Generation-specific owner insights from 193+ substantive owner discussions, with US complaint and recall records.
Should I buy one?594
US owner complaints (NHTSA), 2020–2026
25
recall campaigns
engine
most-complained area
Our take, from owner reports
Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and heavily split by topic.
10 problems reported (1 very frequent, 3 recurrent, 6 isolated) · high confidence
With owners reporting replaced engines and warranty disputes.
Often not covered by extended warranty.
Described as one of the most common failures on current trucks and SUVs.
With loose electrical connections and voltage drop testing suggested.
Insufficient owner data available to declare a consensus. Partial signal: multiple owners pointed to the 3.0L turbodiesel as the engine worth considering, and one advised making sure a purchase is a 2025 rather than a 2024 leftover with the 6.2. Owners also valued the High Country's interior and the availability of the 6.2 only in High Country on early trucks.
Owners compare it most often with the Ford Expedition Max, Toyota 4Runner, Toyota Land Cruiser, Toyota Sequoia and Toyota Highlander.
Is a 2020–2026 Suburban right for you?
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Owner sentiment for this generation is mixed and heavily split by topic. Praise centers on interior and technology improvements, the spaciousness of the Suburban over the Tahoe, the quiet cabin, and the available diesel engine's fuel economy. Criticism is concentrated on the 6.2L V8 and its AFM/DFM lifter and bottom-end problems, infotainment and rear-seat media glitches, and exterior styling that many owners called ugly at launch. Later model years (2025+) drew interest for the return of a column shifter, an improved interior, and the diesel now being offered on the Z71, while early 2021-2023 trucks generated the bulk of the software and electrical complaints.
Owners position the Suburban as the largest and most cargo-capable option, with one noting it is roughly twice the size of a 4Runner and that buyers who don't need the space should get a crossover instead. Against the Expedition Max, owners called the Suburban's powertrain more tried and true with a stronger 10-speed transmission. The diesel was repeatedly cited as the fuel-economy leader, with owners quoting 28-30 mpg versus the Land Cruiser's poor mileage and the Sequoia's shallow third-row trunk. Some owners cross-shopped the Rivian R1S as the only true electric alternative. Several owners also noted the Suburban is easier to park than expected for its size, though one called the growing dimensions a genuine hazard.
Owners recommended the 3.0L turbodiesel as the preferred engine, noting it was unavailable on the Z71 at launch but became available there for 2025. For gasoline buyers, owners advised running the recommended octane (89 unless the 6.2, which wants premium), 5,000-mile oil changes, and a 40,000-mile transmission fluid drain and fill for long life. Owners suggested an AFM disabler to reduce lifter failure likelihood, while cautioning that a cam and lifter swap to delete the system would likely void the engine warranty. For towing, owners noted the Suburban comes with a receiver only, not a ball hitch, and that a hitch with at least a 2-inch drop suits the tall stance.
This generation suits buyers who need maximum passenger and cargo space, a quiet cabin, and strong towing capability, and who accept the size. Owners who don't need the space were told to buy a crossover instead. Prefer 2025 and later trucks for the improved interior, column shifter, and diesel availability on Z71; be cautious with the 6.2L V8 and with 2024 leftovers. On inspection, check for infotainment and rear-seat media function, verify the liftgate struts, and confirm the telematics/OnStar module works, as owners report it as a common failure. Buyers ordering custom should confirm allocation and expect multi-month waits.
Owners repeatedly noted that the 2021 and 2022 model years have different electrical architectures, so dash and infotainment swaps or Android Automotive upgrades are not possible. The 2025 refresh brought a new interior, a column shifter, standard safety features, and the diesel on Z71. Custom-order buyers reported long waits, allocation limits, and shipping delays tied to plant changeover and hurricane-related supplier shortages. Analysis based on approximately 193 substantive owner discussions about this generation.
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 15 | 0 | engine |
| 2025 | 30 | 0 | engine |
| 2024 | 42 | 1 | engine |
| 2023 | 142 | 4 | engine |
| 2022 | 122 | 4 | engine |
| 2021 | 199 | 12 | engine |
| 2020 | 44 | 4 | engine |
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Higher-selling years naturally accumulate more complaints.
2024 · engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalcampaign 25V274000
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.
2023 · exterior lighting:lighting control module:softwarecampaign 22V903000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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."
2023 · suspension:rearcampaign 23V642000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
2023 · engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalcampaign 25V274000
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.
2023 · service brakes, hydraulic:brake fluid low warning: lampcampaign 24V674000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2023-2024 Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Escalade ESV vehicles. The electronic brake control module software may fail to display a warning light when a loss of brake fluid occurs. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Vehicle Safety Standard number 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
2022 · seat belts:critical fastenerscampaign 22V617000
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.
2022 · exterior lighting:lighting control module:softwarecampaign 22V903000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL 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."
2022 · engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanicalcampaign 25V274000
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.
2022 · power train:automatic transmission:control module:softwarecampaign 26V085000
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
2021 · steering:steering control modulecampaign 21V455000
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.
2021 · power train:driveline:driveshaftcampaign 22V036000
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.
2021 · seat beltscampaign 20V792000
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.
11 more recalls not shown. Check nhtsa.gov with your VIN for the full history.
Owner insights summarize real ownership discussions for this generation only. Complaint and recall data is public NHTSA (US) information. Always verify recalls against your VIN at nhtsa.gov.