The Lemon Index2012 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 22 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 40, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 12 to 17 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 101 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 40K to 100K miles on the car (84 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- airbags complaints mostly came at 36K–109K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 46K–89K miles
Recalls 4
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- airbags 2021
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- electrical 2014
In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Show all 4 recalls
- steering 2012
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Chevy told dealers about
Chevy sent dealers 1701 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The front or rear door may not open from the inside or outside handle, the door will not…
- Loss of high speed gmlan communications, intermittent no crank, ip gage fluctuation,…
- Seat rattle and/or hard to latch and unlatch, power release fold and tumble not fully functioning
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Suburban 2500 SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Chevrolet Suburban 2500 SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3800–5350 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 40; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (36%), engine (32%) and body structure (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban get?
12 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2012 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,200 and 100,000 miles. The middle report was at 66,300 miles, from 84 complaints.
Does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $3800 to $5350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2010 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works