Used 2003 Chevrolet Tahoe Consumer Reviews
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298,000 Miles and I can drive it across country!
Chuck D, 05/28/2016
updated 04/28/2023
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
77 of 78 people found this review helpful
UPDATE 4/27/23: Still cranking up on the first tap of the key with 366,124 miles. This is clearly the most reliable vehicle that I have ever owned. I do not need to add oil between 4,000 - 5,000 mile oil changes. The engine has not been rebuilt. No internals (bearings, rings, pistons, lifters etc.) have been changed. It is just a very well designed/engineered engine. It has the original torque converter, and I can still pull my 24 ft Sea Ray anywhere I want, and that actually happens a lot in Florida. The most meaningful tips that I can pass on are: Please use synthetic oil if you can. Conventional oils and blends simply cannot protect your engine as well full synthetics in extreme conditions like hot summers and long trips with a heavy load. I buy full synthetic at Walmart for less than $25 per 5-quart container. I also elected to use 10-40w since about 150,000 miles. My reasoning was that summers are harsh here. I frequently have heavy loads and on older engines the internal parts are worn, and the tolerances (spaces) are not as tight as a newer engine. The 10-40w address both issues for me. Of course, I would highly recommend one of these vehicles if you come across one in good condition with a decent maintenance record. Almost forgot. I have the thick gray cloth interior. It is holding up beautifully. The seats do a wonderful job of hiding 20 years of child footprints, spills, splashes and oops, sorry Dad. Even the original paint looks great after 20 years in Florida summers. RockAuto.com has been a great source for this vehicle. Thanks for reading everyone and have a great rest of your day. UPDATE: Still going strong 352,325 miles 10-26-22. It can easily tow my 24 ft Sea Ray anywhere...Excellent. Uses no oil between 4k Mobile 1 oil changes. This is the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned. PS: The gray cloth seats still look great. UPDATE: Still going strong 4-25-21 340K BASICS The Tahoe offers plenty of room for kids and adults of all ages and sizes. The ride is very smooth and quiet. It handles remarkably well for a vehicle of its size. Acceleration is very good. It tows my 5,000 lb boat with ease. The gas mileage (15.8 city 19-20 hwy) is not that good but it is great when you compare it to other vehicles of this size, age and towing capacity. Maintenance and repairs for me have been very minimal. The engine and differential are in excellent condition with no known repairs. All electronics and the A/C have performed flawlessly with no repairs or maintenance ever. The body and paint are in excellent condition with no flaws or defects. The cloth interior has held up beautifully with kids in and out everyday. MY STORY I bought the Tahoe with 140,00 miles on it. I drove it across 3 state lines to get it home with no noticeable problems. I live on a very quiet road and I did notice that I could hear an ever so light squeal or sound like a wheel bearing just was not right. Turns out one of the front wheel bearings was going bad. I changed both wheel bearings, outer tie rod ends, shocks and lower ball joints. It did not really have to change the ball joints, shocks and tie rods but my kids ride in this truck and sometimes with a large boat in tow. It took about 4-5 hours to do it myself. The steering was super tight and drove like new. Yes it would easily track the road with no hands for quite a distance. Again only one wheel bearing needed changing and this is very common with the Tahoes. These parts were replaced during the first week of ownership as a part of getting the truck is top condition. I also replaced the belt and heater hose so that I would not have to be concerned with them. I drove this used truck with ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS FOR 110,000 miles! I changed the oil Mobil 1 synthetic, $24/5qt at Walmart, myself), replaced worn out tires, spark plugs at every 100,000 miles and changed the brake pads once. I think that this routine maintenance is extremely minimal compared to any vehicle especially a truck that sometimes tows a 24 ft. Sea Ray (heavy boat). THE BAD At 251,000 on the way to a trunk or treat for the kids the sun gear in the transmission stripped. This is a very common issue in GM transmissions. The transmission made a not ever so loud pop like something broke and then went into neutral. I stopped to check it out and it work fine when I started again except it did not find third gear. 1st, 2nd and a late overdrive and I was on the highway cruising home. Found out reverse did not work so I had to get a neighbor to push me back into the drive way. Took the transmission out and took it to a small shop to rebuild for $400. Opted for the heavy duty kit for $500 and picked up the rebuilt transmission 8 hours later. The rebuild has been great for 47,000 miles with the original torque converter. THE OTHER BAD-----OTHER REPAIRS SINCE THE TRANS REBUILD ---$150 (myself) premium water pump because it was leaking----premium alternator $90 (myself) because it was not holding 14 volts consistently---- premium fuel pump & filter---$250 (myself) because it was giving the signs of going bad (sometimes needed to crank it several times to start, occasional hesitation on open throttle or flooring the accelerator). Many vehicles have these repairs within the first 100,000 miles but the Tahoe made over 250,000 before needing them. Yes I checked with the 1 and only previous owner and he provided all work receipts. I think that this is exceptional performance for a used truck that had 140,000 on it when purchased. Also realize that the truck is now ready for 50k or more miles with no worries. Now with almost 300,000 miles I can drive this truck across country. Yes, I do occasionally drive it over 1,000 miles one way with no worries. I am on my second set of Michelin tires that give me about 90,000 of wear. I think that a quarter million miles on a transmission is awesome and 300,000 miles on an engine that still purrs is amazing. In my humble opinion this truck has been incredible. 300,000 and I can let my wife drive it anywhere, with no worries, if she wants to use it. In the present state there is absolutely nothing in need of repair on the truck. Current state is 10/10 and the ride is like a Cadillac. That is saying a lot for a vehicle with 300,000 miles on it. UPDATE: SIX MONTHS SINCE REVIEW WAS POSTED and .... Still running great with absolutely no problems. My only cost have have been the at home mobile 1 oil changes (Walmart has cheapest oil & filter prices in my area @ $31 per oil change every 5,000 miles) and to put $2 a gallon regular gas in the tank. The engine does not knock, hesitate or lack any power, especially when entering the highway. Also, there are no oil droplets in the driveway and there is absolutely, positively no smoke whatsoever! Luv this truck.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Great Truck
kstall3, 08/08/2008
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
12 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought this truck used in 2004 with 19,000 miles. I have had very few problems in the last 4 four years. My fuel pump did go out, but I have observed that happens on all Chevy trucks, you have to factor that into the cost. My fuel economy is pretty good for having over 300 HP and 33inch tires (after market). I love this truck and don't have any plans to trade in.
