VehicleVerdict

2017 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Chevrolet Suburban sits mid-pack among Suburban years: 184 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 150, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (44), transmission (38), and engine (25), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

184

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other Suburban years?

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes4424%
Transmission3821%
Engine2514%
Electrical System2313%
Other1810%
Speed Control63%
Fuel System63%
Steering63%
Lighting53%
Airbags42%
Suspension21%
Driver Assistance21%
Tires & Wheels21%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Body & Structure11%

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

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

26V289000TransmissionMay 7, 2026 · 66 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

Consequence

Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

19V761000BrakesOctober 24, 2019 · 652,967 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.

Consequence

Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.

19V645000BrakesSeptember 6, 2019 · 3,456,719 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Consequence

As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

17V033000Visibility & WipersJanuary 12, 2017 · 214 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Chevrolet Suburban HD vehicles. These vehicles were assembled with a convex right-hand outside mirror, instead of with a non-convex (flat) right-hand outside mirror. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Consequence

If equipped with the incorrect right-side rear-view mirror, the driver may misjudge the distance of other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the convex mirror with a non-convex mirror and provide a new page for the owner's manual with the customer notification letter, free of charge. The recall began February 7, 2017. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 17017.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

Consequence

A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

IN LOW SPEED AROUND 2-5 MILES IF YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE TOO FAST THE ABS WILL ENGAGE IVE EXPERIENCE THIS A LOT ESPECIALLY I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE . YOU CAN HEAR THE ABS NOISE AND FEEL IT WHILE STEPPING G ON THE BRAKE LIKE SOMETHING IS SKID

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · October 1, 2020 · crash

ON 3/25/20 AT APPROXIMATELY 7:20PM I WAS TRAVELING A NORTH BOUND DIRECTION ON US HIGHWAY 51 IN LANE 1 (FAST LANE). MY 2017 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN STARTED TO JERK AND THE RPM GAUGE EXCELLED TO 5/6 RPM. THEN, THE SUBURBAN CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF LANE 1. AT THAT TIME I WAS REAR-ENDED BY A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · March 25, 2020 · crash

I was driving in [XXX] on 1604 and the car was driving fine and out of nowhere. The car started shaking while on the highway for about seven8 seconds and then I heard an explosion smoke and fire. I pulled to the side. The car was on fire. The whole car was on fire within a minute or two I always…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 7, 2026 · fire

On [XXX], our car was parked for 5 hours at a public marina. [XXX], Miami, Fl 33138. At 316 pm the MIami Dade Fire Rescue arrived promptly to put out the car fire. There is a fire station on scene. It seems to have started at center console. We serviced the car 1/19/2026, a thermostat in the…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 15, 2026 · fire

While driving the Suburban in the early morning of Sunday, March 26, our Suburban's started on fire from under the front hood. The fire quickly engulfed the entire vehicle within minutes, destroying everything inside of it.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 26, 2023 · fire

2017 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

It is close to typical for the Suburban: 184 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (44 complaints), transmission (38 complaints), engine (25 complaints).

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.