Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% | — |
| 2025 | 5 | 16% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 18% | — |
| 2011 | 4 | 5% | 110,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% | 66,000 miles |
| 2008 | 12 | 12% | 55,000 miles |
| 2007 | 26 | 14% | 51,000 miles |
| 2006 | 7 | 23% | 103,000 miles |
| 2005 | 46 | 49% | 57,000 miles |
| 2004 | 84 | 46% | 78,000 miles |
| 2003 | 60 | 34% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% | 178,000 miles |
| 2001 | 4 | 4% | 176,000 miles |
| 2000 | 1 | 1% | 142,000 miles |
| 1999 | 2 | 3% | 179,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 14% | — |
| 1997 | 2 | 13% | 197,000 miles |
| 1996 | 1 | 11% | 1,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
2025 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN HIGH COUNTRY. Vehicle is parked in my garage. Went out in the AM and the engine only cranks, will not start. Called On Star for roadside assistance. Sent a tow truck, the vehicle could not be towed due to the electronic transmission. There is no way for an owner to place the transmission in neutral. Vehicle is stuck in my garage. GM customer service referred me back to roadside assistance who for the second time stated that they could not help me. This is a serious issue. The fact that the transmission can NOT be shifted into neutral unless the engine is running is a very serious safety concern.Called GM helpline a second time. They said that I should call for a tow on my own. Waiting for the selling dealer to call me back. Vehicle is currently stuck in my garage and GM does not care.
The complete infoentertainment system went out within one week of purchase and has been in the dealership possession since. The dealer's service department tried to perform updates on the system after the radio went out and it caused the whole dash to go completely black and they haven't been able to get it to turn back on. The vehicle has been in the shop for 8 weeks now and no estimate when I'll receive the vehicle back. Since the dash is black you can not see the speedometer, gas gauges, etc and it is not safe to drive without it having fully working electronic components. The dealer is next going to try and replace the radio but that part is back order indefinitely.
I recently took my 2023 Chevrolet Suburban in to make sure everything was working properly with the power train... it has been having bucking and stuttering between 15-45mph, which was super concerning to me, as I am transporting 3 children [redacted]. I took in yesterday, and was called back today to confirm that the issue is happening... the problem is that instead of Chevrolet recalling these vehicles to have this computer issue taken care of... they did an update and are charging their clients to have this update done. This is a serious safety hazard, especially for families like mine that cannot afford to have this update done. I will likely have to drive around without having it done, all because of GM's greediness.
The windows would go down all by themselves and not roll up . The infotainment system will flash on and off telling you to start strip all by itself. The door locks will lock you out and in not letting unlock the truck . The key fob is the only way to unlock it. I have taken it to the dealer five times to be repaired and they say GM software is not capable of finding the electrical problem. They just keep replacing parts. I filed a complaint with The State AG office and GM said they were not going to address the complaint because the vehicle was still under warranty.
While commuting to work on interstate 15, northbound on February 1, 2017, with my two sons in the vehicle, I smelled smoke. I pulled over to investigate and realized the front passenger seat was on fire (pictures attached). I noticed the switch for the heated seat was on, so I turned it off. I then proceeded to the Chevrolet dealership in butte, mt (approx. 15 miles) and had them disconnect the electrical to the seat and ensure it was not still burning. This disabled the power seat, seat heater and passenger front airbags. I contacted GM product services to inform them and they started a service request, number 8-2712194856. They instructed me to take it to the Chevrolet dealership in dillon, mt where I live for inspection. …
As I am driving the vehicle turns on and off which is very dangerous while driving. Also the electrical goes bad in the car causing the navigation and radio tongo on and off. Stabiltrak goes off on the vehicle and then comes back on. Today as I am driving my car lost power and now the service airbag light came on.
Door lock/unlock actuators are failing to operate, which poses safety concern for children in these vehicles. I've had two fail. This is a common and wide-spread issue with many 2007-2013 GM trucks and suvs. Just for my particular vehicle (2009 Suburban) I counted 13 other complaints (with NHTSA id #s) on this website for this issue. Apparently the electric motor in the actuator module for each door lock is poor quality and prone to failure. Given the safety risk and number of vehicles involved, I'm surprised that a recall has not been issued.
Within the first two years of owning the vehicle it developed cracks all along the dashboard. The cracks got bad enough that recently a large piece of the dashboard fell out. I have attempted to get Chevrolet to help pay for replacing it but they are unwilling and I cannot afford the entire bill alone. I am worried that the airbags will not work and that having electrical and mechanical exposed will cause harm to myself or the vehicle.
NHTSA investigations
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In response to an information request letter sent by the office of defects investigation(odi) during preliminary evaluation pe08-010, GM provided odi with 41 allegations of non-crash engine compartment fires including 16 allegations of fires originating with the ignition in the off position.one of the fires was determined to be caused by an arson event.odi has also received 5 reports, 4 of which are of duplicative…
Non-crash engine compartment fires
In a letter dated August 27, 2008, general motors corp. (GM) notified NHTSA that it will conduct a safety recall (NHTSA recall number 08v-441) to address a safety relateddefect that can result in engine compartment fire in approximately 850,000 vehicles equipped with a heated windshield washer fluid option.the subject vehicles of this investigation comprise over three-quarters of the recall population.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban 1500 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (84), 2003 (60), 2005 (46), 2007 (26) and 2008 (12) model years. Electrical complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban 1500 electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban 1500 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles; 22% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (112 mentions), followed by the wiring (2).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.