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Perfect family and work SUV
maysan, 11/07/2011
updated 11/15/2013
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
27 of 30 people found this review helpful
Just purchased my 2003 Tahoe 4x4 Police Package 4.8 V8, only 60K. 285/77/R16s. Border Patrol ordered it with a 4inch suspension lift. Perfect clearence. The 4.8 engine is great. I added small upgrades: K&N intake system, Computer chip to regulate air-flow and temp; and finally a DiabloSport Computer programer. All about $500. The engine is a beast now. It also has the cooling system for both the engine and tranny fluids. I recommend the updgrades to all Tahoe lovers. All upgrades from Ebay. [non-permissible content removed]. Upgrades gave it lots of power, and great gas mileage. 26HWY & 20 city. Perfect all around.
Best SUV Ever!!!
mike1997, 02/06/2012
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
15 of 16 people found this review helpful
Truck now has over 250,000 miles and still running strong. Bought it used in 2005 with about 70,000 miles on it. Only repairs have been to the fuel pump and rear AC. The truck sits up high so it makes you feel safe. The power from thr 5.3 liter Vortec engine is amazing.
Keeps going and going....
upnorth5, 05/14/2013
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
14 of 15 people found this review helpful
Purchased new in 03' Z71 4x4 with 5.3 flex fuel. Currently has 202,600 miles. This truck has been amazing, best truck we have owned. Sure there are some annoyances, steering half shafts do go out once and a while (we've replaced 2 of them) and our speedometer stuck too like some others but nothing major. We pull a 5,000 pound boat regularly and have throughout the trucks life with no problems. We've only put brakes on it twice and we're on our third set of Goodyear Wrangler ATS tires. Smooth, comfortable, and amazingly reliable, has never failed to start during a Minnesota winter. Hope our new Tahoe LTZ treats us as nice, we pick it up tomorrow.
I LOVE MY TRUCK !!!
Redman, 02/22/2010
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
A couple years ago I decided I wanted a Tahoe.When my wife and I go on weekend getaways, my mountaineer didn't seem to have enough room. Ive had many Chevy,Dodge and Plymouth vans but nothing to compare with my Tahoe!!! I have enough room,Its turning radius is great..No problems at all...
'03 Tahoe
Shirley D., 09/12/2008
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
While not the most gas efficient, considering the size, I still get an average of 17 mpg. I love it, it's comfortable, reliable and safe. Outside of the general oil changes, tire rotations and one recent brake job and a/c repair, I have not had to do anything to it but drive and enjoy it. Recommend to anyone. Good quality vehicle. Bought used in '03 with 35,000 miles, I now have over 119,000 on it and it is still going strong, looks and runs like new! Hope to keep it a few more years!
Truck Saved my life, very well built
Mandi78, 12/13/2003
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I recently rolled my Tahoe over twice on the highway doing approx 60mph and literally other than being bruised up I walked away from the accident.. The truck also saved my baby (I am 9mos pregnant) and the baby is fine as well.. I must say the truck is top heavy I have always said that but it certainly help up well.. The only downfall now is that because the truck is so high priced the insurance company is fixing the truck (25,000 worth of damage). But defenately worth the $$$
Great reliability, Bad build qualty
R1der2002, 04/11/2010
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS Rwd 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong i love my Tahoe it has not broken down on me yet but the interior squeaks a lot, the fit and finish of the materials is not that great either. Would I buy it again though, yes like I said it has not broken on me yet and actually for its size I get good MPG I get 17.6 city and 21.8 HWY. I do not know what is wrong with everyone else's Tahoe lol
Mostly happy...so far
Walter K., 06/23/2009
2003 Chevrolet Tahoe LS 4WD 4dr SUV (4.8L 8cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We paid $44K for the 2003 TahoeLT4WD and looking back now the amount surprises me. Not that the truck is not a great value but we have invested in brake pads (twice), rotors (once) and other rear-end parts. There is a leak from the overhead A/C control that spills water (when heavy rain) onto the front passenger. The truck drives powerfully, holds the road very well and eats up potholes and off-road bumps with ease. The interior layout works real well with 4 captain chairs and 2 removable third row seats. We hope to get another 70k miles before any more investment or trade in. I would recommend this truck to anyone with need to travel distances safely with kids and a dog. It's worth it.