Complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban peaked in 2019, with 21 filed
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
SUV, gasoline, 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4, built in United States. Owner complaints on file from Feb 13, 2017 to Aug 10, 2026.
Owner complaints about this model year, by the year they were filed with NHTSA.
Owner complaints by component. Hover or focus a bar for the crash, fire, injury or death count.
Check a specific vehicle by VIN on NHTSA's site: a campaign may cover only part of a model year's production.
| Campaign | Filed | Subject | Component | Vehicles | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-289 | May 7, 2026 | Component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driverDo not drive | Powertrain | 66 | Part replacement |
| 19V-761 | Oct 24, 2019 | If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control… | Stability and traction control | 652,967 | Software update |
| 19V-645 | Sep 6, 2019 | Amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time | Brakes | 3,456,719 | Software update |
| 17V-033 | Jan 12, 2017 | These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror | Visibility and wipers | 214 | Part replacement |
| 16V-651 | Sep 8, 2016 | In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test | Airbags | 3,640,162 | Software update |
The full text of every complaint filed with NHTSA about this model year, newest first. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by NHTSA; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
141 complaints on file, page 1 of 8.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission overheating warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The failure reoccurred every 15–20 miles while driving. In addition, the contact stated that eventually the vehicle stopped driving forward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred almost two years later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that an unknown part was not replaced during the transmission repair. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer was the dealer who completed all three of the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the failure was not due to a manufacturing defect. The failure mileage was approximately 84,478.
NHTSA complaint 11756021The infotainment system started taking ghost inputs. We replaced the screen and the ghost inputs are still there. The Human interface module has gone bad. There are many reports of this happening to chevys of similar years. Chevy dealership told me we need to replace the whole system for over $1200. I first started having this problem in 2024. It changes radio stations, moves the display screen, and tries to activate other buttons on the screen. Has also tried to call onstar.
NHTSA complaint 11751425when applying the brakes and come to a complete stop and when you try to apply the brakes you have no power assist and when backing up if you apply the brakes more then once you have no power assist.
NHTSA complaint 11746786The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle suddenly came to a complete stop. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to accelerate, and the vehicle drove sluggishly as if the tires were flat. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission and motor mounts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
NHTSA complaint 11744890I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect in the vehicle’s transmission system. While driving, the vehicle began experiencing severe vibrations, accompanied by an abnormal increase in engine RPMs, while the vehicle failed to accelerate appropriately. The vehicle became unresponsive, limiting my speed to 15-20 mph. This forced me to make frequent stops every 6-7 minutes to allow the transmission to cool down, as the car would not sustain normal speeds. This failure created an extremely dangerous situation on the highway. Due to the sudden loss of power and inability to maintain traffic flow, I was subjected to aggressive behavior from other drivers, who were honking, gesturing, and clearly endangered by my inability to accelerate. This transmission failure is a major safety hazard that renders the vehicle unreliable and dangerous to operate in any traffic condition. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this transmission defect and a permanent resolution from General Motors, as this issue poses a significant risk of causing a collision. I spoke with the owner of AAMCO, and he showed me that they have 7 of these Chevy Suburbans, GMC Yukons, and Chevy Tahoes, Escalades, and they all have the same problem, the transmission needs to be replaced, and General Motors is not notifying car owners about this problem, but it should.
NHTSA complaint 11743335What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The fuel delivery system has failed. Specifically, the fuel lines are leaking at the connection point on the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle and the affected components are currently available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? This defect poses an immediate fire and life-safety hazard. Because the fuel leaks while the vehicle is powered on, any spark or heat source could ignite the fuel tank, leading to a vehicle fire or explosion. Additionally, the cabin environment has become toxic; the concentration of gasoline vapors is so high that it causes physical illness. One of my children vomited due to the fumes. The vehicle is currently undrivable because the vapors are intoxicating and hazardous to the health of all occupants. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, the leak has been inspected, reproduced, and confirmed by an independent service center. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? No, the vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or insurance representatives. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There were no warning lamps or dashboard messages (such as a Check Engine Light) prior to or during the failure. The symptoms—specifically a strong odor of raw gasoline—first appeared four days ago. The intensity of the odor and the rate of the leak have increased significantly since the initial onset.
