR CONDITION DUE TO RUST CONTAMINATION. ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING A RUST ISSUE WITH THE BRAKE LINES ON 2003 CHEVY SUBURBANS. WE HAVE MAINTAINED OUR VEHICLE WITH REGULAR SERVICE, AND OIL CHANGES EVERY 3,000 MILES. OUR SUBURBAN LOOKS NEW INSIDE AND OUT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WE HAVE HAD WITH EXCESSIVE RUST. IN 2008, WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, THE BACKING PLATES RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THANKFULLY, GM PAID FOR THE REPAIR. WE TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF OUR VEHICLES AND WITH 94,038 MILES (MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES), WE FEEL THAT THE BRAKE LINES RUSTING THROUGH IS NOT AN EXPECTED REPAIR. THE BRAKES FAILING COULD HAVE HAD CATASTROPHIC CONSEQUENCES. I HAVE READ ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR SUBURBAN. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 5, 2014132,126 milesMI

RIGHT IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY, I APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR ISSUES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE DASH ALERT CAME ON TO SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM. THANKFULLY, THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT WAS A SUDDEN FAILURE. EVEN AT SLOW SPEED, THE HEAVY VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL FEET TO STOP. THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS MODULE HEADING TO THE REAR AXLE BURST IN 3 OR 4 PLACES CAUSING A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. ALL LINES TO AND FROM THE ABS MODULE ARE HEAVILY RUSTED AND LOOK MUCH WORSE THAN OTHER COMPONENTS. AS I LOOKED INTO THIS ONLINE, I'VE DISCOVERED NUMEROUS VEHICLES HAVING THIS AND MUCH WORSE PROBLEMS INVOLVING ACCIDENTS. I CAN'T SEE HOW THIS VEHICLE COULD HAVE EVER STOPPED SAFELY. I JUST DROVE IT THE NIGHT BEFORE AND HAD NO WARNING SIGNS. THIS IS MORE THAN NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THESE BRAKE LINES ARE SUB STANDARD AND COULD HAVE BEEN MADE BETTER. ANOTHER SIGN OF LARGE CORPORATIONS TRYING TO USE INFERIOR MATERIALS TO BOOST THEIR STOCKHOLDERS PROFITS. SOMEONE HELP US. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 7, 201460,100 milesIL

AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, I EXPERIENCED A TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS GOING SLOW ENOUGH TO STOP AND AVOID INJURING MYSELF OR ANOTHER PERSON. THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING 50 MPH WITH MY WIFE AND 4 CHILDREN IN THE CAR OR I MIGHT NOT BE WRITING THIS TODAY (OR SOMEONE ELSE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED BY ME DUE TO THIS BRAKE FAILURE). I DISCOVERED THE REASON FOR THIS FAILURE WAS BECAUSE MY BRAKE LINE PREMATURELY CORRODED AND THIS PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN TO NHTSA AND YOU HAVE DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. HOW DARE YOU AND GM PUT MY FAMILY AND OTHER INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AT RISK BECAUSE OF YOUR INCOMPETENCE!!! WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL??? A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED BY THOUSANDS OF CHEVY OWNERS AS WELL AS PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE BODY AND UNDERCARRIAGE WHICH I AM ALSO EXPERIENCING. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 60K MILES AND HAS BEEN WELL CARED FOR, BUT I AM EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS THAT CARS WITH 3 TIMES AS MANY MILES SHOULDN'T EXPERIENCE. PERHAPS CONGRESS WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THIS DERELICTION OF DUTY BY NHTSA. HOW MANY AMERICANS HAVE TO DIE OR GET INJURED IN ACCIDENTS BEFORE YOU TAKE ACTION??? IF TOTAL FAILURE OF A VEHICLE'S BREAKING SYSTEM DOESN'T SPUR A CALL TO ACTION BY NHTSA THEN WHAT WILL? WHAT COULD BE MORE VITAL TO SAFETY THAN BRAKES ON A 1/2 TON TRUCK? REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE LINE WILL COST ME OVER $1,200 AND THAT JUST ADDS INSULT TO THIS WHOLE DISGRACEFUL SITUATION. I DEMAND TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THIS WELL KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE THAT I HAVE T

