2003 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 7%of 301 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the 301 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,750 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On jan 20, 2003 my new 2003 chev Suburban 4 wheel drive system failed as I attempted to enter traffic. Service 4wd showed on the information center and I was nearly involved in a collision due to this. I took the vehicle to the dealer svc department, where the svc person turned the vehicle off then on and the problem went away. The milage on the truck was 172 miles (onehudredseventytwo)”
NHTSA complaint #10003509, filed 2003-01, 172 miles“I purchased a new 2003 Chevrolet Suburban in december of 2003. On may 13, 2005, the transmission began to fail rapidly. The automatic transmission will not easily shift into second gear and reverse gear does not function at all. The car came with a 3 year 36,000 mile power train warranty and I have put 48,000 miles on it in the eighteen months that I've owned it. 98% of the miles on the odometer are highway miles. I have towed a boat exactly 4 times. …”
NHTSA complaint #10122054, filed 2005-05, 48,095 miles“Transfer case malfunctioned, causing it to go from 4-wheel drive to 2-wheel drive by itself. This has occurred on several occasions. The most recent occurrence resulted in loss of control, and almost caused a crash. Dealership serviced vehicle 3 times, and replaced the switch and the box, but the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10061699, filed 2004-03, 23,000 miles“Revving of engine to point of screeching tires. Sometimes feeling of being in neutral for a second then clunk in tranny/rear end? Acts as engagement of cruise control increasing speed, not able to disengage by hitting brake. Computer did not show anything. Next time putter locked out tech's. Puter replaced. Worked good for two weeks. Engine revved, hit patch of ice, totaled out z-71. Thank god, no injuries. Fighting it for appx 16000 miles. 72000 to 88000.”
NHTSA complaint #10252711, filed 2008-12, 88,000 miles“Regular harsh engagement on my 2003 Chevrolet tahoe transmission. 1) had a huge clunk when having to suddently stop on one occasion - sounded like the transmission was going to drop/bam. 2) on an unpredictable basis the transmission harshly engages when going shifting at the slower spds. 3) brought to service dealor and they acknowledge problem during a test drive that needs to be ck'd out . They said they fixed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10092990, filed 2004-09, 15,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11006421Jul 24, 2024GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or…
- 10249579Jan 12, 2024This PI bulletin advises the technician on the proper way to install the pistons in an engine.
- 10242843Sep 1, 2023The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 10222770Sep 16, 2022This service bulletin provides information on OEM and Remanufactured Engine and Automatic Transmission/Transaxle Identification.
- 10224273Sep 1, 2022This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician to not remove the torque converter bolts and start the engine as this may cause damage to the…
- 10220319Sep 1, 2022This diagnostic tip advises the tech not to separate the flexplate from the torque convertor or damage my occur if the engine is started while diagnosing for noise from the…
- 10143757Jul 9, 2018This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician thatLight Duty Trucks equipped with automatic transmissions and 4 wheel drive may exhibit a condition of…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% |
| 2023 | 19 | 14% |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% |
| 2021 | 39 | 19% |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% |
| 1994 | 14 | 2% |
| 1993 | 11 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 3% |
| 1991 | 9 | 17% |
| 1990 | 7 | 13% |
| 1989 | 5 | 8% |
| 1988 | 3 | 10% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1985 | 2 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban
91 complaintsElectrical system
81 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