2021 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Report

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Report

161Complaints
12Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
55/100Reliability Score
6Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
5Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (52)Power Train (17)Fuel/Propulsion System (14)Engine And Engine Cooling (5)Exterior Lighting (5)Power Train,Engine (4)Fuel System, Gasoline (4)Unknown Or Other,Engine (3)Service Brakes (3)Unknown Or Other (3)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (12)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsHigh (161)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports7Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2024Compare against the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban with 29 complaints and 1 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2022Check the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban before buying across this generation.

Chevrolet Suburban Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Chevrolet Suburban years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Chevrolet Suburban Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2022 Chevrolet Suburban 93 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2023 Chevrolet Suburban 91 3 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2024 Chevrolet Suburban 29 1 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

52 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Chevrolet only

Power Train

17 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Chevrolet only

Fuel/Propulsion System

14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Chevrolet only

Engine And Engine Cooling

5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine And Engine Cooling issues Chevrolet only

Exterior Lighting

5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Exterior Lighting issues Chevrolet only

Power Train,Engine

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train,Engine issues Chevrolet only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has accumulated 161 complaints and 12 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Among the complaints, 6 involved crashes and 1 involved fires. There have been 5 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (52 complaints), power train (17 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (14 complaints). Engine and engine cooling issues have been reported, with recalls issued for parts like engine hard parts internal/mechanical and driveshaft. Fuel system problems, particularly with the fuel pump control/drive module, have also been noted. Power train and exterior lighting software issues have been identified, with recalls for automatic transmission control module and lighting control module. Seat belt critical fasteners have also been recalled. Key known issues to be aware of include Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Power Train, Engine. Be aware of recalls for engine and engine cooling, fuel system, power train, and seat belts. Regularly check for updates and address any issues promptly.

Reliability Score

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★☆☆
3/5

Known Issues for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine And Engine Cooling
Recalled for internal mechanical parts, affecting 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Fuel System, Gasoline
Recalled for fuel pump control/drive module, affecting 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Power Train, Engine
Recalled for automatic transmission control module, affecting 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles
Seat Belts
Recalled for critical fasteners, affecting 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban.
High Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban:

Engine 23% of complaints

Issues with engine and engine cooling, including hard parts internal/mechanical and driveshaft.

Fuel System 14% of complaints

Problems with the fuel pump control/drive module.

Power Train 17% of complaints

Recalls for automatic transmission control module and driveshaft.

Exterior Lighting 5% of complaints

Recalls for lighting control module software.

Recall Details for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

The following 12 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban by NHTSA:

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical
Campaign #25V274000 24/04/2025

Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.

Consequence: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Ch...

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module:Software
Campaign #24V797000 24/10/2024

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.

Consequence: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458...

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software
Campaign #22V827000 03/11/2022

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners
Campaign #22V617000 11/08/2022

Summary: General Motors, LLC (M) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with third-row seats. The rivet that retains the buckle to the mounting bracket in the left or right side third-row seat belt buckle assembly may have been improperly formed.

Consequence: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service a...

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
Campaign #22V036000 27/01/2022

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.

Consequence: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump:Control/Drive Module
Campaign #21V739000 23/09/2021

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump power control module may cause the fuel pump to fail or operate intermittently, which can interrupt fuel flow to the engine, and cause an unexpected engine stall.

Consequence: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Steering:Steering Control Module
Campaign #21V455000 17/06/2021

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at startup or while driving.

Consequence: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light
Campaign #21V421000 10/06/2021

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.

Consequence: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for th...

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Seat Belts
Campaign #21V190000 18/03/2021

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Chevrolet Suburban, and Tahoe vehicles with third-row seating. The third-row outboard seat belts may have been entrapped or misrouted behind the outboard seat-folding mechanism, which could result in damaged seat belts.

Consequence: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000...

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Seat Belts
Campaign #20V811000 23/12/2020

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV and 2021 GMC Canyon and Sierra 1500, 2500 and 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV and Chevrolet Blazer, Camaro, Colorado, Equinox, Silverado 1500, 2500 and 3500, Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. Incorrect bolts may have been used at one or more fastening locations to secure the seat belts to the vehicle. If an incorrect bolt was used, the seat belt may not be properly attached to the vehicle.

Consequence: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Seat Belts
Campaign #20V792000 17/12/2020

Summary: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon XL and 2020-2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles. The seat belt brackets may not be secured to the seat frame in the front-row center seating position.

Consequence: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.

Manufacturer: General Motors, LLC
Seats
Campaign #20V735000 25/11/2020

Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.

Consequence: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.

