Chevrolet Suburban Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Avoid the 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2023 Chevrolet Suburban, which carry complaint indexes from 75 to 100 and multiple recall campaigns. The 2012-2014 model years are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 5 to 20, making them the safer used-buy years.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2015Avoid 2016Avoid 2021Avoid 2023Best 2012Best 2013Best 2014
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 3,465
- Recall campaigns
- 55
- Crashes reported
- 87
- Fires reported
- 41
- Top problem area
- Airbags
Suburban Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Chevrolet Suburban problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Good | 45 | 229 | 7 | 4 | 6 | Electrical System | 14.5 | — |
| 2006 | Good | 0 | 56 | 1 | 3 | 2 | Structure & Body | 14 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 482 | 6 | 12 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 80 | 321 | 6 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2009 | Caution | 60 | 162 | 1 | 0 | 5 | Airbags | 16 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 50 | 175 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 15.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 70 | 235 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 20 | 101 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2013 | Best | 15 | 118 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 5 | 59 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 100 | 428 | 21 | 8 | 11 ! | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 75 | 220 | 9 | 1 | 6 ! | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 55 | 141 | 7 | 3 | 5 ! | Brakes | 18.5 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 30 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 4 ! | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 40 | 78 | 2 | 1 | 3 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 16.5 | — |
| 2020 | Caution | 10 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 4 ! | Engine | 16.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 90 | 199 | 6 | 1 | 12 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Caution | 65 | 122 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 85 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Good | 35 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 25 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Engine | 16.5 | 5★ |
Suburban years to avoid: what went wrong
2015 Chevrolet Suburban Index 100 · 428 complaints · 11 recalls
The 2015 Suburban has the highest complaint index of any year, 100, from 428 complaints, 21 crashes, and 2 deaths. Brakes drive 40 percent of complaints at a median 67,000 miles, with owners describing sudden forward surges while braking at low speed. NHTSA lists 11 recalls for this year, including one do-not-drive campaign and two brake-related electronic control module recalls. Owners also reported airbags that failed to deploy and side airbags smoking without deploying.
2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →
2007 Chevrolet Suburban Index 95 · 482 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2007 Suburban has 482 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 95, the second-worst of any year. Airbags account for 43 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 110,000 miles, including reports of airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Structure & Body issues follow at 17 percent. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including a front passenger air bag inflator replacement campaign, plus an electrical recall tied to a heated washer fluid module linked to engine-compartment fires. Owners also reported seat belts unraveling.
2007 airbags problems →2007 structure & body problems →2007 engine problems →
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Index 90 · 199 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2021 Suburban has a complaint index of 90 from 199 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 48 percent of complaints, median mileage 95,500. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 18 percent. NHTSA lists 12 recalls, the most of any year covered, including an engine inspection/replacement campaign and a transmission control module software update. Owners also reported airbags failing to deploy in a frontal collision and brake pedals that did not stop the vehicle.
2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 fuel system problems →
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Index 85 · 142 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Suburban has a complaint index of 85 from 142 complaints. Engine problems dominate at 60 percent of complaints, median mileage 47,000. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 14 percent. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including an engine inspection/replacement campaign shared with the 2021 model and a rear suspension control arm bolt recall. Owners also reported the vehicle shifting into neutral unexpectedly and airbags not activating in a crash.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2008 Chevrolet Suburban Index 80 · 321 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2008 Suburban logged 321 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Airbags make up 44 percent of complaints at a median 99,000 miles, with owners describing crashes where airbags did not deploy. Structure & Body problems follow at 24 percent. NHTSA lists 4 recalls, including the same front passenger air bag inflator replacement and the heated washer fluid module recall shared with the 2007 model. Owners also reported wheel detachment and a rear axle fracture affecting braking.
2008 airbags problems →2008 structure & body problems →2008 engine problems →
2016 Chevrolet Suburban Index 75 · 220 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2016 Suburban has 220 complaints and a complaint index of 75. Brakes account for 37 percent of complaints at a median 62,000 miles, with owners describing stiff brake pedals and reduced stopping power leading to crashes. Transmission & Powertrain issues follow at 20 percent. NHTSA lists 6 recalls, including one do-not-drive campaign, plus brake control module reprogramming recalls shared with the 2015 model. Owners also reported a front wheel detaching from the axle while driving.
2016 brakes problems →2016 transmission & powertrain problems →2016 engine problems →
Most common Chevy Suburban problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Airbags723 (21%)
- Engine670 (19%)
- Other590 (17%)
- Electrical System488 (14%)
- Brakes485 (14%)
- Structure & Body465 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain386 (11%)
- Fuel System169 (5%)
- Steering150 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires133 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Chevrolet Suburban should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2007, 2008, 2015, 2016, 2021, and 2023 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes ranging from 75 to 100, the highest in the lineup.
- What is the best year for a used Chevrolet Suburban?
- 2012, 2013, and 2014 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 15, and 5 respectively, the lowest across all 21 model years covered.
- Does the 2015 Suburban have a brake recall?
- Yes. The 2015 Suburban is tied to brake-related recalls, including an Electronic Brake Control Module reprogramming campaign, and brakes account for 40 percent of its 428 complaints.
- Is the 2021 Suburban reliable compared to other years?
- The 2021 Suburban has a complaint index of 90 and 12 recall campaigns, the most of any year, making it one of the higher-complaint years relative to other Suburban model years.
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Chevrolet Suburban have?
- Across 21 model years from 2005 to 2025, NHTSA lists 3,465 total complaints and 55 recall campaigns for the Chevrolet Suburban.