RoadVitals

2020 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
42
+2 complaints in 30 days
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
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
14
Reports on file since Feb 6, 2020

What this page shows

Our database holds 42 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 42 · page 1 of 2

Engine
Filed Aug 4, 2026

There is a safety recall on GM’s 6.2L V8 L87 engine model years 2021-2024. My vehicle is a 2020 Suburban with a 6.2L V8 L87 engine. My engine recently experienced the same failure as cited in the recall, but because it is outside the 2021-2024 window it is not covered by this recall. I ask that the recall be expanded to additional years where these engines are experiencing the same failure as is covered by the current recall.

NHTSA ID
11754702
Incident
Aug 4, 2026
Filed Aug 3, 2026

Transmission fail Drives fine then stops accelerating

NHTSA ID
11754536
Incident
Dec 10, 2025
Filed May 13, 2026

I just received an email with this the following: NHTSA Recall ID Number :26V289, warning about front or rear wheel lockup. Per the NTHSA website, there is no recall. The email came from: [email protected]

NHTSA ID
11737501
Incident
May 13, 2026
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal, and the vehicle stalled. A passerby helped the contact to push the vehicle into a parking lot. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact left the vehicle in the parking lot. The following day, the vehicle restarted as intended. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the vehicle failed to start. The Push to Start button occasionally became stuck, and the contact continuously pressed the button to release it. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was taken back to the residence, and upon exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed loose cables. The contact's husband plugged the cables back into place. The failure persisted, and the vehicle remained at the residence unrepaired. The contact had not driven the vehicle due to safety concerns. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA ID
11723053
Incident
Nov 17, 2025
Mileage
90,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jan 12, 2026

Driving on interstate and gradual onset of clicking/knocking. Within 5 minutes complete loss of propulsion and throttle. RPM went to zero. Oil pressure/temperature/engine lights all fine. Dealership states "catastrophic engine failure." My family was in the vehicle. Fortunately still had power steering and brakes and able to guide vehicle to shoulder.

NHTSA ID
11710298
Incident
Jan 3, 2026
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced electrical failures that caused several safety and powered components to turn off and on. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally lost power steering or windshield wiper functionality and would start functioning without having been engaged manually. The contact stated that the instrument cluster occasionally went black. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and advised the contact of Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-161, which addressed the electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that the electrical failure described in TSB: 18-NA-161 should have been a national recall due to the safety factors of the systems affected. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

NHTSA ID
11709472
Incident
Dec 8, 2025
Mileage
85,000 mi
Filed Jan 6, 2026

I hadn’t had my car a year and my solenoid in my transmission is in need of replacement. The suv will not pick up speed above 40

NHTSA ID
11709025
Incident
Dec 11, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 10, 2025

Transmission is not functioning properly at 74,300 miles. Engine kept slipping while driving uphill and the RPMs were not matching vehicle speed. Could not go above 50mph while merging onto freeway which was very dangerous. Whirring noise occurred every time I accelerated which was also noted By dealer and transmission shop. No check engine lights on. Took to dealer, but the misdiagnosed it since no lights were on. Took to Transmission shop, and they found that the transmission had several issues that were not displayed. Besides the shop running specific tests, there are still no warning lamps or messages displayed on the vehicle dashboard or using an OBD2 sensor.

NHTSA ID
11704286
Incident
Nov 21, 2025
Engine
Filed Nov 25, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

NHTSA ID
11701556
Incident
Nov 15, 2025
Mileage
95,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2025

Our engine went at 100,800 miles, costing us $15k in June 2025. Then our transmission went 3 months later, now costing us another $7k. GM is offering very little financial assistance. It's quite inconvenient that these major mechanical issues occur right after factory warranty. It is at a dealer getting fixed, again, but how can this be ok with GM to see their product be such a failure for consumers? Recall or not, this has left a horrible taste in our mouth for GM/Chevy vehicles. We will no longer trust the longevity of their vehicles and will educate others to be weary on purchasing vehicles. We can understand mechanical failures over time, but not to this extent, and we're very disappointed in the customer service and available assistance for someone that just spent nearly $23k on a vehicle that's less than 5 years old.

NHTSA ID
11698085
Incident
Nov 7, 2025
Filed Oct 30, 2025

The transmission is not shifting appropriately from 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th. There is a huge whining noise when it reaches the end before shifts. There is known issues in the 2020 suburban and this vehicle was never recalled for similar issues.

NHTSA ID
11696536
Incident
Oct 18, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 16, 2025

Driving through residential area and noticed loud noise from under hood. Went to pull out onto state highway and wasn’t able to get up to speed almost causing an accident because I could not accelerate. Had to maintain speed at or below 40mph. Brought vehicle to dealership and they confirmed that the transmission was shot. Also went to a local transmission repair shop and he stated that he sees 1-2 of this same transmission weekly. That 2016-2020 Chevrolet transmissions are no good and that Chevrolet knows this. This is a $7000 repair on a vehicle that just hit 100,000 miles. Vehicle has always been well maintained. Just wondering how GM doesn’t have a recall on this particular transmission if there are so many reported problems with it. I was fortunate to be able to pull off of the highway and take back roads to get to the dealership. There was no slipping, no warning signs whatsoever. It just made the loud noise and then boom. Done.

NHTSA ID
11693940
Incident
Sep 22, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 20, 2025

SEVERE TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. LAST MONTH HAD TAKEN MY 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TO THE WEST CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED IN ALCOA, TENNESSEE. I WAS ADVISED BY A TECH THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. I PAID 2,200.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS REPAIRS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER PAYING MY BILL AND DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, IT STARTED BACK IMMEDIATELY. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THEIR WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO AFTER EXPRESSING HOW BIG OF A SAFETY CONCERN IT. SO I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. AS I ENTEREDED INTO A BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY (ALCOA HIGHWAY) THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE AND BEGAN SHUDDER VERY BAD, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. AFTER DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH, IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL NEWS MEADIA OUTLETS TO ASSURE THIS IS ADDRESSED TO PREVENT BY FAMILY GETTING HURT AND/OR KILLED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE 6L80 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATIONS OF THE SERIOUNESS OF THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION THAT I CAN NOT AFFORD. THE VEHICLE HAS NO CODES/WARNING DISPLAYED ON THE DASH WHICH PUTS MY FAMNILT AND I AT RISK WHEN DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11681887
Incident
Jul 9, 2025
Electrical
Filed Aug 18, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 88,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 252,000.

NHTSA ID
11681266
Incident
Aug 18, 2025
Mileage
252,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 12, 2025

The vehicle is stuttering, intermittent, jumping, miss firing during acceleration, and hard down shifting. The check engine and forward collision unavailable light flashed as the vehicle struggled to accelerate. According to Chevrolet the camshaft and two lifter has failed.

NHTSA ID
11680019
Incident
Aug 5, 2025
ElectricalEngineInterior & seats
Filed Jun 29, 2025

Had to replace motor. Had to replace the vibrater in the seat. Had to replace transmission. Electric shorted

NHTSA ID
11670111
Incident
Jun 19, 2024
ElectricalEngineSuspension
Filed Jun 22, 2025

The vehicle has 70,000 miles. The engine has failed and been replaced two times. We are on the third engine. The first time was in 2021 the second time was in 2024. I heard that others are having a similar issue. This is a 2020 .6.2L RST. The engine failed the first time while driving at high speed the car just stopped working. The second time we heard it failing and were able to drive it to the dealer where the engine fell apart in the parking lot The vehicle has had other issues too. Currently the wire harness has failed. This has happened several times but the dealer has not figured out a repair. Each time it’s failed while driving causing power steering to fail while driving. I don’t not trust my teen drivers around the vehicle or to drive.

NHTSA ID
11668498
Incident
Jul 15, 2021
Airbags
Filed May 19, 2025

The technical service bulletin for the Service Safety Restraint System is for models 2021-2023. I have a 2020 Service Safety Restraint System error code this is appearing intermittently. Turning off and on. It's almost like a short somewhere. We are taking it in for servicing but I feel that the service bulletin should include the 2020 model as well.

NHTSA ID
11661801
Incident
May 17, 2025
Engine
Filed May 3, 2025

Complete engine failure. Entire engine needed to be replaced. Only 5 cylinders were working causing the vehicle to shake and shudder violently

NHTSA ID
11658666
Incident
Dec 5, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 30, 2025

Driving on the highway and I started to slow down even while pressing the accelerator. Pulled over and turned the car off and then back on. I was able to almost get to an exit but then it completely stopped moving. Turned it off and on again but car would not move. Not a single light turned on until the last time I attempted to move the car. Had it towed to Chevy dealer and transmission was completely out. Had 2 different mechanic places (dealer and private) tell me that it is extremely common once a 2020 suburban hits around 100k miles. That is completely irresponsible of GM to not put something out so that owners can at least have knowledge that there could be a potential problem. No warning signs, no lights on that is an accident waiting to happen and a potential wrongful death lawsuit coming your way if something isn’t put out.

NHTSA ID
11657853
Incident
Mar 18, 2025
EngineFuel system
Filed Apr 30, 2025

Out of the blue, while driving, my car started lurching and making a weird rattling noise. I was able to make it to a mechanic, where I learned the cylinder lifters collapsed and crankshaft were broken. The mechanic told me this is a common defect for GM motors. My vehicle is only five years old, so to learn we have a $10-20,000 repair on our hands was paralyzing and devastating.

NHTSA ID
11657746
Incident
Apr 28, 2025
ElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 3, 2025

engine replacement at 120,000 miles. I was told by Mechanic that the 2020 Suburban's have a problem with the fuel injector wiring harness dry rotting and the sensor changing the engine from V8 to V6 when on highway going bad causing misfire in engine and ruining the engine.

NHTSA ID
11645902
Incident
Jan 15, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact pulled over and turned off and restarted the vehicle however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the dealer was contacted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V797000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 93,000.

NHTSA ID
11640868
Incident
Jan 22, 2025
Mileage
93,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 6, 2024

On October 27, coming back from a family trip at 10 PM at night on a major highway, the suburban all of a sudden quit. Traveling at 70 miles per hour, all of a sudden, when pressing the gas pedal, the car would not accelerate and the RPM gauge was erratically moving. The car started to slow down till it eventually just quit and it would not go anymore. We were stranded in the middle of the highway with cars coming and going both ways. It was scary, it was dark, and dangerous. A tow truck was called and they told the suburban to a Chevrolet dealership 60 miles away. The following day, the dealership informed us that the transmission was not repairable and that they had found metal pieces in the transmission. They informed us that the only way to repair was to replace with a new transmission. They informed us that these transmissions are faulty and that it’s common for them to replace transmissions in suburbans about twice a month. We were not happy to find this out because this is the second transmission in a second Suburban that we have owned that we have had to spend $12,000 on between both vehicles. The car was out of warranty, Therefore, the expense was totally on us. I need help trying to see if I can get reimbursed for these expensive faulty transmissions that are not our fault! We have serviced car when due. There were 4 small children in the car and we could’ve had a tragic accident because car quit suddenly! Please help!

NHTSA ID
11623855
Incident
Oct 27, 2024
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the steering wheel returned to normal operation upon depression of the brake pedal. A week later while the contact's husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel became firm again, and there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that recently while driving 50 MPH, the "Service Power Steering - Drive with Care" message was displayed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ID
11622672
Incident
Oct 9, 2024
Mileage
55,000 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.

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