Acceleration complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 3 | 7% | 0 miles |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% | 55,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 4% | 30,000 miles |
| 2017 | 6 | 4% | 44,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 2% | 11,000 miles |
| 2015 | 4 | 1% | 96,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% | 3,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 3% | 31,000 miles |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 63,000 miles |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% | 20,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 2% | 45,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 60,000 miles |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% | 140,000 miles |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% | 78,000 miles |
| 2005 | 8 | 6% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% | 75,000 miles |
| 2003 | 15 | 5% | 85,000 miles |
| 2002 | 8 | 3% | 120,000 miles |
| 2001 | 12 | 3% | 51,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 1999 | 19 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1997 | 3 | 1% | 160,000 miles |
| 1996 | 5 | 1% | — |
| 1995 | 9 | 2% | — |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
There is an electronic problem that continues to trip the warning for the Air Ride suspension system to fail leaving the vehicle stuck at its current ride height or it drops eithee the front or rear suspension to the ground while simultaneously raising the front or rear to its highest setting. It also causes the vehicle speed to drop immediately to 56 mph. Issue has been scanned by several dealers to determine air leaks, pinched wires, failing compressor and all were found to be in normal operation. This is a huge safety concern as well as a huge financial concern for the consumer.
The computer component surged, and the vehicle is available for inspection. The vehicle brake function is lost. Stepping on the brake paddle did not apply brake. Brake function was disabled by the computer. I took the vehicle to dealer, they said it was a component that has high resistance that cause it. But not sure why it has high resistance at that time and the resistance is gone after driver restarted the vehicle. No one else inspected the component beside the dealership. There was no warning at all and this is the first time it happens. Driver was just driving normally and suddenly all the light in the instructment panel started blinking and driver tried to apply brake but nothing happen. …
On October 27, coming back from a family trip at 10 PM at night on a major highway, the suburban all of a sudden quit. Traveling at 70 miles per hour, all of a sudden, when pressing the gas pedal, the car would not accelerate and the RPM gauge was erratically moving. The car started to slow down till it eventually just quit and it would not go anymore. We were stranded in the middle of the highway with cars coming and going both ways. It was scary, it was dark, and dangerous. A tow truck was called and they told the suburban to a Chevrolet dealership 60 miles away. The following day, the dealership informed us that the transmission was not repairable and that they had found metal pieces in the transmission. They informed us that the only way to repair was to replace with a new transmission. …
Driving on interstate and gradual onset of clicking/knocking. Within 5 minutes complete loss of propulsion and throttle. RPM went to zero. Oil pressure/temperature/engine lights all fine. Dealership states "catastrophic engine failure." My family was in the vehicle. Fortunately still had power steering and brakes and able to guide vehicle to shoulder.
I drive a 2018 Chevy Suburban. This car had no lights on and has less than 18K miles on it. It is just over two years old and there are no recalls on the vehicle. I was driving with my [redacted] child and we had driven about a mile. We were on the feeder road about to get on the freeway. The car started spontaneously accelerating on its own. Jerking faster and faster without me touching the gas. It was like we were on a runaway train. I panicked and slammed my foot on the breaks. There were no breaks - no tension or pressure in the brake pedal. The pedal just continuously slammed into the bottom of the car. I couldn't stop us. I thought quickly and slammed my foot on the parking brake as our car continued to accelerate quickly with no brake function. We jolted to a stop as cars zoomed around us honking and yelling. …
Hello, To whom it may concern, My vehicle is a 2018 Chevy Suburban with a 5.3 motor. GM produced these motors made from inferior metal and defective lifters. My engine began failing in May 2022, I've taking my vehicle to several shops for work but the problem has not been resolved. I have links below explaining the problems with these motors. There are tens of thousands of individuals with families struggle with this same problem I'm having as well. This is world wide news, I'm asking for help for myself and so many other people in these challenging times. I've contacted GM headquarters. [redacted] and [redacted] with no success, just the run around. I went to a GMC dealer here in Clarksville, TN where I reside this month. [redacted] with GMC told me he was hearing my lifters and I need not drive my vehicle. …
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 5 MPH and exiting a parking lot, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate as needed. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to shift into low gear and continued driving to his residence. The vehicle became undrivable. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to the independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 43,684.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lunged forward while driving approximately 30 - 40 MPH. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving with no additional failures. The next day while the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the RPM increased but the vehicle failed to move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control
These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
Remedy: Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle sticking closed
This investigation involves the general motors corporation (GM)throttle body (tb) utilized in model year (my) 1999-2002 silverado, sierra, tahoe, suburban, avalanche and yukon (subject vehicle(s)) with 4.8l, 5.3l, and 6.0l engines. The tb valve May intermittently stick in a closed position.in such a situation, an operator May apply additional accelerator pedal force to increase engine speed.the application of…
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1999 (19), 2003 (15), 2001 (12), 2004 (12) and 1995 (9) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 3% of all complaints for the 1999.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban acceleration problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 96V-057 (vehicle speed control, Apr 4, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 44% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (9 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (7).
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.