Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I would like to request your agency to conduct a thorough investigation about a defective parking pawl on a 2001 Chevy Suburban, this parking pawl mechanism supposed to lock the transmission gear to prevent a vehicle to roll or moved while on park position, especially on a rolling hills or sloped parking lot. I am sharing this information for the safety of the general public and consumers who owned a 2001 Chevy Suburban, because the vehicle has the tendency to moved while on parked position on a rolling hills or sloped parking lot. This problem cannot be detected easily by an average person. The vehicle need to be inspected at the dealership service shop and have it check for a sign of a worn out of the parking pawl mechanism. …
My 2001 Chevrolet Suburban got in an accident due to parking pawl failure while parked on a sloped surface. Parking pawl is a transmission gear safety locking mechanism that will prevent a vehicle from moving while in park position. I contacted general motors product allegation department to inform about this serious defect. General motors assigned an investigator to gather details and information the investigator submitted all the information and details of the accident to a general motors engineers who will review the cause of the failure of the parking pawl. Initial finding by GM authorized service repair shop, the cause of the failure was the premature wearing of the parking pawl mechanism. From a design standpoint this parking pawl mechanism by no means should not be subjected to any premature wearing. Otherwise, this is a serious and dangerous design error. …
Our 4 year old child was able to put our 2001 Chevy Suburban in gear without starting the car or pressing his foot on the brake. The car starting rolling down the hill. Fortunately my wife was able to jump in the window and press the brake to stop the car. We were very lucky that none of the children in the area were hurt and that no property was damaged other than a small piece of fence. Apparently with the key in the ignition and in the first "accessory" position you are able to take the car out of park without depressing the brake pedal. I tried this on several other Chevy models that have the gear shift on the column and you are able to do the same thing. I called Chevy and the dealer and they both said that this should not happen and to bring it in for repair. The dealer even went to the lot and did what I described on a 2006 Suburban and agreed that it did happen when he did it. …
Oil consumption, steering column, side door panels, rear-end, seats cracking, front popping noise, steers to right constantly. This has been an ongoing thing since we bought the vehicle new in 2001. We have complained to the consumer reporting agency here in n.c. And also talked to the dealer and manufacture on numerous occasions. Dealer said they have had several vehicles with oil consumption that they have traded because of it and they just kept telling us it is within manufacture limits. They have tried to fix the oil problem but with no success. Also the steering has been broken down twice because of its problem. The door panels are still not fixed after 2 tries. The rear-end has been worked on 2 times because of differential fluid, the steering wheel still scrubs when turning to the right and the driver's seat is starting to crack. …
Heated power mirrors with dimming feature has a liquid inside that has turned dirty brown restricting sight rearward. The power switch adjusting the rearview mirrors inop. Cd player inop. Sunroof inop. Sunroof gets stuck inside its rails in open position. Unable to open or close. Engine leaves polls of oil inside my garage approx 1qt. Pr 1000 miles. Just had a catastrophic transmission failure with a very close call accident, loosing 3rd and 4th gear requiring complete rebuild of transmission, drive axle leaking oil. And of course all this happens just out of warranty. This car today costs $ 50,000.- with this trim package. Has only 81000 on odometer. GM this is not good enough, shape up or ship out. This is my 3rd lemon from GM. Do they not make cars that'll last past warranties any more??
Transmission failures in 1999 through 2002 Chevrolet tahoe's, suburbans, and k1500 trucks. I have owned several Chevrolet vehicles. In my small circle of acquaintances, I have experienced what I believe to be too many transmission failures by the afore mentioned vehicles. My brother in law just had to have his k1500 transmission changed out. My brothers son had to have his 2001 k1500 transmission changed out at 60000 miles. My brother has had two transmissions changed out in his 2002 tahoe. And finally, today January 26, 2006, my wifes transmission in her 2001 Suburban with only 78000, never used to tow anything but a lawn mower trailer, just went out with several school kids on board on a very busy road with no shoulders. This could have turned into a bad situation. What is the deal?
Tl contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 35 MPH in the rain, the ABS light illuminated. When the contact turned off the engine, it made a humming sound. He disconnected the module and the humming stopped. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer the following day and they replaced the module under warranty. Three years later, the failure recurred. He purchased the third module and had it replaced by a local mechanic. Three weeks ago, the contact noticed that the turn signals on his vehicle were intermittently illuminating. As of June 12, 2008, the vehicle has not been repaired. The failure mileage was 60,000 and current mileage was 80,000. Updated 07/08/08. The consumer also stated there was a delayed engagement from reverse to drive. Updated
Performed a "kick down" to pass dump truck on highway. After passing the truck and back in my lane of travel the engine over revs to 5000+ rpms and car halts to a stop in front of the dump truck that I just passed, forcing him to swerve and stand on its brakes to avoid rear-ending me. The car now has only two functioning gears, 1st and 2nd. Transmission downshifts into first when trying to shift to 3rd. Car now has 81000 miles, my transmission shop says that my 3rd and 4th gear clutches are gone!!?? And a $1,500+ rebuild is necessary. The shop says its surprised that this happens to a low mileage truck like this. And so am I.
I purchased a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban in late 2005. We are currently on our third transmission with this vehicle. The first one locked up at 20 m miles and was replaced under warranty. The second failed at about 98 m and cost us about $2500 to replace as GM only offered a 1 yr. Warranty on replacement transmissions at that time. I'm already concerned about the third transmission as it occasionally has trouble dropping into first upon stopping. I think GM has a problem here that they are failing to own up to. My only consolation is this transmission has a three year warranty.
Purchased 2001 Chevrolet Suburban at the end of August, drove it for 1600 miles and the transmission went out. According to the mechanic, the transmission completely came apart inside. This bothered me because of the position of the transmission and my children in the vehicle, and the possibility of shrapnel coming out of the transmission. This, of course, did not happen but the dealership is refusing to take any responsibility and I have not heard from general motors. The vehicle is less than three years old and has 48000 miles on it.
Transmission complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 8% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 26% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.