2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 118 owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500. Most complaints involve air bags (28) and structure (23). The EPA rates it 12 mpg combined.
Safety recalls
Owner complaints by component
- Air bags28
- Structure23
- Engine16
- Electrical system14
- Service brakes8
- Power train6
- Fuel/propulsion system5
- Electronic stability control (esc)5
- Vehicle speed control4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
What owners report most
Air bags
“The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.”
Structure
“On the driver side adjacent to the fuel tank, improper drainage for the body frame caused severe rust. Over time the frame of the vehicle becomes a safety hazard and may cause the frame to crack or split resulting in loss of control to the rear of the vehicle.”
Engine
“Bought 2013 suburban brand new and in 2018, on a trip to the mountains for fall break, the car quit with no warning signs, in the middle of the night. The car would not accelerate when gas pedal was pressed and RPM gauge needle “fluctuated erratically” until car came to a complete stop in the middle of the highway! It was a scary and dangerous situation because it was late at night and we were in the mountains with no phone signal. Cars were coming and going both ways on Highway. Eventually people stopped to help us get suburban towed to local Chevrolet dealership and we had to rent a vehicle to get us to where we were initially going to start our fall break. The dealership called a day later to tell us that there were “lose metal pieces” in the transmission, which meant the transmission had to be replaced. We spent $5000 on that new transmission! It was the only way for us to come back home. The car was out of warranty therefore, the manufacturer did not offer any help! This was a very expensive, frustrating, and dangerous fall break in 2018. Please help! We deserve reimbursement because 7 years later, we bought another 2020 Suburban, also brand new and the…”
Engines, transmissions & drive
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
- Engines
- 6.0L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic 6-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
EPA fuel economy by version
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban 2500 2WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 | 16 | 12 | $5,200 | 714 |
| Suburban 2500 4WD Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 10 | 16 | 12 | $5,200 | 724 |
- 12mpg comb.
- 12mpg comb.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Maintenance basics
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
2013 Suburban 2500 questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 10, 2026.
What are the most common 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 problems?
Owners filed 118 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (28), structure (23), engine (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 at 12 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).