Total Complaints
628 filings
CHEVROLET TAHOE · model year
628 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003CHEVROLETTAHOE carries 628 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 11 fires, 19 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 TAHOE is electrical system: instrument cluster/panel with 124 filings, followed by service brakes (84) and electrical system (65). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2003 TAHOE, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
628 filings
Crashes Reported
26 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL | 124 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 84 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 65 |
| STEERING | 30 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 26 |
| AIR BAGS | 16 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 16 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 14 |
| SEATS | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 10 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| ENGINE | 9 |
| EQUIPMENT | 8 |
| STEERING:COLUMN | 8 |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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 D
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER
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
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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 CE
WHEELS:HUB
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M
STRUCTURE
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 EX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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.
When in drive the car will not go into 3rd gear. It slips from. 2nd and back passes 3rd gear completely and goes into 4th gear and the engine revs up/rpm. The transmition filter/screen has been replaced and all transmission fluids were drained and flushed and replaced with new transmittion fluids. And this did not fix the issue.
I bought my 2003 Chevy Tahoe used and as is at a dealership for $10,000. Yes, I've been robbed. The truck is in great LOOKING condition. Has a little bit of superficial dings and a couple dents but overall exterior is great. Interior isn't shabby. Has wear on the driver's seat but not bad. The first thing that happened, I was on my way to work at 4 in the morning, turned on right blinker to change lanes, about blinded the guy in front of me with high beam lights. I thought I had bumped the switch, I took the right to get off at my exit I was more mindful. Definitely not a me thing. The high beam came on with the right blinker. So, the next thing. CD player runs continuously without a disc in. I cannot put a disc in. There may be discs already in there, it is a 6 disc changer, but it will not play. The radio has a mind of its own. Plays what it wants at anytime its on. My husband drove it, tried to adjust the driver's seat and all it did was growl at him. It doesn't move except forward
I bought my 2003 Chevy Tahoe used and as is at a dealership for $10,000. Yes, I've been robbed. The truck is in great LOOKING condition. Has a little bit of superficial dings and a couple dents but overall exterior is great. Interior isn't shabby. Has wear on the driver's seat but not bad. The first thing that happened, I was on my way to work at 4 in the morning, turned on right blinker to change lanes, about blinded the guy in front of me with high beam lights. I thought I had bumped the switch, I took the right to get off at my exit I was more mindful. Definitely not a me thing. The high beam came on with the right blinker. So, the next thing. CD player runs continuously without a disc in. I cannot put a disc in. There may be discs already in there, it is a 6 disc changer, but it will not play. The radio has a mind of its own. Plays what it wants at anytime its on. My husband drove it, tried to adjust the driver's seat and all it did was growl at him. It doesn't move except forward
I bought my 2003 Chevy Tahoe used and as is at a dealership for $10,000. Yes, I've been robbed. The truck is in great LOOKING condition. Has a little bit of superficial dings and a couple dents but overall exterior is great. Interior isn't shabby. Has wear on the driver's seat but not bad. The first thing that happened, I was on my way to work at 4 in the morning, turned on right blinker to change lanes, about blinded the guy in front of me with high beam lights. I thought I had bumped the switch, I took the right to get off at my exit I was more mindful. Definitely not a me thing. The high beam came on with the right blinker. So, the next thing. CD player runs continuously without a disc in. I cannot put a disc in. There may be discs already in there, it is a 6 disc changer, but it will not play. The radio has a mind of its own. Plays what it wants at anytime its on. My husband drove it, tried to adjust the driver's seat and all it did was growl at him. It doesn't move except forward
The cable on the rear passenger seat is broken and can't get seat down to escape in an emergency.
WELL MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NEVER GOES OVER AND MY DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EVEN LOCK AT ALL. THEN I KEEP HEAR THIS POPPING NOISE THAT COME FROM HUB AND SHOCKS AND NOTHING ON MY DASH WORKS 1ST IT STARTED OFF BY I COULDNT SEE WHAT GEAR I WAS IN. MY DRIVER SEAT U PUSH THE BUTTON TO GO FORWARD IT MOVES THE SEAT BACK. MY HEAT BLOWER HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH AND IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS PURPLE WIRE ON THE FLOOR BORED. NOW MY TRUCK CANT GET ON THE FREE WAY BECAUSE EVERY THIME I GET ON THE FREEWAY AND ON THE FREE WAY FOUR MORE THEN 10-15 MIN MY TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF. MY HEATED SEATED ONLY STAY ON FOR 1 TO 2 MIN AND THEN KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. MY BACK SEATS DONT LET DOWN AT ALL. THEN AT THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK WHERE THE OIL PAN IS FOR SOME REASON THERE IS ALWAYS ALOT OF OIL ALL OVER AT THE BOTTOM LIKE SOMEONE JUST DIP MY TRUCK IN A BIG BOWL OF OIL. THEN WHEN MY IGNITION WHERE THE YELLOW BLACK AND RED WIRE GO TO THE TOP OF MY IGNITION THE BLACK PLUG IS REAL LOSE AND CAN'T REPLACE AT ALL.
