2003 Chevrolet Suburban Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 1%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 1% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 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.
“I am a teacher and got a call in my classroom that my Suburban was on fire parked in the parking lot. The fire department was called and when I got outside, sure enough there was smoke all in the Suburban and smoke coming from the roof of the vehicle (not the hood). When the fire department arrived, they entered the vehicle, disconnected the battery, and proceeded to tear out my rear headliner to extinguish the electrical fire that was occurring. …”
NHTSA complaint #10670922, filed 2015-01, 152,000 miles“While driving with headlights on they would flicker off and on intermittently. This would cause poor visibility for the driver at night. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic could not locate the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10041980, filed 2003-09, 18,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10249011Jan 12, 2024This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Headlamp, Tail Lamp, License Lamp or Fog/Driving Lamp Damage.
- 10232136Feb 15, 2023This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10200151Jun 21, 2021This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Water Leaks and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10169354Nov 12, 2019This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10161011May 13, 2019This Preliminary Information communicates to technicians that the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) or the auto headlamps will not shut off when using the daytime running lamp…
- 10155009Dec 13, 2018This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Exterior Lamp Condensation and Replacement Guidelines.
- 10137526Apr 27, 2018This Preliminary Information communicates to techniciansthat the Daytime Running Lamps (DRL's) or the auto headlamps will not shut off when using the daytime running lamp…
- 10129093Jan 24, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp on, engine misfire…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 3% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 10 | 2% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 4 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 5 | 2% |
| 1997 | 2 | 0% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 4 | 1% |
| 1994 | 9 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 0% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
91 complaintsElectrical system
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 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