Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 56% | 15,000 miles |
| 2025 | 16 | 52% | 17,000 miles |
| 2023 | 10 | 59% | — |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | — |
| 2010 | 2 | 4% | 70,000 miles |
| 2009 | 6 | 11% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 9 | 9% | 92,000 miles |
| 2007 | 25 | 13% | 81,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 3% | 89,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 4% | 76,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 6% | 120,000 miles |
| 2003 | 8 | 5% | 114,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 13% | 120,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 5% | 108,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 3% | 144,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 1 | 6% | 28,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from the engine compartment, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked. While reversing out of the driveway the following day, the engine seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,800.
The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, there was a popping sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,700.
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, a yellow triangle warning icon was displayed, and a message to "Please Add Oil" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with a broken part and oil was leaking oil onto the oil filter. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 1,000 miles later, the same triangle icon was displayed and with the same message displayed while driving. The vehicle was taken to the same dealer, where it was diagnosed that the oil needed to be changed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that approximately 1,000 miles later; while driving at an undisclosed speed, the same triangle warning icon and the message were displayed with the check engine warning light illuminated. …
The contact owns a 2025 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, a banging noise was heard coming from the engine compartment, and the vehicle decelerated. In addition, several warning lights, including the check engine light and the anti-lock braking system light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, turned off the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to a dealer. The dealer diagnosed that the engine and radiator failed and needed to be replaced. The engine and radiator were replaced. Approximately 5 months and 6,000 miles later, the failure recurred and the engine began to run rough. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the engine failed again. The engine was in the process of being replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. …
On January 1st driving east bound on road 520 in central florida. I was driving around 65mph when the vehicle suddenly shut off. The displayed showed a warning saying that something of the sort that I needed to press the brake to start the engine even though I was driving normally. I had to coast to the side of the road and I pressed the brake. once the brake was engaged the vehicle immediately went to park and will not start. I press the ingition button and the screen would go blank and no sound or warnings were displayed. I had to call the police to provide a safety as the vehicle was in a very dangerous area and all my family was on the vehicle. the police laid down flares and I contacted a tow truck using onstar. Onstar was unable to communicate with the vehicle to diagnosed the issue and no warnings or errors were displaying. …
When traveling at highway speeds our vehicle suddenly lost all engine power. Driving in the passing lane of [redacted] at 75 mph our 2023 Chevrolet suburban RST 6.2 lost all engine power and went into neutral. We were barely able to make it over to the right breakdown lane without getting hit and making it with no power. We were stranded on the busy interstate for three hours with my wife and three young kids in a very dangerous location. They were scared and because we barely made it into the breakdown lane and so close to speeding traffic had to stand outside of the vehicle close to the woods further from dangerous traffic. The Suburban was flatbedded to nearest Chevrolet dealer where we were told the engine was seized and would need to be totally replaced. We were lucky to be alive but now stranded 1000 miles away from home as we were returning from a vacation in Florida. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while making a turn, the vehicle lost power and the engine stalled. The vehicle could be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who performed a bg fuel injection cleaning and throttle body cleaning and reprogrammed the PCM. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. Updated 8/28/14
Jan 26, 2015, 91,750 mileage. Sudden suspension stabilizer light, check engine light and running rough. Dealer said brake switch and replaced. Possible other electrical issue also ruled out. Feb. 15, 2015, 92,413 mileage. Same problem now diagnosed as #4 lifter broke. Fixed for half cost. Less than 300 miles later, March 3, same lifter broke again. Three days later on family funeral out of town trip it broke again, same #4 lifter. Three times in 1000 miles is ridiculous. Finally right... For three years! Aug. 30, 2018, 136,000+ miles. Multiple broken lifters with cam damage. Rebuild or replace motor for $6500 or more. Replaced with factory GM crate reman. For $7500. Plus tax. All at my cost! Why is this not a factory design flaw problem on recall, auto warranty or even completely stop putting this afm lifter on the market. …
Related recalls (1)
Engine and engine cooling
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip May fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on August 31, 2006. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 and GMC trucks at 1-866-996-9463.
NHTSA investigations
Loss of motive power due to engine failure
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.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy
On January 16, 2026, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Recall Query RQ26001. This investigation was opened to assess the remedy effectiveness of Recall 25V-274. ODI has received complaints alleging engine failure in vehicles after the recall remedy had been completed, whether that remedy involved an oil viscosity change or a complete engine replacement.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban 1500 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2007 (25), 2025 (16), 2002 (15), 2004 (11) and 2023 (10) model years. Engine complaints make up 13% of all complaints for the 2007.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban 1500 engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 06V-289 (engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban 1500 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles; 27% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine (15 mentions), followed by the cooling system (3).
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.