2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 507 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 38,416miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe, 2% of the 507 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 38,416 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.
“When I when to pull out of my drive way 3 or 4 weeks ago I turned on my left turn signal and the four hazards started flashing! It stopped and started back up again and now does it all the time!”
NHTSA complaint #10649548, filed 2014-10, 150,000 miles“One of the running/driving white lights has burned out and not just once. After replacing this bulb twice it only took a matter of a few days for it to burn out again. Many same style Chevrolet vehicles (mainly Tahoe, suburban, silverado, and avalanche) are the vehicles with this issue. On any given day I drive around town or out of town I notice atleast 10 vehicles with this same issue. If these lights are installed for safety reasons (particularly in the gray northwest) I believe both lights should be working as intended.”
NHTSA complaint #10450748, filed 2012-03, 107,000 miles“We have problems with the running lights, dash gauges not working properly. Now the engines is starting to idle roughly and make noises. We got a notice letting us know that there was a recall on a part that runs all of the dash gauges. Some kind of computer thing. I went into the dealership and they told me my car had too many miles to honor the recall and I would have to pay for it!. Lets see, we wait long enough for miles to get past 100,000 miles and then they don't have to fix all the vehicles. I can see another Tahoe coming down the road and one of the running lights is always out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10248387, filed 2008-11, 36,000 miles“When starting the vehicle, check engine light comes on and dash says reduced engine power. Vehicle will only drive about 15 miles per hour. Upon researching this through various internet websites, this same problem has and is happening to a huge amount of 2003 Tahoe owner's and it's always a faulty wiring harness problem - yet GM refuses to acknowledge there is a problem. On a side note, headlights have always been very dim.”
NHTSA complaint #10232146, filed 2008-06, 38,416 miles“One of the driving lamps fell off the vehicle while driving on the highway during the first 3000 miles on the vehicle. Dealer reinstalled new driving lamp and stated that this incident was unusual.”
NHTSA complaint #10068353, filed 2004-05, 2,000 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 5 | 2% |
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2021 | 16 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2018 | 2 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 2% |
| 2015 | 52 | 8% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2011 | 1 | 0% |
| 2010 | 3 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 4 | 1% |
| 2007 | 10 | 1% |
| 2006 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 2% |
| 2004 | 7 | 2% |
| 2003 | 8 | 2% |
| 2002 | 4 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
| 2000 | 4 | 1% |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
| 1997 | 5 | 1% |
| 1996 | 14 | 5% |
| 1995 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
193 complaintsBrakes
113 complaintsSteering
52 complaintsFuel system
36 complaintsVehicle speed control
27 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsSeats
19 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
18 complaintsSuspension
14 complaintsTires
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe
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