Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 7 | 16% | 23,000 miles |
| 2023 | 19 | 15% | 50,000 miles |
| 2022 | 32 | 26% | 86,000 miles |
| 2021 | 37 | 19% | 78,000 miles |
| 2020 | 10 | 23% | 93,000 miles |
| 2019 | 38 | 49% | 77,000 miles |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% | 108,000 miles |
| 2017 | 39 | 27% | 97,000 miles |
| 2016 | 45 | 20% | 101,000 miles |
| 2015 | 48 | 11% | 89,000 miles |
| 2014 | 5 | 8% | 143,000 miles |
| 2013 | 6 | 5% | 90,000 miles |
| 2012 | 5 | 5% | 138,000 miles |
| 2011 | 3 | 2% | 0 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 2% | 49,000 miles |
| 2008 | 7 | 3% | 145,000 miles |
| 2007 | 9 | 3% | 79,000 miles |
| 2006 | 2 | 9% | 60,000 miles |
| 2005 | 15 | 12% | 20,000 miles |
| 2004 | 14 | 7% | 61,000 miles |
| 2003 | 21 | 7% | 16,000 miles |
| 2002 | 23 | 8% | 41,000 miles |
| 2001 | 33 | 8% | 54,000 miles |
| 2000 | 12 | 4% | 80,000 miles |
| 1999 | 47 | 7% | 70,000 miles |
| 1998 | 19 | 9% | 100,000 miles |
| 1997 | 47 | 11% | 83,000 miles |
| 1996 | 40 | 11% | 57,000 miles |
| 1995 | 25 | 5% | 236,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The sound became significantly louder while driving. The contact stated that while driving at highway speeds and depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle felt like the rear wheels would lock up. The contact stated that the rear wheels locked while reversing, causing the vehicle to jerk abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with rear axle failure. The dealer determined that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The private warranty company declined to cover the repair unless the rear axle had completely failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and declined to cover the repair because the vehicle was no longer under warranty. …
The vehicle only has ~39,000 miles on it and the transmission went out and the car is not drivable. The dealership said it is a faulty valve body and that the part is on national back order and could take 2 to 6 months or even longer to get the part before they can start work.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. While the contact's husband was driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond, but the RPMs became elevated. The driver shifted transmission into neutral(N), coasted to the side of the road, and the vehicle stalled. A message to "Start Vehicle" was displayed; however, while on the side of the road, the vehicle failed to turn off. The driver was able to shift into park(P) and had the vehicle towed to the dealer, where the transmission failed to shift out of park(P). The dealer determined that a spark plug was burned. The spark plug was replaced; however, before returning the vehicle, the new spark plug was also burned. The dealer then diagnosed the vehicle with engine failur. The dealer informed the manufacturer of the safety issue. The failure mileage was approximately 42,600.
The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while entering a parking lot at a low speed, the engine shut off without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure, which was associated with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle remained at the dealer for approximately three months before the engine was repaired. The contact stated that while driving recently, the vehicle hesitated upon depressing the accelerator pedal. No warning light illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the recent failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear wheels seized. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The message "Reduced Acceleration, Drive with Caution" was displayed. The contact's wife pulled into a parking lot, but the transmission failed to shift into reverse(R). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was determined that the transmission control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V085000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to neutral(N) and the vehicle shut off. The driver was able to coast safely to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be rebuilt or replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was previously taken to the same dealer for a prior recall repair. The dealer had provided a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,166.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended, and the vehicle decelerated unintendedly. Additionally, the vehicle failed to exceed 42 MPH. Later in the day, the gear shifter was shifted to reverse; however, the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with transmission valve body failure. The contact was informed that the transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was at the dealer from December 2024 until June 2025. The vehicle was picked up from the dealer. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine seized and failed to restart. …
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while in reverse (R), the vehicle failed to reverse as intended. The contact's wife continued driving at approximately 55 MPH, and an unknown message was displayed, and the vehicle failed to exceed 55 MPH. Additionally, the transmission was stuck in gear and failed to upshift into the next gear as designed. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the battery was disconnected and reconnected, but the message remained displayed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the transmission control valve needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,600.
Related recalls (11)
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles equipped with 10 Speed Transmission with ETRS (Electronic Transmission Range Select). The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module (TCM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2026.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Fluid/lubricant › Valves/valve body
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a…
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022.
Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014.
Show 6 more recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014.
Power train › Automatic transmission
General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for…
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438.
Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock and transmission braking effect." under certain vehicle starting conditions, the shift lever position indicator…
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the instrument panel cluster free of charge. The recall began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339, Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438, and GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Some pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles equipped with a hydraulic pump driveshaft that can fracture, resulting in immediate loss of hydraulic power steering assist. On certain vehicles equipped with hydro-boost power brakes, the same condition can result in loss of power assist for braking after the reserve…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic pump. The campaign began on February 14, 2005. Owners May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC at 1-866-996-9463.
Power train › Automatic transmission
The transmission shift-cable lock clip can back out of its installed position resulting in a loss of cable adjustment. When the shift lever is placed in the "park" position, the "park" indicator light May not illuminate.
Remedy: Dealers will adjust the shift cable and install a lock clip.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines
Due to a thin case casting, an external transmission leak can occur.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the transmission case assembly for the involved case casting. If the assembly is involved, the transmission will be replaced.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2015 (48), 1997 (47), 1999 (47), 2016 (45) and 1996 (40) model years. Transmission complaints make up 11% of all complaints for the 2015.
Is there a recall for Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems?
Yes — 11 recalls, including 26V-289 (transfer case (4-wheel drive), May 7, 2026); 26V-085 (valves/valve body, Feb 13, 2026); 24V-797 (valves/valve body, Oct 24, 2024). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles; 38% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (160 mentions), followed by the driveline › differential unit (29).
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.