2020 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
10/100
#19 most-complained of 21 Suburban years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban carries a Complaint Index of 10, among the lowest of the 21 model years tracked, but a Do Not Drive recall caps its verdict at Caution. NHTSA lists 44 complaints, 4 recalls, 2 crashes and 1 fire, with Engine problems making up 43% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 44
- Recalls
- 4
- incl. Do Not Drive
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14 city / 21.5 hwy
Top 2020 Chevy Suburban problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine19 (43%)
- Transmission & Powertrain10 (23%)
- Electrical System8 (18%)
- Brakes5 (11%)
- Other4 (9%)
- Steering4 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (9%)
- Fuel System3 (7%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
What owners report
- Owners report cold-start knocking followed by a diagnosed defective lifter on the 6.2-liter engine, in one case with a fire starting under the engine after a replacement.
- Some describe the transmission getting stuck in first gear with no reverse, alongside dead gauges and inoperative steering assist, stability control, and trailer brake systems on startup.
- Adaptive cruise control has been reported to react too slowly when a lead vehicle slows without visible brake lights, forcing the driver to brake hard to avoid a collision.
- A jolt from the right front has been reported during acceleration when four-wheel drive auto mode engages, described as an ongoing issue since purchase.
- Owners report a front wheel detaching at slow speed and a tire sidewall cracking with a bulge at low mileage.
- Steering has been described as briefly feeling out of control, with the front wheels seeming to turn on their own at driving speed.
2020 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
4 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 21V115000Feb 25, 2021Suspension, Wheels & Tires33,838 vehicles
Tires
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Risk: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
- NHTSA 19V837000Nov 21, 2019Fuel System502 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
Risk: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
2020 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,050
- 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.
2020 compared with other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a Complaint Index of 10 for the 2020 model year, ranked 19th worst out of 21 years tracked, which is comparatively low. However, its verdict is capped at Caution because of a Do Not Drive recall.
- What problems does the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban have?
- NHTSA lists 44 complaints for the 2020 Suburban, with Engine issues making up 43% (19 complaints), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 23% and Electrical System at 18%. The median mileage at engine failure was 60,000 miles.
- Does the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 Suburban, covering transmission/4WD components (a Do Not Drive campaign), suspension/tires, fuel system, and brakes.
- Why is the 2020 Suburban rated Caution instead of Good?
- Its Complaint Index of 10 would otherwise suggest a stronger rating, but NHTSA's Do Not Drive recall on the 4WD/AWD system caps the verdict at Caution.
- How does the 2020 Suburban compare to other years?
- The 2020 model's complaint index of 10 is far lower than Avoid years like 2015 (100) and 2007 (95), and lower than most Caution years such as 2019 (40) and 2017 (55).