Chevrolet Suburban problems by model year

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

NHTSA has 1,338 owner complaints and 42 recalls on file for the Chevrolet Suburban (2005–2024). The 2021 Suburban has the most serious complaints, most often about engine.

Complaints
1,338
Recalls
42
Model years
20
Worst year
2021

Complaints by model year

1720053442007342720092325201121462013261582015125107201771752019441992021124126202343
NHTSA complaints per Chevrolet Suburban model year. Click a bar for details.

Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.

Worst Chevrolet Suburban years to buy

Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).

  1. 2021 Chevrolet Suburban — 199 complaints, 6 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
  2. 2015 Chevrolet Suburban — 158 complaints, 3 crashes, 4 fires; top problem: Brakes
  3. 2017 Chevrolet Suburban — 107 complaints, 6 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
  4. 2022 Chevrolet Suburban — 124 complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Engine
  5. 2016 Chevrolet Suburban — 125 complaints, 4 crashes, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain

Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2006 (3 complaints).

Every Chevrolet Suburban model year

YearComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesRecallsTop problem
2024 Suburban431101Engine
2023 Suburban1261043Engine
2022 Suburban1244144Engine
2021 Suburban19961512Engine
2020 Suburban442104Engine
2019 Suburban752013Transmission & Drivetrain
2018 Suburban710004Engine
2017 Suburban1076365Transmission & Drivetrain
2016 Suburban1254146Transmission & Drivetrain
2015 Suburban15834711Brakes
2014 Suburban260103Airbags
2013 Suburban460004Airbags
2012 Suburban211014Airbags
2011 Suburban250003Airbags
2010 Suburban230003Airbags
2009 Suburban271014Airbags
2008 Suburban342023Airbags
2007 Suburban440003Airbags
2006 Suburban30100Electrical System
2005 Suburban170000Electrical System

Most common Chevrolet Suburban problem areas (all years)

  • Engine
    416 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    273 complaints
  • Electrical System
    179 complaints
  • Brakes
    154 complaints
  • Airbags
    131 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    99 complaints
  • Steering
    79 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    68 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    59 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    48 complaints

Complaint trend

2020202120222023202420252026
Complaints about the Chevrolet Suburban received by NHTSA each month.

Chevrolet Suburban recalls

  • Recall 26V289000May 7, 202666 vehiclesDo not driveModel years 2015–2020

    Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 26V085000Feb 13, 202643,743 vehiclesModel years 2022

    Risk: Rear wheels that lock up while driving increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 25V274000Apr 24, 2025597,571 vehiclesModel years 2021–2024

    Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 24V797000Oct 24, 2024463,295 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 23V642000Sep 20, 2023189 vehiclesModel years 2023

    Risk: A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V903000Dec 8, 2022740,108 vehiclesModel years 2022–2023

    Risk: DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V827000Nov 3, 2022338,735 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 22V617000Aug 11, 2022484,155 vehiclesModel years 2021–2022

    Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

  • Recall 22V036000Jan 27, 20221,789 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V739000Sep 23, 202114,939 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V455000Jun 17, 202126,847 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V421000Jun 10, 2021285,622 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 21V190000Mar 18, 202194,641 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

  • Recall 21V115000Feb 25, 202133,838 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 21V050000Feb 5, 20212,641,272 vehiclesModel years 2007–2011

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 21V054000Feb 5, 20211,778,128 vehiclesModel years 2010–2014

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 21V053000Feb 5, 2021692,526 vehiclesModel years 2009–2013

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 21V052000Feb 5, 2021557,023 vehiclesModel years 2007–2009

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 21V051000Feb 5, 2021284,645 vehiclesModel years 2012

    Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

  • Recall 20V811000Dec 23, 2020470 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

  • Recall 20V792000Dec 17, 2020624,216 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

  • Recall 20V735000Nov 25, 202094 vehiclesModel years 2021

    Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.

  • Recall 19V837000Nov 21, 2019502 vehiclesModel years 2020

    Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.

  • Recall 19V761000Oct 24, 2019652,967 vehiclesModel years 2015–2020

    Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

  • Recall 19V645000Sep 6, 20193,456,719 vehiclesModel years 2015–2018

    Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Other Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology