Chevrolet Suburban Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2023 Chevrolet Suburban years, which carry the highest Complaint Index scores (100, 87, 80, and 93). Best years are 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2020, each with a Complaint Index under 20. The 2015 model is worst overall with 428 complaints, 21 crashes, and 2 deaths.
Avoid 2015Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2012Best 2014Best 2018Best 2020
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,215
- Recall campaigns
- 44
- Crashes reported
- 66
- Fires reported
- 22
- Top problem area
- Engine
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 53 | 175 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 15.5 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 73 | 235 | 4 | 1 | 5 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2012 | Best | 13 | 101 | 3 | 2 | 4 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 33 | 118 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 14.5 | — |
| 2014 | Best | 0 | 59 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2015 | Avoid | 100 | 428 | 21 | 8 | 11 ! | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 67 | 220 | 9 | 1 | 6 ! | Brakes | 18 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 60 | 141 | 7 | 3 | 5 ! | Brakes | 18.5 | — |
| 2018 | Best | 20 | 81 | 3 | 0 | 4 ! | Engine | 18.5 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 27 | 78 | 2 | 1 | 3 ! | Transmission & Powertrain | 16.5 | — |
| 2020 | Best | 7 | 44 | 2 | 1 | 4 ! | Engine | 16.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 87 | 199 | 6 | 1 | 12 | Engine | 17 | 4★ |
| 2022 | Avoid | 80 | 122 | 4 | 1 | 4 | Engine | 16 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 93 | 142 | 1 | 0 | 4 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2024 | Good | 47 | 42 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Engine | 16.5 | 4★ |
| 2025 | Good | 40 | 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 (100) and the most complaints (428) of any year, plus 21 crashes, 8 fires, and 2 deaths. Brakes account for 40% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 67,000. Owners reported sudden forward surges while braking at low speed and airbags failing to deploy in rear-end collisions. Electrical system issues (15%) and steering problems (14%) were also common. GM issued 11 recalls for this model year, including a do-not-drive brake control module recall and a later transmission recall covering related models.
2015 brakes problems →2015 electrical system problems →2015 steering problems →
2023 Chevrolet Suburban Index 93 · 142 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2023 Suburban has a Complaint Index of 93 from 142 complaints, with 1 crash and 4 injuries. Engine problems account for 60% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 47,000. Owners reported vehicles shifting into neutral unexpectedly while driving and safety restraint warning lights activating on newly purchased vehicles. Electrical issues followed at 12%. Recalls include an engine inspection/repair campaign, a brake control module software update, and a rear suspension control arm bolt fix.
2023 engine problems →2023 transmission & powertrain problems →2023 electrical system problems →
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Index 87 · 199 complaints · 12 recalls
The 2021 Suburban carries a Complaint Index of 87 with 199 complaints, 6 crashes, and 5 injuries. Engine problems dominate at 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,500. Owners reported engines needing replacement and airbags failing to deploy in frontal collisions. Transmission and fuel system issues followed, at 18% and 16% respectively. GM issued 12 recalls for this year, including an engine recall shared with 2021-2024 Suburban, Tahoe, and Escalade models and a transmission control module software recall.
2021 engine problems →2021 transmission & powertrain problems →2021 fuel system problems →
2022 Chevrolet Suburban Index 80 · 122 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2022 Suburban has a Complaint Index of 80 across 122 complaints, with 4 crashes and 4 injuries. Engine complaints make up 52% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 58,166. Owners reported sudden power loss while driving and airbags not deploying in crashes. Transmission and electrical issues followed at 26% and 18%. Recalls include a transmission control module software update and a body control module fix shared across multiple GM SUVs and trucks.
2022 engine problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →2022 electrical system problems →
Most common Chevrolet Suburban problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine522 (24%)
- Other410 (19%)
- Brakes393 (18%)
- Transmission & Powertrain321 (14%)
- Airbags288 (13%)
- Electrical System281 (13%)
- Structure & Body227 (10%)
- Steering127 (6%)
- Fuel System121 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires95 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- Which Chevrolet Suburban years should I avoid?
- NHTSA data flags 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2023 as the years to avoid, based on Complaint Index scores of 100, 87, 80, and 93 respectively — the highest among all 16 model years covered.
- What is the best Chevrolet Suburban year to buy used?
- 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2020 are the best-rated years, each with a Complaint Index below 20 and comparatively few complaints and recalls.
- Is the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- The 2015 Suburban has the highest Complaint Index (100) of any Suburban year, with 428 complaints, 21 crashes, 8 fires, and 2 deaths, and brakes were the top-reported problem area.
- What is the most common problem across all Chevrolet Suburban years?
- Across all years covered, engine problems are the top complaint category with 522 complaints (24% share), followed by brakes at 393 complaints (18%).
- Does the Chevrolet Suburban have engine recalls?
- Yes. The 2021-2024 Suburban is covered by a 6.2L V8 engine recall (campaign 25V274000) for inspection and, if necessary, repair or replacement.