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2019 Chevrolet Suburban: common problems and reliability
· 2014-2020One of the better Suburban years.
78 owner complaints, most about power train. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2019 Suburban?The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban has 78 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and engine. Owners most often flag 6l80 transmission and torque converter failures, including slipping under wide-open throttle and shuddering: owners describe the transmission as notorious for torque converter failure and one owner cited a typical lifespan of only 130,000-140,000 miles.
Safety record for the 2019 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Suburban years only. How we score it
Is 2019 a good year for the Suburban?
Across the 31 Suburban model years we track, complaint volume runs from 44 (2020) to 757 (1999). With 78 complaints, the 2019 Suburban sits below the model's median of 229.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2019 Suburban
seat belts:rear/other
Campaign 18V673000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:wheel speed sensor/tone ring
Campaign 19V761000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. 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.
power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Campaign 26V289000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
What owners report on the 2014-2020 Suburban
Owners of the 2014-2020 Suburban generally view it as a capable, spacious family hauler with a strong engine and good towing ability, but the ownership experience is heavily colored by recurring mechanical concerns.
- Very frequent6L80 transmission and torque converter failures, including slipping under wide-open throttle and shuddering
Owners describe the transmission as notorious for torque converter failure and one owner cited a typical lifespan of only 130,000-140,000 miles.
- RecurrentActive Fuel Management (AFM) lifter failure
Owners warn it causes lifter failure and recommend disabling AFM immediately.
- RecurrentAir conditioning condenser cracking, typically at the upper driver-side weld
Multiple owners reported this on 2016 and 2017 models, with some also citing evaporator and expansion valve failures requiring dash removal.
- IsolatedElectrical issues
Including shorts from water intrusion into door window switches and parking light problems.
- IsolatedLiftgate strut failure on the driver side, where the motor is built in
Owner insights for the 2014-2020 Suburban. Read the full 2014-2020 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Suburban listings typically run $17,061–$41,246.
Other Suburban model years
Compare every Suburban year side by side to see how 2019 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Suburban against its rivals
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