2003 Chevrolet Suburban Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 6% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Service air bag popped up on display. No damage had been done and it showed up one day but then it would go off after I started driving through the neighborhood at low speeds. Next time I turned it on it wasn't on the dash at all. It came back the next day and then it has not turned off at all while the car is on. Was not sure if there were any recalls on it but none were found. In the past both of my subarus has this same service sign pop up and both were recalled.”
NHTSA complaint #11325161, filed 2020-05, 204,000 miles“Airbag light came on and off. After 10,000 miles consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and they were unable to repair vehicle. Currently, they were telling the consumer that they were going to replace the sensor and diagnostic module. The parts were on order. This problem occurred 3 weeks after the vehicle was purchased with 23,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10094714, filed 2004-09, 10,000 miles“While driving at any speed air bag warning light continuously illuminates on the dash board. As a result the air bags became inoperative and wouldn't deploy when needed. Dealership replaced every air bag component, but the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10094499, filed 2004-10, 18,250 miles“Vehicle: 2003 chevy Suburban crash: as vehicle was slowing down to an approaching intersection with a stop sign (in a neighborhood) speed limit approx 25, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to high rate of speed (cruise control activated) causing driver loss of control, vehicle left the road hitting a mailbox, telephone pole and final impact (t-boned) with a parked ford f150 extra cab pickup truck sitting in a driveway with a lawn trailer attached. Suburban engine continued to accelerate after impact pushing both vehicles (and the trailer) approximately 50 feet. …”
NHTSA complaint #10219340, filed 2008-02, 121,176 miles“The consumer was involved in an accident where it was hit from the front driver side, the impact caused the vehicle to hit a telephone pole head on. The air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10082050, filed 2004-07, 5,900 milesAir bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 4 | 3% |
| 2021 | 6 | 3% |
| 2020 | 2 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 3% |
| 2016 | 6 | 3% |
| 2015 | 11 | 3% |
| 2014 | 15 | 25% |
| 2013 | 28 | 24% |
| 2012 | 25 | 25% |
| 2011 | 66 | 45% |
| 2010 | 52 | 44% |
| 2009 | 38 | 36% |
| 2008 | 96 | 45% |
| 2007 | 146 | 50% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 10 | 8% |
| 2004 | 13 | 6% |
| 2003 | 18 | 6% |
| 2002 | 12 | 4% |
| 2001 | 20 | 5% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 14 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 2% |
| 1997 | 8 | 2% |
| 1996 | 16 | 4% |
| 1995 | 18 | 4% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
91 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsTires
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsSuspension
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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