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 21, 201460,000 milesMI

BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING. TOOK IT TO CHEVY DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID STEEL BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH. UPON INSPECTION THEY SAID ALL STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO OUTSIDE RUST WHICH I HAD THEM DO. I LIVE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN. CANT REMEMBER COST OF CHEVY DEALERSHIP REPLACING ALL OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINES. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 8, 2014211,950 milesMD

ON 3-8-14 AT ABOUT 10:00 AM I WAS LESS THAN A MILE FROM HOME WHEN I WAS APPROACHING A TWO WAY STOP SIGN TRAVELING AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I BEGAN BRAKING NORMALLY FOR THE STOP WHEN SHORTLY AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE RESISTANCE FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOST AND THE PEDAL WENT INSTANTLY TO THE FLOOR. AT THE TIME THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR THERE WAS NO LONGER ANY BREAKING OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING AND CONTINUED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO CARS IN THE INTERSECTION. PUMPING THE BRAKES LIGHTLY PROVIDED A SLIGHT BREAKING. I CONTINUED TO DRIFT AND DOWN SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL THE CAR COULD BE STOPPED. WHEN INSPECTING UNDER THE VEHICLE, BREAK FLUID WAS SEEN DRIPPING AT A FAST RATE FROM A BREAK LINE UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR. A PUDDLE OF BRAKE FLUID WAS QUICKLY BUILDING UP. LATER THAT DAY I WENT TO THE CHEVROLET DEALER AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED. I WAS TOLD IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM AND THERE WAS A REPAIR KIT THAT COULD BE INSTALLED. I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE COMMON INSTANTANEOUS BRAKE FAILURE PROBLEM. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 20, 201495,000 milesNJ

VEHICLE MADE A FULL STOP, DRIVER THEN CONTINUED ON AND PRESSED THE BRAKE AND THE BRAKES WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN, BRAKE LIGHT WENT ON AND DIC ADVISED OF A BRAKE PROBLEM. THIS HAS OCCURRED A TOTAL OF 3 DIFFERENT TIMES ON THIS VEHICLE, EACH TIME ANOTHER AREA OF THE LINE BURSTING. EACH TIME I HAVE PAID MORE THAN $185 TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED. *TR

Steering
Filed Feb 11, 201410 milesMA

LOOKING FOR A CONSUMER RECALL REPORT. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED. ATTEMPTED TO REGISTER WITH DATA BASE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Dec 27, 2013348 milesMN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY ELECTRICAL COMPONENT FAILED IN DUE TO POOR GROUNDING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 348.

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2013120,000 milesNJ

BRAKES FAILED WHEN COMING TO A STOP AFTER LEAVING A GAS STATION. BRAKE FLUID LEAKING DOWN FRAME RAIL NEXT TO ABS BOOSTER BY THE FUEL TANK. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2013100,910 milesPA

APPROACHING STOP SIGN AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. AFTER LOOKING AT LINES ,THEY ARE ALL CORRODED TERRIBLY AND I NOTICED THE NHTSA HAS AN OPEN COMPLAINT ON THIS VERY THING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 201354,894 milesVA

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR OUR STATES' REQUIRED ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE EXTREMELY RUSTY AND, IN HIS OWN WORDS, ON THE VERGE OF COMPLETE FAILURE. HE SHOWED ME THE LINES WHICH WERE FLAKING AND ALREADY PITTED AND CREVASED. HE NOTED THIS WAS A **VERY** DANGEROUS CONDITION AND COULD RESULT IN A "NO BRAKE CONDITION". AFTER SHOWING ME THE BRAKE LINES IN QUESTION, HE RECOMMENDED FULL BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT. I TOOK HIS RECOMMENDATION SERIOUSLY AND I WENT HOME AND DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, THE INTERNET ABOUNDED WITH OWNERS OF 1999-2003 SUBURBAN (AND OTHER CHEVY/GM MODELS) PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES. !!! I WAS APPALLED THAT SO MANY PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED AND WITH NO FORMAL RECOURSE/ACTION TAKEN BY CHEVROLET. [AS A RELATED NOTE, IN THE PRIOR ANNUAL INSPECTION FOR THIS VEHICLE, THE ABS SENSORS WERE NOTED AS RUSTED THROUGH, AND WHICH I HAD REPLACED]. WE LIVE IN VIRGINIA WHERE THE WEATHER IS MODERATE AND THERE IS NOT THAT MUCH WINTER CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRE ROAD SALTING, ETC. SO THIS IS NOT A RESULT OF THE VEHICLE LIVING IN HARSH ROAD-SALTED CONDITIONS. I ENDED UP DECIDING TO SPEND THE $$ TO REMEDIATE THIS DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITION AND TO GET ANOTHER 10 YEARS OUT OF THE VEHICLE. I PURCHASED A STAINLESS STEEL SET OF PRE-BENT BRAKE LINES SPECIFIC TO THIS VEHICLE (SHOWS THAT THERE IS A DEMAND FOR THESE IN THE MARKET BECAUSE OF THIS CONDITION) AND HAVING THEM INSTALLED (OVER $1K

