Chevrolet Suburban Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 246 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Chevrolet Suburban across 23 model years. The 1996 model year has the most (36).
- 246engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- 39%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 124 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 246 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 4 an injury.
Chevrolet Suburban engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Suburban | 6 | 14% | 15,650 |
| 2023 Suburban | 9 | 7% | 63,000 |
| 2022 Suburban | 5 | 4% | 90,000 |
| 2021 Suburban | 11 | 6% | 109,069 |
| 2020 Suburban | 1 | 2% | 30,000 |
| 2019 Suburban | 2 | 3% | 97,000 |
| 2015 Suburban | 1 | 0% | 231,000 |
| 2010 Suburban | 1 | 1% | 242,765 |
| 2009 Suburban | 2 | 2% | 35,347 |
| 2008 Suburban | 2 | 1% | 51,000 |
| 2007 Suburban | 6 | 2% | 55,250 |
| 2006 Suburban | 1 | 4% | 73,000 |
| 2005 Suburban | 2 | 2% | 14,819 |
| 2004 Suburban | 12 | 6% | 64,300 |
| 2003 Suburban | 10 | 3% | 132,000 |
| 2002 Suburban | 16 | 6% | 86,310 |
| 2001 Suburban | 30 | 7% | 50,100 |
| 2000 Suburban | 12 | 4% | 62,591 |
| 1999 Suburban | 33 | 5% | 73,000 |
| 1998 Suburban | 17 | 8% | 54,598 |
| 1997 Suburban | 20 | 5% | 138,000 |
| 1996 Suburban | 36 | 10% | 68,251 |
| 1995 Suburban | 11 | 2% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Model years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2001
Problem: On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
Risk: If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc at 1-866-996-9463.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2004, 2005
Problem: On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-vin g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Risk: If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and gmc trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and shut off completely without warning. An attempt was made to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where a diagnostic inspection…
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine failed after the message âDrive Carefully - Reduce Accelerationâ was displayed and the vehicle then came to a sudden stop. The vehicle was unable to accelerate, and the engine…
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light flashing. There was a rumbling sound coming from the vehicle, and the vehicle started shaking. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the…
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot at a low speed, the engine shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, which was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and…
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle chugged, jerked, and lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Suburbans have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 246 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Chevrolet Suburban. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Chevrolet Suburban engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
Other Chevrolet Suburban problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (940)
- Electrical System problems (747)
- Air Bags problems (651)
- Power Train problems (629)
- Service Brakes problems (567)
- Engine problems (531)
- Steering problems (452)
- Structure problems (363)
See all Chevrolet Suburban problems.