Chevrolet Suburban 2000–2006
9th generation (GMT800) · GMT830 (GMT800 family)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20262,097 complaints, 1,400 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,000 and 107,009 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 64 complaints (4.6%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 12,000
- 25%
- 40,000
- Median
- 66,000
- 75%
- 107,009
- 90%
- 159,616
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 80 | 5.7% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 35 | 2.5% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 51 | 3.6% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 29 | 2.1% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 26 | 1.9% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 38 | 2.7% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 59 | 4.2% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 67 | 4.8% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 57 | 4.1% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 79 | 5.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 59 | 4.2% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 75 | 5.4% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 51 | 3.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 51 | 3.6% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 48 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 37 | 2.6% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 43 | 3.1% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 50 | 3.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 32 | 2.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 42 | 3.0% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 25 | 1.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 18 | 1.3% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 26 | 1.9% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 28 | 2.0% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 18 | 1.3% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 21 | 1.5% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 10 | 0.7% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 29 | 2.1% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 21 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 20 | 1.4% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 16 | 1.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 8 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 14 | 1.0% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 6 | 0.4% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 11 | 0.8% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 7 | 0.5% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 9 | 0.6% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 4 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 64 | 4.6% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 2,097 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000–2006 Chevrolet Suburban, and 1,400 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 40,000 and 107,009 miles. The median is 66,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the hydraulic brake circuit (13.4% of complaints, typically around 69,000 miles), the electrical system (12.0% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles), the brakes (10.1% of complaints, typically around 130,000 miles).
What fails, and when
- Hydraulic brake circuit69,000median 68,557 miles, middle half 42,000 to 98,000
- Electrical system66,000median 65,551 miles, middle half 48,000 to 96,000
- Brakes130,000median 130,000 miles, middle half 94,000 to 169,000
- Fuel system60,000median 60,000 miles, middle half 42,000 to 77,000
- Transmission and driveline43,000median 43,000 miles, middle half 15,000 to 71,000
- Steering45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 25,000 to 74,000
- Tyres36,000median 36,000 miles, middle half 26,000 to 60,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 280 | 13.4% | 69,000 | 42,000–98,000 |
| Electrical system | 251 | 12.0% | 66,000 | 48,000–96,000 |
| Brakes | 212 | 10.1% | 130,000 | 94,000–169,000 |
| Fuel system | 132 | 6.3% | 60,000 | 42,000–77,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 126 | 6.0% | 43,000 | 15,000–71,000 |
| Steering | 115 | 5.5% | 45,000 | 25,000–74,000 |
| Tyres | 109 | 5.2% | 36,000 | 26,000–60,000 |
| Parking brake | 95 | 4.5% | 46,000 | 30,000–64,000 |
| Airbag system | 88 | 4.2% | 78,000 | 49,000–130,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 87 | 4.1% | 60,000 | 12,000–100,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 66,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The hydraulic brake circuit accounts for 13.4% of complaints (280 reports, 208 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 68,557 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,000 and 98,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 12.0% of complaints (251 reports, 186 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 65,551 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 47,598 and 96,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.1% of complaints (212 reports, 196 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail late — a median of 130,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 94,038 and 169,000 miles.
The fuel system accounts for 6.3% of complaints (132 reports, 92 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 60,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 42,500 and 77,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 6.0% of complaints (126 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 43,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 15,000 and 71,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 5.5% of complaints (115 reports, 71 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 45,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 25,000 and 74,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2001 model year drew the most — 543 complaints — while 2006 drew the fewest at 33. The median year sits at 352.
Recalls and what they cover
No recall campaigns covering this generation appear in NHTSA's post-2010 recall file. That is not the same as an absence of problems — recalls address safety defects specifically, and many of the complaints above concern faults that are expensive or annoying without meeting that threshold.
Reported severity
Of the 2,097 complaints filed against this generation, 160 reported a crash; 38 reported a fire; 204 reported an injury; 2 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 7.6% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 40,000 and 107,009 miles, with a median of 66,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the hydraulic brake circuit and the electrical system are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The electrical system in particular shows a median failure mileage of 65,551, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Instrumentation 2003–2006
Instrument panel cluster gauge failure — the stepper motors driving the speedometer, tachometer, fuel and temperature gauges stick, flutter, or go dead. Not a safety recall but covered by GM Special Coverage Adjustment bulletin 07187 (7 years/70,000 miles) for 2003-2004 and certain 2005 vehicles; a defining defect of the late GMT800 years.
Fuel System 2000–2006
Fuel level sender/sending unit failure causing erratic or stuck fuel gauge readings, often confused with the cluster stepper motor fault.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 382 | 173 |
| 2001 | 543 | 364 |
| 2002 | 352 | 240 |
| 2003 | 361 | 276 |
| 2004 | 265 | 211 |
| 2005 | 161 | 110 |
| 2006 | 33 | 26 |
What owners reported
While driving at high speed fuel pump went out on my 2000 Chevrolet Suburban which has 54.000 Mi. It was softly recommeded the fuel filter be changed at 30,000. However the dealer and gm is aware of the fuel pump problem. The repair was $812.00 Verses $34.Oo for a fuel pump. The public should know that this could…
2000 · 54 miles · Fuel system
Dt*: the contact stated after jacking the vehicle up while changing the oil the parking brake failed and the vehicle rolled off the jack. The vehicle was taken to the dealership but no repairs were made. The manufacturer has been alerted. Phone interview update (april 5, 2006): mr. Sutton said that the transmission…
2000 · 3,000 miles · Parking brake
In 2004 i had a fuel system failure. A loud whining noise was coming from the fuel take area. All of a sudden i began having fuel flow problems. As i entered an intersection i had a fuel system failure which almost resulted in a vehicle collision. Fortunately the other driver was able to avoid my stalled out vehicle.…
2000 · 12,000 miles · Fuel system
I am the original owner of a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban purchased from mac haik Chevrolet in houston. I have complained about the inability of the parking brake to hold the vehicle in my driveway, and have had the rear pads/shoes replaced and the brakes adjusted more than once. Each repair seems to last a few thousand…
2000 · 13,000 miles · Parking brake
Built from 1,400 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page