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 21, 2013120,000 milesDE

MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, HEARD A POP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. DEALER SAID FRONT TO BACK BRAKE LINE CORROSION. COST WILL BE $2000 TO FIX. WE SEE THERE IS A PENDING INVESTIGATION ON THIS AND WANT TO KNOW STATUS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKELY FROM RESEARCHING THIS THAT A RECALL IS POSSIBLE. CAN YOU PROVIDE A STATUS ON BRAKE LINE CORROSION INVESTIGATION AMONG 1999-2003 GM VEHICLES. NOT FAIR THAT WE HAVE TO PAY $2000 FOR BRAKE CORROSION THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. PLEASE ADVISE IF POSSIBLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 201367,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING AND APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 8, 201389,000 milesPA

ALL BRAKE LINES AND FUEL LINE RUSTED ,WAS NOT DRIVING FAST ,DEALER TOLD ME IT WOULD COST 3500. HAVE TO TAKE TRANS OUT ,I THINK GM SHOULD HELP PAY FOR THIS THEY HAVE 3 OTHER TAHOES AND SUBURBANS THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ,TOO BAD THEY GOT BAILED OUT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 28, 2013221,334 milesNJ

BRAKE FAIL WITH NO PRESSURE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED AND NO WARNING LIGHTS, WE WERE GOING ABOUT 65 MPH AND HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. HAD TO PULL OFF ROADWAY ON TO GRASS AREA TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. LUCKY NO ONE WAS KILL. UPON INSPECTION, THE DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, IT WAS DIRECTLY UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT AREA. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE THAT BRAKE LINE EVER FAIL DUE TO CORROSION. WE IN NORTH EAST OF THE COUNTRY BY THE SHORE AREA ARE SUBJECT TO SALT DURING WINTER AND MANUFACTURE SHOULD TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION FOR SAFETY OF PUBLIC. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 2013112,200 milesPA

I TOOK MY 2003 CHEVY SUBURBAN FOR A BRAKE FLUID FLUSH RECENTLY. THE SHOP TOLD ME THAT ALL THE BRAKE COMPONENTS ARE CORRODED VERY BADLY ESPECIALLY THE BRAKE LINES. THE SHOP RECOMMENDED TO REPLACE ALL MY BRAKE CALIPERS. BRAKE ROTORS WERE ALMOST END OF THEIR LIFE. SO I ENDED UP REPLACING ALL 4 BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS AND THE BRAKE HOSES LEADING TO THE BRAKE CALIPERS. THE SHOP SAID SOONER OR LATER I WOULD NEED MY BRAKE LINES REPLACED. I JUST SEARCHED ONLINE AND CAME ACROSS NHTSA'S INVESTIGATION ON THE BRAKE LINE CORROSION HENCE DECIDED TO REPORT IT TO YOU. FROM THE CARFAX HISTORY REPORT, THIS TRUCK WAS REGISTERED AROUND PHILADELPHIA, PA AREA FOR IT'S ENTIRE LIFE AND ALSO IT WAS SERVICED AT DEALERSHIPS AROUND THIS AREA. SO I GUESS THIS TRUCK WAS ON THE NORTHEAST PART OF THE U.S FOR ITS ENTIRE LIFE BUT NOT CLOSER TO SALT (SEA) WATER OR WEATHER.. SHOULD YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL OR PHONE. *JS

