19 of the
628 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe are about the
airbag system — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
90,000 miles.
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. AND WITH EVERYTHING ON NOW WITH MY INCOME IM ALREADY OUT OF $5,000 ALREADY FOR PARTS AND LABOR THIS IS MU ONLY CAR I HAVE AND I REALLY NEED MY CAR RIGHT NOW DONT HAVE MONEY TO GO BUY A NEW TRUCK OR CAR. I REALLY NEED MY TRUCK IT MEAN ALOT TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #11397239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
AIR BAGS
MY AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ALWAYS AND 4WD LIGHTS ARE I TOOK MY TRUCK TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THEY REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE FOR THE 4WD BUT LIGHT REMAIN ON AND I STIIL FEEL THE SHIFT FROM 2-4 I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SPECIALIST AGAIN AND AGAIN STILL THE SAME PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint #11079893 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesBurlington, NC
AIR BAGS
TAMARA RECALLS
NHTSA complaint #11055643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
East Chicago, IN
AIR BAGS
TAKATA RECALL IS NECESSARY MY AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON UPON STARTING VEHICLE ALONG WITH SERVICE AIRBAG WARNING. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT SHOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO ME AS THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS SAME ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11023486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesEvansville, WI
AIR BAGS
THE "SERVICE AIRBAG" WARNING LIGHT AND "SERVICE AIRBAG" DISPLAY COMES ON WHEN I START THE VEHICLE--AND STAYS ON. EVERY SO OFTEN, WHEN I START THE CAR, THE WARNINGS DISAPPEAR, ONLY TO REAPPEAR AFTER THE NEXT START OF THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10978678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesChicago, IL
AIR BAGS
TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #10949482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Savannah, GACrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED 12 BROKEN RIBS AND 2 COLLAPSED LUNGS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TOWING FACILITY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10899484 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 111,500 milesOverland Park, KS
AIR BAGS
ONE DAY THIS WINTER I WENT OUT IN THE GARAGE AND STARTED MY TAHOE. OUT OF THE BLUE MY SERVICE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY I TOOK MY CARE TO GET IT CHECKED OUT AND THE ERROR CODES (B0051 & B0053) INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED. THE SERVICE MANAGER AGREED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A COLLISION OR THAT THE AIR BAGS HAD BEEN DEPLOYED, AND THAT THE AIR BAGS ARE NOT WORKING. DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE THEY INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY GO DO TO COVER THE WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND GET THE AIRBAGS WORKING AGAIN. THE ESTIMATE IS FOR $1,200. THEY ALSO INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NOT ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS ON THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM.I CONTACTED GM VIA CHAT, AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NOT RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS FOR THIS ISSUE, AND THEY COULD NOT DUE ANYTHING TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND ALWAYS KEPT THE VEHICLE IN GOOD WORKING ORDER USING THE ORIGINAL DEALER, AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THE VEHICLE. I CAN AFFORD TO GET THE REPAIR DONE, MY CONCERN IS HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT CAN'T MIGHT BE IMPACTED BY THIS AND WILL DRIVE THE VEHICLES WITHOUT THE AIR BAGS.
NHTSA complaint #10694615 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesMidland, TXCrash
AIR BAGS
MY ACCELERATION PEDAL ENGAGED AND RAN THRU CENTER BLOCK FENCE. NO AIRBAG ON EITHER SIDE....THANKS A LOT..... DRIVER.
NHTSA complaint #10556312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 182,000 milesBartow, GACrash1 killed
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A DEER AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS FLIPPED SEVERAL TIMES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE DRIVER WAS KILLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF THE DRIVER WAS SECURED BY THE SEAT VEHICLE SAFETY BELT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED FOR THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 182,000.
NHTSA complaint #10487649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesTemecula, CA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
MY 2003 TAHOE LT HAS A DEFECTIVE AIR BAG. THE LIGHT ON MY PANEL DISPLAYED THIS WHEN MY CAR HAD APPROXIMATELY 80K MILES. I REPORTED THIS TO CARRIAGE MOTORS IN TEMECULA, CA. THEY REFUSED TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AT CHEVROLET FACTORY COST. I AGAIN TURNED IN MY TAHOE, TODAY, MAY 11, 2009, AND THE SHOP MANAGER FRANK SPIZER REFUSED TO HAVE THIS FIXED BUT INSTEAD OFFERED ME 20% OFF A REPAIR COST OF $699.00 I REFUSED THIS DISCOUNT AS I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT SINCE MY 2003 TAHOE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON FOR THE AIR BAG TO FAIL LIKE THIS. I WANT FOR GM TO PAY FOR THIS AND TO ISSUE A RECALL TO ALL TAHOE OWNERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME MALADY. THE MANAGER OF THE AUTHORIZED CHEVROLET REPAIR SERVICE AT CARRIAGE MOTORS IS FRANK SPIZER, (951) 694-6060.
