Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2007 Chevrolet Suburban owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 50-60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated, and the vehicle started jerking. Additionally, the contact noticed that there was white smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was taken to Triple A service station, where the cause of the failure could not be determined; however, unknown plugs and wire were replaced. The contact stated that the failure recurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where flour coil packs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that intake lifter of cylinder #1 was not moving due to a collapsed lifter roller, which lead to oil built up on the oil pan and the rear main seal. The dealer determined that engine needed to be replaced. …
As the current investigation is going for the General Motors engines 2014-2025 5.3L and 6.2L for AFM/DFM. The same is happening with 2007 - 2014 5.3L engines with DOD. I had a 2014 Chevy Suburban with the 5.3L I had to rebuild the passenger side due to a DOD lifter failing. My current, 2007 Suburban is starting to make a DOD lifter tap, again on the passenger side. I will be getting a full rebuilt engine with the DOD system deleted to prevent this in the future. Hundreds have had this happen in the car forums and I can not imagine how many have encountered the same issue but do not say anything due to chalking it up to mileage, age of the vehicle, or just accepting the failure by design. Most are simply taking it on the chin; paying out of pocket or doing the work themselves to repair, delete, or modify the engines. …
The lifter rod associated with the DoD/AFM system failed, causing catastrophic failure in the engine. This isn't an age issue, this isn't a part that wore out and failed. This car would still be running and driving if that system was never installed. The lifters for these systems are known weakpoints that'll eventually fail. Because of this we lost immediate power in the vehicle and had to immediately pull off to the side of the road on a busy road. I had my local shop take a look and they confirmed that it was a lifter issue. No others have inspected this as this is chalked up to the age of the vehicle. There's no warning for this failure. One second you engine is running great, you apply for some more power, and it fails. Ruining the rest of the engine with it.
The engine has a collapsed lifter that has failed. This problem is placing us at risk of breaking down while driving. I live in a busy city that has a lot of traffic. When I have money, I plan to take the vehicle to the dealership to confirm. I first noticed the problem by hearing the engine make a clicking sound when the engine is running. The sound is coming from the area of lifter location.
The engine began smoking really bad when driving down highway and car locked down. It became undriveable. I was out of town when happened and had to have towed. Mechanic confirmed motor is bad and has to be replaced. Just had transmission replaced 2 weeks prior to this happening. Transmission has had to be replaced 2 x's since I have owned vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. While attempting to start the vehicle, it began to shake and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure could not be duplicated. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle began to slow down and the reduced engine power indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. As a result of the failure, the vehicle was almost t-boned by a tractor trailer. The vehicle was able to be maneuvered to the side of the road where it was restarted successfully. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body and the brake switch would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was brought back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wiring to the ECM connector 2 and wiring harness needed to be changed. …
I bought this Suburban used in 2010 with about 32,000 miles on the odometer. I am the 2nd owner. From the day I bought it, it has burned oil. The add oil light comes on half way through a oil change. It's my 3rd Suburban. Neither of those two had ever burned oil. It was still under factory warranty, so I took it to courtesy Chevrolet in phoenix. They put it on a oil watch. I had to bring the truck back in every thousand miles so they could check the burn rate. They always said it was normal per Chevy burn rates. Really? Check the internet for 2007 Chevrolet engine oil, high burn rates and you will see that mine is not the only engine that burns oil. It sounds like Chevrolet knew there was a problem, and instead of fixing the problem with integrity, they changed their burn rates so they wouldn't have to. I have lost all faith in Chevrolet. I will never buy another Chevrolet product.
My vehicle was having trouble starting and idling rough. I brought it in for repairs and was told it needed a new fuel pump and air filter. I had those changed in total spending $1700. Three days later, the check engine light started flashing in my car. I could feel the engine misfiring and was losing power. The oil pressure was fluctuating rapidly. I drove it back to my home and had it towed to the dealership. I was told that the cylinder 4 was misfiring caused by the cylinder deactivation failure which is caused by the automatic fuel management system. This is causing the lifter to fail.
Engine is malfunctioning and using excessive amounts of oil (1 quart every 1-2 weeks). The manufacturer built bad motors in 2007 and knowingly covered it up. The vehicles were still sold to consumers and rather than fixing the issue (engine would have to be rebuilt or replaced) the manufacturer is placing all responsibility and cost ($9,000 fix) on the consumer, even when reported before 100,000 miles. The manufacturer knowingly sold lemon vehicles and refuses to fix. A mechanic told me that my engine could explode (severe safety issue).
Active fuel management (afm) lifters jam/seize causing push rods to remain collapsed and causing engine misfires throughout the engine and excessive oil burning, possible damage to catalytic converters, and premature engine wear. Lifters must be replaced or engine replaced. I was driving the car and when the engine began misfiring, check engine light began blinking, traction control became disabled, and error on dash saying service stabilitrak and traction control disabled appeared. The car began to shift erratically shaking and lunging.
Engine complaints in other Suburban years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has 33 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, 11% of the model year's 292 complaints. The component named most often is engine (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2007 Chevrolet Suburban, though it has 4 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 2007 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 121,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 5 injuries to engine & cooling 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.