2003 Chevrolet Suburban Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,900miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seats of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 2% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,900 miles.
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.
“The 2003 chevy Suburban has an intermittent, recurring issue with the cluster that causes it to short out. There are many examples of this problem from other customers listed on the internet. In my personal experience, this problem results in electronic failures that present themselves in these ways: 1) the speedometer either fails to operate or displays the max speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10186415, filed 2007-03, 55,000 miles“1. 2003 Suburban z71 , rattle and clunk in steering column, nothing loose in the steering just clunking noise while driving. The steering shaft has been replaced 3 times. 2. Second row middle seat belt failed to retract and unable to fasten belt without force. Corrected 3. Latches located on the back of the second row seats to hold up the third row floor boards when using third row have broken numerous times (latches are plastic which makes no sense) 4. Paint on the rear bumper and left by gas tank fill rusted (this was corrected) 5. Driver seat motor runs after vehicle turned off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10215468, filed 2008-01, 5,900 miles“The issue started with the drivers memory seat not remembering the seat position and the easy exit pushed the seat forward in to the steering wheel instead of back. Then came the issue with the speedometer. I received the letter identifying this problem however like so many other people my vehicle has more than 70,000 miles and although it has been identified as a problem GM will not consider it a recall and I would have to pay to have it fixed. This is obviously a wide spread problem that GM should fix free of charge no matter the mileage. …”
NHTSA complaint #10217633, filed 2008-02“Problems with rear passenger seats on a 2003 z71 Suburban. The safety patrol was unable to properly put the child safety seat into the vehicle because of the way the latch system was designed. The consumer was concerned with the safety of her children. It was explained to the consumer that it was illegal to place a car seat in front of anything that pulls down, the rear center seat contained a drink holder/arm rest and the rear passenger seat only slid forward for access to the rear third seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10051887, filed 2003-12Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 2% |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% |
| 1995 | 87 | 19% |
| 1994 | 18 | 2% |
| 1993 | 8 | 2% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 12 | 23% |
| 1990 | 15 | 28% |
| 1989 | 27 | 44% |
| 1988 | 4 | 13% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
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