2023 Chevrolet Suburban: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban
On the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban, the failure owners report most often is other engine problem, with 31 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 45,000 miles. Overall it scores 71 out of 100, high risk for a 2023.
High risk for a 2023 — 154th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. 152 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban
Owners have reported 44 named failure modes on the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban, and the three most-reported carry 34% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Other engine problem leads with 31 reports and about 1.4 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other powertrain problem follows with 12 reports, median 115,000 miles.
No-start or intermittent start failure follows with 8 reports.
By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (53), transmission (17) and electrical (11).
When these failures get reported
19 of the reports on the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban came with an odometer reading, and half of those were filed before 45,000 miles.
Cumulatively, 53% by 50,000 miles, 74% by 100,000 miles and 95% by 150,000 miles of the dated reports had been filed.
The busiest stretch is between 0 and 10,000 miles, which alone holds 16% of the dated reports.
37% of the dated reports were filed below 36,000 miles, which is early enough that a fair number of these cars were still under a factory warranty when the owner complained.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 44. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
- Dashed the median reported mileage
How bad it is when it goes
Across the named modes, 2 mention a crash and 3 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.73, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500, no-start or intermittent start failure at $200–$1,800 and other electrical problem at $250–$2,000. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
47% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other engine problem | engine | 31 | 3 | — | 44k | — | 1.4 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 12 | 2 | — | 113k | — | 0.5 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 8 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.4 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 7 | 2 | — | 21k | — | 0.3 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Complete engine failure or seizure | engine | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.3 | $4,500–$12,000 | Critical |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 5 | 1 | — | 60k | — | 0.2 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Control module (ECM/PCM/BCM) failure | electrical | 4 | 4 | — | 15k | — | 0.2 | $700–$3,000 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.2 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Fuel tank, filler or EVAP failure | fuel | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Instrument cluster or gauge failure | infotainment | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Steering rack, gear or tie rod failure | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $700–$2,600 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 1 | — | 3k | — | 0.1 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Other steering problem | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 3 | 1 | — | 39k | — | 0.1 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Stalling while driving | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $300–$2,500 | Critical |
| Complete transmission failure | transmission | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $2,800–$8,000 | Critical |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 2 | 1 | — | 191k | — | 0.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Other suspension problem | suspension | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $350–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Timing chain, belt or tensioner failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,200–$4,500 | Critical |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 63k | — | 0.0 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Lifter, cam or cylinder-deactivation failure | engine | 1 | 1 | — | 100k | — | 0.0 | $1,800–$7,000 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Overheating | cooling | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Harsh or jerky shifting | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$4,000 | Moderate |
| Transmission will not engage a gear | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $1,500–$6,000 | Critical |
| CVT failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $3,000–$8,500 | Critical |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 66k | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Fuel injector failure | fuel | 1 | 1 | — | 72k | — | 0.0 | $450–$2,800 | Moderate |
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| ABS module or sensor failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,400 | High |
| Steering column or shaft failure | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$2,500 | Critical |
| Strut, shock or spring failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $500–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Control arm, ball joint or bushing failure | suspension | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $400–$2,200 | High |
| Paint peeling or clear coat failure | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $600–$6,000 | Low |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Tail light, brake light or signal failure | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $100–$900 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other speed control problem | adas | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.0 | $250–$2,000 | Critical |
| Unclassified problem | other | 14 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban draws about 6.8 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 88th percentile of complaint rates among 2023 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 22,427 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2023 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2023 model year
NHTSA has issued 3 recall campaigns covering the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban, affecting an estimated 36,031 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover engine and engine cooling:engine:hard parts internal/mechani, suspension:rear and exterior lighting:lighting control module:software. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
One caution about reading these together: a recall usually raises the complaint count for the same part, because owners who read about it go and file. The mileages stay informative; the counts get noisy.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL
597,571 vehicles 2025-04-24- Defect
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
- Consequence
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
SUSPENSION:REAR
189 vehicles 2023-09-20- Defect
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2023 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The rear suspension outer control arm bolts may not have been properly heat-treated, which can cause the bolts to break.
- Consequence
- A broken suspension bolt can result in misalignment of the rear wheel, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both rear suspension outer control arm bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 14, 2023. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N232415910.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE
740,108 vehicles 2022-12-08- Defect
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- DRLs that do not deactivate as intended may result in a glare, reducing visibility, and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The body control module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 23, 2023. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222386380. This recall expands previous recall number 22V-827.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2023 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2023 compares with the other years
High risk for a 2023 — 154th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 29 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2005 comes out best at 62 and 2020 worst at 76, with 2023 itself at 71.
If the model year is negotiable, 2005, 2014, 2006, 1998, 2010, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2000, 1997, 2004, 2012, 2011, 2013, 2007, 1999, 2018 and 2017 score lower than 2023 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2019–2024 generation specifically, 2024 is the strongest year at 70 and 2020 the weakest at 76.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2019-2024 generation, 2024 Chevrolet Suburban scores best at 70 and 2020 Chevrolet Suburban worst at 76.
Where these figures stop being useful
152 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 152 reports, 19 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 13% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
The failure modes are assigned by software reading the owner's own words, which is accurate in bulk and wrong in individual cases. A mode with a handful of reports may contain a misfiled one.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban?
The most-reported failures are other engine problem (31 reports, median 45,000 miles), other powertrain problem (12 reports, median 115,000 miles) and no-start or intermittent start failure (8 reports). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
It scores 71 out of 100 on our risk index, which is high — 154th riskiest of the 227 2023 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2023 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Chevrolet Suburban is best?
Within the 2019–2024 generation, 2024 scores best at 70 out of 100 and 2020 worst at 76. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed