RoadVitals

2006 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.
31
Latest Apr 9, 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.
2
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 31 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 200 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

  • Body & structure720.6%
  • Electrical720.6%
  • Brakes617.6%
  • Interior & seats411.8%
  • Seat belts25.9%
  • Suspension25.9%
  • Visibility12.9%
  • Driver assistance12.9%

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

2 campaigns 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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Aug 3, 2006
38,439 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 (RPO L8-VIN G) ENGINE HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP MAY FRACTURE RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER.
The risk: IF THE DAMPER COMES LOOSE, A FUEL LEAK MAY RESULT. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC TRUCKS AT 1-866-996-9463.
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.Manufacturer number 06080View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Apr 9, 2018
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND PARKED, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PERSONAL STORAGE LOT. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE TWICE AND REQUESTED TO INSPECT IT A THIRD TIME. THE INVESTIGATOR CHECKED THE FUSE BOX AND THE HVAC ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; HOWEVER, A DETERMINATION HAD NOT BEEN MADE. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT BE FORTHCOMING WITH THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11084068
Incident
Mar 23, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Filed Jul 28, 2017

THE REAR LOCK ACTUATOR BECAME FAULTY AND WAS REPLACED 6/13. JUST SHORT OF 4YRS,THE ACTUATOR BECAME FAULTY AGAIN IN 6/1/17. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AN WAS TOLD SORRY, THE WARRANTY (1YR) HAD EXPIRED. 2 THINGS ARE THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ACTUATOR. BECAUSE THE BACKHATCH IS KEYLESS AND HAS NO RELEASE FROM THE INSIDE, THIS POSES AS A SAFETY RISK IF TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE OTHER NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR THE ACTUATOR BECOMING FAULTY WITHIN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, COSTING $700+ TO REPLACE.

NHTSA ID
11011322
Incident
Jun 1, 2017
Mileage
114,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 10, 2016

WHILE TOWING THE FAMILY BOAT ON SECONDARY ROADWAYS, I ATTEMPTED TO STOP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, WHEN I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IT WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND BOTH THE TRUCK AND BOAT CONTINUED ROLLING TOWARDS STOPPED TRAFFIC. I WAS ONLY ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY MANUALLY OPERATING THE PARKING BRAKE. HAD I NOT HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO UTILIZE THE PARKING BRAKE I WOULD HAVE COLLIDED WITH THE TRAFFIC STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED A LARGE MOUNT OF BRAKE FLUID UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL. I TRANSPORTED THE VEHICLE TO MY SERVICE STATION WHERE THEY PLACED IT ON A LIFT AND SHOWED ME THE EXTENSIVE CORROSION ON ALL OF THE BRAKE LINES AND TRANSMISSION COOLING LINES. THE LINE WHICH HAD FAILED RESULTED IN NO BRAKING CAPABILITIES WHATSOEVER. THERE IS NOT ONE SERVICEABLE BRAKE LINE LEFT ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS 75K MILES ON IT AND IS IMMACULATE BOTH INSIDE AND OUT AND HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED. THE BRAKE FAILURE RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF BRAKES, CAME WITHOUT ANY WARNING.

NHTSA ID
10934362
Incident
Dec 9, 2016
Mileage
75,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 5, 2016

ON DECEMBER 2, 2016, I WAS DRIVING THE SUV WITH MY FAMILY MEMBERS INSIDE. I WAS TRAVELING IN STATE HIGHWAY ABOUT 55 MPH WHEN A CAR IN FRONT OF ME BEGAN SLOWING DOWN. I ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AS WELL BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT IMMEDIATELY ENGAGE. I THEN PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD WHICH FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK. AS THE BRAKE PEDAL CONTINUED TO BE PRESSED DOWN, THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR AND THE ACTUAL BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE SUV ONCE AGAIN BEGAN FREE-ROLLING. I PUMPED THE BREAK PEDAL AND I GOT SOME BRAKING ACTION OUT OF THAT, ALTHOUGH NO SIGNIFICANTLY. I VEERED THE SUV INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC LANE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH THE REAR OF CAR IN FRONT OF ME, NEARLY CAUSING A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH THE ONCOMING CAR. I WAS ABLE TO VEER BACK INTO MY LANE AND SLOW DOWN TO GET OUT OF THE ROADWAY, BUT THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK EXCEPT ONCE THE CAR WAS MOVING AT MINIMAL SPEED. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, I EXAMINED THE ROTORS TO SEE IF THEY WERE HOT; THEY WERE NOT. I PUMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES, EACH TIME THE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR. AS I WAS PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL, LIQUIDS WERE SQUIRTING OUT FROM SOMEWHERE UNDER THE DRIVER'S DOOR. THE LIQUID CONTINUED LEAKING EVEN AS I STOPPED PUMPING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THERE WAS NO WARNING FOR THIS BRAKE FAILURE, AND THE BRAKES FUNCTIONED PROPERLY UP TO THIS POINT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THIS WAS A SCARY EXPERIENCE FOR ME AND EVERYONE IN THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY, I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE INCIDENT TO GM, BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT PROVIDE ME ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION HOW TO MAKE THE REPORT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10930005
Incident
Dec 2, 2016
Mileage
23 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 1, 2015

