RoadVitals

2019 Chevrolet Suburban Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
76
Latest Jul 31, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine2526.0%
  • Electrical77.3%
  • Steering66.3%
  • Driver assistance55.2%
  • Seat belts55.2%
  • Brakes44.2%
  • Airbags22.1%
  • Visibility22.1%
  • Body & structure11.0%
  • Transmission11.0%
  • Other / unspecified11.0%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

37
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this vehicle in August 202 from Bayway Chevrolet in Pearland, Texas. The vehicle is now at 101,703 miles. The vehicle is a 2019 Chevy Suburban LT with the 8L43 transmission. Approximately 1 year ago, we started to have issues with the electronic screens - both the dashboard and the radio screen. The screens freeze, change channels and displays without any buttons being pressed or the screen being touched. Due to cost, we have not had this repaired yet, however our usual mechanic has said that he sees this issue all the time in smart technology vehicles. The transmission, on XXX, we were going to a family dinner and the vehicle started shifting hard and making a clanking noise. We turned around and went straight home. The next morning we took the vehicle to our mechanic who said the motor mounts were broken and a tune-up was needed. We got the vehicle back on Monday, XXX. Tuesday the XXX, I drove about 100 miles for work and noticed the vehicle was making a whining sound from the transmission. Took it to mechanic, by the time we drove about 2 miles to the mechanic, the entire transmission was completely broken. We now have to pay $5402.19 to rebuild the transmission at only 101,703 miles. I know GM is under a lot of scrutiny with the transmission issues right now and I believe my transmission is another one of those affected.

NHTSA ID 11753997 · filed Jul 31, 2026

Transmission broke.

NHTSA ID 11752858 · filed Jul 25, 2026
All 37 reports naming powertrain (other)

Engine

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

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Oil pressure acting weird. We checked the oil and there were only 2 quarts of oil in truck. I just had an oil change 3 weeks ago. No oil leaks. Engine must be burning oil for some reason.

NHTSA ID 11752859 · filed Jul 25, 2026

Since December 2020, our Suburban has been in for seven extended, documented dealership repair events at Guaranty Chevrolet and Simpson Chevrolet of Garden Grove, totaling 192 cumulative days out of service and $47,560.86 in documented repair invoices — approximately 71% of what we paid for the vehicle. Those repairs have included a complete transmission replacement (58,861 miles), a recurrence of the same active-lifter defect only ten days later, an ignition coil failure, fuel injector and air conditioning failures, an oil pump failure, and, most seriously, a complete engine replacement (66,854 miles) after the dealership documented metal in the oil and filter and engine end play. The situation has continued to worsen. We picked up the vehicle on XXX following the complete engine replacement. Only six days later, on July 6, 2026, the check-engine light returned and we brought the vehicle back to the dealership. We were initially told the issue was a sensor; the following day, we were informed that the replacement engine — which the dealership had disclosed to us at the time was a refurbished unit — was itself defective and would need to be replaced a second time. As of this writing, that repair remains open. In other words, the remedy provided for this vehicle's most serious failure did not resolve the problem, and we are once again without our vehicle. This pattern of failures has caused real, ongoing hardship for our family. We specifically purchased a full-size, top-trim Suburban for its seating and cargo capacity: we have two teenagers at home who depend on us for transportation to school and activities, we regularly care for grandchildren, and our [XXX] daughter has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating condition that often requires her to use a wheelchair. The Suburban's cargo space is what allows us to transport her together with her wheelchair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11750421 · filed Jul 14, 2026
All 25 reports naming engine

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I bought this vehicle in August 202 from Bayway Chevrolet in Pearland, Texas. The vehicle is now at 101,703 miles. The vehicle is a 2019 Chevy Suburban LT with the 8L43 transmission. Approximately 1 year ago, we started to have issues with the electronic screens - both the dashboard and the radio screen. The screens freeze, change channels and displays without any buttons being pressed or the screen being touched. Due to cost, we have not had this repaired yet, however our usual mechanic has said that he sees this issue all the time in smart technology vehicles. The transmission, on XXX, we were going to a family dinner and the vehicle started shifting hard and making a clanking noise. We turned around and went straight home. The next morning we took the vehicle to our mechanic who said the motor mounts were broken and a tune-up was needed. We got the vehicle back on Monday, XXX. Tuesday the XXX, I drove about 100 miles for work and noticed the vehicle was making a whining sound from the transmission. Took it to mechanic, by the time we drove about 2 miles to the mechanic, the entire transmission was completely broken. We now have to pay $5402.19 to rebuild the transmission at only 101,703 miles. I know GM is under a lot of scrutiny with the transmission issues right now and I believe my transmission is another one of those affected.

