2015 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban ranks worst of 21 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 428 complaints, and 11 recalls, including one do-not-drive recall. Brakes are the top problem area, making it an Avoid year relative to other Suburban years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Suburban years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 428
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 11
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 34
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 15.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 34 / 2
Top 2015 Chevy Suburban problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes170 (40%)
- Electrical System66 (15%)
- Steering59 (14%)
- Other56 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain47 (11%)
- Engine43 (10%)
- Structure & Body40 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires32 (7%)
- Fuel System27 (6%)
- Airbags11 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brake pedals reportedly go hard or fail to slow the vehicle, sometimes leading to rear-end collisions in stop-and-go traffic.
- Some owners describe the truck surging forward while braking at low speeds, resulting in accidents.
- Side air bags reportedly failed to deploy in a rear-end crash while producing smoke, and some owners report the front air bags not deploying in frontal or side impacts.
- A seat belt area reportedly caught fire about twenty minutes after a rear-end collision, with no one in the vehicle at the time.
- Steering reportedly seized during a turn, triggering a stabilizer bar warning light and causing a crash into a fixed object.
- The Bluetooth-connected driver information center reportedly got stuck in call mode for several minutes after a call ended.
2015 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
11 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V289000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain66 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
- NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019Brakes652,967 vehicles
Service brakes
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
- NHTSA 19V645000Sep 6, 2019Brakes3,456,719 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:power assist:vacuum
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
2015 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Gasoline or E85
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- Among 21 Suburban model years tracked, 2015 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, with 428 complaints and 11 recalls, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other years.
- What is the main problem with the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban?
- Brakes are the top problem area, accounting for 170 complaints (40% of all complaints) and 8 reported crashes, with a median failure mileage of 67,000 miles.
- Does the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban have any do-not-drive recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one do-not-drive recall (campaign 26V289000) affecting four-wheel and all-wheel drive versions, among 11 total recall campaigns for this year.
- How does the 2015 Suburban compare to other years?
- The 2015 model has the highest complaint index (100) of any year from 2005 through 2025; by contrast, 2014 has a complaint index of just 5 and a Best verdict.
- What else besides brakes shows up in complaints?
- Electrical system issues account for 66 complaints (15% share), steering issues for 59 complaints (14% share) with 6 crashes, and transmission and powertrain issues for 47 complaints with a median failure mileage of 89,000 miles.