Manufacturer: General Motors LLC

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 1 Fire Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 1
Power Train,Engine
03/23/2026

My 2021 Chevrolet Suburban experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at approximately 79,000 miles. The vehicle became inoperable and is currently at a dealership pending evaluation. There were no prior warnings indicating an imminent catastrophic failure. A sudden engine failure of this nature presents a significant safety concern, including the risk of loss of propulsion during operation...

ODI #11726495
Steering,Power Train,Electrical System
03/20/2026

I am submitting this complaint to report a serious safety issue involving my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with the 3.0L Duramax diesel engine. The vehicle has experienced a recurring problem related to the engine wiring harness. While driving, the vehicle will unexpectedly stall without warning. At the same time, there is an immediate loss of power steering assist, significantly reducing the ...

ODI #11725782
Power Train,Engine
03/14/2026

On Friday, March 13, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the highway, my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with an L87 6.2L V8 engine experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power. The failure sequence began with a dashboard warning prompting me to "press the start button again," followed immediately by the vehicle shifting into neutral without any driver input. Despite repeat...

ODI #11724367
Engine
03/12/2026

While driving the Engine warning light, service ESC light, and collision light all came on and an engine knock started. I also experienced a loss of power at the same time. Car was taken to local Chevy dealership for evaluation and repair. Dealership advised that they dropped the oil and found metal shavings in the oil. After further investigation, we were advised that it was a crankshaft connecti...

ODI #11724006
Engine And Engine Cooling,Vehicle Speed Control
03/12/2026

See attached document for complaint.

ODI #11723836
Engine And Engine Cooling
03/11/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired ou...

ODI #11723503
Power Train
03/09/2026

Rear Axle is grinding. Took vehicle into dealer and it is the well documented rear axle issue but this vehicle is not included in a recall. The differential fluid was replaced and figure 8s were done but there is still grinding. The rear axle also drags at times when in auto 4wd. The dealer said the next step would be to replace the axle. This is the issue: Differential Noise/Failure: Repor...

ODI #11722922
Engine
03/08/2026

In April of 2022 with 26k miles my vehicle had its first engine failure, Chevrolet dealership had to replace engine lifters due to a known engineering defect with the 2021 6.2 L87 engine. Now in late February 2026 with 80k miles my engine has locked up and requires a brand new engine replacement. For some reason, even though this is a L87 6.2L 2021 engine it is not part of the broader recall for t...

ODI #11722779
Engine
03/04/2026

While driving, the engine malfunctioned. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the malfunction. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by a Chevrolet dealership.

ODI #11722005
Unknown Or Other,Engine,Forward Collision Avoidance
02/21/2026

The check engine and traction control light came on in my car. This was accompanied by a clanking sound, shaking. The panel said “ SERVICE ESC” “ service traction control” and “ forward collision system unavailable” The Chevrolet light logo on the back of my car will also not turn off occasionally whenever the car is turned off.

ODI #11719559
Power Train
02/20/2026

My [XXX] Daughter lost the ability to put the vehicle in reverse while running errands on a Saturday. We had to push the truck out of the parking spot "backwards" in neutral in order to get the vehicle in a position to put it in "drive". She had been going in and out of shopping centers (forwards and backwards) earlier when the reverse suddenly stopped. I dropped the vehicle at a nearby auto s...

ODI #11719462
Fuel System, Gasoline,Power Train,Electrical System
02/18/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. Additionally, the vehicle failed to exceed 42 MPH. Later in the day, the gear shifter was shifted to reverse; however, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle wa...

ODI #11718829
Engine
02/17/2026

Engine failure at 86,000 miles with documented regular oil change and recommended services

ODI #11718673
Engine
02/14/2026

My vehicle was taken in to shop due to recall recommendation I received in GM app for fuel pump control module . After repair was done my engine begin ticking the same day and failed a week later . I documented the whole thing and filed a claim with GM however the dealership that did the repair are not responding to GM . The dealership is alm Chevorlet south in Jonesboro ,GA this vehicle stalled ...

ODI #11717955
Power Train
02/11/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while in reverse (R), the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact’s wife continued driving at approximately 55 MPH, and an unknown message was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH. Additionally, the transmission was stuck in gear and failed to upshift into the next gear as designed. The vehicle was pulled ...

ODI #11717307
Engine
02/10/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal oil consumption was noticed. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle was previously taken to a local dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed; however, the contact was advised to bring the vehicle back for further investigation. An appointment with the same...

ODI #11716916
Unknown Or Other,Engine
02/10/2026

My vehicle is having an oil consumption problem. 2 quarts were missing from my oils consumption test. The dealer is now doing a secondary oil consumption test and I’ve read up and learned that there have been a lot of recalls with the engine and oils changes.

