2021 Chevrolet Suburban Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
87/100
#3 most-complained of 16 Suburban years
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban ranks 3rd worst of 16 model years, with a complaint index of 87, 199 complaints, and 12 recalls. Engine problems dominate, making up 48% of complaints, giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other Suburban years.
- Complaints
- 199
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20 hwy
Top 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Engine lifters collapse and bend push rods, sometimes causing rattling noises at highway speed.
- Some engines leak large amounts of oil shortly after purchase, accompanied by burning odors.
- Transmissions leak fluid without warning the driver of the loss.
- Some vehicles unexpectedly accelerate with the brake pedal fully depressed and will not stop until shifted to neutral or turned off.
- Electrical faults cause windshield wipers to activate on their own and turn signals to blink abnormally fast, along with false alerts that the back 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 to other Suburban model years, the 2021 ranks 3rd worst out of 16 years tracked, with a complaint index of 87 and 199 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
- Engine problems are the top issue, accounting for 48% of complaints (96 of 199), with a median mileage at failure of 95,500 miles.
- Does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2021 Suburban, covering the engine, transmission control module software, fuel pump power control module, power steering software, airbags, seat belts, and daytime running lights.
- How does the 2021 Suburban compare to other years?
- The 2021 model's complaint index of 87 is well above years like 2020 (7) and 2014 (0), but still below the worst year, 2015, which scored 100 with 428 complaints.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
- EPA rates the 2021 Suburban at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,200.