2003 Chevrolet Suburban Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 4%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 4% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,000 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“Periodically our car's gas gauge and speedometer stick. It is intermittent and we cannot find a connection as to when/where. We recently received a letter from chevy recognizing there is a defect in their manufacturing but also includes a refusal to fix our Suburban because it has more than 70,000 miles on it. This is a safety issue and should fall under a mandatory recall. Cars have to be able to know how fast they are going and if they have enough fuel to get there.”
NHTSA complaint #10214773, filed 2008-01, 20,000 miles“I purchased this Suburban new in 2003. In may of 20011, I suddenly had no brakes when backing up and going forward in parking lot after driving from home to store. Took the Suburban to olympia, washington Chevrolet dealer who said cause of the brake failure was due to rusting of brake lines that were leaking and recommended replacing all brake lines. In the previous weeks, I had driven the Suburban on mountain roads in national forests in the area that were unpaved and had steep inclines, was lucky not to have had a failure on those roads or on paved highway at high speeds on the trip home. …”
NHTSA complaint #10490272, filed 2012-12, 53,817 miles“On both my 2003 chevy Suburban, and 2002 chevy k2500 truck, the gas gauge reads erroneously. Tends to get hung up at 1/4 tank, then later goes to empty...at which time I've run out of gas! Chevy replaced the burb fuel sensor twice, and the truck once...under warranty. Past warranty they will not help. Safety issue: I ran out of gas in downtown atlanta, interstate traffic during rush hour, had to weave my dead truck through 70 MPH traffic to the left shoulder. Very dangerous move...luckily was not rear-ended! Have friends w/ same truck...same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10138024, filed 2005-09, 35,000 miles“Before complete failure, over a period of a month the car failed to start/turnover. After 5 minutes & repeated attempts car would finally start. On final failure date, the car would not start even with periodic attempts over 2 days. Vehicle was towed to dealer. Dealer replaced fuel pump & fuel filter which seems to have fixed the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10145210, filed 2005-12, 49,200 miles“The vehicle has going to the shop 8+ times for similar problem. Vehicle loses power and dies out. Some times it will restart after 5 minutes, and some times it will not restart. The dealer has replaced the fuel pump 3 times, along with the module. They also have replaced the fuel sender, relay, crankshaft position sensor, and fuel filter. The dealer has failed to find the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10110340, filed 2005-02, 13,847 milesRelated recalls
- 03V019000Jan 27, 2003On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, vehicles, during a 30 degree left angle frontal impact of sufficient severity, a tear could develop in…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2003, GMC Yukon XL 2003, Chevrolet Avalanche 2003
Related service bulletins
- 11004761Jun 28, 2024This service 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 or…
- 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…
- 10199281May 25, 2021This service bulletin provides diagnostic tips/steps on testing for possible EVAP leaks in the system to correct a customer concern of an MIL Illuminated with DTCs P0442 and/or…
- 10190437Mar 30, 2021This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about engine block of possible cylinder bore damage, scoring or out of round as the possible…
- 10176607May 8, 2020This 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…
- 10176310May 8, 2020This Preliminary information communicates the use of Winter grade fuel during the warm months of 2020 and the potential rivability issues that it can cause. The ongoing…
- 10171878Jan 2, 2020This informational 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…
- 10129057Jan 9, 2018This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an oil leak shortly after a cold start when extremely low ambient…
- 10157018Sep 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 10137635May 10, 2017This informational bulletin advises of a new fuel injection kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves, and explains how toptier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build up.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 6 | 5% |
| 2022 | 13 | 10% |
| 2021 | 32 | 16% |
| 2020 | 3 | 7% |
| 2018 | 4 | 5% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% |
| 2015 | 27 | 6% |
| 2014 | 2 | 3% |
| 2013 | 5 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 6 | 4% |
| 2010 | 3 | 3% |
| 2009 | 6 | 6% |
| 2008 | 6 | 3% |
| 2007 | 11 | 4% |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 11 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 9% |
| 2001 | 60 | 14% |
| 2000 | 40 | 14% |
| 1999 | 37 | 6% |
| 1998 | 11 | 5% |
| 1997 | 46 | 11% |
| 1996 | 23 | 6% |
| 1995 | 7 | 2% |
| 1994 | 15 | 2% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1991 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 2 | 3% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 3 | 17% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
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 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