2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 175 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, 5% of the 175 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 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.
“This is the second time I have had to bring my 2003 Chevrolet suburban in to replace the noisy look steering column. The first time it was repacked. The second time was this week. This time they replaced the parts inside the steering column.”
NHTSA complaint #10221056, filed 2008-03, 93,300 miles“1.speedometer faied s daily. It will read 90 MPH when I have just began accelerating. Other times it will read 10 MPH when I am driving with traffic on the freeway. Problem has not been corrected, dealership advised it was not covered under a recall although they have received numerous complaints. 2. Second row middle seat belt failed to retract. Second middle seatbelt fastener got stuck and unable to unfasten seat belt without force. Has not been corrected. 3. …”
NHTSA complaint #10185686, filed 2007-03, 15,000 miles“2003 SUBURBAN 1500 4wd , rattle and clunk in steering column, nothing loose in the steering just clunking noise while driving. Vehicle has 26000 miles on it, but was over 3 years old. Curt warner Chevrolet said it was a common problem... No warranty or recall. In fact he pulled a u-joint and shaft from his desk to show me what the noise was comming from in the column.”
NHTSA complaint #10187834, filed 2007-04, 25,000 miles“10/11/2 brakes failed plus parking brake failed and parking brake shoe assembly was not found upon dealer inspection. Replaced disc brakes and had parking brake shoe installed. 11/09/12 check engine light revealed ignition problem. New ignition wire set installed. 01/29/13 dash cluster failed, had no horn, no headlights, no interior lights, no speed control , no steering wheel lights for control buttons, no speedometer reading, no radio. Replaced dash cluster. 05/05/14 check engine light and stranded when vehicle would not start. Misfire messages on dealer equipment reading. …”
NHTSA complaint #10683661, filed 2015-02, 145,442 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
- 10025148Apr 1, 2008Clunking noise under hood and can be felt in steering wheel and/or steering column (replace upper intermediate steering shaft [I-shaft] assembly).
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 2 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 13 | 7% |
| 2003 | 9 | 5% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 4 | 4% |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% |
| 1998 | 1 | 7% |
| 1997 | 2 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500
65 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
10 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaintsEngine cooling
6 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 31, 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