2021 Chevrolet Suburban

◆ Worse than typical
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:37:51.506Z

This year had 30% to 100% more 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Chevrolet Suburban Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2021 highlighted. 1981: 1 complaints 1981 1982: 1 complaints 1983: 3 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 9 complaints 1986: 7 complaints 1987: 18 complaints 1987 1988: 30 complaints 1989: 62 complaints 1990: 54 complaints 1991: 52 complaints 1992: 189 complaints 1993: 500 complaints 1993 1994: 876 complaints 1995: 457 complaints 1996: 360 complaints 1997: 414 complaints 1998: 201 complaints 1999: 634 complaints 1999 2000: 282 complaints 2001: 440 complaints 2002: 286 complaints 2003: 301 complaints 2004: 204 complaints 2005: 129 complaints 2005 2006: 23 complaints 2007: 292 complaints 2008: 213 complaints 2009: 106 complaints 2010: 117 complaints 2011: 148 complaints 2011 2012: 101 complaints 2013: 118 complaints 2014: 59 complaints 2015: 428 complaints 2016: 218 complaints 2017: 141 complaints 2017 2018: 81 complaints 2019: 76 complaints 2020: 44 complaints 2021: 192 complaints 2021 2022: 117 complaints 2023: 121 complaints 2023 2024: 41 complaints 2024
2021: 192 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19811
19821
19833
19846
19859
19867
198718
198830
198962
199054
199152
1992189
1993500
1994876
1995457
1996360
1997414
1998201
1999634
2000282
2001440
2002286
2003301
2004204
2005129
200623
2007292
2008213
2009106
2010117
2011148
2012101
2013118
201459
2015428
2016218
2017141
201881
201976
202044
2021192
2022117
2023121
202441

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE 43%

43% of complaints: engine — 83 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

my car was hit on the side passenger back door in a parking lot while parked and nobody inside- had it look at by the chevrolet dealer- diagnosis is it needs a new engine??? make this make sense???

NHTSA ODI report, 20240522

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban used to tow a 30-foot trailer. The contact stated that while towing the trailer and driving 60 MPH up an incline with no shoulder, the vehicle shut off in a remote area.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260731

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 36 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? (On our 2021 gasoline suburgan, the rear wheels locked up at free-way speeds, which nearly caused a possibly fatal accident.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260715

COMPONENT: The 10-speed automatic transmission failed on 6/29/26, locking the vehicle completely in neutral. The neutral override could not be disengaged even by dealership technicians.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260713

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 11%

11% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 22 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Pulled out in 4 lane traffic. Got almost to 55mph. Vehicle lost all power, slowed down and auto shifted to neutral, vehicle stopped and went to park. Vehicle would not start back nor transition to Neutral to remove from highways.

NHTSA ODI report, 20260726

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: electrical system — 17 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIRE INJURY
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 8%

8% of complaints: forward collision avoidance — 15 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing warnings and automatic emergency braking.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WE WERE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON FLORIDA STATE ROAD 54 TURN LANE TO GO ON US 75 WHEN THE OTHER CAR REAR ENDED US AND DROVE US INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL CRASH NUMBER 88482185.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210413

Also filed under LANE DEPARTURE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20201221 — seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020.

Campaign 20V735000 — check if this car was fixed

2021 — complaint volume: 192
R 20210126 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021.

Campaign 20V792000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210129 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and...

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021.

Campaign 20V811000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210409 — PE (closed 20230824)

Air Bag Malfunction

R 20210421 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021.

Campaign 21V190000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210701 — air bags, electrical system

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles.

Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021.

Campaign 21V421000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210713 — steering

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021.

Campaign 21V455000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20211014 — fuel system, gasoline

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021.

Campaign 21V739000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20220314 — power train

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.

Campaign 22V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221101 — seat belts

General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

Campaign 22V617000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20221215 — exterior lighting

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.

Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022.

Campaign 22V827000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20241212 — power train

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel...

Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve.

Campaign 24V797000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20250116 — PE (closed 20251023)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

R 20250618 — engine and engine cooling

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual.

Campaign 25V274000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20251023 — EA (open)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure

I 20260116 — RQ (open)

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2021 Chevrolet Suburban — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine issues (83 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (36 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 20V735000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V792000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 20V811000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V190000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V421000 (air bags, electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V455000 (steering) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 21V739000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V036000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V617000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 22V827000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 24V797000 (power train) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 25V274000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1988 ▲ 2024 ▲ 2020

WORST YEARS

■ 1994 ■ 1999 ■ 1993

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?

The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 43% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have?

12 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.