Chevrolet Suburban
Registered from 1996 to 2027.
About this model
The Chevrolet Suburban is a series of SUVs built by Chevrolet since 1934. The longest-produced automobile nameplate in the world, the Suburban is currently in its twelfth generation, in production since the 2021 model year. Beginning life as one of the first metal-bodied station wagons, the Suburban is the progenitor of the modern full-size sport utility vehicle, combining a wagon-style body with the chassis and powertrain of a pickup truck. Alongside its Advance Design, Task Force, and C/K predecessors, the Chevrolet Silverado currently shares chassis and mechanical commonality with the Suburban and other trucks.
From the Wikipedia article Chevrolet Suburban, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
The manufacturer has told owners of 2 of these to stop driving until the repair is done.
- Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
- Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Where it stands out against its peers
- Service brakes: more complaints than 97% of 2015 cars — 36% of its 428 complaints, where an ordinary 2015 car has 10%.
Same model year only, at least 30 peer cars, zeros included. Every car has a worst part; this shows which, and how far from ordinary it is. A high share means more to check, not a verdict.
Before you buy one
Built from what this car fails on, not from general knowledge of the model.
- SERVICE BRAKES — 118 owners reported this, 4 involving a crash
- POWER TRAIN — 32 owners reported this, 1 involving a fire
- STRUCTURE — 24 owners reported this
- STEERING — 23 owners reported this, 3 involving a crash
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — 20 owners reported this, 1 involving a fire
- ENGINE — 17 owners reported this, 1 involving a fire
- SUSPENSION — 12 owners reported this
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 10 owners reported this, 2 involving a crash, 2 involving a fire
- STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) — 7 owners reported this
- AIR BAGS — 6 owners reported this, 4 involving a crash, 1 involving a fire
- EXTERIOR LIGHTING — 6 owners reported this
- SEAT BELTS — 6 owners reported this, 1 involving a crash, 1 involving a fire
- STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — 6 owners reported this
Crash test
| Overall | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★☆☆ |
| Stability control | Standard |
| Forward collision warning | Standard |
| Lane departure warning | Standard |
Crash-tested by NHTSA, the American road safety agency.
Specification
| Year | Measured |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 305 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 12.4 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2025 | 305 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 12.4 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2024 | 355 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2023 | 355 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2022 | 355 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 16.8 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2021 | 355 hp · 2578 kg · 3410 mm wheelbase · 13.8 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 11.8 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2020 | 355 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 16.8 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2019 | 355 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 14.7 L/100km (EPA) · 16.8 L/100km city · 11.2 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2018 | 345 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2017 | 345 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2016 | 345 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
| 2015 | 345 hp · 2620 kg · 3300 mm wheelbase · 13.1 L/100km (EPA) · 15.7 L/100km city · 10.7 motorway · Suv, 4-door |
Recalls
Filed by the manufacturer with a regulator. A recall is repaired free of charge, whoever owns the car now.
37% of 2022 cars have more recall campaigns than this one, and an ordinary one has 3. More of them means more to check the service record for, not a worse car.
- Do not drive
16V256000
Inadequate welds may allow the control arm to separate from the bushing, compromising steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the left and right front upper control arms and realign the vehicle, free of charge. The recall began on May 18, 2016. Until the repairs have been made, owners are advised not to drive their vehicles. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 42190.
- Do not drive
26V289000
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
12V112000
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4, 2012.
13V001000
As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
13V342000
Loose caliper bolts may cause reduced braking performance and result in lengthened stopping distances, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the bolts on both rear brake caliper brackets. Any bolts found loose will be replaced and tightened. This service will be performed, at no charge. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-222-1020 and GMC at 1-800-462-8782. GM's recall number is 13247.
14V152000
If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
14V374000
If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
14V451000
During deployment, the RRAB may be punctured or torn by the roof carrier hardware, reducing its performance and increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roof carrier attaching hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14359.
30 more campaigns have been filed against this model. A dealer can check by VIN which apply to one car.
