Chevrolet Suburban Engine Problems
Owners have filed 529 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Chevrolet Suburban across 26 model years. The 2021 model year has the most (87).
- 529engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $9,100typical repair cost reported by owners
- 54%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Chevrolet Suburban at $9,100, and half of them between $4,150 and $12,000.
Based on 25 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 205 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 529 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 11 a fire, 3 an injury.
Chevrolet Suburban engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Suburban | 23 | 53% | 16,600 |
| 2023 Suburban | 69 | 53% | 43,300 |
| 2022 Suburban | 62 | 50% | 59,583 |
| 2021 Suburban | 87 | 44% | 48,063 |
| 2020 Suburban | 17 | 39% | 92,500 |
| 2019 Suburban | 26 | 33% | 81,000 |
| 2018 Suburban | 18 | 22% | 88,000 |
| 2017 Suburban | 25 | 18% | 94,400 |
| 2016 Suburban | 27 | 12% | 60,000 |
| 2015 Suburban | 39 | 9% | 65,679 |
| 2014 Suburban | 1 | 2% | 124,000 |
| 2013 Suburban | 16 | 14% | 110,000 |
| 2012 Suburban | 12 | 12% | 64,500 |
| 2011 Suburban | 10 | 7% | 83,000 |
| 2010 Suburban | 6 | 5% | 125,000 |
| 2009 Suburban | 10 | 9% | 120,000 |
| 2008 Suburban | 25 | 12% | 125,000 |
| 2007 Suburban | 27 | 9% | 156,000 |
| 2005 Suburban | 6 | 5% | 120,000 |
| 2004 Suburban | 6 | 3% | 99,500 |
| 2003 Suburban | 4 | 1% | 127,500 |
| 2002 Suburban | 2 | 1% | 193,337 |
| 2001 Suburban | 7 | 2% | 162,000 |
| 2000 Suburban | 1 | 0% | 232,000 |
| 1999 Suburban | 2 | 0% | 116,000 |
| 1997 Suburban | 1 | 0% | 76,900 |
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.
I was driving south on Highway 395 with 2 of my friends on our way home from vacation, which is a 2 lane road in the mountains. About 45 miles north of Victorville, CA. As I was accelerating, my vehicle all of a sudden dropped adaptive cruise control, the engine light started blinking, traction…
Tuesday October 6th, 2026, I dropped my 2 children off at school and was driving on the highway to work through heavy traffic when I had a suddenly loud knocking coming from my car, transmission not wanting to shift properly, high rpmâs for extended periods of time. I was able to safely make it…
Radiator was cracked and leaking at 42,000 miles. GM is well aware of the known failure, but has failed to issue a recall
Cylinders were misfiring and lifters had to be completely replaced along with pushrod and camshaft. This cost me $7018.64 to fix out of my own pocket. Received the vehicle back, and there was a slight ticking sound that was new to me. Scheduled to bring the vehicle back in and 2 days before I was…
2023 Chevrolet Suburban, 6.2L L87, included in Recall 25V-274 and NHTSA EA26005. Recall service was performed XXX at 20,259 miles; the engine passed inspection and received the 0W-40 oil remedy. I noticed that the oil level was low after the dealer had serviced the engine so I topped it off. At the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Chevrolet Suburbans have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 529 owner complaints about engine 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?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Chevrolet Suburban?
Owners report a typical cost of $9,100 (half paid between $4,150 and $12,000), from 25 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
Other Chevrolet Suburban problems
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (940)
- Electrical System problems (747)
- Air Bags problems (651)
- Power Train problems (629)
- Service Brakes problems (566)
- Steering problems (452)
- Structure problems (363)
- Tires problems (325)
See all Chevrolet Suburban problems.