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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
31,775 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Owner Comments

problem #11

Jun 062013

Tahoe

  • 150,000 miles

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

I took my 2003 Chevy Tahoe into the dealership because of performance and gas issues and was told I had 2 broken exhaust manifold bolts. The repair was estimated to over $1000. I know that this is a major issue with GMC and Chevy engines with many complaints. The manufacturer should stand by their product and fix this issue instead of making their customers pay for a defect that exists with their product. I was told that my vehicle would not pass safety inspection without this fix.

- Alpine, UT, USA

problem #10

Feb 172012

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • miles
Exhaust manifold bolts breaking leaving studs in the heads, heating up engine compartments, releases carbon monoxide, affects O2 sensor and catalytic converter. Will not pass emissions in some states. GM not standing behind this 1999-2008 issue. It is a safety issue and is expensive to fix. GM mechanics denying any such issues. Please check- in to this. Our whole fleet and our personal trucks affected by this.

- West Lebanon, IN, USA

problem #9

Jun 102011

Tahoe

  • 104,000 miles
The reduced engine power light came on and reduced the car's power to only be able to go 20 mph. I did reach 30 mph with a down-slope. I was very scared and had my two children in the car. Thankfully, I was able to safely pull over to the side of the road. Upon researching this issue with my car make and model, it seems to be a common problem and a very serious issue. The engine's power just pulled back without warning! I am taking the car to be serviced tomorrow but cannot fathom to think what could have happened!

- Uniontown, OH, USA

problem #8

Jul 302010

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • miles

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

Ltr on behalf of, who suffered burns when their 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe caught fire while driving; they did not rec'd response to 3/23/10 ltr fwd to NHTSA; reply attn keith nelson/roseville ofc; ES have no rec of prev correspond the fan motor did not shut off even though the engine was turned off and the key were not in the ignition.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #7

Apr 192010

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • miles
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe caught on fire the consumer stated the fan motor would not shut off. The consumer stated her father received 2nd degree burns on his when tried to put the fire out.

- Warren, MI, USA

problem #6

Mar 232010

(reported on)

Tahoe

  • miles
GM models 2003-2007 light pick-ups and sport utility. Consumer states defective dash clusters. The consumer owns a 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe. She stated she experienced a problem with the instrument cluster reading 70 mph also, the water pump failed.

- Mechanicsburg, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 262009

Tahoe

  • 76,000 miles

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

Bought vehicle in February of 2009 used after driving truck for about 10 days we realized that the speedometer was not moving when the vehicle was in motion. Then after that the speedometer would move up in speed after driving the car for about 20 minutes but then stay at the 30mph when stopped once the car would begin moving again the speed would continue to go up from the 30mph mark resulting in the speedometer reading 60mph when the vehicle was actually only going 30mph. This has continued every day since it was noticed so when driving the car you never know how fast the car is actually traveling.

- Elgin, IL, USA

problem #4

Aug 092004

Tahoe

  • 18,971 miles
While driving vehicle lost power. Vehicle would not accelerate over 10 mph. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

- Colton, CA, USA

problem #3

Aug 012002

Tahoe 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50 miles
Engine knocks when it started after sitting for a while untill oil pump picks up.I personally know of five other 5.3 liter V8S that have the same problem, but my dealership has never heard of this.I find this hard to believe. A friend told me that there was a tsb reguarding a check valve of some kind that would stop this.

- Conroe, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 032003

Tahoe

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
"reduced engine power" message displayed 3 times within 4100 miles of brand new Tahoe. On 4th visit, dealer replaced throttle body with a new one at 4366 miles.

- Westminster, CA, USA

problem #1

Aug 262003

Tahoe 4WD 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles
We have a 2003 Tahoe with a 5.3L V8. There is a hissing noise and a vibrating in the engine after running for about 15 minutes. The dealership can't fix it and doesn't know what is wrong with it. They think it has to do with the A/C but they replaced compressor and belt and it still makes the noise.

- Farmington, MN, USA

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