RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Suburban Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints 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.
14
Latest Apr 27, 2015
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 440 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 27, 2015

DRIVING AT 65 MPH DOWN THE INTERSTATE, SUDDENLY THE SUNROOF GLASS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME AND FLEW AWAY INTO THE ROAD BEHIND US. THE INSIDE SUN SHADE WAS ALSO SUCKED OUT. THE SUNROOF WAS CLOSED AT THE TIME. THE FRAME AND MOTOR ARE INTACT AND STILL OPERATE NORMALLY. SUNROOF WAS MADE BY VERMEULEN-HOLLANDIA, MODEL: TVS S/N 461569. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2002-UP MODELS FROM THEM BUT NOT FOR THIS SERIAL NUMBER. COMPANY NAME IS NOW WEBASTO. *TR

NHTSA ID
10713163
Incident
Apr 26, 2015
Mileage
147,458 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 6, 2005

2001 SUBURBAN REAR FRAME RAILS BROKE OFF. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS NOT MADE WITH A THICK METAL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10145383
Incident
Sep 1, 2005
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed Aug 1, 2005

DT: THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS WERE WORKING POORLY, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. THEY ALSO MADE A THUMPING SOUND WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM FAILED. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY CLAIMED IT WAS OTHER THINGS BESIDES THE ABS SYSTEM. DEALERSHIP WANTED CONSUMER TO SPEND MONEY ON THE BRAKE PADS/ROTORS, AND CALIPERS FIRST AND THEN ON DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC, AND STATED THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM HE RECOMMENDED TO THE DEALER, BUT DEALER DID NOT WANT TO FIX THE ACTUAL PROBLEM.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF RUST ON IT (FRAME, CALIPERS, ROTORS AND NON-BODY PARTS). THE CALIPERS WERE RUSTED AND LEAKING. THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND CORRODED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10127009
Incident
Jun 16, 2005
Mileage
36,600 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 27, 2005

CONTACT STATES THIS PAST WEDNESDAY WHILE HIS WIFE WAS SHOPPING, SHE OPENED UP THE GLASS PORTION OF THE LIFTGATE. THEN SHE ALMOST SHUT IT, AND THEN SHE REACHED UNDER TO GET A HOLD OF THE LIFTGATE HANDLE AND RAISED THE ENTIRE LIFTGATE ABOVE HER HEAD .WHEN SHE RAISED THIS THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD BROKE AND SHATTERED ON HER HEAD.. HE HAS TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS, AND THEY SAID THAT THESE THINGS SOMETIMES HAPPEN. HE STATEED THAT THIS WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO HIM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10126668
Incident
Jun 22, 2005
Mileage
78,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalInterior & seats+4 more
Filed Nov 30, 2004

WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN INTERMITTENTLY AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE DEALER STILL WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE REAR FLOOR PLASTIC PLATE HAD BROKEN, THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR WAS INOPERATIVE UP AND DOWN, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WAS COMING APART BY THE DOOR, SEAT TRACK HAD BROKEN, THE RIGHT FRONT SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP SOMETIMES TIGHTENED UP, THERE WAS NOISE IN THE REAR END HAD A HARMONIC VIBRATION, THE RIGHT SECOND WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT IN THE FRONT LOCKED UP RIGHT FRONT RETRACTOR LOCKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SQUEAKS REALLY BAD, THE MOLDING FOR THE RUBBER COMING OFF, AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT LIGHT HAD COME OUT. *SC

NHTSA ID
10099988
Incident
May 17, 2001
Mileage
4,368 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 5, 2003

THE REAR HATCH WAS MADE OF PLASTIC MATERIAL,AND WAS FALLING OFF. DEALER REPLACED HATCHBACK AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050135
Incident
Dec 5, 2003
Mileage
79,000 mi
Body & structureEngineInterior & seats+3 more
Filed Oct 6, 2003

OIL CONSUMPTION, STEERING COLUMN, SIDE DOOR PANELS, REAR-END, SEATS CRACKING, FRONT POPPING NOISE, STEERS TO RIGHT CONSTANTLY. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING THING SINCE WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2001. WE HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER REPORTING AGENCY HERE IN N.C. AND ALSO TALKED TO THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. DEALER SAID THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES WITH OIL CONSUMPTION THAT THEY HAVE TRADED BECAUSE OF IT AND THEY JUST KEPT TELLING US IT IS WITHIN MANUFACTURE LIMITS. THEY HAVE TRIED TO FIX THE OIL PROBLEM BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. ALSO THE STEERING HAS BEEN BROKEN DOWN TWICE BECAUSE OF ITS PROBLEM. THE DOOR PANELS ARE STILL NOT FIXED AFTER 2 TRIES. THE REAR-END HAS BEEN WORKED ON 2 TIMES BECAUSE OF DIFFERENTIAL FLUID, THE STEERING WHEEL STILL SCRUBS WHEN TURNING TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT IS STARTING TO CRACK. THE CONSUMER PEOPLE IN RALEIGH WILL NOT HELP US AFTER WE FILLED THE COMPLAINT, THEY WROTE US AND TOLD US TO HIRE A LAWYER AND THE MANUFACTURE ONLY OFFERED US A $1000.00 OWNER/LOYALTY CERTIFICATE TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. WHAT IS OUR NEXT STEP WITHOUT HIRING AN ATTORNEY? *JB

