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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
68,971 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe electrical problems

electrical problem

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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments (Page 3 of 4)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #25

Mar 102009

Tahoe

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Speedometer in 2003 Tahoe failing to give accurate speed. Speed does not register at all sometimes. Needle to speedometer is "jerky" when it does work. Have not had repaired yet because I was searching out possible solutions when I discovered that numerous Tahoe owners are having the same problem. If the manufacturer is admitting there is a problem them why should "we" have to pay for it. Especially after discovering the cost ( from $500-$575). Please help!

- Westminster, SC, USA

problem #24

Mar 092009

Tahoe

  • 105,800 miles
Speedometer went out registered going 100mph when only going approx 40. Took to dealer and was charged $515.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #23

Oct 152008

Tahoe

  • 80,000 miles
Speedometer intermittently reads 60/100 while parked, or reads 10-20 while going down the freeway.

- Winnemucca, NV, USA

problem #22

Dec 112005

Tahoe

  • 26,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 55 mph on normal road conditions, the speedometer intermittently displayed inaccurate readings. The failure would occur without warning. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but was not repaired. Through research, the contact discovered a warranty extension coverage and notified the manufacturer. The vehicle was excluded from the warranty because the odometer exceeded the mileage limitation of 70,000. The failure mileage was 26,000 and current mileage was 86,000.

- Monroe, CT, USA

problem #21

Jan 122009

Tahoe

  • 118,000 miles
The speedometer on my 03 Chevy Tahoe randomly goes up to 10 mph and stays there. The only way to bring it back down is to shut off and restart the vehicle several times. It drops 5 mph each time you restart it.

- Rapid City, SD, USA

problem #20

May 202006

Tahoe

  • 36,000 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. We have a 2003 Tahoe. The dash coating started pealing and they wouldn't cover it being replaced. I had less than 60,000 miles at that time. They said that the extended warranty didn't cover this. The Tahoe is shifting real rough at times and will speed up on it's own at times. This shifting happens at least once a day. The gauges don't work at all. (fuel, oil pressure, and sometimes the RPM won't work at all).

- Clifton, TX, USA

problem #19

Oct 222008

Tahoe

  • 115,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. In the summer of 2008, the contact received a GMC voluntary recall pertaining to the instrumental panel. She took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnosis, which reported oil gauge and speedometer failures. The manufacturer stated that the recall applied to vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. The vehicle is not included because it exceeds the mileage requirements. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 115,000.

- Apex, NC, USA

problem #18

Sep 032008

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,053 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. The contact turned the ignition key just enough to activate the radio. She then heard a popping noise from the cigarette lighter component and smelled smoke. The cigarette lighter was released from the socket and a small fire erupted from the instrument panel. There were no prior warnings. The fire department was called to the scene and a report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. The contact was waiting for an explanation of what caused the failures. The failure and current mileages were 80,053. Updated 10/14/08 updated 10/15/08.

- Cousil Bulff, IA, USA

problem #17

Jul 232008

Tahoe

  • 95,000 miles
My 2003 Tahoe's speedometer failed less than 5 years after I bought the vehicle. The car has 95000 miles on it. Chevrolet recognizes that they have a problem with speedometer failures. My speedometer will show 60 mph at a standstill and show various speeds while moving. Chevrolet issued an extended warranty for vehicles experiencing this problem but cut off coverage at 70000 miles or 7 years. This item should be a safety related recall regardless of mileage since it is an obvious defect that they will only partially admit to.

- Lake Tapps , WA, USA

problem #16

Jan 042007

Tahoe

  • 65,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. While driving approximately 65 mph, the speedometer and fuel gauges displayed inaccurate readings. The failures occurred intermittently and without warning. There was a recall on the odometer and the contact recently received a recall notice after the vehicle's mileage exceeded 70,000. The contact was displeased to know that the vehicle was excluded due to the excessive mileage. The VIN and recall number were unknown. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 126,000.

- Spanishfork, UT, USA

problem #15

Aug 152007

Tahoe

  • 75,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My speedometer does not work on my 2003 Tahoe.

