Last updated: 2026-10-10

Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 69/100

Skip the 2021 Suburban. Owners report sudden engine failure from bad valve lifters, stalling from a failed fuel pump power control module, and the year carries 12 recalls. The 2024 is the better year to buy, with a much lower complaint rate.

Verdict

Avoid
2021 60/100
Buy
2024 72/100
Model average
69/100
See years to avoid ↓See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

Chevrolet Suburban Years to Avoid

These model years score significantly below the Chevrolet Suburban average of 69/100.

#YearScoreRatingRecallsComplaintsTop Issue
1202160/100Good12149Engine (51)

Why These Years Should Be Avoided

60
GoodReliability score: 60 out of 100, rated Good

2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Engine trouble dominates. Valve lifters fail with loud ticking, shaking and power loss at highway speed, and some owners faced a seized engine and a replacement near $14,000. Others report stalling from the fuel pump power control module, hard shifts, and a Reduced Acceleration message. Several say their VIN was excluded from recalls.

12 recalls149 complaintsEst. repair:

Top issues: Engine (51), Power Train (21), Fuel Propulsion System (15), Electrical System (11), Unknown Or Other (7), Fuel System, Gasoline (6)

View full 2021reliability report →

What Are Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems?

ENGINE

148 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2023, 2022

2021: Sudden engine failure is the dominant report.

POWER TRAIN

104 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2021, 2022

2019: Transmission failure dominates these reports, usually between 85,000 and 130,000 miles.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

50 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2021, 2023

2018: The engine shuts off while driving.

SERVICE BRAKES

26 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2018, 2019

2021: Power braking assist cuts out suddenly.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

20 complaints

Most reported in 2024, 2021, 2023

2024: Most of these reports are about waiting for a recall repair, not about failures.

STEERING

20 complaints

Most reported in 2018, 2019, 2020

2018: Power steering assist cuts out without warning, often during low-speed turns, leaving the wheel very hard to turn.

Best Chevrolet Suburban Year to Buy Instead

72
GoodReliability score: 72 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2024 has one recall and 27 owner complaints, against 12 recalls and 149 complaints for 2021. Its complaint rate is also well below 2022 and 2023. Unlike 2025 and 2026, it has had a couple of years to collect a record. Some owners still report engine failures, so run the VIN through the recall lookup.

Score: 72/100 (Good)1 recalls27 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban has 1 recall on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Chevrolet Suburban Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should I avoid?
Avoid the 2021. It has the most complaints of any year, led by valve lifter failure and engine replacement, plus stalling from the fuel pump power control module. It also carries 12 recalls, and several owners say their VIN was excluded from them.
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have transmission problems?
Power train is the top complaint area for 2018, 2019 and 2020, and 2019 is the heaviest with 28 reports. The 2021 adds hard shifts, getting stuck in one gear and a Reduced Acceleration message. Sudden failures cluster between roughly 60,000 and 111,000 miles.
Are the 2022 and 2023 Suburbans a safe buy?
They are not flagged as years to avoid, but they are weaker than 2024. Both have a complaint rate well above 2024, and 2023 is among the lowest-rated years. Engine complaints lead both, so have a shop check for lifter ticking before you buy.
Is the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban worth buying?
Yes, it is the site's pick, with only one recall and a low complaint rate. It is not flawless. Some owners report engine failure, including one at 9,600 miles, and long waits for recall parts. Confirm any open campaigns on the VIN before you buy.
Should I buy a 2025 or 2026 Suburban because they rate highest?
No. They show zero complaints because they have had little time on the road, not because they are proven. Complaints and recalls build up over time. The 2024 is the safer pick since it has a record you can check.

How we score every Chevrolet Suburban model year

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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