Recalls
12campaigns
4 seat belt · 2 power train · 1 engine
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
199filed
Owner reports, 2017–2026 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Crash tests
4★overall
★★★★☆ Frontal 4★ · Side 5★ · Rollover 3★
Source: NHTSA NCAP
Fuel economy
23mpg combined
$2,840/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
3 L 6-cyl· 10-speed automatic
10 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (12)
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Engine Failure
Engine and engine cooling · engine · hard parts internal/mechanical
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
85.1% repairedof 597,571 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 25V274000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Wheel Lock-Up from Transmission Valve Failure
Power train · automatic transmission · control module · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Consequence
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
76% repairedof 463,295 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 24V797000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Running Lights May Not Deactivate/FMVSS 108
Exterior lighting · lighting control module · software
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
95% repairedof 338,735 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V827000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Improper Rivets on Seat Belt Buckle Assembly
Seat belts · critical fasteners
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
- Consequence
- A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
93.7% repairedof 484,155 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V617000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Rear Wheel Driveshaft Assemblies May Fail
Power train · driveline · driveshaft
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- Consequence
- Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. 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 N212351030.
95.4% repairedof 1,789 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 22V036000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Power Control Module May Cause Fuel Pump Failure
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump · control/drive module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
- Consequence
- An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. 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 N212332040.
96.9% repairedof 14,939 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V739000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Loss of Power Steering Assist
Steering · steering control module
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
- Consequence
- Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. 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 N212333900.
98.9% repairedof 26,847 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V455000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Air Bag Light May Not Indicate Malfunction
Air bags · srs malfunction warning lamp/light
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
- Consequence
- The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.
99.1% repairedof 285,622 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V421000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Seat Belts May Become Damaged
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
- Consequence
- A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
98.4% repairedof 94,641 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 21V190000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Incorrect Bolts Used To Attach Seat Belts
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
93.8% repairedof 470 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V811000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Front Center Seat Belts may not be Secured
Seat belts
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
90% repairedof 624,216 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V792000
Listed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Not checked against your VIN.
Bolts for Front Seats Incorrectly Installed
Seats
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.
98.9% repairedof 94 vehicles
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 20V735000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (199)
199 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.
6involved a crash
1involved a fire
5injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 199 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 86 | 43.2% |
| Power train | 36 | 18.1% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 11.1% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 9.5% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 6.5% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 5.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 10 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 10 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 9 | 4.5% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 3.5% |
How 2021 compares with other Suburban years
Best and worst Suburban years →2017141
201881
201978
202044
2021199
2022124
2023143
202442
202530
202616
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 141 | 5 |
| 2018 | 81 | 4 |
| 2019 | 78 | 3 |
| 2020 | 44 | 4 |
| 2021 | 199 | 12 |
| 2022 | 124 | 4 |
| 2023 | 143 | 4 |
| 2024 | 42 | 2 |
| 2025 | 30 | 1 |
| 2026 | 16 | 3 |
This year (2021)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 4★★★★★☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 21.2%★★★☆☆
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2021 Chevrolet Suburban suv 2wd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
23
mpg combined
21
city
27
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $4,150
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 437 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
$2,840per year
$237per month
652gallons a year
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 / 27 / 23 | $4,150 | 437 |
| 3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 20 / 26 / 22 | $4,350 | 444 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 492 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $4,850 | 525 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | $3,950 | 515 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | $3,950 | 523 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 558 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | $5,150 | 544 |
| 6.2 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 16 | $5,150 | 570 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl · 10-speed automatic | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2021 Suburban for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2021 Chevrolet Suburban FAQ
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have?
NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns: 25V274000 (engine), 24V797000 (power train), 22V827000 (lighting), 22V617000 (seat belt), 22V036000 (power train), 21V739000 (fuel pump), 21V455000 (steering), 21V421000 (air bag), 21V190000 (seat belt), 20V811000 (seat belt), 20V792000 (seat belt), 20V735000 (seat). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
Owners filed 199 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (86), Power train (36), Fuel/propulsion system (22) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA rates the 3 L 6-cyl · 10-speed automatic version at 21 city, 27 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban get?
NHTSA rated the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban suv 2wd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 3 stars rollover (21.2% rollover risk).
How does the 2021 Suburban compare with other years?
Among the 2017–2021 Chevrolet Suburban model years at least five years old, the 2020 drew the fewest complaints (44) and the 2021 the most (199). The 2021 drew 199. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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