Chevrolet Suburban 2015–2020
11th generation (K2XX)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,347 complaints, 758 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 29,600 and 90,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 9 complaints (1.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 2,052
- 25%
- 29,600
- Median
- 59,000
- 75%
- 90,000
- 90%
- 119,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 117 | 15.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 43 | 5.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 30 | 4.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 40 | 5.3% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 68 | 9.0% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 85 | 11.2% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 67 | 8.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 49 | 6.5% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 64 | 8.4% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 64 | 8.4% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 27 | 3.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 32 | 4.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 18 | 2.4% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 14 | 1.8% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 7 | 0.9% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 11 | 1.5% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 4 | 0.5% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 5 | 0.7% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 200,000+ | 9 | 1.2% |
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 1,347 complaints with NHTSA about the 2015–2020 Chevrolet Suburban, and 758 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 29,600 and 90,000 miles. The median is 59,000 miles.
The most-reported areas are the brakes (21.2% of complaints, typically around 61,000 miles), the transmission and driveline (14.4% of complaints, typically around 90,000 miles), the engine (11.0% of complaints, typically around 74,000 miles).
16 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Brakes61,000median 61,285 miles, middle half 46,000 to 85,000
- Transmission and driveline90,000median 90,000 miles, middle half 43,000 to 117,000
- Engine74,000median 74,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 100,000
- Electrical system58,000median 57,556 miles, middle half 30,000 to 89,000
- Problems owners could not categorise45,000median 45,000 miles, middle half 14,000 to 66,000
- Steering62,000median 62,000 miles, middle half 29,000 to 92,000
- Body structure48,000median 47,779 miles, middle half 29,000 to 80,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 286 | 21.2% | 61,000 | 46,000–85,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 194 | 14.4% | 90,000 | 43,000–117,000 |
| Engine | 148 | 11.0% | 74,000 | 29,000–100,000 |
| Electrical system | 136 | 10.1% | 58,000 | 30,000–89,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 115 | 8.5% | 45,000 | 14,000–66,000 |
| Steering | 106 | 7.9% | 62,000 | 29,000–92,000 |
| Body structure | 48 | 3.6% | 48,000 | 29,000–80,000 |
| Suspension | 46 | 3.4% | 56,000 | 30,000–70,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 40 | 3.0% | 47,000 | 15,000–86,000 |
| Electronic stability control (esc) | 32 | 2.4% | 70,000 | 58,000–93,000 |
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 59,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The brakes account for 21.2% of complaints (286 reports, 188 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 61,285 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 46,000 and 85,400 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 14.4% of complaints (194 reports, 81 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 90,000 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 43,000 and 116,816 miles.
The engine accounts for 11.0% of complaints (148 reports, 63 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 74,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 28,768 and 100,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.1% of complaints (136 reports, 73 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 57,556 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 30,000 and 89,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 8.5% of complaints (115 reports, 63 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 13,500 and 66,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 7.9% of complaints (106 reports, 61 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 62,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 29,000 and 92,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2015 model year drew the most — 589 complaints — while 2020 drew the fewest at 62. The median year sits at 148.
That makes 2015 an outlier: roughly 4.0 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 16 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), the seat belts (3), the steering (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,347 complaints filed against this generation, 59 reported a crash; 16 reported a fire; 69 reported an injury; 4 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 4.4% 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 29,600 and 90,000 miles, with a median of 59,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the brakes and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The brakes in particular shows a median failure mileage of 61,285, 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
Engine 2015–2020
Active Fuel Management lifter failure continues on the 5.3L L83 — collapsed AFM lifter, wiped cam lobe, misfire on the deactivating cylinders (1, 4, 6, 7). Same mechanism as the GMT900 Gen IV engines.
Transmission 2018–2020
Torque converter clutch shudder on GM's 8-speed and 10-speed automatics — a rumble-strip sensation at steady 40-70 mph cruise, caused by transmission fluid unable to maintain the required friction characteristics. GM's remedy is a fluid flush to Mobil 1 Synthetic LV ATF HP per TSB 18-NA-355; where the flush fails the torque converter is replaced. Subject of class action litigation covering GM's 8-speed applications.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 589 | 406 |
| 2016 | 299 | 173 |
| 2017 | 185 | 90 |
| 2018 | 111 | 34 |
| 2019 | 101 | 37 |
| 2020 | 62 | 18 |
Recalls (16)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 26V289000 | 2026-05-18 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) |
| 21V115000 | 2021-03-22 | Tires |
| 19V837000 | 2019-12-18 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 19V761000 | 2019-12-11 | Service Brakes |
| 19V645000 | 2019-10-08 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 18V673000 | 2018-11-07 | Seat Belts:rear/Other |
| 18V586000 | 2018-10-12 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 17V437000 | 2017-08-04 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 17V033000 | 2017-02-07 | Visibility:rearview Mirrors/Devices:exterior |
| 16V651000 | 2016-10-13 | Seat Belts:pretensioner |
| 16V256000 | 2016-05-18 | Suspension:front:control Arm |
| 15V640000 | 2015-11-20 | Electrical System:ignition |
| 14V719000 | 2014-11-17 | Steering:electric Power Assist System |
| 14V451000 | 2014-09-15 | Air Bags:side/Window |
| 14V374000 | 2014-08-05 | Power Train:transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) |
| 14V152000 | 2014-05-19 | Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit and Lines |
What owners reported
It's been over two months that i started having problems with my vehicle. When i turn my sterring wheel to make a turn my vehicle turn off;or when i reverse. Also on the dash board i noticed a warnig that reads parking assistance off; open driver window and close. And that speeddometer is frequently changing…
2015 · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at various speeds, the steering wheel and the entire vehicle began to vibrate and the contact noticed an abnormal noise in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the tires needed to be replaced and balanced. The vehicle was…
2015 · 5 miles · Transmission and driveline
Transmission was shifting 'roughly' both in accelerating and decelerating conditions. So rough that movement within the vehicle was experienced by driver and passengers. When the vehicle was undergoing braking and decelerating conditions the vehicle would also make noise as shifts occurred in the transmission (loud…
2015 · 60 miles · Transmission and driveline
My chevy Suburban 2015 i'm having a problem with the brake whenever i come to a complete stop in traffic or in the parking lot or if i'm going slow the brake gets very stiff and cant stop ,i often apply more pressure..Begging my car to stop , very frightening please i need some redress..As i understand there's…
2015 · 130 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 758 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page