Electrical System
Filed Sep 2, 2013110,500 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN BACK FROM WORK ONE DAY AND MY FRONT A/C BLOWER STOPPED WORKING. I TURNED A/C OFF AND REACHED HOME. WHEN I TOOK THE PLASTIC COVER OVER THE BLOWER MOTOR APART TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON I FIGURED THAT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR TO THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER HAS HEATED UP AND MELTED. I REPLACED THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER THINKING SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THAT ONLY TO FIND OUT IT HAPPENED AGAIN 15 DAYS LATER. I SEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND THAT YET ANOTHER ENGINEERING DISASTER BY GM. IT APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM IN GM TRUCKS. FOR SOME REASON THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTER IS OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR AND WIRES CONNECTING TO IT. THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD. I CALLED UP A CHEVY DEALERSHIP NEAR ME TO FIND OUT IF THERE WAS ANY RECALL ON THIS THEY SAID NO. HENCE REPORTING THIS TO YOU. *JS

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 7, 201391,000 milesIN

STOPPED TO GET GAS. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T STOP, WARNINGS STARTED GOING OFF AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, WAS ABLE TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING, HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO LOOK UNDER VEHICLE AND SAW ALL THE FLUID, TOLD ME TO STEP ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND FLUID WAS SPRAYING FROM A LINE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 29, 201388,000 milesNJ

MY BRAKES DID NOT SEEM TO BE OPERATING CORRECTLY. STOPPING DISTANCE WAS GREATLY INCREASED. WHEN I CHECKED, MOST OF MY BRAKE LINES WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CRUMBLING. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE WHICH IS RARELY DRIVEN IN THE WINTER. FURTHERMORE, IT HAS RECEIVED UNDERCARRIAGE CLEAN WATER WASHING TWICE A YEAR SINCE 2006 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT BRAKE LINES WILL EVENTUALLY RUST BUT THIS CASE SEEMS EXTREME, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT IS A WELL CARED FOR, GARAGE KEPT VEHICLE THAT RARELY SEES ROAD SALT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 28, 2013142,000 milesOH

WIFE JUST RETURNED FROM WORK, BACKING INTO THE GARAGE. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR (NO LIGHTS OR WARNINGS)? WHEN I CRAWLED UNDER AND LOOKED BRAKE LINES WERE RUPTURED NEST TO FRAME. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 29, 2013150,000 milesMD

MY SON WAS DRIVING IN BAKERSFIELD CA, HE WAS ON BUENA VISTA, WHEN HE CAME TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT MING AVE. THE LIGHT CHANGED AND WHEN HE HIT THE BRAKES THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. THE FRONT BRAKES FAILED TO WORK AND HE SKIDDED THRU THE INTERSECTION, THRU THE RED LIGHT. THE SPEED LIMIT IS 55 MPH ON THAT ROAD, THE TIME WAS 11AM. NO OTHER CAR WAS HIT. HE HAD MY TRUCK TOWED TO A AAA SHOP, THEY SAID THE FRONT BRAKE TUBING OFF THE ABS BOXED TO THE FRONT CALIPER FAILED FROM RUSTING OUT (WITH NO WARNING). THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT AT THAT SHOP AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO 3 WAY CHEV. I CALLED THE CHEVY FACTORY LINE AND SPOKE TO A REP. SHE SAID THEY MIGHT WARRANTY SOME OF THE REPAIR BUT THEIR DEALER SHIP HAD TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. I INFORMED HER OF THE MILEAGE AND GAVE HER THE VIN# I TOLD HER I ALSO BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HERITAGE CHEVY IN MD. I CALLED THEM AND GOT A PRICE TO REPLACE ALL THE BRAKE TUBING FOR $1600.00 AND IF IT NEEDED A ABS BOX IT WOULD BE TOTAL OF $3400.00 FOR EVERYTHING.3WAY CHEVY IN BAKERSFIELD SAID IT WOULD COST $7597.07 FOR EVERYTHING BUT IT MAY BE MORE BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY HAD TO REMOVE THE CAB FROM THE FRAME. THEY ALSO SAID THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN THE SNOW BECAUSE OF THE SALT THAT IS USED ON THE ROADS. THIS IS A 4X4 AND I LIVE IN NORTHERN MD AND I BOUGHT FOR THE SNOW AND I TOW A 24 FOOT BOAT THAT WEIGHS 6300 LBS. THE FACTORY REP SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME IN ANY WAY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE, WHICH I ORIGINALLY TOLD THEM ABOUT. THE FACTORY REPS KEE

