The Lemon Index2018 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 25 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 41, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 84 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2018 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 10K to 88K miles on the car (27 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- brakes 2019
If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
- brakes 2019
The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Show all 4 recalls
- seat belts 2018
Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Suburban 1500 SUV RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 5.3L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When placing the car in reverse, the car started to go backwards quickly and I had to put all my weight on the brakes and it took about 40 feet for the car to stop.
2018 Chevrolet Suburban owner · NHTSA complaint 11434507
More owner reports
Car brakes on its own when going above 40 mph causing the vehicle to pull to one side.
NHTSA complaint 11321747
Quick answers
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2.4× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 41; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (28%), electrical (16%) and fuel or ev drive system (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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 2018 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,000 and 88,000 miles. The middle report was at 42,000 miles, from 27 complaints.
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have?
5.3L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2018?
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