Mileage: 148,964
WELL MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NEVER GOES OVER AND MY DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EVEN LOCK AT ALL. THEN I KEEP HEAR THIS POPPING NOISE THAT COME FROM HUB AND SHOCKS AND NOTHING ON MY DASH WORKS 1ST IT STARTED OFF BY I COULDNT SEE WHAT GEAR I WAS IN. MY DRIVER SEAT U PUSH THE BUTTON TO GO FORWARD IT MOVES THE SEAT BACK. MY HEAT BLOWER HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH AND IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS PURPLE WIRE ON THE FLOOR BORED. NOW MY TRUCK CANT GET ON THE FREE WAY BECAUSE EVERY THIME I GET ON THE FREEWAY AND ON THE FREE WAY FOUR MORE THEN 10-15 MIN MY TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF. MY HEATED SEATED ONLY STAY ON FOR 1 TO 2 MIN AND THEN KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. MY BACK SEATS DONT LET DOWN AT ALL. THEN AT THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK WHERE THE OIL PAN IS FOR SOME REASON THERE IS ALWAYS ALOT OF OIL ALL OVER AT THE BOTTOM LIKE SOMEONE JUST DIP MY TRUCK IN A BIG BOWL OF OIL. THEN WHEN MY IGNITION WHERE THE YELLOW BLACK AND RED WIRE GO TO THE TOP OF MY IGNITION THE BLACK PLUG IS REAL LOSE AND CAN'T REPLACE AT ALL.
Mileage: 148,964
WELL MY AIR BAG LIGHT STAY ON NEVER GOES OVER AND MY DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT EVEN LOCK AT ALL. THEN I KEEP HEAR THIS POPPING NOISE THAT COME FROM HUB AND SHOCKS AND NOTHING ON MY DASH WORKS 1ST IT STARTED OFF BY I COULDNT SEE WHAT GEAR I WAS IN. MY DRIVER SEAT U PUSH THE BUTTON TO GO FORWARD IT MOVES THE SEAT BACK. MY HEAT BLOWER HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH AND IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS PURPLE WIRE ON THE FLOOR BORED. NOW MY TRUCK CANT GET ON THE FREE WAY BECAUSE EVERY THIME I GET ON THE FREEWAY AND ON THE FREE WAY FOUR MORE THEN 10-15 MIN MY TRUCK JUST SHUTS OFF. MY HEATED SEATED ONLY STAY ON FOR 1 TO 2 MIN AND THEN KEEPS SHUTTING OFF. MY BACK SEATS DONT LET DOWN AT ALL. THEN AT THE BOTTOM OF MY TRUCK WHERE THE OIL PAN IS FOR SOME REASON THERE IS ALWAYS ALOT OF OIL ALL OVER AT THE BOTTOM LIKE SOMEONE JUST DIP MY TRUCK IN A BIG BOWL OF OIL. THEN WHEN MY IGNITION WHERE THE YELLOW BLACK AND RED WIRE GO TO THE TOP OF MY IGNITION THE BLACK PLUG IS REAL LOSE AND CAN'T REPLACE AT ALL.
Mileage: 148,964
WHILE DRIVING THE TAHOE CLOSE TO HOME I STARTED TO SMELL OF BURNING AND I COULD SEE SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE DASH. I PULLED OVER AND BY THEN THE WHOLE CAR WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND I COULD SEE FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TRIED TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES (NOT RECOMMENDED) BUT THE FIRE JUST SPREAD UPWARDS INTO THE DASH AND WAS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF CONTROL. I LEFT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911 AND WITHIN MINUTES THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE POLICE AND FIRE SERVICE ARRIVED AND EVENTUALLY THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AFTER IT HAD BURNED THROUGH MOST OF THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ON MY OWN AND I SUFFERED NO INJURIES EXCEPT A FEW MINOR BURNS TO MY HANDS. I AM GUESSING THE FIRE MAY HAVE STARTED WITH THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR WIRING WHICH IS A PROBLEM MANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED. *TR
Mileage: 63,000
CABLES FOR SEAT FOLDING MECHANISM BREAKING, PREVENTING THE SECOND ROW 60/40 SEATS FROM FOLDING TO ALLOW ACCESS TO THIRD ROW SEATS (THIRD ROW OCCUPANTS CANNOT EXIT VEHICLE - SAFETY ISSUE). *TR
Mileage: 203,000
DESCENDING A GRADE APPROACHING A T INTERSECTION BRAKE PEDDLE WENT NEARLY TO FLOOR. CAUSE WAS A SEVERELY RUSTED REAR BRAKE LINE. THIS LINE IS ROUTED ABOVE THE LEFT FRAME RAIL IN A NEARLY INACCESSIBLE AREA, SO THE NOTION THAT THIS IS AN OWNER MAINTENANCE ISSUE IS GARBAGE.
