Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving at an unknown speed, smoke emitted from the engine compartment of the vehicle. The contact pulled over and discovered that the front end and front wheels were on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. Fire and police reports were filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and deemed destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 204,654.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with hercules all trac a/t tires, size: 265/70r16 (na). While driving approximately 70 MPH, the rear driver side tire blew out. The tire was replaced with a spare tire. The vehicle was taken to an independent tire technician who replaced the tire. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate tire failure mileage was 5,000 and the approximate vehicle failure mileage was 205,000.
I had to replace tires on this vehicle at 29,000 miles to due excessive wear on the tires. These tires had been rotated and balanced every 4,000 miles. I assumed the tires had to be replaced because the tires were manufactured poorly. Well after replacing the original tires with Goodyear tires, I have again had problems with tire wear on the front passenger side tire. I had a Goodyear service technician investigate the issue and when the tire was removed the inner tie rod assembly was very loose. The inner tie rod had to be replaced. This is a serious issue. This can cause instability in vehicle control resulting in an accident. The Chevrolet dealership where I purchased the vehicle said that they had never seen a problem. The extended warranty that I purchased specifically does not cover this item. …
2001 Chevrolet surburban - approx 17000 miles - months ago - received a recall on this surburban for the Firestone wilderness tires - took it to dealer and they said that these tires looked okay. However - on 7/10/04 coming back from a 2 mile drive for groceries - (a major street) - heard a huge explosion sound - the truck swerved wildly - we were thrown and tossed but had seat belts and kids in carriers- going 35 miles per hour - my wife and children terrified and crying - and they were tossed side to side - wife in pain - son had huge belt bruise - I pulled my lower back - my baby seems okay. …
I purchased a set of sigma stampede tires in 2-2007. 3 of the 4 tires purchased had side wal blow outs. I took the tires to where I bought them and the owner said it looked as though there could be a defect. I contacted tbc corp. About the problem and was told that this tire had been recalled but the set I had was the wrong dot #. I then told them 3 out of 4 tires that had no tread damage that blow out the side wall should be looked at I was told to get my receipt and fax it to them and they would make an adjustment on 2 of the tires this was done 2 weeks ago and I have not heard from them . The first tire blew out 11-2008, and I replaced it . The second on 4- 2009and the third on 7-12-2009. …
On July 2nd 2003, we experienced a blowout on our 2001 Suburban. The Firestone steel-tex tires (245/75r16)only had 13571 miles on them and we had maintained the truck and tires according to the GM service schedule at the local dealership. We were hauling a trailer in the mountains; temperature was only 75 degrees. We experienced a weird bumpy feeling and then a loud explosion. The tire tread was separting totally from the sidewalls. We had nowhere to pull off the highway to change the tire; it was a very dangerous potentially, deadly situation. GM is unwilling to help cover the costs for replacement tires, so far. They only were willing to replace the blown tire with the exact same Firestone. We did not even request that the tires be replaced at no cost to us; we just want some help towards the purchase of another make of tires. …
I have a Suburban with wilderness le tires - p265 70r 16. Had a "flat tire" while driving. When I stopped to put air into the tire, it was totally mishaped with numerous bubbles in the rubber. Could find no apparent reason for the flat, and could still hear air escaping through the tire. My vehicle was assembled in Mexico at the plant that is involved in the recalls. The recall covers tires from cars assembled in that plant in April and May of 2000. My car was assembled there in August of 2000. I believe that the recall should possibly be extended to a larger time frame. I am going to have all of my tires inspected.
My Firestone tires came apart on my trip to nev. I was in a curve at 70mph with the cruise control on when the tred came off on the left rear tire throwing us into a skid. The tred riped out the splash gaurd and the fender moulding then hiting the rear quarter and leaving a14 by 8 inch dent. Then about an hour or so later the left front gets a ply seperation. I dont care about the junk tires but if my wife was driving I'm sure someone would of gotten hurt. I drove truck for about 16 years so my skill level is a little better than average.
Driving a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban with 35,000 miles and original equipment Firestone steeltex 16 inch tires during the day on dry road, I had an unexpected tread separation and explosive blow out at 70 MPH.tire pressures were checked before the trip and no defects in any of the tires was noted. There was some damage to the car in the wheel well area that will require a fair amount of body work to repair. This just happened yesterday 08aug04, and I have not had a chance to contact a Chevy or a Firestone dealer.
This is concerning a '01 z71 Suburban. Had tires changed due to unexplainable vibration in wheels. After tire change tires deflated. Found aluminum alloy rims severely rusted and pitted on the back side, found one rim has a hole the size of a pea after brushing some rust away.
NHTSA investigations
Steel wheel rim fracture
There have been less than 2 complaints per 100,000 subject vehicles related to the alleged defect.the oldest vehicles (my 1999) have only 2 complaints in over 140 thousand vehicles after over 4 years in service.the rate of warranty claims potentially related to the alleged defect is less than 0.1%.there are no known incidents involving rapid loss of tire pressure or loss of vehicle control.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, 7% of the model year's 440 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Chevrolet Suburban wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries to wheels & tires 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.