Undoubtedly, the Chevrolet Suburban is a renowned name in the SUV market for several reasons, having won awards such as the automobile with the most miles driven each year and the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
However, despite its popularity, it seems to have faced certain drawbacks, generating questions such as Is Chevy Suburban reliable? What are the worst and best Chevy Suburban models?
In this article, we will explore everything you need regarding the reliability and common problems most Chevy suburban models experience. Furthermore, we will explore the best models you should purchase.
“Overall, the Chevy Suburban truck is reliable if you consider the warranty, cost, and frequency of maintenance. However, that will depend on the model you decide to acquire.”
Are Suburbans Good in Snow?
Even while driving on a snow-covered road, the Chevrolet Suburban is a great SUV. It has been named one of the best SUVs to drive during the snow.
Several factors contribute to the Chevy Suburban’s capability for snow driving. One of these factors is its high ground clearance, which allows it to drive through snow.
Furthermore, the traction and stability control features also help promote stability and traction. Besides this, its V8 engine helps make it easy to drive through snowy areas with great power and ease.
Peradventure, if you want to take a trip when the weather is snowing, the Chevy Suburban is the best option.
Is Chevy Suburban Reliable?
According to several research, the overall reliability of Chevy suburban is 60.7. If you were to rate it based on this, one could say it is very reliable.
After examining several data, including warranty coverage, frequency and maintenance cost, the Chevy suburban is reliable.
What Problems do Suburbans Have?
Chevy Suburban is built on a full-size SUV chassis and comes with three robust engine options, including a 3.0-litre, a 5.3-liter V8, and a 6.2-litre V8 diesel turbo.
Automotive experts have worked tirelessly to guarantee that the Chevy Suburban functions appropriately and maintains its class.
However, as with many cars, it is prone to certain issues even though it does not downgrade.
Unlike other trucks, the Chevy Suburban is among the greatest large SUVs available, allowing up to nine passengers. Because of this, it is the ideal choice for most families.
It has been the longest-running brand in automobile history since its launch in 1935.
Nevertheless, while many recognize it as one of the best in the world, which cannot be said for many car owners who have experienced several issues with the truck.
Let us explore the major problems of Chevy Surburdans that many owners tend to complain about.
01. Transmission
With its high hauling capability, transmission is one of the most critical components of the vehicle.
There have been numerous reports of transmission difficulties, putting owners and drivers in danger of an accident attributed to a transmission system that is unable to function properly.
If anyone think that how reliable is a chevy suburban based on the transmission problem, you might not be wrong.
For instance, the 2019 Chevy Suburban car experience several transmission problems, including car shaking when driving, transmission delays, and jumping or grinding when accelerating.
Another issue is the transmission locking up in second or third gear while driving on busy roads or making sudden turns, which poses severe problems for its owners.
Because the transmission had been stuck, shifting gears was impossible. Furthermore, the brake shift lock’s malfunction resulted in significant injury to its users.
A few users considered it the worst car because of the poor, rough, and uneven transmission system performance.
02. Engine Problem
During the morning, you decide to turn your engine on, but it refuses to start. It is a frequent problem of Chevy Suburban.
Most truck owners believe that changing the fuel injector, fuel pump, and starter will resolve the issue, but it does not.
In addition, you might observe your engine experiencing a stalling condition, especially when driving uphill. The engine misfires intermittently.
According to research, a ticking sound between your engine and dash is responsible for this problem.
Excessive fuel consumption is the most common symptom of engine faultiness, which requires the engine to be replaced or serviced, which can be costly.
It was observed that most engine faultiness problem occurs after 55,000 hours of driving.
If you do not live by the rule that “Silence is Golden,” you will not observe the engine ticking since you will not hear any sound.
During maintenance, it is referred to as engine ticking. For some drivers, it might not be an issue.
However, you might notice the issue when you start the engine. Peradventure, you leave the engine to settle for some time as the oil circulates; it will calm the engine before taking off.
03. Brake Problem
ABS (Antilock Brake System) is an active safety component that assists drivers when driving on any road – dry or wet.
Regrettably, the dangerous braking system of the Chevy Suburban is a significant issue for users; the back brakes’ fluid supply cuts off unexpectedly.
While travelling at a speed of 5 mph, the ABS engages. Another difficulty with the sensor’s wiring circuit is the failure of the wheel speed sensor, which disables the ABS.
According to reports, the poor brake system of the Chevy Suburban truck has resulted in several crashes and severe injuries.
04. Airbag and Seatbelt problems
Another problem people face with the Chevy suburban is frequent accidents. Normally, the primary purpose of an airbag is to safeguard the driver and occupants in the event of an accident.
Chevy car airbag lights usually remain visible until all systems have been repaired.
In addition, the seatbelt lights may be activated because of poor seat belt placement, damaged cables beneath the seats, or a problem with the airbag.
Among the several Chevy Suburban trucks, the 2014 model is the most affected. Because of this, the manufacturer recommends frequent checking of the airbag system.
Therefore, you should consult the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to find the nature of any model before buying.
05. Steering problems
Its intermittent loss of steering gives the impression that something has dropped or that they are driving on ice.
