RoadVitals

2001 Chevrolet Suburban Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
37
Latest May 21, 2017
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.
8%
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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 37 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 37, in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed May 21, 2017

EXHAUST AND MANIFOLD COVER BOLTS ARE TOO WEAK AND THE HEADS BREAK OFF. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM WITH RACING BOLTS. MUCH BETTER NOW.

NHTSA ID
10990836
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
109,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 17, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10916485
Incident
Oct 2, 2016
Mileage
200,000 mi
EngineOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 17, 2016
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT END AND FRONT WHEELS WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,654.

NHTSA ID
10916414
Incident
Oct 2, 2016
Mileage
204,654 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 20, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE CODE AT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

NHTSA ID
10783747
Incident
Oct 20, 2015
Mileage
101,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 6, 2015

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10681788
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
EngineFuel system
Filed Feb 12, 2014

THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS DOWN ARE BREAKING OFF AT THE HEADS AND CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. WHICH ARE IN TURN CAUSING MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAIL PREMATURELY. I HOPE GM FIXES THIS MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THERE LS V8 ENGINES! *TR

NHTSA ID
10564075
Incident
Feb 12, 2014
Mileage
242,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Dec 2, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CAME SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED BECAUSE THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NOT READILY AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. UPDATED 04/15/14 MA

NHTSA ID
10554442
Incident
Jun 7, 2013
Mileage
124,000 mi
Engine
Filed Apr 9, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY BECOME HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL PERIODICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PART HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,177. UPDATED 06/17/13 *BF

NHTSA ID
10505710
Incident
Apr 1, 2012
Mileage
18,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 4, 2012

I JUST FIX MY HEAD GASKET FROM LEAKING 2 WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT A WEEK LATER THE SENSOR GAVE OUT THEN THE OTHER SENSOR KNOCK SENSOR 2 THEN THE SENSOR PUMP GAVE OUT TOO WITH IN 6 MONTHS AND COST ME ABOUT 4000 AFTER TAX CHEVY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469166
Incident
May 23, 2012
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 2, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10433998
Incident
Oct 25, 2011
Engine
Filed Oct 3, 2011

I HAVE A 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN THAT COMPLETELY STALLED OUT, (SEPT 29,2011) WHEN I WAS GETTING READY TO TRANSPORT MY FOUR YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. PLEASE NOTE, THAT I'M IN AN AREA THAT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. THIS MEANS THAT WHEN MY CAR IS DOWN, I'M AT THE MERCY OF FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHICH IS QUITE AN INCONVENIENCE. I HIRED A SERVICE GUY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND HE SAID IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE CRANKSHAFT. WHILE ORDERING THE PART, HE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PART WAS ON A RECALL LIST. I CHECKED THE WEBSITE NHTSA.GOV TO VERIFY AND THE RECALL #07V521000 DID EXIST. I CONTACTED THE CHEVY DEALER (NASH CHEVROLET) IN SNELLVILLE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN# WAS NOT IN THE BATCH AND IF THEY SERVICED IT, THE COST WOULD BE $2500. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT MY PROBLEM COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO WEAR AND TEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY POSSIBILITY TO GET THE DEALER TO REPAIR MY CAR AND IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO HAVE THE INVESTIGATION REOPENED AND THE SCOPE ADJUSTED TO INCLUDE ALL 2001 SUBURBANS THAT ARE NONCONFORMING. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO KNOW, HOW DOES GM/CHEVY DETERMINE WHICH CUSTOMERS DESERVE TO BE SAFE ON THE ROAD, AND WHY WEREN'T ALL THEIR QUALIFYING CONSUMERS NOTIFIED. IS GM ABOVE THE LAW? HOW IS IT THAT GM IS NOT ALLOWED TO COMPLY TO THESE FEDERAL LAWS AFTER AN INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN CONDUCTED? DOES GM ONLY RESPOND TO THEIR CUSTOMERS IF THEIR IS DEATH AND DISMEMBERMENT OR IF LITIGATION IS INVOLVED? PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10428369
Incident
Sep 29, 2011
Mileage
144,229 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 7, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 2500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO BACKFIRE WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) YET, THE CONTACTS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000.

NHTSA ID
10369480
Incident
Nov 25, 2010
Mileage
96,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 23, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE 2001 SILVERADO WITH THE SAME ENGINE, BUT NOT FOR THE SUBURBAN. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10262847
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
70,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jan 12, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD RANDOMLY SHUT OFF AND COMPLETELY STOP. THE OTHER COMPONENTS, SUCH AS THE RADIO, WERE STILL OPERABLE. THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE ALWAYS AFFECTED AND WOULD BECOME INOPERABLE. OCCASIONALLY, THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTS AND OTHER TIMES, THE CONTACT MUST WAIT A COUPLE OF MINUTES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V521000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ID
10254702
Incident
Sep 12, 2008
Mileage
59,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 6, 2008

CAR STALLED SUDDENLY AT 40 MPH, LOSING POWER STEERING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR RESTARTED. INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. WHILE GM HAS RECALLED 2001 SUBURBANS FOR CRANK POSITION FAILURES IN THIS YEAR MODEL, MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. I PURCHASED REPLACEMENT PART AND CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. GM REFUSED TO REIMBURSE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. NO WONDER GM IS IN DECLINE WITH THE LACK OF RESPONSE TO A VERY STRANGE AND DANGEROUS ENGINE STALL WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247832
Incident
Nov 5, 2008
Mileage
139,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE ENTIRE VEHICLE LOST POWER. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT EXCEED 55 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10211955
Incident
Dec 5, 2007
Mileage
116,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 14, 2006

