Last updated: 2026-10-10
Chevrolet Suburban vs Ford Expedition: Reliability Compared
Chevrolet Suburban
Ford Expedition
Choosing between the Chevrolet Suburban and the Ford Expedition? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two full-size suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Chevrolet Suburban currently leads with an average score of 69/100 compared to 61/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Chevrolet Suburban is more reliable than the Ford Expedition, scoring 69/100 vs 61/100.
Key Differences
- 1Ford Expedition costs $83 less per year to repair
- 2Chevrolet Suburban has 57 fewer total recalls
- 3Chevrolet Suburban has 23.2 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Chevrolet Suburban vs Ford Expedition: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Chevrolet Suburban | Ford Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 61/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 9 |
| Total Recalls | 27 | 84 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 4.3 | 27.5 |
| Annual Repair Cost | $944/yr | $861/yr |
| Repair Frequency | 0.5/yr | 0.2/yr |
| Major Repair Risk | 15% | 15% |
| Safety RatingNHTSA overall | 2026 NHTSA | 2026 NHTSA |
| Frontal | ||
| Side | ||
| Rollover | ||
| Year Wins | 8 | 1 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition?
| Component | Chevrolet Suburban | Ford Expedition |
|---|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 0.9Very Low | 11.2Above Avg |
| ENGINE | 1.2Low | 2.7Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.1Very Low | 2.3Low |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.4Very Low | 1.9Low |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | 1.3Low |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 0.2Very Low | 1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.2Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| SUSPENSION | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| STRUCTURE | —None | 0.7Very Low |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | 0.5Very Low |
| VISIBILITY | —None | 0.5Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | 0.4Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 0.2Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | 0.2Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| LANE DEPARTURE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | —None | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Chevrolet Suburban vs Ford Expedition Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Chevrolet Suburban | Ford Expedition | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/1000R / 0C | 71/1001R / 6C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2025 | 78/1000R / 0C | 71/1005R / 27C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2024 | 72/1001R / 27C | 68/1007R / 68C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2023 | 65/1003R / 86C | 67/1008R / 62C | Ford Expedition |
| 2022 | 65/1003R / 83C | 61/10012R / 106C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2021 | 60/10012R / 149C | 57/10012R / 214C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2020 | 68/1003R / 38C | 52/10016R / 370C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2019 | 68/1002R / 61C | 53/10011R / 455C | Chevrolet Suburban |
| 2018 | 68/1003R / 75C | 52/10012R / 358C | Chevrolet Suburban |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Chevrolet Suburban scored 72/100 and the 2024 Ford Expedition scored 68/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Chevrolet Suburban vs Ford Expedition: Common Questions
- Is the Chevrolet Suburban more reliable than the Ford Expedition?
- Based on our data, the Chevrolet Suburban is more reliable with an average score of 69/100 compared to 61/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Chevrolet Suburban or the Ford Expedition?
- The Ford Expedition has more recalls (84) compared to the Chevrolet Suburban (27). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Chevrolet Suburban or the Ford Expedition?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Chevrolet Suburban has a lower complaint rate at 4.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 27.5 for the Ford Expedition. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
- Which is cheaper to maintain, the Chevrolet Suburban or the Ford Expedition?
- Based on independent repair cost estimates, the Ford Expedition is cheaper to maintain at $861/year versus $944/year for the Chevrolet Suburban.
- Is the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition safer?
- Both the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition received the same NHTSA overall safety rating of 5/5 stars. Check the frontal, side, and rollover sub-ratings above for a more detailed comparison.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Chevrolet Suburban comparisons
Decided between Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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