2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 3%of 175 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,132miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 3% of the 175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,132 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“For the past 4 years I have owned a 2003 SUBURBAN 1500 z71.3 of those years I've had A/C problems. We have replaced everything and anything that has to do with A/C. Thousands of dollars and now something else has come up. Driver side hot air blows out and passenger side cold air comes out. We don't know what to do with this suburban anymore. I have friends with suburbans and have the exact same problems with it,what can we do?”
NHTSA complaint #10343455, filed 2010-07, 99,000 miles“2003 Chevrolet suburban 5.3l gas engine. Vehicle started making a ticking sound. Upon investigation I found the driver side rear exhaust manifold bolt head had snapped off. No work had been done to the vehicles exhaust system prior to this. Upon further inspection visual soot can be seen on the firewall indicatimg exhaust gasses are coming in conact with the passenger compartment. I feel this poses a huge fire hazard if left running long enought to generate sufficient heat for combustion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10415247, filed 2011-07, 89,265 miles“Suburban loses power and engine dies while driving. No warnings before shut off and no codes after shut off. After waiting 5-10 minutes, vehicle cranks and runs again. Randomly, it may shut off again in 1-2 miles or run for days without the problem. This is very disturbing when one is on the interstate running 70 MPH and your engine shuts off. You lose power steering and brakes as you try to make it to the emergency lane. Someone is going to get killed!!! The battery died after several attempts to restart yesterday. …”
NHTSA complaint #10419470, filed 2011-08, 151,525 miles“Vehicle stalls at highway speeds, specifically, under load (up hills, accelerating, etc...) when gas is given, the car stalls. The tach still reads a number, and all cabin electronics remain active, without showing any hint of a problem (no spike, dimming of lights, etc...) engine just dies. (again, this typically happens at highway speeds [40-80 MPH.]) no check engine light comes on, and there is no indication of the possibility of a failure electronically [ie, no messages. …”
NHTSA complaint #10173298, filed 2006-11, 43,500 miles“Reduced engine power light comes on and truck slows to less than 10 MPH and the power steering stop working. This has happened six times in the last year. 1st incident I took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong with it. Diagnostics performed and nothing came back wrong. I think the wiring to the throttle is possibly to blame. If I hit a bump in the road or cross railroad tracks, the reduced engine power can come on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10452049, filed 2012-03Related service bulletins
- 10251887Mar 14, 2024This bulletin advises the technician of possible location of an internal coolant leak from a specific cylinder head and location.
- 10251890Mar 13, 2024This technical bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank…
- 10250775Feb 22, 2024This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10242262Aug 24, 2023This service bulletin provides graphics, information and guidelines for engine component wear to assist service personnel as a guideline to perform necessary engine repairs and…
- 10240344Jul 31, 2023This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 10235802Apr 24, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234141Mar 23, 2023This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
- 10234110Mar 17, 2023This service bulletin provides service information on new torque specification and installation procedure for ACDelco Spin-On Oil Filters.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 13 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 3 | 3% |
| 2004 | 9 | 5% |
| 2003 | 6 | 3% |
| 2002 | 10 | 8% |
| 2001 | 2 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1997 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
65 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsTires
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology