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2021 Chevrolet Suburban recalls & problems

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has 12 safety recalls and 204 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (90 complaints).

Recalls12safety recalls
Complaints204filed by owners
Crashes · fires6 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars

Safety recalls

Engine and engine coolingApr 24, 2025

Engine › Hard parts internal/mechanical

Recall 25V274000597,571 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
Risk
Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Power trainOct 24, 2024

Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body

Recall 24V797000463,295 vehicles

Problem
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 engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Risk
Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1-800-462-8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.

Components: Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body; Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module › Software

Exterior lightingNov 3, 2022

Lighting control module › Software

Recall 22V827000338,735 vehicles

Problem
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Seat beltsAug 11, 2022

Critical fasteners

Recall 22V617000484,155 vehicles

Problem
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. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.
Risk
A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix
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. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N222372380.
Power trainJan 27, 2022

Driveline › Driveshaft

Recall 22V0360001,789 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Risk
Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Fuel system, gasolineSep 23, 2021

Delivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module

Recall 21V73900014,939 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.
Risk
An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
SteeringJun 17, 2021

Steering control module

Recall 21V45500026,847 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Air bagsJun 10, 2021

Srs malfunction warning lamp/light

Recall 21V421000285,622 vehicles

Problem
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. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Risk
The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
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. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212338110.

Components: Air bags › Srs malfunction warning lamp/light; Electrical system › Software

Seat beltsMar 18, 2021

Rear/other

Recall 21V19000094,641 vehicles

Problem
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. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.
Risk
A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Fix
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.

Components: Seat belts › Rear/other; Seat belts

Seat beltsDec 23, 2020

Critical fasteners

Recall 20V811000470 vehicles

Problem
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 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Risk
If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Components: Seat belts › Critical fasteners; Seat belts

Seat beltsDec 17, 2020

Critical fasteners

Recall 20V792000624,216 vehicles

Problem
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. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
Risk
If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix
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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Components: Seat belts › Critical fasteners; Seat belts

SeatsNov 25, 2020

Critical fasteners

Recall 20V73500094 vehicles

Problem
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. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
Risk
If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Fix
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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

Components: Seats › Critical fasteners; Seats

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2021 Chevrolet Suburban SUV 4WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk21.9%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional

2021 Chevrolet Suburban SUV 2WD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk21.2%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Optional

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Suburban 2WD Diesel

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 27 mpg
FuelDiesel

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,150/year to fuel

Suburban 4WD Diesel

22mpg combined
City / highway20 / 26 mpg
FuelDiesel

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Suburban 2WD

18mpg combined
City / highway16 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Suburban 2WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

Suburban 4WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Suburban 2WD

17mpg combined
City / highway15 / 20 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Suburban 4WD

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Suburban 2WD

16mpg combined
City / highway14 / 20 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Suburban 4WD

16mpg combined
City / highway13 / 19 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

6.2 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $5,150/year to fuel

Suburban 4WD

16mpg combined
City / highway15 / 19 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

5.3 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 10-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine9020048,063 mi
Power train3900076,500 mi
Fuel/propulsion system22014—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery2001478,224 mi
Forward collision avoidanceWarnings; Automatic emergency braking1520028,000 mi
Unknown or other13100—
Engine and engine cooling11000109,069 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump › Control/drive module900058,000 mi
Service brakes8114—
Seat belts7000—
Exterior lightingHeadlights7000—
Air bags6201—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations