2017 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban has a Complaint Index of 55, ranking 10th out of 21 model years, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the top problem area (46 complaints, 33% share), and the vehicle has 5 recalls, including a do-not-drive campaign.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Suburban years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 141
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- 1 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 15.5 city / 22.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2017 Chevy Suburban problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes can fail to respond at low speed, causing the vehicle to roll into objects instead of stopping.
- Owners report the ABS engaging and skidding noises during light braking at very low speeds, such as when reversing.
- Some describe sudden transmission jerking and RPM spikes that bring the vehicle to an abrupt stop while driving.
- Electrical faults have caused brake lights to stop working when hazard lights are flashing.
- A few owners report engine compartment fires starting after shaking or shuddering while driving on the highway.
- The power tailgate has closed unexpectedly and struck people, activating without any foot movement near the sensor.
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 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years for this model, with a Caution verdict. Brakes are the leading complaint category, accounting for 33% of reports.
- What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban?
- Brakes lead with 46 complaints (33% share), followed by Transmission & Powertrain with 39 complaints (28%) and Engine issues with 29 complaints (21%). Electrical System problems account for 24 complaints (17%).
- Does the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2017 Suburban, covering Transmission & Powertrain, Brakes (two separate campaigns), Visibility & Wipers, and Airbags. One of these is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2017 Suburban compare to other model years?
- The 2017 model's Complaint Index of 55 is better than years like 2015 (100, Avoid) and 2007 (95, Avoid), but worse than 2012-2014, which earned Best verdicts with indexes as low as 5.
- What mileage do brake problems typically appear at on the 2017 Suburban?
- NHTSA complaint data shows a median mileage of 55,000 at the time of brake-related failure reports for the 2017 Suburban.