2009 Chevrolet Suburban
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 1 |
| 1982 | 1 |
| 1983 | 3 |
| 1984 | 6 |
| 1985 | 9 |
| 1986 | 7 |
| 1987 | 18 |
| 1988 | 30 |
| 1989 | 62 |
| 1990 | 54 |
| 1991 | 52 |
| 1992 | 189 |
| 1993 | 499 |
| 1994 | 858 |
| 1995 | 457 |
| 1996 | 360 |
| 1997 | 414 |
| 1998 | 201 |
| 1999 | 634 |
| 2000 | 282 |
| 2001 | 440 |
| 2002 | 286 |
| 2003 | 301 |
| 2004 | 204 |
| 2005 | 129 |
| 2006 | 23 |
| 2007 | 291 |
| 2008 | 213 |
| 2009 | 106 |
| 2010 | 117 |
| 2011 | 148 |
| 2012 | 101 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 427 |
| 2016 | 216 |
| 2017 | 139 |
| 2018 | 81 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 40 |
| 2021 | 177 |
| 2022 | 104 |
| 2023 | 107 |
| 2024 | 36 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
36% of complaints: air bags — 38 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAS HIT BY A CAR COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT.
NHTSA ODI report, 20200720
Unknown
NHTSA ODI report, 20250112
15% of complaints: electrical system — 16 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
PASSENGER SEAT MOTOR OVERHEATED. INITIAL INDICATION WAS SMELL. SEAT IS POWERED (FORWARD AND BACK ONLY). SEAT SWITCHES WERE NOT IN USE AT THE TIME. VEHICLE WAS IN POWERED AND IN MOTION. SMOKE FOLLOWED W/I 20" OF INITIAL SMELL.
NHTSA ODI report, 20190329
ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION ON MY 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN LTZ. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM THE DEALER IN NOV 2009. UPON DELIVERY, IT WAS NOTED THAT THE DASH LIGHTS FOR FUNCTION BUTTONS DID NOT ILLUMINATE AND VISOR LAMPS WERE INOPERABLE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20100426
9% of complaints: engine — 10 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: structure — 9 distinct reports on file.
7% of complaints: latches/locks/linkages — 7 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORKING ON DRIVER DOOR, FRONT PASSENGER, AND NOW REAR PASSENGER. DEALERSHIP SAYS ALL THREE NEED REPLACED. DRIVER DOOR WENT FIRST, THEN FRONT PASSENGER, AND THEN REAR PASSENGER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130405
SAFETY TIMELINE
GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996
Campaign 09V154000 — check if this car was fixed
GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE E
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY DISABLE AND REMOVE THE HEATED WASHER FLUID MODULE. AN UPDATED PAGE FOR THE OWNER MANUAL WILL BE PROVIDED AND INSERTED IN THE OWNER MANUAL TO DOCUMENT THAT THE FEATURE HAS BEE
Campaign 10V240000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500,...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021.
Campaign 21V050000 — check if this car was fixed
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021.
Campaign 21V053000 — check if this car was fixed
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL...
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 23, 2021.
Campaign 21V052000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (38 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V154000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V240000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V050000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V053000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V052000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 36% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.