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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2020 Chevrolet Suburban

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 44 safety complaints about the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 17 complaints, 39% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 30,000 miles, the median across the 13 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers February 2020 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

44 complaints on file

44

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

1

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 17 · 39%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 · 18%
STEERING 4 · 9%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 7%
SERVICE BRAKES 3 · 7%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 7%
AIR BAGS 2 · 5%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 2 · 5%
SUSPENSION 2 · 5%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 2%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 44.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 16.

20 15 10 5
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

26V289000 · May 7, 2026

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
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. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
The risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The 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. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

General Motors, LLC · up to 66 vehicles across all model years covered

TIRES

21V115000 · February 25, 2021

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
The risk
Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.

General Motors, LLC · up to 33,838 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

19V837000 · November 21, 2019

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.
The risk
Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.

General Motors LLC · up to 502 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

19V761000 · October 24, 2019

The defect
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. 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 Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
The risk
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

General Motors LLC · up to 652,967 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

fire

I put vehicle in Chevy dealership 7/8/24 for cold start knocking sound. Dealers called 2 days later said it was defective lifter issue on the 6.2 liter GM engine.Dealer ordered new engine.on 8/23/24 while test driving vehicle with new engine in it while driving on the highway a fire started under the engine. I was told by dealer that people were telling the driver the vehicle was on fire. He abandoned the vehicle on the highway as it burned up inside and outside. Fire trucks put the fire out.Vehicle is total loss. Waiting two weeks for GM to tell me what they will do to help me. No reply to phone calls or emails unless I call them to check and find out what is going on. I wrote email to GM

NHTSA complaint 11612983, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

crash · towed · 1,500 miles

NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DURING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS MOVING FORWARD AND HIT ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FRONT QUARTER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE DOING APPROXIMATELY 45MPH. MY SUBURBAN WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA complaint 11343883. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · towed

Have had starter problems since we purchased the vehicle. Starter intermittently loudly grinds when pressed 2-3 times a week and won’t start. Dealership could repeat problem once, but never fixed it. Took vehicle in at least half a dozen times. Never fixed. Car also makes an odd humming when gas is applied. This week, car started and died after driving a foot. Then car wouldn’t start at all. Brakes stiffened up and wouldn’t compress without substantial effort. Everything resolved on its own within 30 minutes. But the very next day, pulled inti position in our alley to back our Suburban into the garage. Put car in reverse. While using the back up cam (that came on like normal when car is in

NHTSA complaint 11433233, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS

towed · 500 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY MODIFIED WITH HUTCHINSON WHEELS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500.

NHTSA complaint 11366418. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
In 2025, one if the pistons misfired. It was repaired and the same issue occurred a year later causing the cam shaft to break as well. Not to mention we had an electrical failure where the dashboard didn’t work and the water pump failed right after it was in for the first piston misfiring. It was repaired at Ciocca Chevrolet in [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11760183. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Engine had a catastrophic failure and completely shut off while driving down the highway. The engine has completely seized and requires replacement. The vehicle was towed to an independent service shop and the technician diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint 11759329. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
There is a safety recall on GM’s 6.2L V8 L87 engine model years 2021-2024. My vehicle is a 2020 Suburban with a 6.2L V8 L87 engine. My engine recently experienced the same failure as cited in the recall, but because it is outside the 2021-2024 window it is not covered by this recall. I ask that the recall be expanded to additional years where these engines are experiencing the same failure as is covered by the current recall.

NHTSA complaint 11754702. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Transmission fail Drives fine then stops accelerating

NHTSA complaint 11754536. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 90,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. A passerby helped the contact to push the vehicle into a parking lot. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact left the vehicle in the parking lot. The following day, the vehicle restarted as intended. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start. The Push to Start button occasionally became stuck, and the contact continuously pressed the button to release it. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found.

NHTSA complaint 11723053, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Driving on interstate and gradual onset of clicking/knocking. Within 5 minutes complete loss of propulsion and throttle. RPM went to zero. Oil pressure/temperature/engine lights all fine. Dealership states "catastrophic engine failure." My family was in the vehicle. Fortunately still had power steering and brakes and able to guide vehicle to shoulder.

NHTSA complaint 11710298. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Suburban

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2024 42 1 —
2023 125 3 —
2022 124 4 —
2021 198 12 —
2019 78 3 —
2018 81 4 —
2017 141 5 —
2016 220 6 —
2015 429 11 2
2014 59 3 —
2013 118 4 —
2012 101 4 —
2011 148 3 —
2010 117 3 —

Other 2020 Chevrolet models

Silverado 1500 732 Equinox 309 Traverse 229 Blazer 219 Malibu 198 Bolt EV 174 Silverado 2500 108 Trax 96

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst