2021 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban ranks 3rd worst of 21 model years with a complaint index of 90 and 199 complaints logged with NHTSA. Engine problems dominate at 48% of complaints, and the vehicle carries 12 recall campaigns, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Suburban years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #3 of 21 Suburban years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 199
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 6
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2021 Chevy Suburban problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine96 (48%)
- Transmission & Powertrain36 (18%)
- Fuel System32 (16%)
- Electrical System26 (13%)
- Other14 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (6%)
- Brakes9 (5%)
- Seat Belts7 (4%)
- Airbags6 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine lifters collapse and push rods bend, sometimes while driving at highway speed, producing loud rattling noises.
- Some owners report large amounts of oil leaking from the engine and exhaust area shortly after taking delivery of a new vehicle.
- Transmission and engine oil loss can occur without any dashboard warning that fluid is low.
- Vehicles have accelerated unexpectedly at a stoplight even with the brake pedal fully depressed, requiring the driver to shift to neutral or park to stop.
- Electrical faults have caused wipers to activate on their own, turn signals to blink abnormally fast, and false alerts that the rear hatch is open.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy during a frontal collision at 40 mph.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V274000Apr 24, 2025Engine597,571 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
- NHTSA 24V797000Oct 24, 2024Transmission & Powertrain463,295 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:fluid/lubricant:valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
- NHTSA 22V827000Nov 3, 2022Electrical System338,735 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,200
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2021 compared with other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
- Compared with other Suburban model years, 2021 ranks 3rd worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 90 and 199 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the engine.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
- The engine is the top problem area, accounting for 48% of complaints (96 of 199), with a median failure mileage of 65,224 miles reported for the model year overall.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Suburban, covering the engine, transmission control module software, electrical daytime running lights, seat belt buckle rivets, driveshaft assemblies, fuel pump control module, power steering software, and an airbag communications gateway module.
- How does the 2021 Suburban compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 90, the 2021 model trails only 2015 (100) and 2007 (95) in complaint volume among all 21 Suburban model years tracked.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
- The 2021 Suburban is EPA-rated at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.