Model year guide

2003 Chevrolet Suburban

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 102 on record.

2003 Chevrolet Suburban — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Chevrolet Suburban at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints328
Combined14 mpg
Typical price$3,657

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Chevrolet Suburban recalls 7

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E043000 · 19/05/2006

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE…

Fix: HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #05V163000 · 22/04/2005

ON CERTAIN CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE 2ND ROW CENTER OCCUPANT SEAT BELT ROUTING MAY MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO POSITION THE LAP PORTION OF THE SAFETY BELT LOW AROUND THE HIPS OF OCCUPANTS, ESPECIALLY SMALLER OCCUPANTS, SEATED IN THIS POSITION. APPROPRIATE USE OF A CHILD SEAT OR BOOSTER SEAT, AS RECOMMENDED FOR SMALL CHILDREN, DOES IMPROVE THE FIT CONDITION FOR THIS USER GROUP. IN ADDITION TO…

Fix: DEALERS WILL CUT OPEN THE GUIDE LOOP, REMOVE A PORTION OF THE LOOP, AND THEN THE REMAINING TWO SIDES SHOULD BE FOLDED OVER AND SECURED WITH A RETAINER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 21, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-94…

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E026000 · 23/03/2006

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly NHTSA Campaign #03V019000 · 27/01/2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VEHICLES, DURING A 30 DEGREE LEFT ANGLE FRONTAL IMPACT OF SUFFICIENT SEVERITY, A TEAR COULD DEVELOP IN THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER AT ITS ATTACHMENT TO THE LEFT FRAME RAIL. IF THE MID-FRAME CROSS MEMBER TEARS DURING FRONTAL IMPACT AND PRODUCES A SHARP EDGE, CONTACT OF THE SHARP EDGE WITH THE FUEL TANK COULD RESULT IN A PUNCTURE OF THE FUEL TANK AND POSSIBLE FUEL L…

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL TANK SHIELD. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 20, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-87…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic NHTSA Campaign #04V045000 · 04/02/2004

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND PASSENGER VANS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 135, ?PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS.? SOME OF THESE VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH AN OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION BRAKE HYDRO-BOOST HOUSING RELIEF VALVE BORE.

Fix: DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments NHTSA Campaign #03V037000 · 06/02/2003

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 214, "SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION." THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH FOUR WELDS ON THE REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES, ONE OR TWO OF THE WELDS MAY NOT BE TO SPECIFICATION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WELDS ON THE LEFT REAR DOOR UPPER HINGE. IF A WELD IS FOUND OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, A BOLT WILL BE INSTALLED TO SECURE THE HINGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 17, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT R…

Structure NHTSA Campaign #03V094000 · 07/03/2003

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Chevrolet Suburban common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 328 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Trailer Hitches
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2003 Chevrolet Suburban MPG & running costs

Combined14 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway17 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,517

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban worth?

Low
$1,600
Typical price
$3,657
High
$6,000

From 100 comparable 2003 Chevrolet Suburban listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,585
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,250
Total$24,835
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($3,657) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,858), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Chevrolet Suburban trims & engines on record

Trims
1500 LS
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl · 8.1L 8-cyl

2003 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles on record

2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16Z73J338159 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z43G204266 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z23G235645 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z43G309969 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNEC16Z93J195286 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z63G259535 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16Z93R168968 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z13G306785 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNEC16Z03R282589 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16Z93J144541 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z73G293757 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNEC16Z23J209626 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z63G144322 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z43G300639 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16Z13J154495 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z63G104847 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z43G170157 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z03G180287 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z53G226194 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z33G133729 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNFK16Z13G227284 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS3GNEC16Z03G179625 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16Z33J150545 2003 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LS1GNFK16ZX3J305852

Other Chevrolet Suburban model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1989 1988 1987 1986

2003 Chevrolet Suburban — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban?

Based on 328 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, air bags, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Chevrolet Suburban at about 14 mpg combined (13 city / 17 highway).

How much is a 2003 Chevrolet Suburban worth?

Comparable 2003 Chevrolet Suburban listings run roughly $1,600–$6,000, typically around $3,657 (from 100 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.