Owners have filed 15 complaints
about the 2003 Chevrolet Yukon with NHTSA between 2004 and 2021.
The largest single group is the electrical system.
Across this model's run it ranks 3 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 59
Against the median year of the Chevrolet Yukon. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 43
25% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Chevrolet Yukon
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
10,000 – 24,999 miles
216.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
216.7%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
650.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
18.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
18.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2004peak 2Oct 2021
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Chevrolet Yukon
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA11001Opened 5 Jan 2011Closed 8 Apr 2015SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Brake line corrosion failure
On January 11, 2011, ODI opened EA11-001 to investigate allegations of premature brake line corrosion failure in model year (MY) 1999 through 2003 General Motors (GM) full-size pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles sold or registered in the following region of the United States that NHTSA has viewed as salt states for investigations of corrosion related issues:Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia and Wis...
DP05009Opened 20 Dec 2005Closed 31 May 2006PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
ODI'S REVIEW OF COMPLAINT DATA RECEIVED SINCE THE CLOSE OF EA04-011 REVEALED NO INDICATION THAT THE INVESTIGATION SHOULD BE RE-OPENED.MORE DETAILS CAN BE FOUND IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE ENCLOSED IN THE DP05-009 PUBLIC FILE.ODI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REOPEN THE INVESTIGATION IN THE FUTURE SHOULD CONDITIONS WARRANT.
EA04012Opened 30 Apr 2004Closed 28 Feb 2005SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
HYDRAULIC PUMP FAILRES
GM IS CONDUCTING A RECALL ON ALL SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILD BETWEEN MAY 1999 AND OCTOBER 14, 1999.SIGNIFICANT CHANGES WERE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION IN EARLY OCTOBER 1999, AND VEHICLES BUILT AFTER THAT DATE HAVE LOWER WARRANTY FAILURE RATES.THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA APPEAR TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CHANGES. GM MADE ADDITIONAL CHANGES IN NOVEMBER 1999, FEBRUARY 2000, MAY 2001, AND FEBRUARY 2004.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THIS PROBLEM AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION, IF WARRANTED, IN THE FUTURE.FOR FURTHER TECHNICAL DETAILS SEE THE ATTACHED ENGINEERING ANALYSIS REPORT.
EA04011Opened 9 Apr 2004Closed 10 May 2005PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE
IN A LETTER DATED APRIL 20, 2005, GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT HAD DECIDED THAT DEFECTS THAT RELATE TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1999-2002 C/K 1500 SERIES (PBR PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) AND MY 2001-2005 C/K 2500 AND 3500 SERIES (TRW PARKING BRAKE SYSTEM) PICKUPS WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS.ACCORDING TO GM, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE CONDITIONS THAT CAUSE THE FRICTION LININGS TO WEAR TO AN EXTENT WHERE THE PARKING BRAKE CAN BECOME INEFFECTIVE IN IMMOBILIZING A PARKED VEHICLE.GM'S ACTION COVERS AN ESTIMATED TOTAL OF 142,585 VEHICLES.DEALERS WILL INSTALL A LOW-FORCE SPRING...
PE03026Opened 12 Jun 2003Closed 3 Nov 2003WHEELS
STEEL WHEEL RIM FRACTURE
THERE HAVE BEEN LESS THAN 2 COMPLAINTS PER 100,000 SUBJECT VEHICLES RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.THE OLDEST VEHICLES (MY 1999) HAVE ONLY 2 COMPLAINTS IN OVER 140 THOUSAND VEHICLES AFTER OVER 4 YEARS IN SERVICE.THE RATE OF WARRANTY CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS LESS THAN 0.1%.THERE ARE NO KNOWN INCIDENTS INVOLVING RAPID LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.TH...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Olympia, WA
TIRES
The contact owns a 2003 Chevrolet Yukon equip with Michelin X Radial LT2 tires sized 265/75R16 DOT M34N00CX. The contact stated that while driving in the rain the turning corners the vehicle would become unstable and slide and on 2 separate occasions while driving approximately 20 mph and making a turn the vehicle spun out. The contact indicated that the failure was due to a loss of tire air pressure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11437212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesGlendora, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS GAUGE FAILED AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY ACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10654865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesGlendora, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE RPMS GAUGE FAILED AND THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO DISPLAY ACCURATE READINGS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10654865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSanta ANA, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET YUKON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READING LEVELS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 08/25/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A EXPIRED RECALL. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY RECALL. UPDATED 09/5/2014
NHTSA complaint #10593474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesNorth Little Rock, AR
