Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 problems
Owners filed 155 complaints about the 2011 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and May 2026. The most-cited component is air bags (70).
Complaints
155
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
4
6
16
32
37
19
15
10
4
4
2
2
1
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 16 |
| 2016 | 32 |
| 2017 | 37 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 15 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Air bags
70 reports2 crashes
“This is not connected with a specific crash in this vehicle. It is a defect with all vehicles with this seat. There is known common defect with the stitching on the side of the front seats covering the airbag. The stitching is designed to come apart if an airbag is deployed. The defective stitching deteriorates and falls apart. This exposes the airbag system in the seat. This occurs on all GM vehicles with the same leather seats. Models include Suburbans, Yukons, and pickup trucks. In this Suburban the stiching started to come apart about 6 years ago with a few loose threads. The entire side of the seat has now come apart. The rest of the seat is in relatively good repair without any holes, rips or torn stitching. GM claims this is cosmetic and not covered. The safety issues caused by this includes the potential deterioration of the airbag system interfering with deployment in a crash. Another safety issue is the potential for foreign objects to get lodged in this space and injuring someone if the airbag goes off. The third safety issue is the potential of a person, or child, to access the airbag and cause it to go off without warning.”
Structure
28 reports1 crash
“THE DASHBOARD IS FALLING APART AND SHOULD A CRASH HAPPEN CHUNKS OF PLASTIC COULD GO FLYING THROUGH THE INTERIOR. THE UPPER DASHBOARD RIGHT BELOW THE WINDSHIELD CRACKS AND FALLS APART. WHEN MOVING OR GOING OVER A BUMP IT MAKES NOISE RATTLING AROUND. TRIED TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP BUT IT'S NOT COVERED AS THE VEHICLE IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY.”
Electrical system
11 reports
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Chevrolet Suburban. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 133,000. The contact stated that at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 233,793.”
Engine
10 reports
“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I SEE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON GM VEHICLES AND IT AFFECTS BOTH MY 2011 SUBURBAN AND 2012 SILVERADO WITH 5.3 FLEX FUEL ENGINES. THE SUBURBAN IS MORE NOTICEABLE SINCE WE USE IT FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS. THE TRUCK IS MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE CAUSED BY THE AFM AND PCV. I WILL BE INSTALLING THE UPGRADED VALVE COVER IN HOPES OF PREVENTING A MAJOR ENGINE FAILURE IN THE FUTURE. IT WOULD BE NICE IF GM RECALLED THESE ENGINES WITH AN ADEQUATE FIX. I ONLY NOTICE BURNING OIL ON STARTUP COMING FROM THE EXHAUST. CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE SUBURBAN IS 104,000. I HAVE NOT TOUCHED ANYTHING IN THE ENGINE BAY OR CABLE COVERS YET. PLEASE RESPOND QUICKLY IF I SHOULD NOT. THANK YOU, [XXX] REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC”
Fuel/propulsion system
6 reports
“ENGINE LIGHT ON-DIAGNOSIS P0455. LAST 2YRS TOOK TO MANY REPAIR SHOPS. REPLACED, GAS CAP, PURGE VALVE, CANISTER VALVE, CHARCOAL CANISTER. TOOK TO CHEVY. THEY REPLACED PURGE VALVE BECAUSE THEY SAID OTHER MECHANICS USED NON CHEVY PARTS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. CHEVY DID SMOKE TEST AND SWORE IT WAS THE FUEL SENSOR COST $1200+. ENGINE LIGHT BACK ON AFTER A WEEK. ANOTHER SMOKE TEST AND NOW PRESSURE TEST BLEW A SMALL SECTION OF FUEL TANK WHERE IT NOW LEAKS. CHEVY SAID THE SEAL MOST LIKELY NOT SEATED PROPERLY AND I NEED A NEW FUEL TANK ABOUT $1000. BUT THEY CAN'T GUARANTEE THIS IS THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE LIGHT. I CAN'T AFFORD ANOTHER $1000 ESPECIALLY IF THIS DOESNT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. ALREADY SPENT THOUSANDS FIXING DIFFERENT PARTS. VEHICLE GETS ABOUT 12MPG AND HAS IN THE PAST LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AS IF NOT ENOUGH FUEL IS GETTING THROUGH BUT THAT HASNT HAPPENED IN SOME TIME. WONDER IF ANYONE ELSE HAVING THIS P0455 ISSUE?”
Electronic stability control (esc)
6 reports
“VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE PARKED. ALL ELECTRONICS SHUT DOWN, UNABLE TO ACTIVATE HAZARD LIGHTS. PREVIOUSLY PAYED TO FIX ABS LIGHT/SENSOR. DASH CRACKED DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES PRIOR.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.