RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
92
Latest Oct 29, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Dec 17, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
12
5 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 92 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, most frequently naming the brakes, fuel system and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 66 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes4848.0%
  • Engine55.0%
  • Tires & wheels55.0%
  • Steering44.0%
  • Powertrain (other)44.0%
  • Electrical44.0%
  • Visibility33.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

WHEELS:HUB

Dec 17, 2007
130,000 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO MAINTAIN HUB BEARING ASSEMBLY CAN LOOSEN RESULTING IN AN ABS LIGHT INDICATION, NOISE, AND/OR WHEEL SEPARATION.
The risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET DEALER (877-721-4901, 3731 SW TOPEKA BLVD, TOPEKA, KS 66609) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

NHTSA ID
11143762
Incident
Oct 15, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2018

I WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AND DUMPED ALL LINE PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ROLLED RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE PEDAL ENOUGH TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST A CURB. HAD I NEARED THE STOP SIGN 2 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, I WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN T-BONED BY A BOX TRUCK, OR T-BONED A SMALL SEDAN. I EMPHASIZE THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEYOND THE TYPICAL SURFACE RUST THAT CAN BE FOUND ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A FEW WINTERS IN THE "RUST BELT". HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE BRAKE LINES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL AT THE RATE THAT THESE GM TRUCKS DO. THIS TRUCK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TOWING A CAMPING TRAILER FOR VACATIONS WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY, SO THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY. I URGE YOU TO TAKE GM TO TASK AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE OF CHEAPING OUT ON BRAKE LINE MATERIALS!

NHTSA ID
11132674
Incident
Aug 10, 2016
Mileage
153,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2018

I HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO BRAKES, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES.

NHTSA ID
11121992
Incident
Aug 3, 2018
Mileage
235,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2018

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2016 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. WE BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST INOPERABLE, ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND STILL BE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKES LINES HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT. WE HAD A SHOP REPAIR IT AND WHEN THEY TESTED IT, IT BLEW ANOTHER LINE. WE ENDED UP HAVING ALL THE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF CORROSION.

NHTSA ID
11110948
Incident
Jul 4, 2016
Mileage
190,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 10, 2017

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 95 COMING BACK FROM DAYTONA WHEN A DRIVER LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES WHERE LOW SO I WHEN TO A GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND THATS WHEN I NOTICE THAT MY TIRES HAD A LOT OF NAILS LTHE 4 TIRES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY TIRES ARE LNOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY WITH ME AND DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES IS NOT AN OPTION. PLEASE TAKE MY COMPLAINT IN CONSIDERARATION. THANK YOU

NHTSA ID
10953864
Incident
Feb 9, 2017
Mileage
211,284 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jul 26, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LETIRES, TIRES SIZE: 265/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE BEFORE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10888552
Incident
Jul 24, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 31, 2015

WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING WHILE NOT MOVING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WHICH ARE BREAKING ALLOWING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO OPEN AND ALLOW FUMES TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH RESULTS IN THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CABIN BREATHING THE TOXIC EXHAUST FUMES. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND FOR USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS WHICH FAIL FOR NO REASON. ALSO THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAVE TO BREATH THE DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WHICH WERE DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED WITH INFERIOR PARTS WHICH ARE CAUSING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

NHTSA ID
10817164
Incident
Dec 28, 2015
Mileage
104,569 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Dec 13, 2015
Crash reported2 injuries reported

EXHAUST BOLTS BROKEN AND CAUSING A LEAK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS ALSO. STEERING STABILIZERS BROKEN.

NHTSA ID
10809860
Incident
Nov 25, 2015

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PIP5601C

This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

03-06-01-023H

ENGINE

This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.

General Communication

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which modules need updating and then proceed to updating affected modules (with some exceptions). The updating of modules is completed in parallel instead of the technician needing to update one module at a time. This allows a more streamlined approach for dealers and customers.

24-NA-141

POWER TRAIN

GM is receiving damaged (cracked or broken) transmission cores returned to the reman facilities. The damage is being caused either in the removal process by the technician, or inadequate packaging or shipping. This bulletin advises the dealers to be more careful not to damage the transmissions during removal and to package the core properly for return.

16-NA-383

ENGINE; FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

This service bulletin advises of a new fuel injection cleaner kit used for decarbonizing the intake valves to correct conditions of rough idle, Crank no start, extended crank or misfire, MIL with DTCs, and explains how Top Tier fuels should be used to reduce carbon build-up.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Chevrolet Suburban 1500 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026103052.6
2025271043.9
2024010
2023171137.6
2022000
2021101
2011802043.2
2010531035.3
2009550030.0
20081010240.3
20071900246.6
2006312045.9
2005941037.1
20041821036.7
20031751037.8
20021201038.7
2001Viewing921045.8
2000671046.8
1999740038.2
1998140027.1
1997160032.3
1996900
1995800
1994900

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.