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Mar 28, 2013140,000 milesNY

TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED A COLLISION WITH CAR THAT HAD SLOWED IN FRONT. INSPECTION UNDER THE CAR SHOWED BRAKE FLUID SPRAYED AROUND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR AXLE. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2013106,000 milesME

THIS WAS THE DATE A MECHANIC ADVISED US THAT THE BRAKE LINES ARE SEVERELY CORRODED AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED. OUR VEHICLE IS GARAGED IN THE WINTER AND WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW. THE BRAKE LINES SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THAT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 25, 2013115,000 milesCT

ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS CONTROL UNIT RUPTURED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION, RESULTING IN SEVERE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID, AND NEAR COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKING FORCE. REPLACED BOTH LINES ON THE ADVICE OF MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE OTHER LINE WAS JUST AS BADLY CORRODED. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE BRAKE LINE FROM THE ABS CONTROL UNIT TO THE REAR BRAKES FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION IN DECEMBER OF 2012, RESULTING IN COMPLETE LOSS OF REAR BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. REPLACED THAT PORTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM, AND VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE REMAINDER OF THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT BRAKE LINES STILL EXTANT. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Feb 8, 2013NY

BRAKE LINE FAILURE, BRAKE WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKE LINE CORROSION. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 27, 201253,817 milesWA

I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN NEW IN 2003. IN MAY OF 20011, I SUDDENLY HAD NO BRAKES WHEN BACKING UP AND GOING FORWARD IN PARKING LOT AFTER DRIVING FROM HOME TO STORE. TOOK THE SUBURBAN TO OLYMPIA, WASHINGTON CHEVROLET DEALER WHO SAID CAUSE OF THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF BRAKE LINES THAT WERE LEAKING AND RECOMMENDED REPLACING ALL BRAKE LINES. IN THE PREVIOUS WEEKS, I HAD DRIVEN THE SUBURBAN ON MOUNTAIN ROADS IN NATIONAL FORESTS IN THE AREA THAT WERE UNPAVED AND HAD STEEP INCLINES, WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE HAD A FAILURE ON THOSE ROADS OR ON PAVED HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE TRIP HOME. ALL BREAK LINES WERE REPLACED. THIS REQUIRED REMOVAL OF THE FUEL TANK. A FEW WEEKS LATER THE SERVICE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON I TOOK THE SUBURBAN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THE FRONT FUEL TANK VENT THAT WAS ALSO RUSTED AND WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THIS REQUIRED REPLACING THE FUEL TANK SINCE THE VENT WAS NOT SOLD SEPARATELY!! THE NEW TANK WITH VENT COST $829 DOLLARS BRINGING THE TOTAL COST OVER $3,000 DOLLARS. NOTE, I ALSO PURCHASED A 2003 HONDA ACCORD NEW, WHICH I STILL HAVE, AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR OVER 70,000 MILES AND IN THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AS THE 2003 SUBURBAN, AND IT HAS NO SIGNS OF RUST ON THE BRAKE LINES OR FUEL LINES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH SUBURBANS OF OTHER MODEL YEARS AND IT IS A LIFE ENDANGERING FAILURE. I FEEL I SHOULD BE COMPENSATED BY CHEVROLET FOR THESE REPAIRS AND A RECALL ISSUED ALL SUBURBANS TO CHECK FOR THIS RUSTING OF