NHTSA complaint 11740901On [XXX], our car was parked for 5 hours at a public marina. [XXX], Miami, Fl 33138. At 316 pm the MIami Dade Fire Rescue arrived promptly to put out the car fire. There is a fire station on scene. It seems to have started at center console. We serviced the car 1/19/2026, a thermostat in the engine. The engine was not the source of the fire. We also recieved a "green" clean check list on the car except to check tire pressure monitor. This electrical fire started center console. We had a minor glitch with the radio and navigation system at times, the original system. However we had a green check list in January, 2026. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11740528I was driving in [XXX] on 1604 and the car was driving fine and out of nowhere. The car started shaking while on the highway for about seven8 seconds and then I heard an explosion smoke and fire. I pulled to the side. The car was on fire. The whole car was on fire within a minute or two I always took care of the car. Don’t understand how that happened. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint 11729857The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear driver side of the vehicle, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, collided into the curb, and the two right side tires, both driver's and passenger tires, became blown and damaged. The contact mentioned that after colliding with the curb, he crashed into a tree, which caused the right passenger side rim to detach from the tire. The contact also mention from the impact the whole right passenger side of the completely crushed and was damaged. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained a concussion to the head from the driver side window, brushing of the right rib, and bruises on both left and right hands. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to City Towing. The manufacturer was notified of this failure, and they requested information from the contact regarding the accident. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
NHTSA complaint 11714310Component or System Failure The vehicle experienced two major mechanical failures. First, the transmission failed and required full replacement shortly after the expiration of the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. At the time of this failure, the vehicle had approximately 61,000 miles. Second, at 100,119 miles, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure that required complete engine replacement. Safety Risk The transmission failure impaired normal drivability and created a safety risk due to reduced or unreliable propulsion, which could have resulted in loss of power while driving in traffic. The engine failure rendered the vehicle inoperable and could have posed a serious safety hazard if it had occurred while the vehicle was in motion, including sudden loss of engine power. Problem Confirmation and Inspection Both failures were diagnosed and confirmed by dealership service personnel, who determined that full replacement of the transmission and later the engine was necessary. The issues were identified through inspection and standard diagnostic procedures. Warning Lamps or Symptoms There were no clear, persistent, or meaningful warning lamps, messages, or symptoms that would have reasonably alerted the driver to an impending transmission failure prior to it occurring. Any warning indicators appeared at or immediately before the failure. Similarly, there were no significant warning signs that would have predicted the engine failure prior to the need for complete replacement. Additional Information Both the transmission and engine failed at relatively low mileage for major powertrain components. The transmission failure occurred just beyond the powertrain warranty threshold, and the engine required full replacement at 100,119 miles. . These failures suggest a potential defect or durability concern affecting critical powertrain systems.
NHTSA complaint 11711690Had to have all lifters replaced even after its a known issue with the manufacturer i had to pay out of pocket with no recall
NHTSA complaint 11708229While driving, the vehicle has repeatedly experienced sudden loss of power and electrical failures without warning. During these events, the dashboard flickers, warning messages appear, and the vehicle shuts off or goes into reduced power mode. When this occurs, steering becomes extremely difficult, braking becomes stiff, and the vehicle cannot accelerate. These incidents have happened multiple times in different driving situations, including: At stoplights While pulling into intersections Backing out of parking spaces Driving on public roads, including dark rural roads Driving with my three minor children in the vehicle On at least one occasion, the vehicle shut off while pulling onto a road with oncoming traffic, leaving us stopped in the roadway with no power and limited steering/braking. This created an immediate and serious risk of collision. The vehicle eventually restarted after several attempts. The problem has occurred repeatedly over many months. Multiple independent repair facilities have attempted to diagnose and repair the issue, but no definitive cause has been identified, and the failures continue. The vehicle has had numerous electrical, sensor, engine, and powertrain-related repairs, yet the loss-of-power events persist. Because the vehicle can suddenly shut down while in motion and compromise steering and braking, I believe this is a serious safety defect that could result in a crash, injury, or worse.