CORROSION OF HARD BRAKE LINE AT DRIVER / LEFT SIDE REAR, PARTLY HIDDEN FROM VIEW. NOT SEEN DURING INSPECTIONS. CONDITION DISCOVERED FOLLOWING SURFACE ROADWAY INCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, IN DRIVE, POINTED DOWNHILL AT STOPLIGHT. BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY STARTED GOING DOWN. PUMPING BRAKE HELPED A BIT, BUT SOON THE PEDAL STARTED FALLING AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STARTED MOVING FORWARD. PUTTING VEHICLE IN PARK PREVENTED VEHICLE FROM STRIKING STOPPED VEHICLES IN FRONT. GOT OFF THE ROADWAY SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND DISCOVERED THE CORROSION AND LEAD MENTIONED ABOVE. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN REPAIR SHOP WITH $1800 SERVICE BILL. BODY IS REQUIRED TO BE LIFTED OFF FRAME FOR REPLACEMENT LINES TO BE INSTALLED AND THAT IS *VERY* LABOR INTENSIVE. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA HAS INVESTIGATED THESE VEHICLES DURING THEIR PRODUCTION RUN OF 1999-2006 ON C/K/SUBURBAN/TAHOE MODELS. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN WASHINGTON STATE, WHERE SALT IS NOT USED ON ROADWAYS.

NHTSA ID
10779106
Incident
Sep 30, 2015
Mileage
75,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 15, 2015

AFTER YEARS OF HAVING MY SUBURBAN THE LIFT GATE LOCK ACTUATOR STOPPED WORKING LAST YEAR. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND A REPLACEMENT OEM ACTUATOR WHICH I PURCHASED. I HAD IT INSTALLED BUT WHEN I TRIED TO USE IT, IT WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK WHEN THE REST OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED AND VICE VERSA. THE COMPANY THEN SENT ME REPLACEMENT AS THAT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. THE NEW PART WORKED UP UNTIL MID MARCH OF THIS YEAR AND HAS NOW STOPPED WORKING ALSO. CURRENTLY, WHEN I TRY TO UNLOCK THE TRUCK ALL I HEAR IS A SMALL BUZZ COMING FROM THE ACTUATOR, BUT IT DOESN'T MOVE, IT'S FROZEN AT THE LOCK SETTING. I AM SURPRISED CHEVY HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PART BECAUSE I FIND THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRING TO OTHER PEOPLE'S VEHICLES ALL OVER THE WEB. *TR

NHTSA ID
10705990
Incident
Jun 1, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 30, 2014

WHILE APPROACHING EXIT RAMP IN DELAWARE (EXIT 1A) TRAFFIC SLOWED SO I BEGAN TO HIT MY BRAKES TO SLOW AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR AND I COULD NOT STOP I ALMOST HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME WITH THE EXCEPTION OF FAST MANEUVERING OF WHICH MY DASH CAM CAUGHT, I SWERVED TO THE LEFT LANE TO AVOID A COLLISION THEN HIT THE EMERGENCY BRAKES AND GOT BACK INTO THE OFF RAMP THEN I REALIZED THAT THERE WAS NO BREAK PRESSURE AND SMOKE BELLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT AND NOTICE BRAKE FLUID LEAKING. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A DOUBLE FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURE - I AM HAVING THEM REPLACE (A $1000 JOB) HOWEVER I'VE ASKED TO RETAIN THE BRAKE LINES AS PROOF. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640102
Incident
Sep 26, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2014

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY FRIEND AND OUR 6 CHILDREN AND I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT STOPPED SUDDENLY. THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. AT THE REPAIR SHOP ALL THE BRAKE LINES ARE BRITTLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10622651
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
115,000 mi

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.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

PIT5074R

This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.

23-NA-001

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.

03-06-01-023I

ENGINE

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

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
2006Viewing312045.9
2005941037.1
20041821036.7
20031751037.8
20021201038.7
2001921045.8
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.