- Lyman, SC, USA

problem #14

Mar 262008

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • 87,175 miles
I have a 2003 Chevy Tahoe. The speedometer isn't registering the correct speed or sometimes doesn't register at all. The gauge is sticking at various numbers on the speedometer.

- Port Tobacco, MD, USA

problem #13

Oct 172006

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,524 miles
My wife reported an issue with here instrument cluster on her 2003 Chevy Tahoe in October of this year. The oil pressure, water temp, and speedometer were indicating excessively high readings. When she got home and turned off the vehicle the instruments were still pegged past the values on the displays and the speedometer remained at 45 mph ignition off and in park. The problem would occasionally clear but now remains constant. After researching the issue on the web I found that this is a problem reported by many people. I feel that GM should be made to correct an obvious know problem. Thank-you for you good work.

- Roseville, CA, USA

problem #12

Jan 012006

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
Since January of 2006, the speedometer has failed numerous times. While standing still it will register any speed above 30 or while traveling at highway speeds it will register 0 mph. The tachometer has failed to work three times and the gas gauge has registered half a tank while it takes 20 gallons to fill the 25 gallon tank. Last year I had the intermediate steering shaft replaced before the warranty ran out because it was clunking. It is now starting to clunk again!! the vehicle has 50,000 miles on it. I just received a warning for speeding, 54 in a 45mph because I can"T tell how fast I am going!!!!!!

- Chandler, TX, USA

problem #11

Nov 062006

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Odometer sticking - unhappy Chevy owner - recurring event I purchased my 2003 Chevy Tahoe a year ago and just within the past few weeks my odometer has been sticking at 120. Of course I have not driven that fast ever and this is hard to accomplish when truck is in neutral (yet it reads 120..)eventually, it resets itself and that takes a couple days. I have barely registered 10,000 miles of the 54,000 that are on vehicle and can not understand why this could be happening. I did call the dealer and of course just in conversation ball park figure would be around $500 plus no transportation for at least 3 - 5 days. I decided to take my 2003 Chevy Tahoe to a independent mechanic for a less expensive review. It was determined that their is a problem that can not be fixed by an unauthorized party. So know I have this truck that is not safe to drive by nc state due to faulty odometer. Will follow up with further action with manufacturer and whoever else. Noticed other complaints and wanted to make sure everyone knows that there is a problem with the 2003 Chevy Tahoe. Very unhappy 1st time Chevy owner.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #10

Aug 202006

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
Faulty speedometer on my 2000 Tahoe. Reads over a 100 mph in park.

- Haw River, NC, USA

problem #9

Oct 092006

Tahoe 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
2003 Chevy Tahoe speedometer has been working erratically for the past 12 months. Especially during hot weather, the speed display showed slower than the actual speed. Stopping the car, turning off the ignition and restarting usually fixed the problem. On 10/9/06 the speedometer showed 60 mph when the car was off, and now does not ever fall below 60. Online, I've seen many similar complaints from Chevy & GMC customers with the exact same problem. The dealer has not indicated that a problem exists, but a dealer told me that they see many repairs of this type. I am scheduled to have the part replaced in two weeks at my expense (since my vehicle is out of warranty) but would like to know if enough complaints indicate that a recall should be issued.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #8

Jul 192006

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,000 miles
At 43,000 miles my speedometer got stuck and will not work. At park it reads 80 or 20. I bought my Tahoe new with only 10 miles and now it is 3 years old. I called a dealer and he said that should not have happen to a new vehicle. When I am driving down the highway I look and it says that I am going 60 then a second later it reads that I am going 120 and it is stuck. This is not safe for anyone and I have heard other people complain that there Tahoe did the same thing.

- Los Banos, CA, USA

problem #7

Sep 232006

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Own a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe with 43939 miles as of this email. Yesterday, we noticed the speedometer no longer registers how fast the car is going. While traveling on the free-way the speedometer registers 0 mph.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 012004

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
This is now the 2nd winter season that the HVAC blower motor pulses between high and low when the outside temperature is below approximately 35 degrees. This seems to continue until the engine has warmed up then stops. The dealer has been unable to find a cause.

- Albion, NY, USA

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