2022 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Report

The 2022 Chevrolet Suburban presents a mixed safety picture, with strong crash test performance but a notable number of complaints and several significant recalls. NHTSA awarded the vehicle an overall 4-star safety rating, including 4 stars for frontal crash, an excellent 5 stars for side crash, but a lower 3 stars for rollover resistance. Despite these generally good ratings, the vehicle has accumulated 93 total complaints, including 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries, indicating real-world safety concerns. A significant pattern of issues revolves around the ENGINE and POWER TRAIN, which account for the highest percentage of complaints (25% for ENGINE, 12% for POWER TRAIN). These complaints frequently describe severe events such as engine failure, unexpected shutdowns while driving, and transmission issues, some of which are directly addressed by recalls. The recall history for the 2022 Suburban is substantial, with four recalls issued. Two of these directly address critical components implicated in complaints: a POWER TRAIN recall for 10-speed transmission control module software that could cause rear wheels to lock up, and an ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING recall for engine hard parts that could lead to engine failure. These recalls underscore the severity of the reported engine and transmission problems. Other recalls include issues with exterior lighting (DRLs not deactivating) and critical fasteners for third-row seat belts, which could compromise occupant restraint. The high number of engine-related complaints, even after recalls, suggests persistent issues or a broad scope of problems not fully resolved by existing campaigns. Common complaint patterns include sudden loss of power, vehicle stalling or shutting off while driving, and various engine failures (e.g., lifter failure, metal shavings in oil, camshaft failure). Several complaints describe the vehicle unexpectedly shifting to neutral or losing propulsion at highway speeds, creating hazardous situations. The 'Service safety restraint system' light appearing intermittently is also a recurring concern, despite a recall for seat belt fasteners. The combination of strong crash test performance with a significant volume of severe mechanical complaints and multiple safety recalls indicates that while the vehicle may perform well in controlled crash scenarios, its reliability and potential for unexpected failures in daily operation pose considerable safety risks.

Our recommendation: Given the strong crash test performance but numerous severe engine and transmission complaints and multiple recalls, potential buyers should proceed with caution and thoroughly investigate the vehicle's service history, especially for engine and transmission repairs, and ensure all recalls have been addressed.