NHTSA complaint #10268450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 63,000 milesArlington, TX
AIR BAGS
ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND A MESSAGE APPEARED SAYING "SERVICE AIR BAG". WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM AND IT SAID THAT WHOLE AIR BAG SYSTEM HAD FAILED (SEVERAL SENSORS HAD FAILED). WE CALLED CHEVY TO SEE IF IT MIGHT BE ABLE TO BE FIXED WITH A WARRANTY, BUT THEY SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. (WE KNEW THIS, BUT FIGURED THERE SHOULD BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON AIRBAGS.) THEY TOLD US TO TAKE IT TO A CHEVY DEALERSHIP. WE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US IT WOULD COST $100 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. HOWEVER, WE ALREADY DID THIS WITH OUR OTHER MECHANIC. CHEVY BASICALLY WOULDN'T HELP US UNLESS WE PAID FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC WHICH IS RIDICULOUS SINCE WE ALREADY DID THAT. THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THAT WE COULD DRIVE AROUND, NO PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T DEPLOY. WE WERE TOLD BY OUR MECHANIC THAT IT WOULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE TO FIX THIS. WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR THAT WE HAVE TO PAY TO GET THIS FIXED, WHEN THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR. THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER DEPLOYED, AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE SYSTEM WON'T WORK IF WE NEED IT AND GET IN AN ACCIDENT. WE'RE ASKING FOR HELP TO GET CHEVY TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL LAWSUIT IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP US TO GET CHEVY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR AN ERROR THAT HAPPENED DURING THE BUILDING OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10255425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesNewton, AL
AIR BAGS
2003 TAHOE AND ON MANY OCCASIONS THE SERVICE AIR BAG SENSOR HAS COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WHEN THIS LIGHT IS ON THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY. THIS SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS. ALSO THE DEALER CAN'T GET A CODE ON WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT UNLESS THE LIGHT IS ON. IT DOESN'T STAY ON A LONG TIME BUT IS VERY FREQUENT IN COMING ON. LOOKS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10224557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesTemple Hills, MD
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 TAHOE THAT THE PASSENGER 'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY ON 1/27/07, A WARNING LIGHT TURNED ON AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A WARRANTY ISSUE. THE CONTACT COMPLAINED SINCE THIS WAS A 3 YEAR OLD VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN IN NO ACCIDENTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING SHAFT VIBRATED WHEN MAKING A LEFT OR A RIGHT TURN, THE DEALER REPLACED IT AT NO CHARGE. THIS RESOLVED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, 7 MONTHS LATER THE VIBRATION RESTARTED. THE DEALER LUBRICATED THE PARTS AND IT WORKED AGAIN. THE CONTACT WANTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT SINCE THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL UNRESOLVED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLEWAS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,796 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10181054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 29,000 milesLeesburg, VA
AIR BAGS
I PURCHASED NEW AND STILL OWN A 2003 CHEVY TAHOE. FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON FROM TIME TO TIME. I HAVE HAD THE TRUCK AT THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY TELL ME THEY CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THIS LIGHT MEANS THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF THE VEHICLE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED THAT THIS SAFETY ISSUE CANNOT BE CORRECTED.
NHTSA complaint #10173955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,862 milesGranger, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT SUSPENSION WAS REPLACED. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. *BF THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE FOR A POPPING NOISE AND LOOSE STEERING. THE STEERING SHAFT WAS REMOVED AND LUBED AND THE FRONT LOWER CROSSMEMBER WAS TIGHTENED. THE CONSUMER'S SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN HE LOST CONTROL . THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE, END OVER END THE SIDE OVER SIDE ONE AND A HALF TIMES. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE NOTIFIED OF HOW MANY OF THESE STEERING, BRAKING AND OR OTHER PROBLEMS INCURRED WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10110934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Granger, TXCrash1 injured
AIR BAGS
THE STEERING MADE POPPING NOISES AND THE STEERING FELT LOOSE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE STEERING SHAFT AND FRONT SUSPENSION. *NM THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TC
NHTSA complaint #10110889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 21,000 milesPlano, TX
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG ILIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR THE FIFTH TIME. DEALER HAD NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10092733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Linn, OR
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PASSENGER AIR BAG SENSOR WOULDN'T ACTIVATE THE AIR BAGS FOR 80 POUNDS OR LESS, BUT IT DID WHEN THEIR 62 POUND CHILD WAS IN THE SEAT. *PH OTHER PROBLEM ARE AS FOLLOWED: DRIVER'S DOOR EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT RATTLES, STEERING VIBRATIONS/GRINDING WHEN TURNED TO LEFT, SUNROOF LEAKED HEAVILY WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN GOING THROUGH THE CAR WASH, DASH LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, HEADLIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE, VEHICLE DID NOT SHIFT WHEN IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, WINDOW MOLDING WAS LOOSE, STEREO LIGHTS FLICKERED, SEAT MEMORY IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT WOULD NOT MOVE TO PRESET MEMORY POSITIONS AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS REMOVED, AND THE FRONT POWER WINDOW ALONG WITH THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WERE INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10065117 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.