VehicleVerdict

2003 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes problems

The 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe has 118 brakes complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

118

Brakes complaints

19%

Share of year

9

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Brakes complaints by year

Related recalls

04V045000BrakesFebruary 4, 2004 · 68,875 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

CONSEQUENTLY, THE VALVE O-RING SEAL MAY FRACTURE. STEERING EFFORTS MAY BE SLIGHTLY INCREASED WHILE BRAKING OR PARKING. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, A FRACTURED SEAL MAY REQUIRE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT TO ACHIEVE THE SAME VEHICLE DECELERATION RATE AS PRIOR TO THE SEAT FRACTURE.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REPLACE THE HYDRO-BOOST RELIEF VALVE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 18, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; GMC AT 1-866-996-9463; OR HUMMER AT 1-866-486-6376.

What owners report

AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE TRUCK DIDN'T STOP CAUSING ME TO HIT MY NEIGHBORS TREE. .. THE BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR SIGNAL LIGHT OR A SOUND. AS I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK THERE WAS BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE STREET. I CALLED A BUDDY MECHANIC OF MINE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 9, 2014 · crash

Common questions

How many brakes complaints does the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe have?

NHTSA has 118 complaints about the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe brakes?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the brakes: 04V045000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.