2003 Chevrolet Suburban Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 91about this part
- Share
- 30%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 106,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 91 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 30% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 106,000 miles. 10 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10573915, filed 2014-03, 60,000 miles“I was driving on the freeway and all of a sudden I had 0% of my brakes and all the brake fluid was gone my emergency brake also failed prior to this I put in brake fluid and it all leaked out within a matter of moments”
NHTSA complaint #11390689, filed 2021-01, 199,000 miles“This truck is equipped with a supplimental vacuum pump on the brake booster, when it fails braking is reduced by 50%. The part has been discontinued by chevy with no plans for a replacement. I have had the vehicle in 3 shops complaining of poor brakes, and finally theres a solution. What am I suppose to do, scrap out a $10,000 vehicle ? Im sure this hidden problem has caused a many accidents that could of been avoided.”
NHTSA complaint #11006514, filed 2017-07, 145,000 miles“My complaint is that GM used substandard materials in of all things the brake lines! I lost all braking ability when one of my brake lines blew due to rust. How does this happen? I should have had at least partial braking ability due to the front and rear lines being separate. Luckily for me this happened right before my families thanksgiving trip, or else we would have been doing 70 on the interstate when this happened! Please don't let GM get away with this!”
NHTSA complaint #11081326, filed 2018-03, 140,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10459177, filed 2012-05, 100,568 milesRelated recalls
- 04V045000Feb 4, 2004Certain sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and passenger vans fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 135…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2003–2004, Silverado 2003–2004, GMC Yukon 2003–2004 +10 more
Related service bulletins
- 10242252Aug 18, 2023This technical bulletin provides information and a solution to a condition of Brake Pedal Moves or Self Applies at Full Turns.
- 10226382Oct 18, 2022This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10208027Jan 14, 2022This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10178353Jun 26, 2020This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10168960Nov 12, 2019This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about changing the tire and wheel size on vehicles. General Motors will only support a tire…
- 10162149Jun 24, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10161004May 13, 2019This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10129088Jan 23, 2018This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10113364Jan 31, 2017This Preliminary Information communication advises the technician that the Hydro-Boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
- 10078876May 11, 2016This preliminary information communication advises the technician that the hydro-boost is not serviceable and will need to be replaced if the brake pedal moves or applies on its…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 5 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 9 | 4% |
| 2020 | 3 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 5% |
| 2018 | 15 | 18% |
| 2017 | 44 | 31% |
| 2016 | 82 | 37% |
| 2015 | 153 | 36% |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% |
| 2013 | 8 | 7% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 6 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 25 | 19% |
| 2004 | 49 | 24% |
| 2003 | 91 | 30% |
| 2002 | 127 | 44% |
| 2001 | 178 | 40% |
| 2000 | 98 | 35% |
| 1999 | 246 | 39% |
| 1998 | 63 | 31% |
| 1997 | 96 | 23% |
| 1996 | 137 | 38% |
| 1995 | 169 | 37% |
| 1994 | 581 | 68% |
| 1993 | 383 | 77% |
| 1992 | 146 | 77% |
| 1991 | 12 | 23% |
| 1990 | 11 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 2 | 7% |
| 1987 | 5 | 28% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
| 1984 | 3 | 50% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsAir bags
18 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 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