2017 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 Suburban years
The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 7th worst of 16 model years, with a 'Caution' verdict. Brakes account for 33% of its 141 complaints, followed by transmission and powertrain problems, and the model carries 5 recalls including 1 do-not-drive recall.
- Complaints
- 141
- Recalls
- 5
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 7 / 3
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 15.5 city / 22.5 hwy
Top 2017 Chevrolet Suburban problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes46 (33%)
- Transmission & Powertrain39 (28%)
- Engine29 (21%)
- Electrical System24 (17%)
- Other18 (13%)
- Fuel System6 (4%)
- Steering6 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (1%)
What owners report
- Brakes fail to respond at very low speeds, causing the vehicle to roll into objects while parking.
- ABS engages unexpectedly when braking hard at low speed, producing skidding noises and a jerking sensation.
- Owners report brake-related recall remedies followed by continued brake pedal problems months later.
- The transmission jerks and RPMs surge before the vehicle abruptly stops while driving on the highway.
- Electrical issues include a power tailgate that opens on its own and hits people, and trailer hazard lights that disable brake lights.
- Some owners report engine or electrical fires starting from the center console or after the vehicle shakes while driving.
2017 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
5 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.
2017 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2017 compared with other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2017 Suburban a Complaint Index of 60, ranking it 7th worst among 16 model years, so it carries a 'Caution' verdict relative to other Suburban years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 33% of the 141 complaints, with a median failure mileage of 55,000 miles and 5 reported crashes.
- Does the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2017 Suburban, covering brakes, airbags, visibility/wipers, and transmission-and-powertrain, including 1 do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2017 Suburban compare to other years?
- The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 60 is worse than years like 2014, 2018, and 2020 (rated 'Best'), but better than 2015, 2021, 2022, and 2023, which carry 'Avoid' verdicts with higher indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban?
- EPA rates the 2017 Suburban at 18.5 mpg combined (15.5 city / 22.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.