2003 Chevrolet Suburban Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 7%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,250miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,250 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2003 chevy Suburban that has a clunking noise in the steering. While turning at speed or simply correcting as driving. I have noticed many other complaints on the site about it but it appears GM is not paying for a recall on this issue. Has anything been done on GM's behalf to pay for these repairs or am I stuck fixing this? The vehicle has also become very loose when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #10247511, filed 2008-11, 92,000 miles“Loose motion in steering and knocking sound. Had to wait on repair due to dealer informing us of backorders on intermediate shafts. Dealer had said there were many complaints of this same nature. We also had 2 family members to have theirs repaired. Dealer repaired, but we had to pay for all repairs.”
NHTSA complaint #10102644, filed 2004-12, 43,000 miles“I have a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban that has a steering /clunking noise in the intermediate steering shaft. I have called many dealers and they said it is a known problem and the parts are on order, I checked other customer complaint sites and many people have been waiting for the parts for over 6 months. My dealer told me he has a list of people that have been waiting for over 4 months. Has anything been done about this problem or is GM disregarding the defect in the parts. When will my Suburban be fixed, if at all ?”
NHTSA complaint #10107687, filed 2005-01, 27,000 miles“Complaint received via e-mail. I visited the local Chevrolet dealership service department. The previous day I had taken my 2003 Suburban purchased new from the local dealer to an independent repair service shop to find out what was wrong with my truck. I was advised I had a lot of slack and vibration at both ends of my steering column. I had loud popping noise coming from this area while driving. When the wheels turned they did not turn smoothly, but roughly, and jumped in the turning process as though it stopped and started continuously. …”
NHTSA complaint #10106793, filed 2005-02, 18,500 miles“I have a 2003 Suburban that makes a clunking noise when steering. The steering also feels loose. I took it to the dealer for a brake inspection while under warranty. I also told them about this clunking noise. They said it always happens and that they would tighten it up. This however is not on my invoice only the brake inspection. Brakes came back fine(although they still squeak) and they said that they tightened the steering problem up. Car was still under warranty. Now I have 41,000 miles on it and we are going to l.a. For thanksgiving. …”
NHTSA complaint #10100189, filed 2004-11, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10113436Feb 20, 2017This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician the steps needed to diagnose and repair the vehicles that may have unwanted or phantom phone…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 3 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 3 | 1% |
| 2020 | 4 | 9% |
| 2019 | 6 | 8% |
| 2018 | 8 | 10% |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% |
| 2016 | 23 | 10% |
| 2015 | 60 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 3% |
| 2011 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% |
| 2009 | 3 | 3% |
| 2008 | 1 | 0% |
| 2007 | 5 | 2% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 5 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 20 | 7% |
| 2002 | 22 | 8% |
| 2001 | 29 | 7% |
| 2000 | 20 | 7% |
| 1999 | 52 | 8% |
| 1998 | 21 | 10% |
| 1997 | 105 | 25% |
| 1996 | 15 | 4% |
| 1995 | 13 | 3% |
| 1994 | 5 | 1% |
| 1993 | 4 | 1% |
| 1992 | 1 | 1% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 5% |
| 1988 | 1 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
| 1985 | 1 | 11% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
91 complaintsElectrical system
81 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 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 30, 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