The Lemon Index2021 Chevrolet Suburban.
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is worse than average by owner complaints: 66 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 142, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 12 recalls, and it gets 16 to 23 mpg combined. The best Chevrolet Suburban year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 201 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Chevrolet Suburban year. 2021 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 30K to 95K miles on the car (37 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 12
- engine 2025
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- lights 2022
The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on.
Show all 12 recalls
- seat belts 2022
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.
- transmission & drivetrain 2022
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- fuel system, gasoline 2021
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.
- steering 2021
A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.
- airbags 2021
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.
- seat belts 2021
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.
- seat belts 2020
Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle.
- seat belts 2020
The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.
- seats 2020
During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats.
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 1367 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Concernof running poor and stalling
- Concern of service engine light, misfire
- This Preliminary information communicates an issue with the power liftgate inoperative and…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy2026
- OpenLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
- ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy2026
- ClosedLoss of motive power due to engine failure2025
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 SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Chevrolet Suburban SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3550–5000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
In traffic, approx. 10-15 MPH car in front stopped short. I put foot on the brake pedal and pushed the brakes pedal to the floor. The car did apply the brakes equally as hard as I was Appling brakes at the pedal
2021 Chevrolet Suburban owner · NHTSA complaint 11484256
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 142; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Chevrolet Suburban year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (26%), automatic emergency braking (15%) and fuel or ev drive system (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have?
12 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban get?
16 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 95,900 miles. The middle report was at 68,400 miles, from 37 complaints.
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban cost in fuel a year?
About $3550 to $5000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl.
What Chevrolet Suburban year is better than the 2021?
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