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Chevrolet Suburban — Years to Avoid

Reliability breakdown of every Chevrolet Suburban model year. Based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, and safety investigations.

Model Years
47
Years to Avoid
2021, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010
Best Years
1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977
2024
40 complaints1 recalls3 invest.533 TSBs
2023
117 complaints3 recalls3 invest.632 TSBs
2022
117 complaints4 recalls3 invest.1149 TSBs
2021Avoid
205 complaints12 recalls4 invest.1348 TSBs
2020
57 complaints3 recalls836 TSBs
2019
79 complaints2 recalls971 TSBs
2018
104 complaints3 recalls1247 TSBs
2017Avoid
178 complaints4 recalls1553 TSBs
2016Avoid
283 complaints6 recalls1 invest.1772 TSBs
2015Avoid
583 complaints10 recalls1 invest.2535 TSBs
2014Avoid
77 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1597 TSBs
2013Avoid
169 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1755 TSBs
2012Avoid
139 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1696 TSBs
2011Avoid
192 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1576 TSBs
2010Avoid
159 complaints3 recalls1 invest.1480 TSBs
2009
133 complaints5 recalls1 invest.1355 TSBs
2008
276 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1252 TSBs
2007
357 complaints4 recalls1 invest.1154 TSBs
2006
33 complaints1 recalls780 TSBs
2005
161 complaints7 recalls791 TSBs
2004
264 complaints6 recalls1 invest.795 TSBs
2003
360 complaints7 recalls6 invest.787 TSBs
2002
352 complaints4 recalls8 invest.568 TSBs
2001
543 complaints8 recalls11 invest.536 TSBs
2000
382 complaints11 recalls10 invest.474 TSBs
1999
861 complaints2 recalls6 invest.115 TSBs
1998
299 complaints3 recalls1 invest.48 TSBs
1997
556 complaints3 recalls5 invest.41 TSBs
1996
531 complaints4 recalls7 invest.36 TSBs
1995
587 complaints7 recalls8 invest.36 TSBs
1994
1,038 complaints6 recalls4 invest.21 TSBs
1993
616 complaints2 recalls3 invest.13 TSBs
1992
226 complaints5 recalls2 invest.12 TSBs
1991
65 complaints4 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1990
67 complaints4 recalls1 invest.4 TSBs
1989Best Year
68 complaints4 recalls1 invest.2 TSBs
1988Best Year
35 complaints4 recalls2 TSBs
1987Best Year
21 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1986Best Year
7 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1985Best Year
12 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1984Best Year
6 complaints0 recalls1 invest.1 TSBs
1983Best Year
4 complaints0 recalls1 TSBs
1982Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls1 TSBs
1981Best Year
1 complaints1 recalls
1979Best Year
1 complaints0 recalls
1978Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls
1977Best Year
3 complaints0 recalls

How we calculate this

Each year receives a composite risk score based on NHTSA owner complaints, federal recalls, safety investigations, and technical service bulletins. Years scoring more than 2x the model's average are flagged as “years to avoid.” Years in the lowest risk bracket are marked as “best years.” All data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which Chevrolet Suburban Years Should You Avoid?

Based on federal safety data, the 2021, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010 Chevrolet Suburban are the most problematic years, with significantly higher rates of owner complaints, recalls, and safety investigations compared to other model years.

If you're shopping for a used Chevrolet Suburban, consider the 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1984, 1983, 1982, 1981, 1979, 1978, 1977 model years — these have the fewest reported issues relative to other years.

47 model years analyzed