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 201296,343 milesGU

WE BOUGHT THE SUBURBAN IN VIRGINIA IN 2004 MOVED TO WASHINGTON STATE IN 2007. LIVED THERE FOR 4 YEARS AND NOW LIVE IN GUAM WHICH HAS BEEN FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. THE 2003 SUBURBAN HAS SEEN VERY LITTLE SNOW AND WHEN IT HAS THE STATES WE HAVE LIVE IN USE SAND AND NOT SALT AND YES I KNOW GUAM IS A ISLAND. WHILE COMING HOME A CAR PULLED INFRONT OF US AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR, I BARLEY STOPPED IN TIME WHICH WOULD OF BEEN NO PROBLEM IF THEY BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY (NOTE: GUAM'S MAX SPEED LIMIT ON THE ISLAND IS 35 MILES PER HOUR) . STILL IN TRAFFIC I HAD TO FIND A PLACE TO PULL OFF WHICH TOOK ABOUT A MINUTE, LUCKY IT WAS UP HILL. THE SERVICE WARNING CAME ON TO CHECK BRAKES OF COURSE AT THIS TIME THEY WHERE COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR TAKING 100 FEET TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP THANK YOU K-MART PARKING LOT. THE BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND A POOL OF BRAKE FLUID WAS BELOW THE DRIVERS DOOR. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF THIS FAILURE THEY WORKED FINE ONE MINUTE THEN NOT THE NEXT. I AM NOW BEING QUOTED 1,100.00 DOLLAR REPAIR BY THE DEALERSHIP AND TO TOP IT OFF IT WILL BE ATLEAST 2 WEEKS TO GET THE PARTS FROM DETROIT SINCE THEY ONLY USE OEM PARTS. NOT TO MENTION THE RENTAL CAR BILL I WILL RACKING UP IN GUAM. MY MAJOR CONCERN IS 6 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THEY FAIL AGAIN WILL I BE SO LUCKY SINCE OEM PARTS ARE NOT STAINLESS STEEL. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Dec 3, 2012120,000 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25MPH ON A SNOW COVERED ROAD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED THEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR WITH NO HYDRAULIC PRESSURE. THE CAR NO LONGER SLOW DOWN SO I DOWN SHIFTED TO SLOW THE CAR AND FINALLY GOT IT TO STOP AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO STAY STOPPED. ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE BRAKES COULD NOT KEEP THE CAR FROM MOVING. ONCE SAFELY OFF THE ROAD I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID AND THEIR WAS NONE. THE BRAKE LINE FAILED AND ALL THE FLUID LEAKED OUT. I AM THANKFUL THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT ANY FASTER SPEEDS, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND OCCURRED WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 2012174,000 milesMA

TRAVELING FROM MA TO FL, STOPPED TO EAT DINNER AND CHANGE DRIVERS. WHEN WE RESUMED THE TRIP WE LOST THE BRAKES IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE RESTAURANT. A MECHANIC IN NC CAME OUT ON A SUNDAY MORNING TO HELP US. HE FOUND THE BRAKE LINE AT THE LEFT REAR AXLE HAD RUPTURED DUE TO CORROSION. HE SAID HE KEEPS A COIL OF BRAKE LINES IN STOCK SO HE CAN MAKE UP A BRAKE LINE FOR TRAVELERS FROM THE NORTH. WHEN I CALLED HIM TO TELL HIM WE LOST OUR BRAKES, HE SAID YOU ARE FROM THE NORTH, RIGHT? I THOUGHT IT WAS MY ACCENT BUT HE SAID IT WAS BECAUSE GETS ENOUGH CALLS FOR THIS THAT HE KEEPS A COIL OF MATERIAL IN STOCK. WE ARE FORTUNATE IT WAS NOT IN CITY TRAFFIC OR AT A HIGHER SPEED. WHEN I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH I FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE AND AN ARTICLE THAT NHTSA WAS STUDYING THIS. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Nov 14, 201290,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED AND WAS PROVIDING INACCURATE READINGS. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE THE SPEED IN WHICH HE WAS TRAVELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Hydraulic › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and FittingsCrash
Filed Oct 23, 201240,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING FROM A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT REVERSED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKES LINES WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 12/19/12 *CN

Service BrakesCrash
Filed Sep 16, 201233,000 milesMD

MY LOW MILEAGE 2003 SUBURBAN HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW. IN MARCH 2011 MY BRAKE LINES FAILED CAUSING ME TO HIT THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. UPON TAKING IT TO JBA CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS, SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY REPLACED ROTTED BRAKE LINES IN 2003 AND 2004 GM PRODUCTS ALL DAY LONG. HE ALSO SAID THAT DURING THESE YEARS GM CHOSE NOT TO ANODIZE THEIR BRAKE LINES ON SOME MODELS. I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF THIS HAD BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA, HE TOLD US THAT CAR DEALERS AND REPAIR SHOPS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO FILE COMPLAINTS, THAT COMPLAINTS MUST COME DIRECTLY FROM THE CONSUMER. WHO ELSE WOULD KNOW BETTER THAN A CAR DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP ABOUT CONTINUING DEFECTS FOUND IN A CERTAIN MODEL VEHICLE. WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO GET A RECALL? HOW MANY PEOPLE MUST DIE? *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 30, 201277,941 milesMD