NHTSA ID 11753997 · filed Jul 31, 2026

Odometer Fraud. The contact was in the process of purchasing a 2019 Chevrolet Surburban. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy.  Contact stated the vehicle was a private dealer sale were they garage vehicles at 1524 Firestone Blvd. LA CA 90001. Contact stated vehicle was being sold with a milage of 69,430 but it was later discovered that Carfax reported vehicle mileage as 154,206.

NHTSA ID 11741842 · filed Jun 3, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The suburban pulls to side. I got it into the service center and they tried to fix the alignment but when we got it back it still does it. So im not driving it til it gets a second opinion because its definitely not the alignment if it is still doing it. So I dont feel safe driving it with me or especially my kids in it.

NHTSA ID 11714003 · filed Jan 28, 2026

We have suddenly experienced a problem with our 2019 Suburban, seemingly identical to a problem that plagued 2015 GM light trucks and SUVs (NHTSA campaign number: 18V586. GM's own number for this recall is 18289). At low speeds (typically parking lots, under 5 MPH), when turning, we intermittenly lose power steering. This is more common when switching directions rapidly such as during a parking maneuver. Simultaneously, headlights and interior lights intermittenly dim. The instrument cluster screen will display random warning messages (“roll window down then up”, etc). The clock time resets as though the battery was disconnected. Our 2019 suburban has only 68,000 miles and has received all scheduled maintenance. The battery was recently replaced in September 2022 (14 months ago). I have inspected the wiring and found nothing lose.

NHTSA ID 11554756 · filed Nov 12, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Year: 2019 Make: GMC Model: Suburban Mileage: Approximately 125,000 miles (purchased under 90,000 miles) 1. Transmission Failure My vehicle is experiencing clear signs of transmission failure, including: •Hard downshifting/clunking •RPM fluctuations while cruising •Shuddering between approximately 30–50 mph •Vibrations while idling •Hesitation and irregular shifting These symptoms have progressively worsened and are consistent with widespread complaints I have found from other 2019 Suburban owners. This appears to be a known issue affecting multiple vehicles. 2. Rear Liftgate / Electrical Malfunction The rear trunk/liftgate has closed on its own without warning multiple times. I have personally been struck in the head several times as a result. This presents a serious injury risk, especially for families loading children or cargo. There is clearly an electrical or sensor malfunction causing this behavior. 3. Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) System Activating Randomly The most alarming issue is that the automatic emergency braking system has activated on its own multiple times while driving on the turnpike with no obstruction present. This has nearly caused accidents on several occasions. Unexpected braking at highway speeds creates an extremely dangerous situation for both my family and surrounding drivers. These issues are not minor inconveniences — they are serious safety hazards. Sudden braking, unintended liftgate closure, and transmission failure all create significant risk of injury or collision. Given the number of similar complaints publicly reported by other owners, I am requesting that NHTSA formally investigate these defects and determine whether a recall should be issued for affected 2019 GMC Suburban vehicles. I am extremely concerned for the safety of my family and others on the road. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and advise if additional information is needed. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

NHTSA ID 11720007 · filed Feb 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 MPH over a railroad crossing, the braking system erroneously activated causing the vehicle to stop abruptly. During the failure there were no vehicles or trains nearby to cause the Forward Collision Avoidance system to become activated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred several times and only at the same railroad crossing. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure and experienced the failure while on a test drive over the railroad crossing. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 50,000.

NHTSA ID 11547763 · filed Oct 2, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Since December 2020, our Suburban has been in for seven extended, documented dealership repair events at Guaranty Chevrolet and Simpson Chevrolet of Garden Grove, totaling 192 cumulative days out of service and $47,560.86 in documented repair invoices — approximately 71% of what we paid for the vehicle. Those repairs have included a complete transmission replacement (58,861 miles), a recurrence of the same active-lifter defect only ten days later, an ignition coil failure, fuel injector and air conditioning failures, an oil pump failure, and, most seriously, a complete engine replacement (66,854 miles) after the dealership documented metal in the oil and filter and engine end play. The situation has continued to worsen. We picked up the vehicle on XXX following the complete engine replacement. Only six days later, on July 6, 2026, the check-engine light returned and we brought the vehicle back to the dealership. We were initially told the issue was a sensor; the following day, we were informed that the replacement engine — which the dealership had disclosed to us at the time was a refurbished unit — was itself defective and would need to be replaced a second time. As of this writing, that repair remains open. In other words, the remedy provided for this vehicle's most serious failure did not resolve the problem, and we are once again without our vehicle. This pattern of failures has caused real, ongoing hardship for our family. We specifically purchased a full-size, top-trim Suburban for its seating and cargo capacity: we have two teenagers at home who depend on us for transportation to school and activities, we regularly care for grandchildren, and our [XXX] daughter has Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a debilitating condition that often requires her to use a wheelchair. The Suburban's cargo space is what allows us to transport her together with her wheelchair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11750421 · filed Jul 14, 2026