Occasionally, an accident can occur when the steering wheel becomes jammed while driving around a bend.
Power steering failure occurred when driving around sixty miles per hour. At highway speeds, the steering wheel bounces back and forth.
Another common complaint from users was that the steering wheel moved from left to right while the car did not move, and the wheels remained stationary.
06. Wheels pulling off
Lastly, you might experience wheel or hub issues with your Chevy suburban. Nowadays, it is among the reasons a lot of car owners ask, “Is a Chevy Suburban more reliable?”
Several drivers have encountered the wheels separating from the car when driving at highway speed.
Besides this, the car tires also explode with the class shattering. When driving, the car tires can shatter into fragments.
Furthermore, another significant problem is air blowout on the tire without any visual change.
Follow this vide to learn more about Chevy suburban problems.
What year Chevy Suburbans are the best and worst?
Have you ever wondered why the Chevrolet Suburban has remained a popular car after many years?
If you want a Chevy Suburban, it is evident that you want something that offers safety, and you will get a full-size car.
Lately, there have been several concerns about what year Chevy Suburbans are the best and worst.
To make it easier, we will look at the year models suitable if you want to purchase a Chevy Suburban truck.
Best Chevy Suburbans models years (1985 to 1998)
Most Chevy Suburbans you purchase will provide security and comfort without causing many problems.
Not much to talk about regarding the Chevy Suburbans model within this year since they have fewer complaints.
In addition, these complaints are regular, which most cars would face after running over 200,000 miles.
Nevertheless, the only issue is the 1997 model, which has a single issue of transmission replaced. If you are thinking of buying the 1997 model, you should put this into consideration.
However, it should not stop you from buying this model as it is not a frequent issue.
Best Chevy Suburbans models years (2000 to 2020)
Although fewer complaints exist about 2000, 2006, 2010, and 2017 models, each has some faults that need to be addressed.
Power steering pump failure has been reported in 2000 Suburbans. For the 2006 model, there was an issue of rattling while steering.
One of the 2010s models had a broken dashboard, whereas another had a broken door handle. There was only one report of power loss when driving the 2017 models.
Importantly, these are only a few issues, and it is extremely low for them to occur frequently.
Peradventure, if you want to purchase a Chevy Suburban model from 2018 to 2020, you will not have many issues as there have not been any complaints yet.
However, it is essential to note that 2011, 2012, and 2013 models have a history of engine issues.
In addition, they also experience stalled engines, excessive oil consumption, and low oil pressure.
These do not occur frequently and should not deter you from making such an investment. Indeed, you will get value for your money when you buy any of the models mentioned above.
Worst Chevrolet Suburbans models years (1999 to 2005)
Although the 1999 Suburban has low repair expenses, your vehicle may break down after 100,000 miles.
There have been complaints of transmission failure, costing over $25000 for the 2001 to 2005 models.
Furthermore, you might also experience rusted brake lines and fuel pump failure.
Worst Chevy Suburbans models (2007 to 2016)
Regrettably, the 2007 Chevy Suburban model is the worst model you can buy. According to reports, it has the most complaints with replacement parts extremely expensive.
You can purchase a faulty engine for as much as $6000, whereas a gearbox failure can cost $3000.
Furthermore, the 2009 model is not far from this issue with excessive oil consumption that can cost up to $5000.
Acquiring a 2008 Suburban can lead to spending a lot of money resolving a series of engine problems.
For 2014 models, it had a small number of complaints, but they all surfaced quickly, with troublesome brake and engine faults under 10,000 miles.
Many 2015 Suburban owners have reported that their brakes and the air conditioning stopped working after 55,000 miles.
Lastly, the 2016 model did not have many complaints but had a catastrophic gearbox failure.
We advise against buying these Suburbans because of a range of faults and increasing costs. In summary, the worst Chevy Suburbans car models include 1991, 2001-2005, 2007-2009, and 2014-2016.
How many miles will a Chevy Suburban last?
In terms of miles, the Chevrolet Suburban offers several advantages, one of which is its durability.
During testing, it came in fourth place, ranking as one of the longest-lasting vehicles in 2019. According to the list, 5.1 per cent of Suburbans have travelled 200,000 miles.
Given the Suburban’s long history, it is not surprising to see Suburban owners who have driven up to 300,000 miles. However, this is not about luck but a matter of relentless truck maintenance.
Top Questions (FAQs)
How can I improve my Chevy Suburban lifespan?
You can rotate the tires regularly, perform frequent maintenance, and report any oddity once you notice it. In addition, you can hire a trusted auto mechanic to handle issues immediately they arise.
How long does the brake last when driving a Chevy suburban?
Averagely, you can drive within 30,000 to 70000 miles before expecting to change your brakes. Besides this, factors such as road conditions and driving habits can affect your brake longevity.
What are the common problems people experience when using Chevy suburban trucks?
Overall, the issues you might experience include transmission, engine, brake, airbag, and seatbelt problems. Depending on the model, these do not occur frequently.
Conclusion
There is no direct answer to “Is Chevy Suburban reliable” because there is the best and worst model from this brand.
However, it all depends on your preference. Overall, the Chevy suburban truck is a powerful car with adequate space for your daily transportation.