I WAS COMING UP ON AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED RED, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO WORK. I HAD NO WARNING, ONLY AFTER I TRIED TO STOP THE CAR DID THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT COME ON AND READ "SERVICE BRAKES". THE CAR WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. I CALLED AAA, WHO CAME AND TOWED ME TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD CORRODED AND I HAD LOST ALL BRAKE FLUID. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Aug 13, 2012117,286 milesMD

IN A SITUATION THAT REQUIRED SUDDEN HARD BRAKING, I EXPERIENCED AN ALMOST TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKING POWER. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND THE TRUCK REQUIRED A MUCH GREATER DISTANCE TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. THERE WAS NO ADVANCE WARNING LIGHT /SOUND UNTIL AFTER THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME ONE OF THE METAL BRAKE LINES HAD BLOWN OUT DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION, CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID. THE OTHER BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO VERY CORRODED AND SEEPING BRAKE FLUID. ADDITIONALLY, MANY OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM (ROTORS, CALIPERS, BRAKE HOSES, BLEED VALVES, BACKING PLATES) WERE VERY RUSTED OR DETERIORATED AND FALLING APART.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Aug 2, 2012160,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER AND AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED BRAKE FLUID LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINES. THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE BRAKE LINES AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/10/12. *JB

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2012106,000 milesMA

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! *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 1, 201257,500 milesWA

BRAKES WORKED FINE DRIVING TO LUMBER YARD, AFTER LOADING LUMBER, AND BACKING UP, THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT TO FLOORBOARD. WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO OLYMPIA CHEVROLET DEALER ABOUT 5 MILES AWAY. BRAKE FLUID WAS ABOUT HALFWAY DOWN IN THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. LEFT CAR FOR DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE CAUSE OF BRAKE PEDAL NOT HAVING ANY PRESSURE. PRESSING ON BRAKE WOULD PROVIDE SLIGHT BRAKING TO SLOW VEHICLE. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT CALLED, AND SAID THAT THE BRAKE LINES HAD RUSTED THROUGH, PREVENTING PRESSURE TO BRAKES. I HAD NOT NOTICED ANY FLUID SPOTS IN MY DRIVEWAY NOR ANY LOSS OF BRAKING IN RECENT DRIVING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT ALL THE STEEL BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT GM DID NOT HAVE ANY STOCK REPLACEMENT BRAKE LINES. THIS MEANT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER BRAKE LINE TUBING AND FORM THE BRAKE TUBING TO FIT THE VEHICLE. THE COST OF THIS IS ESTIMATED TO BE $1,800- $2,000. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING OVER 110 COMPLAINTS OF SIMILAR BRAKE FAILURES ON OTHER CHEVROLET AND GM VEHICLES DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. PLEASE ADD THIS COMPLAINT TO THAT LIST. I PURCHASED THIS SUBURBAN NEW IN 2003 AND IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER AND HAS MINIMAL MILEAGE. I FEEL THIS FAILURE SHOULD BE HANDLED AS AN RECALL AND THE COSTS PAID BY GM. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Service Brakes
Filed May 21, 2012100,568 milesPA

I WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN 2500 AND PULLING A TRAILER. I HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. I WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN AND JUST MISSED ANOTHER CAR BEFORE I COULD STOP. I CHECKED THE BRAKES, A BRAKE LINE UNDER THE TRUCK HAD BURST DUE TO HEAVY RUSTING. *TT