NHTSA ID
10041312
Incident
Apr 9, 2001
Mileage
3,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed May 29, 2003

CRACKING OF CORE SUPPORT CAUSING RADIATOR TO FALL INTO ENGINE

NHTSA ID
10020713
Incident
Apr 20, 2003
Mileage
71,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceExterior lighting+2 more
Filed Sep 14, 2002

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED, DEALER ONLY "RECONDITIONED" THE TRANSMISSION, I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION REPAIRS;RUBBING , BUMPING NOISES FROM TRANSMISSION, I HAVA NOT TRUST IN THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE LONG HISTORY OF MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND DEFECTS, I WANT THE MANUFACTURER TO REPLACE THIS VEHICLE AND NOT WAIT UNTIL A MECHANICAL FAILURE HURT ME OR MY FAMILY OR INNOCENT PEOPLE IN THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP ME . NLM

NHTSA ID
767166
Incident
Jul 17, 2002
Body & structure
Filed Sep 5, 2002

WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE TAILGATE ASSEMBLY FELL COMPLETELY OFF CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*JB

NHTSA ID
8017917
Incident
Aug 29, 2002
Body & structure
Filed May 14, 2002

RUNNING BOARD IS LOOSE AND NOT FASTENED PROPERLY ON BOTH ENDS. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
8009781
Incident
Jan 15, 2002
AirbagsBody & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 9, 2002
Crash reported3 injuries reported

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER T BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND THEN SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, AND RAN INTO A DITCH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK *YH

NHTSA ID
8007135
Incident
Nov 26, 2001
Body & structure
Filed Nov 28, 2001

THERE IS NO WARNING (EITHER A VISUAL WARNING OR AN AUDIO WARNING) THAT TELLS THE DRIVER WHEN ONE OF THE DOORS ARE NOT CLOSED PROPERLY. THE CHEVROLET 1-800 NUMBER PEOPLE SAY THAT THE SUBURBAN SHOULD HAVE SUCH A 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING & REFER ME TO THE LOCAL CHEVY DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS CORRECTED. THE LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT THIS IS NOT AN INCLUDED FEATURE IN THE NEW 2001 SUBURBANS. I FIND THIS HARD TO BELIEVE, ESPECIALLY SINCE A NOT PROPERLY CLOSED DOOR IN A FAMILY VEHICLE SUCH AS A SUBURBAN COULD VERY EASILY RESULT IN THE DOOR OPEING AT HIGH SPEEDS OR AROUND A TIGHT CORNER OR IN A ACCIDENT WITH THE END RESULT BEING A CHILD BEING THROWN FROM THE CAR. I PERSONALLY THINK THAT THIS 'DOOR AJAR' FEATURE (PRETTY STANDARD NOW ON ALL CARS FOR MANY YEARS) MAY HAVE ACCIDENTALLY BEEN LEFT OFF MANY SUBURBANS OR WAS OVERLOOKED IN THE DESIGN OF THE SUBURBANS, BOTH OF WHICH SHOULD RESULT IN GM RECALLING THE AFFECTED CARS TO PUT IN THE 'DOOR AJAR' WARNING. LASTLY, THIS MAY ALSO AFFECT THE GMX YUKON & YUKON XL VEHICLES AS THEY ARE IDENTICAL COUSINS TO THE CHEVROLET SUBURBANS. FYI - I ORIGINALLY NOTIFIED CHEVY & THE DEALER ABOUT THIS STARTING LATE SEPT '01 & HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED TO DATE ON GETTING ANY STRAIGHT ANSWER AND/OR CORRECTION TO MY SUBURBAN.*AK

NHTSA ID
755042
Body & structure
Filed Jan 29, 2001

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH COULD HEAR WIND COMING FROM DOORS, AND THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNAL ON DASHBOARD THAT SHOWED THAT DOORS OPENED. CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT CHILDREN LEANING AGAINST DOORS.*AK

NHTSA ID
879223
Incident
Jan 29, 2001

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .