VehicleVerdict

2001 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 543 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median Suburban year — the 2001 model ranks #7 of 47 Suburban years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Brakes leads the complaint categories with 192 reports (35% of the total).

543

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

11

Investigations

38

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Suburban years?

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes19235%
Fuel System6312%
Engine397%
Transmission346%
Tires & Wheels326%
Electrical System326%
Steering295%
Seat Belts244%
Airbags204%
Body & Structure163%
Visibility & Wipers143%
Suspension122%
Speed Control122%
Other81%
Seats81%
Lighting41%
Trailer Hitch20%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

8 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V521000EngineNovember 7, 2007 · 11,974 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN 8.1L V8 ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION CAN OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY OR FAIL COMPLETELY. IF THE SENSOR OPERATES INTERMITTENTLY, THE SES LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE AND THE VEHICLE MAY RUN ROUGH. THE ENGINE MAY STALL, AND IF SO, MAY RE-START IMMEDIATELY OR AFTER A COOL DOWN PERIOD.

Consequence

IF THE SENSOR BECOMES COMPLETELY INOPERATIVE, THE ENGINE WILL QUIT RUNNING AND WILL NOT RE-START. EITHER OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

06E043000Fuel SystemMay 19, 2006 · 88,303 units

Defect

CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

HONEYWELL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-890-2075 (OPTION 1).

06E026000LightingMarch 23, 2006 · 61,944 units

Defect

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

05V379000BrakesAugust 29, 2005 · 1,353,718 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

05V155000Fuel SystemApril 14, 2005 · 316,508 units

Defect

CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH FUEL MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES THAT CONTAIN FUEL PUMP WIRES CONNECTORS MAY OVERHEAT UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

IF THE IGNITION CIRCUIT WIRE IS EXPOSED, THE FUEL PUMP FUSE WILL BLOW, DISABLING THE FUEL PUMP AND CAUSING AN ENGINE STALL OR NO-START CONDITION. IF SUFFICIENT HEAT IS CONDUCTED TO THE PASS-THROUGH CONNECTOR, A HOLE IN THE CONNECTOR MAY RESULT, WHICH MAY CAUSE A 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED DURING THE EMISSION SYSTEM DIAGNOSTIC ROUTINE. FUEL VAPOR AND IN SOME CASES LIQUID FUEL MAY LEAK OUT OF THE FUEL TANK THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE CONNECTOR BODY. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. ALSO IF THE IGNITION CIRCUIT OR GROUND WIRE IS EXPOSED AND SHORTS TO THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER CARD WIRES, INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL READINGS MAY RESULT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE FUEL TANK, AND REMOVE THE MODULE RESERVOIR ASSEMBLIES FROM THE TANK, AND INSTALL A NEW SERVICE KIT FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER TO OWNERS WAS MAILED ON MAY 25, 2005. THE OWNERS WERE RE-NOTIFIED ON OCTOBER 19, 2005, SINCE PARTS ARE NOW AVAILABE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 AND GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

03V094000Body & StructureMarch 7, 2003 · 3,674 units

Defect

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.

Consequence

THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.

01V159000Seat BeltsMay 17, 2001 · 9,196 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WITH REPEATED ACTUATION OF THE LOCKING MECHANISM, THE CRACK COULD SPREAD TO THE POINT SUCH THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NO LONGER LOCK.

Consequence

IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE BELTS IF NECESSARY. GM IS ENCLOSING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE OWNERS TO USE OR THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS DO THE INSPECTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 2, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.

00V343000Body & StructureOctober 25, 2000 · 35,659 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE LOOSE OR MISSING REAR WHEELHOUSE PLUGS. UNDER CERTAIN VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITIONS, EXHAUST GASES CAN FLOW FORWARD AND ACCUMULATE IN THE REAR WHEELHOUSE.

Consequence

THESE GASES COULD FLOW INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF THE PLUG IS MISSING OR LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE POSSIBLE ILLNESS, UNCONSCIOUSNESS, OR DEATH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE FOR LOOSE OR MISSING WHEELHOUSE PLUGS AND INSTALL NEW PLUGS IF NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH ON A SIDE ROAD AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE WENT INTO A SKID, AND A COLLIDED WITH A TREE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS ABS BRAKING SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONING.*AK

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 10, 2002 · crash

FUEL PUMP WIRING MELTED INSIDE GAS TANK AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WERE LOST MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL VEHICLE AND SAFELY GET TO THE SHOULDER. MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE PUMP OWNS AN OLDER SUBURBAN AND HAD HIS FUEL PUMP FAIL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 31, 2004

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 2, 2016 · fire

RE; PROBLEMS WITH GM ABOUT DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION ON 2001 CHEV SUBURBAN. *BFTHE TRANSMISSION LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NM

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 1, 2004 · crash

MY VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE CD/RADIO. WITHIN MINUTES THE SMOKE WAS SO THICK THAT OUR EYES WERE BURNING AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO SEE AND BREATHE. BY THE TIME I GOT THE CAR OVER AND EVACUATED 5 KIDS AND A DOG, FIRE WAS ACTUALLY VISIBLE. THE FLAME WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · January 17, 2004 · fire

2001 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 543 complaints put the 2001 model at #7 of 47 Suburban years. It is one of the Suburban years to avoid.

What are the most common 2001 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (192 complaints), fuel system (63 complaints), engine (39 complaints).

Does the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 11 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

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.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.