ODI #11716915
Power Train
02/04/2026

My vehicle will not go in reverse.

ODI #11715642
Suspension,Vehicle Speed Control
Crash 02/01/2026

There is an electronic problem that continues to trip the warning for the Air Ride suspension system to fail leaving the vehicle stuck at its current ride height or it drops eithee the front or rear suspension to the ground while simultaneously raising the front or rear to its highest setting. It also causes the vehicle speed to drop immediately to 56 mph. Issue has been scanned by several dealers...

ODI #11714782
Fuel/Propulsion System
01/30/2026

My 2021 Chevrolet Suburban stalled while driving in late September 2025 and had to be towed to a dealership. The vehicle is subject to an active fuel pump power control module safety recall that has been in effect since 2021. The vehicle was brought in specifically for repair of this issue. The work was processed under warranty, and I was charged a deductible. After learning the repair was direct...

ODI #11714437

Showing 20 of 161 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.

Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
NHTSA RQ26001 Open

Component: Engine

Opened 2026-01-16

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 36 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging engine failure in vehicles subject to Recall 25V274. In each VOQ, the engine had the recall remedy completed prior to the reported failure incident. Recall 25V-274 addresses vehicles equipped with a L87 6.2L V8 gas engine that experienced engine damage or failure. Recall 25V-274’s remedy includes an engine inspection.  Based on the results of the inspection the vehicle will receive an oil chang...

Loss of motive power due to engine failure
NHTSA PE25001 Closed Recall 25V274

Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Opened 2025-01-16 · Closed 2025-10-23

On January 16, 2025, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE25001 after receiving complaints and field reports concerning engine failures in MY2019-2024 GM’s full-size truck and SUV T1XX platform equipped with the L87 6.2L V8 engine. These complainants alleged engine bearing failures resulting in knocking and growling noises from the engine’s bottom end and in some cases more severe consequences such as broken connecting rods leading to engine damage, or engine...

Air Bag Malfunction
NHTSA PE21010 Closed

Component: Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module

Opened 2021-04-09 · Closed 2023-08-24

On April 9, 2021, the Office of Defects Investigations (ODI) opened PE21-010 to investigate instances of air bag malfunction indicator light (MIL) illumination and potential for frontal air bag non-deployment in several vehicles manufactured by General Motors (GM). The vehicles included model year (MY) 2020 through 2021 CT4 and CT5 passenger cars, Sierra and Silverado trucks (1500/2500/3500 models), XT4 and MY 2021 Escalade, Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon SUVs.Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 21-NA-005,...

Loss of motive power due to engine failure
NHTSA EA25007 Open

Component: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical

Opened 2025-10-23

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 1,157 reports of engine bearing failure failures in the L87 6.2L engine produced by General Motors (GM). Of the 1,157 reports received, 173 are outside of the scope of recall 25V-274. These engines are installed in Model Years (MY) 2019–2024 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500, and 2021-2024MY Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, GMC Yukon/Yukon XL, and Cadillac Escalade/Escalade ESV vehicles. The subject engine failures were investigated ...

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Has the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN been recalled?

Yes, the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 12 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?

The 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 161 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 6 involved crashes. 5 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

The 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN involve engine (52 complaints), power train (17 complaints), fuel/propulsion system (14 complaints). Other affected components include engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, power train,engine.

How many crash reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?

There are 6 crash reports associated with the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN out of 161 total complaints (3.7% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?

There are 1 fire reports for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN out of 161 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN.

How many injuries are reported for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

5 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is acceptable with caveats. It has 161 complaints, 12 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

The components with the most failures on the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN are: 1. ENGINE (52 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (17 complaints), 3. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (14 complaints), 4. ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (5 complaints), 5. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (5 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 52 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

Be aware of recalls for engine and engine cooling, fuel system, power train, and seat belts. Regularly check for updates and address any issues promptly. The 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 161 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

The 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 161 owner complaints, 12 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and Engine Cooling and Fuel System, Gasoline.

What are the known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?

Known issues with the 2021 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN include: Engine and Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Power Train, Engine, Seat Belts. These are based on patterns found across 161 NHTSA complaints. 12 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

What are the most common issues with the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?

Common issues include engine and engine cooling problems, fuel system issues, power train problems, and seat belt critical fasteners.

Are there any recalls for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?

Yes, recalls have been issued for engine and engine cooling, fuel system, power train, and seat belts.

What should I do if I experience engine failure in my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?

Contact your local Chevrolet dealership immediately to check for recalls and address the issue.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of recalls for engine and engine cooling, fuel system, power train, and seat belts. Regularly check for updates and address any issues promptly.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Chevrolet Suburban

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The data includes 161 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 12 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 6 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 5 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-14