MY 2001 SUBURBAN HAS STALLED IN TRAFFIC TWICE. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN RESTART THE ENGINE BOTH TIMES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED TROUBLE STARTING THE CAR AS WELL. PROBLEM GOES AWAY IF THE IGNITION IS SWITCHED OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIMES. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE STALLING IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE IS LARGE AND DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS TO BE STALLED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *NM

NHTSA ID
10152710
Incident
Mar 12, 2006
Mileage
50,100 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 6, 2005

MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN 2500 LT HAS 52000 MILES IT IS BURNING OIL ON LONG TRIPS. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES FOR THIS. CHEVY DOES NOT WANT TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS NOT A RECALL AS OF NOW. THEY WANT MY PRIVATE WARRANTY TO PAY FOR THIS. I ALSO HAVE A FIFTY DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE THAT I MUST PAY. THERE IS A TSB ON THIS WHICH I HAVE A COPY OF. I ALSO THINK THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS A SLIGHT KNOCK. I WAS TOLD THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES FOR RUST CORROSION WHICH IT HAS BEEN TWO WEEKS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED MY RECALL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR. ABOUT FOUR MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND IT WOULD JUST DIE. I WOULD LOSE ALL POWER . IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY I NEVER HAD ANYONE BEHIND ME OR THEY WOULD HAVE SLAMMED INTO ME. IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR THIS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY THE OIL FILTER SO I PICKED IT UP AND IT DID IT AGAIN. I TOLD THE SERVICE MANAGER I WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY FAMILY I WOULD SUE THEM WELL THE SECOND TIME THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM IT WAS SOMETHING WITH THE FUEL INJECTOR. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THIS TRUCK AND I ALSO FEEL CHEVY IS NOT BACKING THEIR TRUCK.*JB

NHTSA ID
10138759
Incident
Sep 17, 2004
Mileage
39,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 8, 2005

WHILE MAKING A U-TURN THE VEHICLE STALL. CONDITION CAUSES LOSS OF POWER ASSIST AND POWER BRAKES. NO INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED DUE TO THIS ISSUE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. *NM *TT

NHTSA ID
10107381
Incident
Dec 20, 2004
Mileage
90,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 13, 2004

WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST STARTED AFTER SITTING FOR AN 8 HOUR PERIOD THERE IS EXCESSIVE ENGINE LIFTER NOISE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WARMS UP, THE NOISE GOES AWAY. LOCAL GMC DEALER SAYS THEY CANNOT HEAR THE NOISE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10090888
Incident
Jun 10, 2004
EngineVisibility
Filed Jun 4, 2004

THE VEHICLE DISPLAYED A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE A MUFFLER AND OR VACUUM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN WHICH THEY HAD TAKEN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS BUT WASN'T SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY THEN STATED THAT THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE INTAKE SYSTEM IN WHICH AIR WOULD SURROUND THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO WORSEN EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE RIGHT FRONT WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE DUE TO THE MOTOR GOING BAD. *AK *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10072049
Incident
Mar 1, 2003
Mileage
38,470 mi
Engine
Filed May 19, 2004

I OWN A 2001 SUBURBAN. THE TRUCK USES 1 QT OF MOTOR OIL TO EVERY 1000 MILES. THE DEALER IS FREDRICK CHEVROLET OF LEBANON, PA. THE GM SONG THEY SING IS THAT THIS IS NORMAL FOR A 5.3 ENGINE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THIS IS NORMAL. DOES GM HAVE A PROBLEM AND DON'T WANT TO OWN UP TO IT? WHAT ABOUT POLLUTION? *AK

NHTSA ID
10072844
Incident
May 19, 2004
Engine
Filed Mar 20, 2004

I HAD A 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN WITH AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. IT USED 1 TO 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 2000 MILES. AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALER AND GM I WAS FORCED TO FILE A LAWSUIT WHICH WAS HEARD BY AN ARBITRAITOR. I WAS AWARDED FULL MSRP VAULE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE GM MAINTAINED THEIR POSITION THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG EVEN AFTER FAILING THEIR OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I NOW HAVE A 2002 2500 SUBURBAN WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE ENGINE IN THE 2001 1500 SUBURBAN HAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM !!! DEALER STILL REFUSES TO REFUND EXTENDED WARRANTY MONIES . *JB

NHTSA ID
10062665
Incident
Apr 10, 2001
Mileage
27,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesEngine
Filed Jan 15, 2004
Crash reported

AFTER TAKING MY TRUCK IN FOR A COMPLETE FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING SERVICE, I STARTED TO HEAR A RATTLING SOUND EVERY TIME I TURNED ON THE AC. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP (CAPITAL CHEVROLET IN MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA) THINKING THAT THEY FORGOT TO TIGHTEN UP SOMETHING -- ONLY TO FIND OUT I NEED A NEW AC COMPRESSOR. I OVERHEARD THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAY THAT THERE IS A BULLETIN OUT ON THIS. I CALLED THE 800# BUT HAVE NOT GOTTEN A RESPONSE IN OVER A WEEK. I WAS TOLD BY 2 INDEPENDENT SERVICE MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THAT THE SUBURBAN AND TAHOE!!! DECEMBER 2002. ATTEMPTED TO STOP SUDDENLY. BRAKES LOCKED AND THE CAR WENT INTO A TERRIBLE SKID. WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE BRAKES BY PUMPING. THE CAR EVENTUALLY SKIDDED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH CAUSING TREMENDOUS FRONT-END DAMAGE. AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. CAR WAS GOING ABOUT 25 MILES/HOUR WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED.

NHTSA ID
10070819
Incident
Dec 15, 2002
Mileage
55,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 30, 2003

ENGINE KNOCKING AFTER START UP. MUCH WORSE ON COLD DAYS.

NHTSA ID
10051318
Incident
Dec 29, 2003
Mileage
51,000 mi

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 .