Chevrolet Suburban Reliability Problems

Suburban owners have made 1,142 complaints over 32 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 21st in overall reliability out of 40 Chevrolet models, with some engine and interior concerns.

6 Common Chevrolet Suburban Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Suburban owners have to deal with.

  1. 5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption

    From 2010-2014 GM's Vortec 5300 engine had multiple design flaws that led to an excessive oil consumption responsible for soiled spark plugs, bent pushrods, and timing chain wear to name a few. The problem was compounded by an inadequate oi…

    Continue reading article "5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption" Oil being poured into an engine

  2. A/C Condenser Leaking

    GM used leaky air conditioners that buckle under pressure in many 2014-2017 trucks and SUVs. Whether it's busted hoses or leaky condensors, thousands of GM owners are showing up to work with sweat stains down their back. It's such a widespr…

    Continue reading article "A/C Condenser Leaking" Red arrow pointing to a green dot of fluid leaking out of a condensor

  3. Chevy Shake

    When traveling above 35mph, GM's full size trucks and SUVs are experiencing cabin vibrations along with terribly loud noises from buffeting wind that is making owners sick. GM says these vibrations are within their acceptable vibration rang…

    Continue reading article "Chevy Shake" A blurry image of a Silverado that looks like it's bouncing up and down.

  4. Cracked Dashboard

    Multiple GM vehicles from the 2007-2014 model years are developing dashboard cracks. One of the most common areas of concern is around the passenger airbag cover, leaving owners wondering about potential safety risks.

    Continue reading article "Cracked Dashboard" A crack sloping down from left to right on a Chevy dashboard

  6. Takata Recalls

    A large number of Chevy vehicles have been recalled because they contain dangerous airbag inflators made by Takata. The shrapnel-hurling inflators have been recalled in over 37 million vehicles (and counting).

    Continue reading article "Takata Recalls" A crash test dummy about to hit an airbag with the Takata logo superimposed on top.

What Suburban Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Suburban Generations

The Suburban has 6 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 9th generation (2000–2006).

Suburban Key Numbers

  1. 1,142 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 3,436 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 67 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Suburban Class-Action Lawsuits

The Suburban has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Airko, Inc., et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Case Filed

      A General Motors Vortec class action lawsuit alleges oil consumption problems plague the vehicles because of defective piston rings. The GM Vortec class action lawsuit includes these vehicles equipped with Generation IV 5.3-Liter V8 Vortec 5300 LC9 engines.

  • Dismissed

    Szep, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Dismissed

      The judge ruled the plaintiff lacks standing to maintain nationwide class claims because “named plaintiffs lack standing to assert claims under the laws of the states in which they do not reside or in which they suffered no injury.”

    2. Case Filed

      The alleged oil consumption causes low oil levels, insufficient lubricity and engine damage due to piston rings which don't maintain enough tension to keep oil in the crankcase. In addition, the plaintiff alleges the oil life monitoring systems make the problem worse.

    Problem
    5.3L Vortec 5300 Engine Oil Consumption
    Class Vehicles
    • 2010-2014 Avalanche
    • 2010-2012 Chevrolet Colorado
    • 2010-2013 Chevrolet Express
    • 2010-2013 Silverado
    • 2010-2014 Suburban
    • 2010-2014 Tahoe
    Location
    Ohio

  • Martell, et al., v. General Motors LLC.

    1. Case Filed

      The class action lawsuit alleges General Motors manufactured and sold vehicles that consume abnormally high quantities of oil because of numerous problems with the engines. The plaintiff claims the primary problem is the piston rings that don't hold enough tension to keep engine oil in the crankcase, resulting in low oil levels and inadequate lubrication of engine components.

  • Smith et al. v. General Motors, LLC.

    1. Case Filed

      A GM cracked dash lawsuit alleges owners can spend thousands of dollars to replace cracked dashboards and instrument panels the automaker should have recalled.

    Problem
    Cracked Dashboard
    Class Vehicles
    • 2009-2014 Silverado
    • 2009-2014 Tahoe
    • 2009-2014 Suburban
    • 2009-2014 Avalanche
    Location
    Michigan

Recent Suburban News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. A federal investigation wants to know if rusty connectors are preventing 2020-2021 GM airbags from deploying.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received six reports of severe crashes where the airbags didn't deploy in GM vehicles, despite those vehicles receiving "significant frontal damage." All six crashes resulted in injuries.…

    keep reading article "Government Investigates Airbag Failures in Full Size 2020-2021 Chevy Vehicles"

  3. Toss another lawsuit onto the ever-growing pile of GM Vortec oil consumption cases.

    The Missouri based class-action is the latest in a series of suits saying the 5.3L Vortec engine churns through oil because of defects in the low-tension piston rings. The problem is compounded by GM's questionably designed oil life monitoring system which doesn't warn owners when oil levels get dangerously low.

    In fact the system doesn't monitor oil levels at all, just the quality of the oil itself. So while the engine may be dry and on the verge of collapse, rest assured that last quart of oil is still in tip-top shape. 👍🏼…

    keep reading article "Missouri Vortec Oil Consumption Lawsuit Latest in a Series Against GM"

  6. A new class-action is accusing General Motors of knowingly selling vehicles that consume abnormally high quantities of oil.

    It's not the first time GM has been sued for oil issues in the Vortec engine. Specifically (and stick with me here) the Generation IV 5.3L V8 Vortec 5300 LC9 engine.

    As with previous lawsuits, the plaintiffs say low-tension piston rings, oil spray from the Active Fuel Management (AFM) system, and agressive vacuuming from the engine's positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) system are to blame.…

    keep reading article "Another Vortec Oil Consumption Lawsuit Hits the Docket"

  7. There’s an important recall for parents who’ve installed child seats using a seat belt.

    For installation of the child seat using the seat belt, there are automatic retractor assemblies equipped with retractors that lock automatically.

    This should lock the seat belt when it is completely pulled out of the retractor. However, the defects can cause the retractor to not lock the seat belt when it is pulled out of the retractor.…

    keep reading article "Important Recall for Parents with Child Seats Installed"

  8. A lawsuit says a failed vacuum pump in GM’s brake boosters can make the brake pedal extremely hard to push, leading to longer stopping distances and accidents.

    While investigating a rear-end collision involving the lead plaintiff ”GM told her she should read the manual to understand how the brakes worked.” Nothing says “we value our customers” like accusing them of not knowing how brakes work. GM promised to fix the plaintiff’s bumper in exchange for confidentiality. Obviously this didn’t go over well.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says GM Owners Should be Worried About Vacuum Pump Problems Creating Stiff Break Pedals"

See All Suburban News

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