Chevrolet Suburban Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Suburban model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2020 drew the fewest (44) and the 2007 the most (482).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
16 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 16–23 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
30 | 1 | Engine | 5★ | 16–23 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
42 | 2 | Engine | 4★ | 16–23 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
44 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 16–18 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
59 | 3 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 17 |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
78 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 16–18 |
| 2018 | 81 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 18–19 |
| 2012 | 101 | 4 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 12–17 |
| 2013 | 118 | 4 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 12–17 |
| 2022 | 124 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 16–23 |
| 2017 | 141 | 5 | Service brakes | 4★ | 18–19 |
| 2023 | 143 | 4 | Engine | 4★ | 16–23 |
| 2009 | 162 | 5 | Air bags | — | 16 |
| 2010 | 175 | 3 | Air bags | — | 14–17 |
| 2021 | 199 | 12 | Engine | 4★ | 16–23 |
| 2016 | 220 | 6 | Service brakes | 4★ | 18–19 |
| 2011 | 235 | 5 | Air bags | — | 12–17 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
321 | 4 | Air bags | — | 14–16 |
| 2015 Among the most complaints |
429 | 11 | Service brakes | 4★ | 18 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
482 | 4 | Air bags | — | 14–16 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Suburban years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Chevrolet Suburban: 482 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 209 (43%); Structure 71 (15%); Electrical system 51 (11%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 12 fires, 72 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Chevrolet Suburban: 429 complaints
Most-reported: Service brakes 152 (35%); Steering 59 (14%); Electrical system 58 (14%).
Reports mention 21 crashes, 8 fires, 34 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Chevrolet Suburban: 321 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 140 (44%); Structure 50 (16%); Electrical system 35 (11%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 18 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Suburban years with the fewest complaints
2020 Chevrolet Suburban: 44 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 17 (39%); Power train 10 (23%); Electrical system 8 (18%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 30,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Chevrolet Suburban: 59 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 15 (25%); Structure 8 (14%); Electrical system 7 (12%).
Reports mention 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 55,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban: 78 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 38 (49%); Engine 26 (33%); Electrical system 7 (9%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 70,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Suburban owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 143 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 50,000 |
| 2022 | 124 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 58,166 |
| 2021 | 199 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 68,448 |
| 2020 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 30,000 |
| 2019 | 78 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2018 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 42,000 |
| 2017 | 141 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 53,333 |
| 2016 | 220 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 59,963 |
| 2015 | 429 | 21 | 8 | 34 | 2 | 62,000 |
| 2014 | 59 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 55,000 |
| 2013 | 118 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2012 | 101 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 66,600 |
| 2011 | 235 | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 70,000 |
| 2010 | 175 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 90,000 |
| 2009 | 162 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2008 | 321 | 6 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2007 | 482 | 6 | 12 | 72 | 0 | 85,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Suburban recalls
- Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy (2015–2017 model years; 3,640,162 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V651000)
- Vacuum Pump May Decrease Power Brake Assist (2015–2018 model years; 3,456,719 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V645000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2007–2011 model years; 2,641,272 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V050000)
- Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode (2010–2014 model years; 1,778,128 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2021; 21V054000)
- GM/WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR (1994–1997 model years; 1,755,876 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2003; 03V159000)
All 87 Chevrolet Suburban recall campaigns · Chevrolet Suburban problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Suburban years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Suburban year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2020 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (44). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Suburban years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2015 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the air bags. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Suburban problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the air bags (701 of 3,200 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Suburban have?
NHTSA lists 87 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Suburban. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Suburban recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.