Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just one complaint on file for the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
1
NHTSA complaints
1
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 100% | — flat |
1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN ASSEMBLED WITHOUT THE RETAINER CLIP FOR THE BRAKE PEDAL PUSH ROD. THE ABSENCE OF THIS RETAINER CLIP COULD ALLOW THE BRAKE PEDAL TO DISENGAGE FROM THE MASTER CYCLINDER PUSH ROD.
Remedy
THE DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INSTALL THE RETAINER CLIP ON ALL SUSPECT VEHICLES WITHOUT CHARGE.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER FELT THE VEHICLE SHAKING SEVERELY. CONSUMER PULLED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED IT. AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL MORE MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE SHAKING BEGAN AGAIN. AFTER ANOTHER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE LEFT REAR TIRE WAS OUT OF ROUND. *AK THE…”
The record is thin — 1 NHTSA complaint — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 1981 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1993, 2015, 1995, 1997, 2001, 1996, 2000, 2003, 2007, 2002, 1998, 2016, 2008, 2004, 2021, 1992, 2011, 2013, 2010, 2022, 2023, 2012, 2009, 2014, 2024. The cleanest record among Suburban years belongs to 1982.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.