2020 Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Report

Power steering assist cuts out without warning. The wheel goes firm while driving, sometimes followed by a Service Power Steering message. Some startups knock out steering assist, stability control, the speedometer and tachometer, and reverse gear, leaving only first gear. These faults can clear after repeated restarts and then return. Stalling while driving takes power steering and power brakes with it. One owner also describes the front wheels seeming to turn on their own in corners, which is a loss-of-control risk on wet roads.

Adaptive cruise control reacts late when the vehicle ahead slows, so the driver has to brake hard to avoid a collision. Above 65 mph it leaves too little following distance, and the problem shows up from the first long trip. The other complaint filed here is really an engine failure: clicking and knocking on the interstate, then a complete loss of throttle within minutes. The dealer called it catastrophic engine failure. Steering and brakes kept working long enough to reach the shoulder.

In one crash, no airbags deployed when another vehicle traveling about 45 mph hit the driver-side front quarter during a left turn. Separately, a Service Safety Restraint System warning comes and goes as if from an electrical short. The owner notes that the related service bulletin covers only 2021-2023 models, so the 2020 is left out. Only two complaints are on file, but both question whether the restraint system will work when needed.

Most of what is filed here describes engine and wiring trouble rather than suspension wear. One vehicle needed two engine replacements by 70,000 miles, with failures at high speed. It also has a recurring wiring harness fault that cuts power steering while driving, which the dealer has not fixed. The one true driveline complaint describes a jolt from the right front while accelerating above 50 mph with automatic four-wheel drive engaged. It has persisted since purchase.

Both complaints here are transmission problems. A failed transmission solenoid within the first year of ownership left the SUV unable to go faster than 40 mph. The other report describes poor shifts from second to third and third to fourth, with a loud whine just before each shift. These symptoms match the slipping and shifting failures reported under the power train heading. Owners note the 2020 has no recall for this.

With no warning light or message, the brake pedal sinks to the floor and the vehicle will not stop. Pumping the pedal does not help. The dealer fix was a new master cylinder, brake booster, and vacuum pump. A crash-related report describes brakes that stiffen and need heavy effort to press. It came alongside a grinding starter, no-start episodes, and stalling right after startup, and repeated dealer visits did not fix it.