Regulator investigations
Opened by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. An investigation is a question the regulator asked about a possible defect, not a fault it found — most end without a recall.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Engineering analysis, opened August 2026, still open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
Recall query, opened January 2026, closed August 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Engineering analysis, opened October 2025, still open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened January 2025, closed October 2025.
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Engineering analysis, opened September 2021, still open.
Air Bag Malfunction
Preliminary evaluation, opened April 2021, closed August 2023.
Brake Vacuum Pump Failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened November 2018, closed April 2022.
Brake line corrosion failure
Engineering analysis, opened January 2011, closed April 2015.
Brake line corrosion failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened March 2010, closed January 2011.
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Engineering analysis, opened June 2008, closed September 2008.
Non-crash engine compartment fires
Preliminary evaluation, opened February 2008, closed June 2008.
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Engineering analysis, opened September 2007, closed September 2008.
Trailer hitch receiver failure
Preliminary evaluation, opened May 2007, closed September 2007.
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Engineering analysis, opened September 2006, closed November 2007.
Crank position sensor failure - stall
Preliminary evaluation, opened May 2006, closed September 2006.
Parking brake failure
Defect petition, opened December 2005, closed May 2006.
Unwanted low-speed abs activation
Preliminary evaluation, opened April 2005, closed September 2005.
Overheated fuel pump wiring
Engineering analysis, opened September 2004, closed August 2005.
Overheated fuel pump wiring
Preliminary evaluation, opened May 2004, closed September 2004.
Hydraulic pump failres
Engineering analysis, opened April 2004, closed February 2005.
Parking brake failure
Engineering analysis, opened April 2004, closed May 2005.
Steel wheel rim fracture
Preliminary evaluation, opened June 2003, closed November 2003.
Alleged failure of 2nd row seatbelt alr
Preliminary evaluation, opened September 2002, closed February 2003.
Throttle sticking closed
Engineering analysis, opened August 2002, closed January 2004.
Windshield wiper failure
Engineering analysis, opened May 2002, closed July 2003.
Headlight
Engineering analysis, opened September 2000, closed December 2001.
Battery leaks acid
Engineering analysis, opened May 2000, closed June 2002.
Oem hitch receiver platform cracking
Defect petition, opened January 2000, still open.
Erratic power steering assist while driv
Engineering analysis, opened May 1999, closed February 2001.
Steering shaft separations
Engineering analysis, opened April 1997, closed March 1998.
Steering shaft separations
Preliminary evaluation, opened December 1996, closed April 1997.
Poor brake performance
Engineering analysis, opened September 1995, closed September 2001.
What the maker told its dealers
Service bulletins are the manufacturer's own repair guidance to dealers, filed with NHTSA. A bulletin is not a defect finding; the count rises with how many things a maker writes down, not only with how many go wrong.
Chevrolet filed 181 bulletins about the 2026 Suburban.
- Electrical system: 4
- Engine: 2
- Forward collision avoidance: 1
- Fuel/propulsion system: 1
- Service brakes: 1
- Wheels: 1
- Other: 171
- This is a diagnostic PI to assist on a repair to fix a concern for the HVAC temperature doors binding at times · August 2026
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front View Camera Module (ACP2) on part restriction due to elevated replacement rates and ongoing engineering… · August 2026
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues · August 2026
- This Preliminary information communications information on a Short Range Radar software anomaly causing false / ghost left or right side object detection alerts. · August 2026
- This preliminary information is to inform technicians that GM is placing the B174W Front View Camera Module (ACP2) on part restriction due to elevated replacement rates and ongoing engineering… · August 2026
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the virtual garage door opener not programming to a garage opener. Engineering is working on a new module. · August 2026
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the SES MIL and DTC P062B and engineering is currently investigating. · August 2026
- This Preliminary information communications information on a Short Range Radar software anomaly causing false / ghost left or right side object detection alerts. · August 2026
173 more.
Grouped by NHTSA's top-level system; a bulletin filed under a sub-heading counts toward its system.