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET YUKON DENALI. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE STABILITY DISABLED REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT NO CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IT COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #10500748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesKingston, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10308695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newbury Park, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WE HAD A FAULTY SPEEDOMETER READING GOING WHAT SEEMED TO BE 85MPH DOWN THE 395 WHILE OUR SPEEDOMETER READ 30MPH. WHEN THE PIN FINALLY READ 0 MPH FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES (ACTUAL RATE OF SPEED WAS APPROX. 30MPH) IT RESET AND WAS BACK TO NORMAL. WE ARE NOW IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE PART. NOT SURE IF GMC WILL COVER THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10225631 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 68,500 milesCharlotte, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
(2003 CHEVROLET TAHOE) SPEEDOMETER STICKS AROUND 70 OR STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES 2 OR MORE HIGHWAY HOURS AWAY. TURNING THE ENGINE OFF FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME ALLOWS THE SPEEDOMETER TO RESUME ITS NORMAL FUNCTION JUST TO DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. I HAVE SINCE RECEIVED A LETTER DETAILING THE ABOVE STATED PROBLEM FROM CHEVROLET THAT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT HONOR BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OVER THE MILEAGE STATED IN THE LETTER WHEN MY FIRST COMPLAINTS OVER A YEAR AGO WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE MILEAGE STIPULATION. I TRAVEL FOR WORK A LOT IN MY PERSONAL VEHICLE AND HAVE PUT ON MORE THAN 100K SINCE MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE IN 10/03 WHEN IT HAD LESS THAN 3 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10212987 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 14,670 milesDaisytown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 CHEVROLET YUKON. WHILE DRIVING THE HEADLIGHTS BEGAN TO FLICKER ON AND OFF AND DIM. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, HOWEVER; THEY REPLACED THE WIRE HARNESS FROM THE CHARGING SYSTEM TO THE BATTERY. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE WIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD TO THE DASHBOARD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,670. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 69,128.
NHTSA complaint #10200513 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesArchdale, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SPEEDOMETER "JERKY". FINALLY QUITS ALL TOGETHER AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME EACH TIME YOU DRIVE. GOES COMPLETELY TO 0 AND MUST USE TACHOMETER FOR SPEED APPROXIMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10176622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 56,000 milesJacksonville, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE A 2003 CHEVY Z71 TAHOE WITH 56,000 MILES ON IT AND THE SPEEDOMETER IS HANGING AND GIVING ME THE WRONG SPEEDS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE NOTICED THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10175149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 47,400 milesCarrollton, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPEEDOMETER WAS ACTING ERRATICALLY ALMOST AS THOUGHT IT WAS TICKING RATHER THAN MOVING SMOOTHLY THIS STARTING HAPPENING AROUND 10/14/06. AS OF 10/25/06 SPEEDOMETER QUIT WORKING AND WHEN CAR IS STOPPED OR TURNED OFF WILL SHOW I AM GOING 10 MPH. HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO FIX. I HAVE DONE WEB SEARCCHES AND THEIR APPEARS TO BE NO FIX AS OF YET FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH IDENTICAL SCENARIOS.
NHTSA complaint #10171908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 34,731 milesHarlingen, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2003 YUKON XL. SHE PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCT-03. IN DECEMBER 2004 THE BRAKES WERE VERY BAD. SHE WAS HEARING A LOUD SQUEAKING SOUND AND THE ABS WAS KICKING IN AND SHE COULD NOT STOP THE CAR AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER TOLD HER THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THEY RESURFACED THE ROTORS IN 12-04. SHE HAS HAD CONTINUING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES SINCE THEN. THE SQUEAKING SOUND IS STILL THERE AND LASTS LONGER AND THE ABS KICKS IN VERY FREQUENTLY SO MUCH THAT SHE IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SHE IS CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS THE SAME AS THE CURRENT RECALL #05V379000.
NHTSA complaint #10135174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, DC
STEERING
2003 YUKON EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SHAFT. *MR THE VEHICLE DEVELOPED A POPPING NOISE WHEN TURNING AND SLOWING DOWN. GM EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE PART ON BACKORDER. THE PART WAS GREASED IN ORDER TO TEMPORARILY FIX BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED SHORTLY AFTER. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10127935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesSouth Glastonbury, CT
STEERING:COLUMN
THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY LOOSE AND ONCE THE CONSUMER REACHED A SPEED OF 70 MPH IT VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DEALER STATED THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10105017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.