2021 Chevrolet Suburban: common problems and reliability
· 2020-2026One of the weaker Suburban years.
199 owner complaints, most about engine. 12 recalls.
Should I buy a 2021 Suburban?The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban has 199 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag afm/dfm lifter failure and 6.2l bottom-end failures: with owners reporting replaced engines and warranty disputes.
Safety record for the 2021 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Suburban years only. How we score it
Is 2021 a good year for the Suburban?
Across the 31 Suburban model years we track, complaint volume runs from 44 (2020) to 757 (1999). With 199 complaints, the 2021 Suburban sits about the same as 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 2021 Suburban
steering:steering control module
Campaign 21V455000General 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.
power train:driveline:driveshaft
Campaign 22V036000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 20V792000General 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.
seat belts
Campaign 20V811000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.
Show 8 more recalls
seats
Campaign 20V735000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump:control/drive module
Campaign 21V739000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. 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.
air bags:srs malfunction warning lamp/light
Campaign 21V421000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. 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
Campaign 21V190000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. 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:critical fasteners
Campaign 22V617000General 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.
exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Campaign 22V827000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV 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."
power train:automatic transmission:control module:software
Campaign 24V797000General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechanical
Campaign 25V274000General 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.
What owners report on the 2020-2026 Suburban
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.
- Very frequentAFM/DFM lifter failure and 6.2L bottom-end failures
With owners reporting replaced engines and warranty disputes.
- RecurrentRadio and infotainment software faults requiring dealer reprogramming
Often not covered by extended warranty.
- RecurrentRear seat media system losing streaming apps and requiring infotainment resets and re-login
- RecurrentTelematics/OnStar module failure setting U0198 and related codes
Described as one of the most common failures on current trucks and SUVs.
- IsolatedLiftgate strut failure with built-in motor on the driver side
Owner insights for the 2020-2026 Suburban. Read the full 2020-2026 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 2021 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Suburban against its rivals
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