First released in 1935, the Chevy Suburban has been a favorite utility vehicle for many Americans. The massive full-size SUV offers multiple seating configuration options, excellent engine performance and towing capacity, and rear and all-wheel drive (AWD) systems. The car is now in its twelfth generation, the off-road-focused AWD-only Z71 trim.
Despite its accolades throughout its 87 years on the market, some model years have been plagued by more maintenance issues than others, as evidenced by the myriad of owner complaints. These problems significantly affected the Suburban’s reliability in these model years, forcing owners to visit repair centers frequently. So what are the worst Chevy Suburban model years you might want to avoid when shopping for a car?
1. The 2001 and 2007 Chevy Suburban
Let’s start with the 2001 Suburban, which debuted on the market with two powerful Vortec V8 engines, a cavernous interior, and capacity for nine passengers. Even with powertrain upgrades, the self-proclaimed “king of the body-on-frame, full-size SUV segment” had plenty of complaints, especially regarding transmission and fuel pump issues.
As noted in Car Complaint, the transmission failed while driving, at an average mileage of 92,850. As a result, most 2001 Suburban owners had to replace it with a new transmission, which cost $1,850. Another commonly reported problem with the 2001 Suburban was fuel pump failure, usually at the relatively low mileage of 88,750 miles. While some owners resolved the issue through dealer-supported recalls, most had to replace the fuel pump, costing them $900 in repair costs.
2007, one of the Chevy Suburban’s worst model years, as it ranks highest with the most reported problems, with a total of 345 complaints. The most common was transmission failure, typically at an average mileage of 83,000 miles with repair costs of $2,900.
Other problems included engine failure and stalling, which owners experienced after reaching the 100,000 mile mark. Fixing them required $5,800 and $6,500, respectively, not to mention that you also need to patronize the engine’s enormous appetite for fuel, as Car and Driver puts it.
2. The 2008 and 2009 Chevy Suburban
The tenth-generation Suburban got off to a bad start with the 2007 model year, so the automaker moved quickly to launch a better version. While the 2008 edition was a significant upgrade, it also had flaws, particularly with the engine. Owners reported excessive oil consumption, typically at 81,700 miles on the odometer; repairs involved replacing the engine, oil pressure sensor, pistons and rings or adjusting piston compression height. Any of these repairs typically cost $3,480.
Another engine problem flagged by Car Complaints is sudden loss of oil pressure, usually at an average mileage of 143,950 miles. In most cases, the solution is to replace the motor, which costs $4,170. Complaints also arose about the check engine light coming on at an average mileage of 118,300 miles. The most common fixes included replacing the vent and evaporative canister harness for $2,180.
While the 2007 Suburban had the most overall complaints, the 2009 model year was worse, according to Car Complaints. It is due to factors such as high repair costs and a variety of problems with relatively low mileage. For example, excessive oil consumption and leaking engine oil are problems that occur at 55,000 and 98,000 miles, respectively. The transmission also fails after 124,000 miles on the odometer, requiring a transmission rebuild, budgeted at $3,860.
3. The 2015 Chevy Suburban
Chevy redesigned the Suburban for the 2015 model year, introducing three rows of roomy, comfortable seats, ample cargo space, and a powerful 325-hp 5.3-liter V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The only problem with the car is that: Like the 2009 Suburban, the 2015 model also suffered from widespread failures with relatively low mileage.
For example, many drivers reported that the brakes stopped working after reaching 58,000 miles on the odometer. Another problem was that the bad paint on the hood and roof became visible at 64,000 kilometers, while the AC stopped working, usually after the car had traveled 66,000 miles. Fixing these problems costs between $1,000 and $1,200 per repair.
Based on the information above, you now know the worst model years for the Chevy Suburban. General common problems involve engine-related problems. The 2007 Suburban has the most complaints overall, but the 2009 model is even worse, thanks to high repair costs and maintenance issues with relatively lower mileage. However, if you buy a Suburban from other model years, you’ll enjoy the model’s long-standing advantage: higher mileage.
