2021 Chevrolet Suburban Transmission & Powertrain Problems
NHTSA lists 36 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, 18% of its 199 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 76,500 miles. Two related recalls exist, covering transmission control module software and rear driveshaft assemblies.
- Transmission & Powertrain complaints
- 36
- 18% of 199
- Crashes reported
- 0
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 0
- Median mileage
- 76,500 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical transmission symptoms owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration or the vehicle refusing to stop while brake is fully depressed, with the tachometer spiking near the engine's high range.
- Some describe the transmission failing to shift out of park, dying at a stoplight, and requiring a tow because the vehicle would not go into neutral.
- Multiple owners report hard or jerky shifting at low speeds and stops, including limp mode activation with dashboard lights blinking and the vehicle not restarting.
- Transmission fluid leaks are reported within months of ownership, sometimes without any warning light alerting the driver.
- Owners describe the vehicle suddenly losing power or nearly stopping while accelerating, with the engine revving but the transmission not engaging gears, including loss of reverse.
- Rear driveshaft friction and 'Service Transmission Now' warning messages are reported, with some owners noting their VIN was excluded from the related recall despite similar symptoms.
When 2021 Chevrolet Suburban transmission complaints were filed
First complaint Jul 13, 2021, latest Sep 2, 2026.
Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
- 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 22V036000Jan 27, 2022Transmission & Powertrain1,789 vehicles
Power train:driveline:driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Suburban model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- How common are transmission problems in the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
- NHTSA lists 36 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2021 Suburban, making up 18% of the 199 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do 2021 Suburban transmission problems usually appear?
- The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 76,500 miles.
- Is there a recall for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban transmission?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 24V797000 covers a transmission control module software update, and campaign 22V036000 covers replacement of rear driveshaft assemblies on 2021 Suburban vehicles.
- Did the 2021 Suburban transmission issues cause any crashes or injuries?
- NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2021 Suburban shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries reported.