VehicleVerdict

2001 Chevrolet Suburban engine problems

The 2001 Chevrolet Suburban has 39 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

39

Engine complaints

7%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Suburban engine complaints by model year82 complaints1978: 1 complaints1983: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 2 complaints1988: 2 complaints1989: 6 complaints1990: 2 complaints1991: 5 complaints1992: 8 complaints1993: 29 complaints1994: 24 complaints1995: 13 complaints1996: 44 complaints1997: 23 complaints1998: 22 complaints1999: 36 complaints2000: 14 complaints2001: 39 complaints2002: 18 complaints2003: 14 complaints2004: 18 complaints2005: 9 complaints2006: 1 complaints2007: 32 complaints2008: 27 complaints2009: 12 complaints2010: 7 complaints2011: 10 complaints2012: 12 complaints2013: 16 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 40 complaints2016: 27 complaints2017: 25 complaints2018: 18 complaints2019: 24 complaints2020: 15 complaints2021: 82 complaints2022: 54 complaints2023: 62 complaints2024: 23 complaints
Suburban engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban have?

NHTSA has 39 complaints about the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban engine — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 07V521000.

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.