Electrical System
Filed May 19, 201245,000 milesMA

MY ELECTRIC IS ALL MESSED UP ,WORKS DON'T,RADIO TURNS ON AFTER DRIVING AWHILE,4X4 SOMETIMES WORKS,AIRBAG LIGHT ,THEY WANTED 150 TO RESET,I TALK TO SO MANY SAME PROBLEM,SAME YEAR ,ONLINE,I BET THERE IS RECALL ,THERE MUST BE I PAID A LOT FOR THIS TRUCK TO,WHEN GET COLD OUT WONT START,NOTHING WORKS,I'M DISABLED,SO IT'S HARD FOR ME TO DO ANYTHING,IT'S ALL ABOUT MONEY,SO MANY WITH SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Mar 26, 2012102,270 milesNJ

THE REAR BRAKE LINE BROKE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 17, 201277,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CONTACT HAD TO UTILIZE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE SHOP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED IT THAT DUE TO CORROSION, THE BRAKES HAD RUPTURED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,050.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 19, 201290,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION IN ONE OF THE BRAKE LINES, CAUSING COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Nov 17, 2011122,632 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH ON A MEDIUM TRAFFIC CITY ROAD, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WHILE STOPPING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT THAT HAD TURNED RED. THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH AND HAD DEPRESSED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO BE DRIVEN INTO AN EMPTY PARKING LOT. AS I GOT THE VEHICLE TO STOP, I OPENED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SAW THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS VERY LOW. THE VEHICLE HAD ITS PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE DONE ON IT JUST THREE WEEKS PRIOR AND ALL FLUIDS WERE CHECKED TOPPED OFF (ALL OF WHICH IS DOCUMENTED BY AN OIL AND LUBE GARAGE). I WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOME AND HAD INSPECTED THE ISSUE. AN AREA ALONG THE FRAME RAIL WERE THE BRAKE LINES GO FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER TO THE ABS MOTOR WAS LEAKING. THE BRAKE LINES WERE SEVERELY CORRODED IN JUST ONE AREA, INSPECTION OF THE REST OF THE BRAKE LINES WERE OK. ITS JUST ODD THAT IT WAS CORRODED IN JUST THE ONE AREA AND NOWHERE ELSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE BRAKES WERE ABOUT TO FAIL OR ANY INDICATION THAT THE FLUID LEVEL WAS LOW. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 22, 2011112,000 milesNH

CORROSION ON REAR DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE CAUSED BRAKE FAILURE, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. SUCH A FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY WHO OWN THIS GENERATION OF VEHICLE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Oct 10, 2011IL

I'M FILING A COMPLAINT BECAUSE OF AN ISSUE WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER. MY CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. ANYTIME THE CAR GOES OVER BUMPS(NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL THE BUMP IS, IT COULD JUST BE A CRACK IN THE CEMENT) THE GAUGES ON THE DASH WILL GO CRAZY, SENSORS WILL SO OFF. SPECIFICALLY THE SPEEDOMETER WILL STOP WORKING OR GO ALL THE WAY TO 120 MPH. THE FUEL AND OIL GAUGES WILL NOT BE ACCURATE (FOR EXAMPLE IT WILL SAY THE TANK IS EMPTY WHEN IT'S FULL). BUT THE MOST DISTURBING PROBLEM IS THAT WHILE DRIVING NO MATTER HOW FAST THE ANTI THEFT WILL GO OFF AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF IN A MATTER OF SECONDS AND THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER. A FEW TIMES I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND IT WILL JUST SHUT OFF. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH NOT TO GET REAR ENDED, I DON'T KNOW WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM BUT IT WAS ONLY UNTIL 2010 OR IF THE ODOMETER WAS BETWEEN 70,001 AND 80,000 MILES. MY CAR IS EIGHT YEARS OLD AND OVER 100,000 MILES. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED IN 2009 FROM A CHEVY DEALERSHIP (DICK WICKSTROM'S CHEVROLET). WHEN WE TALKED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS AND COMPLAINED THAT IT WASN'T FIXED WHEN THEY HAD IT, THEY SAID IT WASN'T HAVING PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME. IT WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $600 TO $800 TO FIX. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT OR TO BUY ANOTHER CAR SO I MUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE A DEFECTIVE UNSAFE CAR. IF A PART IS DEFECTIVE HOW CAN THAT EXPIRE. GM SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE CAR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 26, 2011CA

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. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 19, 201186,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL DROPPED TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND PLACE IT IN PARK. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND WAS FRACTURED, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA11001 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban → · Every Suburban year → · How the figures are calculated →