Mileage: 58,000
TAKATA RECALL, TODAY, MAY 31, 2019, I DROVE MY TRUCK TO A MEETING AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT (IT WAS STATIONARY IN A CITY PARKING LOT). WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER THE MEETING AT 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON I OPEN MY CAR AND THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. A COMPONENT OF THE POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED THE FIRE. IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS IN THE TRUCK AT THE TIME AND THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. AFTER THE FIRE IGNITED AND USED UP ALL THE OXYGEN IN THE INTERIOR THE FIRE BURNED OUT ON IT'S OWN. I DID CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. (I'VE INCLUDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATORS CARD AND I CAN OBTAIN A REPORT IF NEEDED). THE INVESTIGATOR WAS THE ONE THAT DETERMINED WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TOP LAYER OF THE SEAT UPHOLSTERY HAS SOME FIRE RETARDANT BUT THE UNDERSIDE DOES NOT. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNED FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, THE ELECTRICAL WAS STILL OPE
Mileage: 276
TAKATA RECALL, TODAY, MAY 31, 2019, I DROVE MY TRUCK TO A MEETING AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON AND PARKED MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT (IT WAS STATIONARY IN A CITY PARKING LOT). WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR AFTER THE MEETING AT 3:30 IN THE AFTERNOON I OPEN MY CAR AND THE INTERIOR WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE. A COMPONENT OF THE POWER SEAT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE STARTED THE FIRE. IT WAS FORTUNATE NO ONE WAS IN THE TRUCK AT THE TIME AND THE WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. AFTER THE FIRE IGNITED AND USED UP ALL THE OXYGEN IN THE INTERIOR THE FIRE BURNED OUT ON IT'S OWN. I DID CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. (I'VE INCLUDED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATORS CARD AND I CAN OBTAIN A REPORT IF NEEDED). THE INVESTIGATOR WAS THE ONE THAT DETERMINED WHERE THE FIRE STARTED. HE EXPLAINED THAT THE TOP LAYER OF THE SEAT UPHOLSTERY HAS SOME FIRE RETARDANT BUT THE UNDERSIDE DOES NOT. YOU CAN SEE THAT THE SEAT WAS BURNED FROM THE BOTTOM TO THE TOP, THE ELECTRICAL WAS STILL OPE
Mileage: 276
MY CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS AND HEAT AND AIR CONTROL KNOBS ARE GOING OUT. MY BACK SEAT SEATBELT SOMETIMES WANT LATCH AND MY 3RD ROW SEATING WILL NOT LATCH TO THE BRACKET. MY STEARING IS BAD IT WILL NOT LINE UP AND THATS JUST THE BEGINING OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. MY GRANDKIDS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE.
Mileage: 83,000
MY CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS AND HEAT AND AIR CONTROL KNOBS ARE GOING OUT. MY BACK SEAT SEATBELT SOMETIMES WANT LATCH AND MY 3RD ROW SEATING WILL NOT LATCH TO THE BRACKET. MY STEARING IS BAD IT WILL NOT LINE UP AND THATS JUST THE BEGINING OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. MY GRANDKIDS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE.
Mileage: 83,000
MY CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS AND HEAT AND AIR CONTROL KNOBS ARE GOING OUT. MY BACK SEAT SEATBELT SOMETIMES WANT LATCH AND MY 3RD ROW SEATING WILL NOT LATCH TO THE BRACKET. MY STEARING IS BAD IT WILL NOT LINE UP AND THATS JUST THE BEGINING OF THE PROBLEMS THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. MY GRANDKIDS RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE.
Mileage: 83,000
WHILE DRIVING MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING PULLED OVER UNPLUGGED BATTERY STARTED WORKING BUT BEEN HAPPENING A LOT IT HAS 180,000 ON IT
THE PIECE BROKE OFF THE BOTTEM LATCH TO THE FRAME ON THE SEAT FOR THE 3RD ROW SEATING AND SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WANT LATCH IN BACK SEAT. DASHBOARD GAUGE LIGHTS BLOWN ALOT OF INSIDE GAGE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AND HEATER/AIR STOPPED WORKING ON NUMBER 5 FAN.
THE PIECE BROKE OFF THE BOTTEM LATCH TO THE FRAME ON THE SEAT FOR THE 3RD ROW SEATING AND SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WANT LATCH IN BACK SEAT. DASHBOARD GAUGE LIGHTS BLOWN ALOT OF INSIDE GAGE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AND HEATER/AIR STOPPED WORKING ON NUMBER 5 FAN.
THE PIECE BROKE OFF THE BOTTEM LATCH TO THE FRAME ON THE SEAT FOR THE 3RD ROW SEATING AND SOMETIMES THE SEATBELT WANT LATCH IN BACK SEAT. DASHBOARD GAUGE LIGHTS BLOWN ALOT OF INSIDE GAGE LIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING AND HEATER/AIR STOPPED WORKING ON NUMBER 5 FAN.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Loss of Motive Power due to the Battery Energy Control Module
Electric Vehicle Battery Fires
Outboard Front Seat Belt Anchor Cable Failure
Fuel Line Leak
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.