Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Owners filed 208 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban with NHTSA between Apr 2021 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is engine (92).

Complaints
208
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine92
  2. Power train40
  3. Fuel/propulsion system22
  4. Electrical system20
  5. Engine and engine cooling11
  6. Forward collision avoidance11
  7. Fuel system, gasoline9
  8. Service brakes8
  9. Exterior lighting7
  10. Seat belts7
  11. Air bags6
  12. Wheels4
  13. Lane departure3
  14. Steering3

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 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202114
202213
202318
202421
202572
202670

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.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

92 reports2 crashes
“On August 25, 2026, I was driving a chevrolet 2021 with less than 60K miles on it on a double lane road when I came to a red light, the car did not move when the light turned green, I put the car on park then drive again and it completely shut down. Prior to this there was no lights showing any issues with the car. It did not drive again, and I had to have it towed home then to a body shop where I spent 2K and drove the car out but was told to take it to the dealer immediately. At the dealer they said it needed a complete engine or motor replacement that cost 12k but they would cover about 8k and I would be responsible for about 4k. I was called to pick it up and it was still making a weird noise they said it was something else, it is November 3, 2026, the dealer still has my car,and they won't even answer the phone, no loaner available, and I am terrified after hearing so many stories about 6.2L engines that I will be driving a car that can put me at risk even after replacement. please help me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 3, 2026EngineODI 11775455

Power train

40 reports2 related recalls
“Shuddering and vibration between 25-40mph during low acceleration. Seems to be getting worse. Have an appointment with a dealership to do a diagnostic and can upload that information later. Service advisor suggested that it is an extremely common problem in my vehicle and very expensive to fix.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 30, 2026Power trainODI 11774588

Fuel/propulsion system

22 reports1 fire
“Pulled out in 4 lane traffic. Got almost to 55mph. Vehicle lost all power, slowed down and auto shifted to neutral, vehicle stopped and went to park. Vehicle would not start back nor transition to Neutral to remove from highways. 2021 suburban with just 35,000miles. Shut down a lane on a 55mph highway. Code P129F”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 26, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11752904

Electrical system

20 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the radio display screen was blank. Additionally, the vehicle turned on and off independently, the doors locked and unlocked independently, and the liftgate closed independently. The contact stated that the power running board failed to operate as needed and failed to activate on the front driver’s and passenger’s sides of the vehicle. The failure had occurred on several occasions. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The approximate failure mileage was 68,448.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2026Electrical systemODI 11766088

Engine and engine cooling

11 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and shut off completely without warning. An attempt was made to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where a diagnostic inspection revealed a lifter failure, and the engine was replaced. The contact stated that three months after the engine replacement, the engine was leaking oil and the transmission failed. The failure mileage was 160,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 13, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11770937

Forward collision avoidance

11 reports2 crashes
“Lane departure assist, adaptive cruise control, auto emergency braking, adaptive high beam, forward collision warning system became unresponsive while driving on highway during trip. Had to take vehicle into GM dealership for ADAS camera replacement.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2026Forward collision avoidance, Lane departureODI 11730078
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026

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