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the middle row seat belts failed to retract, and the seat belts became inoperable. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic and to two dealers, and the contact was informed that the seat belts could not be replaced because parts were no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ID 11750255 · filed Jul 14, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that on numerous occasions while driving at various speeds, the trailer brake system warning light intermittently illuminated and made a beeping sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic brake control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.

NHTSA ID 11522002 · filed May 15, 2023

As I first started the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed and the transmission in Park, I heard and felt a grinding similar to what would be heard and felt when the ABS is activated when braking on a slippery surface such as snow or ice. At that point, the "Service Brake Assist" message was displayed in the center of the instrument cluster. I cleared the message to let the vehicle move. Every time that I depressed the brake pedal, the same thing would happen -- grinding similar to what would be heard and felt when the ABS being activated (in between each instance, I would clear the message from the screen). It did not matter if I was going 2 mph or 20 mph, going forward or backwards. I drove up to 25 mph and this also resulted in diminished brake performance - which could put others at risk. In this regard, I do have two videos of the incident. When I shut the car off and opened the driver's door, the Suburban reset and the brake assist system operated normally for the rest of the quarter-mile drive back to its parking spot as though nothing had happened. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for repair. It is important to note that this same issue occurred approximately one year ago and the dealership advised that they had replaced the brake booster sensor at that time. Please reference NHTSA ID Number 11384064.

NHTSA ID 11419159 · filed Jun 1, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My car it’s just 124400 miles and suddenly started to showing me a service safety restraint system then the airbag light goes on and shows that the hood is open when I start the car and stays like that for 20 seconds then goes off

NHTSA ID 11573242 · filed Feb 21, 2024

Received a safety restraint warning message. Took the vehicle into the dealership and we were told that the passenger side seatbelt and front airbag needed to be replaced. We had it fixed, however it cost us $1400. The dealership would not replace it at no cost, even though we are shortly out of the warranty period and only at 51k miles.

NHTSA ID 11553895 · filed Nov 6, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The rear window exploded and shattered while sitting parked in front of my house.

NHTSA ID 11732598 · filed Apr 20, 2026

THE 2019 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IS EQUIPPED WITH A WIPER FOR THE REAR WINDOW. ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS GONE THROUGH A CAR WASH OR AFTER STARTING FOLLOWING A DRENCHING RAIN, THE REAR WIPER WILL NOT WORK EVEN THOUGH IT IS SWITCH ON WITH THE SWITCH ON THE TURN SIGNAL STALK. IF THE VEHICLE IS RESTARTED, THE WIPER WILL THEN WORK AS IF NOTHING HAD HAPPENED. LIKEWISE, IF THE WIPER DOES NOT WORK AND YOU WAIT A FEW MINUTES, IT WILL WORK AS IT NORMALLY SHOULD.

NHTSA ID 11308558 · filed Feb 11, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

We were in an accident with minor exterior damage but when closer look the frame is damaged and even bolts to engine bent. Insurance company first totalled then decided to repair with new frame . All car experts say that the vehicle will decrease substantially in value. My concern is that we have no control or protection about how it is repaired and if we sell it with the current VIN number, it is misleading to the new buyer as it was not assembled as stated in the VIN number. Would appreciate your response.

NHTSA ID 11474915 · filed Jul 20, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the RPM would increase but the vehicle would not respond as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter; however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure recurred and the vehicle stalled while driving on the freeway. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000.

NHTSA ID 11491273 · filed Oct 28, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light and traction control warning light were illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The contact continued to drive the vehicle; however, the vehicle hesitated to accelerate as intended. The contact was able to drive to the residence. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that, as per the two truck drivers, transmission fluid was leaking onto the street. The vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

NHTSA ID 11698994 · filed Nov 12, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .