RoadVitals

2020 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.
16
Latest Aug 4, 2026
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.
38%
of 42 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.
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 2020 Chevrolet Suburban submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 16 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

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

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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Engine
Filed Sep 6, 2024
Fire reported

I put vehicle in Chevy dealership 7/8/24 for cold start knocking sound. Dealers called 2 days later said it was defective lifter issue on the 6.2 liter GM engine.Dealer ordered new engine.on 8/23/24 while test driving vehicle with new engine in it while driving on the highway a fire started under the engine. I was told by dealer that people were telling the driver the vehicle was on fire. He abandoned the vehicle on the highway as it burned up inside and outside. Fire trucks put the fire out.Vehicle is total loss. Waiting two weeks for GM to tell me what they will do to help me. No reply to phone calls or emails unless I call them to check and find out what is going on. I wrote email to GM CEO and no reply. Insurance for me offered me pay out of current value. GMis supposedly going to investigate the vehicle and the cause of fire. Lifter issue is widespread on these engines. Many lawsuits. Vehicle is still in dealer lot burned up waiting for gm to investigate it. I am getting no resolution from GM to help me fully recover from this with new vehicle. If no one had told mechanic that vehicle was on fire who knows if he would have gotten out safely before engulfed in flames. I could not upload additional photos due to site no working.

NHTSA ID
11612983
Incident
Aug 23, 2024
EngineFuel system
Filed May 26, 2024

Fuel injector failed and pumped too much gas into cylinder causing gas to get into engine oil and ruin engine. GM claims they are building the replacement engine, but won't give any estimate of when it will be fixed. Other dealers that are receiving these engines will not sell the engine to my dealer. I believe there is a bigger problem that GM will not admit to and they should be held accountable. Four months is too long for this situation to exist!

NHTSA ID
11590849
Incident
Jan 28, 2024
Engine
Filed Mar 28, 2023

The water pump burst without any warning.

NHTSA ID
11514201
Incident
Mar 26, 2023
Engine
Filed Oct 15, 2021

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a banging noise was present coming from the engine compartment. Additionally, while driving, the cluster gauges and the air conditioning malfunctioned. The vehicle was later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the water pump had failed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer but not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 30,000.

NHTSA ID
11436874
Incident
Oct 12, 2021
Mileage
30,000 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 .