Chevrolet Suburban Problems by Year

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 13, 2026 · 6,376 owner complaints analyzed

Years with far more complaints than usual:

NHTSA has 6,376 owner complaints and 73 safety recalls on file for the Chevrolet Suburban, across 30 model years (1995–2024). The 1999 model year has the most complaints (634). The most reported problem area overall is service brakes, hydraulic.

Chevrolet Suburban
A 2025 Chevrolet Suburban RST photographed during the 2025 New York International Auto Show , inside the Javits Convention Center , at Hudson Yards, Manhattan ,. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Peak: 1999, with 634 complaints
1995: 45719951996: 3601997: 4141998: 20119981999: 6346342000: 2822001: 44020012002: 2862003: 3012004: 20420042005: 1292006: 232007: 29220072008: 2132009: 1062010: 11720102011: 1482012: 1012013: 11820132014: 592015: 4302016: 22020162017: 1412018: 832019: 7820192020: 442021: 1992022: 12420222023: 1292024: 43

n = 6,376 complaints · Source: NHTSA

Chevrolet Suburban years to avoid? What the complaint data shows

These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Suburban year: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2015. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.

Model years with the most complaints

  1. 1999 Suburban: 634 complaints, 1 recall
  2. 1995 Suburban: 457 complaints, 6 recalls
  3. 2001 Suburban: 440 complaints, 6 recalls

Model years with the fewest complaints

  1. 2006 Suburban: 23 complaints, 1 recall
  2. 2024 Suburban: 43 complaints, 1 recall
  3. 2020 Suburban: 44 complaints, 4 recalls

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.

Most common Chevrolet Suburban problems (all years)

Problem areaComplaintsModel yearsCrashes
Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems9402191
Electrical System problems7473012
Air Bags problems65130114
Power Train problems6293026
Service Brakes problems5662942
Engine problems529264
Steering problems4523023
Structure problems3632812
Tires problems3252013
Visibility problems304181
Fuel System, Gasoline problems249212
Engine and Engine Cooling problems245233
Suspension problems195266
Seats problems166207
Seat Belts problems1642617
Vehicle Speed Control problems1442718
Fuel/propulsion System problems136271
Latches/locks/linkages problems107190
Parking Brake9573
Exterior Lighting90231
Equipment80151
Electronic Stability Control (esc)79192
Wheels65253
Service Brakes, Air54105
Fuel System, Other3992
Forward Collision Avoidance37133
Visibility/wiper30160
Back Over Prevention1591
Trailer Hitches1472
Lane Departure1151
Interior Lighting1050
Traction Control System980
Child Seat870
Fuel System, Diesel640
Equipment Adaptive/mobility430
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness220
Other/i Am Not Sure220

Chevrolet Suburban problems by model year

Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.

All Chevrolet Suburban model years

Model yearComplaintsRecallsCrash ratingTop problemCompared with other years
2024 Suburban4314★EngineFar fewer complaints than other years
2023 Suburban12934★EngineFewer complaints than other years
2022 Suburban12444★EngineFewer complaints than other years
2021 Suburban199124★EngineMore complaints than other years
2020 Suburban444—EngineFar fewer complaints than other years
2019 Suburban783—Power TrainFar fewer complaints than other years
2018 Suburban834—Power TrainFar fewer complaints than other years
2017 Suburban1415—Service BrakesFewer complaints than other years
2016 Suburban2206—Service BrakesMore complaints than other years
2015 Suburban43011—Service BrakesFar more complaints than other years
2014 Suburban593—Unknown or OtherFar fewer complaints than other years
2013 Suburban1184—Unknown or OtherFewer complaints than other years
2012 Suburban1014—Unknown or OtherFewer complaints than other years
2011 Suburban1483—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2010 Suburban1173—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2009 Suburban1065—Air BagsFewer complaints than other years
2008 Suburban2134—Air BagsMore complaints than other years
2007 Suburban2924—Air BagsMore complaints than other years
2006 Suburban231—StructureFar fewer complaints than other years
2005 Suburban1296—Electrical SystemFewer complaints than other years
2004 Suburban2044—Electrical SystemMore complaints than other years
2003 Suburban3015—Electrical SystemFar more complaints than other years
2002 Suburban2862—Service Brakes, HydraulicMore complaints than other years
2001 Suburban4406—Service Brakes, HydraulicFar more complaints than other years
2000 Suburban2828—Service Brakes, HydraulicMore complaints than other years
1999 Suburban6341—Service Brakes, HydraulicFar more complaints than other years
1998 Suburban2012—Service Brakes, HydraulicMore complaints than other years
1997 Suburban4142—SteeringFar more complaints than other years
1996 Suburban3603—Service Brakes, HydraulicFar more complaints than other years
1995 Suburban4576—Service Brakes, HydraulicFar more complaints than other years

More from Chevrolet: all Chevrolet models · Chevrolet VIN decoder

Frequently asked questions

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you stay away from?

By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (457), 1996 (360), 1997 (414), 1999 (634), 2001 (440), 2003 (301), 2015 (430) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Suburban year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.

What is the biggest problem with the Chevrolet Suburban?

Service Brakes, Hydraulic, with 940 complaints across 21 model years.

How many recalls does the Chevrolet Suburban have?

73 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.