The Lemon Index

All cars · Chevrolet Suburban · 2012

2012 Chevrolet Suburban. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index40100 = average car
Complaints22NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold48,116U.S. model year
Per 100K sold46complaints
Year rank#4 of 21#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 4

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
5.3L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD15 / 21 / 17Regular$3,650
6.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spdRWD10 / 16 / 12Regular$5,200
6.0L 8-cylAuto 6-spd4WD10 / 16 / 12Regular$5,200

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,200 and 100,000 miles. Median 66,300, from 84 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Airbags67,00036,400–109,10018
Body structure66,10046,000–89,00018
Engine64,50050,800–87,20010
Electrical63,00027,200–73,20010

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Electrical36%
Engine32%
Body structure14%
Airbags14%
Wheels9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
10132200

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 4

  • 21V051000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized am

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458

  • 21V054000 Feb 2021 Air Bags / Frontal / Passenger Side / Inflator Module

    Defect. General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and

    Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

    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 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was m

  • 14V827000 Dec 2014 Electrical System / Ignition

    Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. 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.

    Risk. If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

    Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

  • 12V112000 Mar 2012 Steering / Gear Box / Shaft Pitman

    Defect. GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.

    Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

    Remedy. GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4, 2012.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
OpenDesiccated air bag inflator rupture2021–

Manufacturer communications 1701

Chevy filed 1701 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • 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

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆
Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV RWD★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆☆
Chevrolet Suburban 2500 SUV 4WDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated
Chevrolet Suburban 2500 SUV RWDnot ratednot ratednot ratednot rated

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2009–1441,055Stability control
2010341745,152Visibility
2011422449,427Body structure
2012402248,116Electrical
2013452851,260Body structure
2014332055,009Electrical
201535518350,866Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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