NHTSA complaint 11705830Warning light indicating front passenger airbag inflator which is at risk of exploding during a crash due to propellant degradation sending metal fragments into the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint 11692204The passenger seat belt will no longer just click in. In order for us to get it to latch, you have to push down on the red button as your pushing the seat belt in, then it will latch. We bought this used and within 1-2 weeks this happened. But other things happened with the engine and that took priority. It was in the shop for almost 6 months. I'm not sure if the dealer/ previous seller knew about it and they were able to "fix" it so it worked when we bought it. (We are lied to on a lot of things) I'm afraid that it might not hold up in a crash if it's not buckling right.
NHTSA complaint 11690971The factory exterior paint is failing. Most notable on the hood, roof and back passenger side lower quarter panel area. I just got an estimate to just repaint the hood through the dealership and it was over $3,000.00 (estimate attached) and ballpark estimate to repaint the entire car was around $10,000.000. They indicated that they were not aware of any factory recalls for the failing paint. I've heard that other car owners have experienced the same issue.
NHTSA complaint 11687979The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering violently, prompting the contact to discontinue driving over 60 MPH. Additionally, the contact stated that there was an abnormal clicking sound while making right or left turns. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 122,000.
NHTSA complaint 11669692The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH, the check engine warning light flashed, and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull over to the side road and contacted the dealer. The dealer advised the contact to not restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with lifter valves failure. The dealer determined that the two banks of lifter valves and the camshaft needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under warranty for the same failure. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was filed. The manufacturer referred the contact to the dealer for assistance in reducing the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 43,000.
NHTSA complaint 11665827The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated to upshift while the accelerator pedal was depressed, and the vehicle experienced a loss of automotive power. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into the intended gear while the gear shifter was in use. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local service center, where it was diagnosed and determined that there were metal shavings in the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The transmission had been replaced prior to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
NHTSA complaint 11658880Sitting in my truck and everything just stopped working. Starter was still going even with the key out of the ignition and there was a burn smelling come from under the engine and the truck wouldn't Starter. Had to get it tow from my job. Till this day my truck is still down. Engine be replace and the dealership still don't know why it still wouldn't starter. Also before the electrical problem. Me and my family was come down the highway from a vacation and the engine when i lost acceleration to the engine. The speed limit was 65 I can only do 25 because the engine lost acceleration. I only had the truck for three months. People told me that there was recalls on engine problem with the Chevrolet suburban and Tahoe. I looked it up and it is for 2019 and up. So know i have to pay 3800 to replace everything. I cant afford to replace anything I cant afford I use vehicle. The dealership that I got the vehicle from is closed down because they was lemons to people know everyone is stuck with a vehicle that they still have to pay the bank. And can't drive there vehicle. It's not right they have recalls on vehicles that are 2019 and up. I'm just looking for help. Because to be honest me and my family wouldn't be here because of the engine and electrical problem. So can someone please look in to this from a sincere father, husband, grandfather. The dealership name is Stratum auto group. 2050 Burlington-mount holly
NHTSA complaint 11658366The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while the vehicle was taken for a routine oil change at the dealer, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle received unknown repairs, and an unknown recall repair for the lifters was performed. The contact had retrieved the vehicle and several weeks later, while driving at 35 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was then towed to the deale,r where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact believed that the recall repair of the lifters had caused the engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
NHTSA complaint 11651822Technical service bulletins and other notices the manufacturer sent to dealers. A bulletin is not a recall; the 60 most recent are listed.