Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

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.

Combined MPG
12mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
118
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$5,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

118 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2012 – Mar 2026
  1. Air bags28
  2. Structure23
  3. Engine16
  4. Electrical system14
  5. Service brakes8
  6. Power train6
  7. Fuel/propulsion system5
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)5
  9. Vehicle speed control4

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Suburban 2500 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2011155
2012101
2013118
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

28 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2026Air bagsODI 11712550

Structure

23 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 3, 2026StructureODI 11708477

Engine

16 reports1 crash
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11623850
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
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.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Suburban 2500 2WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
101612$5,200714
Suburban 2500 4WD
Auto 6-spd, 8 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
101612$5,200724
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban 2500 as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 7715Vehicle 7500
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

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).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026