Seat complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 2% | — |
| 2021 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2016 | 3 | 1% | 5,000 miles |
| 2015 | 6 | 1% | 4,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 5% | 39,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 166,000 miles |
| 2006 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2005 | 3 | 2% | — |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% | 63,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 2% | 6,000 miles |
| 2002 | 5 | 2% | 55,000 miles |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% | 3,000 miles |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% | 37,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 2% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 3 | 1% | 93,000 miles |
| 1997 | 4 | 1% | — |
| 1996 | 7 | 2% | 102,000 miles |
| 1995 | 87 | 19% | 101,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Seat, mirror, steering column pre-set driver adjustments do not come into proper driving configuration on a regular basis when starting vehicle. This is a dangerous situation when a malfunction does occur. Seat has tendency to squeeze driver torso into steering column and knees into dash. LH mirror inadvertently and unexpectedly tilts down toward the ground and ofter unnoticed. This makes for a dangerous condition where the driver assumes that there is no oncoming rear traffic and it's safe to pull away from a curb from a stopped position. This condition has occurred for over a year and while the vehicle was covered under factory warranty. Numerous trips to Bonner Chevrolet in Kingston service department for remedy have yielded nothing. Bonner Chevrolet walked away from this serious issue and told us there's nothing more they can do and said, sorry. …
Second row drivers side seat headrest latching mechanism failed. The head rest will not stay in the upright position and is a safety hazard if someone is sitting in the seat as it hits the passenger in the back of the neck.
The vichcle Chevrolet Suburban ls 2016 I bought 6/26/2016 . After 5,000 miles air bag light on all the time. Then I went the dealer . They fixed. Again the problem accrue. They sent air bag recal notice letter. Then they fixed. For while it was OK. Then again the airbag light on and off like this. Then I went the dealer I show the picture the air bag light is on all the time. They said we can not do nothing. If you want fix you have to pay. I told the we bought brand new vichcle. I told them you guys sold the defected vichcle. So the charged $134. Some pin bend we straight. After 2 day again air bag on permanently. I went the dealer again they said something. I was not happy I bought this vichcle. My husband and dealer so many time lots off arguments. The dealer don't want listen. We called GM company. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while the vehicle accelerated, the rear middle seats unlatched and closed. As a result, the passengers could be injured due to the failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1,500.
The drivers seat back is extremely lose. Moves forward and back with every brake and acceleration. The seat base also moves slightly, rocking left to right in turns. The suspension completely failed and had to be replaced. An unknown oily substance has been coating the inside of the windshield since the purchase of vehicle in 2015. Requires constant deep cleaning in order to see through windshield.
We have multiple problems with our new Suburban. After traveling slowly or coasting in traffic, when I try to accelerate the vehicle won't go and when it finally decides to go it shudders and vibrates badly, it also does this from a complete stop, been to the dealer 2 times so far this and the last time they told me "it is a normal characteristic of vehicle". It is a very bad one and it will cause a wreck! The radio display flickers all the time even when back up camara is on, GM has no fix for this yet either! The vehicle sticker says it has heated/ac seats, it doesn't have A/C seats, they are airrated from the air in vehicle, that was a total misrepresentation of the product on the sales sticker. GM rep had us test drive another Suburban and we drove 3 different ones and not one of the others did the things our does. …
Would get intermittent air bag warning light. Took it to one dealership and found no codes. Later I figured out it would only be on with a passenger in the seat and took it to another dealership where it was found to be the passenger presence module. With the light on the airbag will not deploy. Filed the complaint with GM warranty department as the truck is a 2014 model and only 54,000 miles, GM will not warranty or pay for the fix. Had to pay out of pocket to correct this safety feature
I use my seat warmer most of he time however when driving about 6 hours I suffered burns/blisters to both sides of my butt. The seat didn't catch fire or melt , neither did my shorts. I did not seek medical attention I am caring for the burns at home I would like this investigated .... Updated 09/30/15 updated 12/11/2017
Related recalls (1)
Seats › Critical fasteners
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles. During general assembly, a repair involved removal of one or both front seats. The attachment bolts for the front seats may not have been properly reinstalled after the repair was completed.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020.
NHTSA investigations
Drivers seat failure
The complainants allege the drivers seat mounting fails, allowing the seat to move or tip rearward into a reclined position.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have seat problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1995 (87), 1999 (10), 1996 (7), 2000 (6) and 2001 (6) model years. Seat complaints make up 19% of all complaints for the 1995.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban seat problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 20V-735 (critical fasteners, Nov 25, 2020). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban seat problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 52,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front assembly › power adjust (20 mentions), followed by the front assembly › recliner (19).
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.