2019 Chevrolet Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban sits mid-pack among Suburban years: 92 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 148, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 34 reports (37% of the total).

NHTSA complaints

Recalls

Investigations

Crash-involved

Fires reported

Injuries

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2019 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 2019 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

Component	Complaints	Share	vs prior year
Transmission	34	37%	▲ up
Engine	24	26%	▲ up
Electrical System	8	9%	▼ down
Steering	6	7%	— flat
Other	4	4%	▼ down
Brakes	4	4%	▼ down
Driver Assistance	3	3%	▲ up
Seat Belts	3	3%	▼ down
Visibility & Wipers	2	2%	▲ up
Airbags	2	2%	▼ down
Speed Control	1	1%	▼ down
Body & Structure	1	1%	— flat

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

3 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.

18V673000Seat BeltsSeptember 26, 2018 · 15,800 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“Transmission stalling, hesitating, affecting engine performance and rpm's. broke down on highway. We replaced the transmission, now it's doing a similar problem and the mechanic says the engine is failing, cylinders issues. I've read up it's happening to many of the same year make and model. I…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 4, 2026

“DRIVING OUR NEWLY PURCHASED 4 WEEK OLD SUBURBAN DOWN I95. FOLLOWING A BATHROOM BREAK AT A REST STOP, WE LOADED UP IN THE CAR, STARTED IT VIA THE PUSH IGNITION AND DROVE DOWN THE ON RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM THE HOOD. A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ENSUED. WE WERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 27, 2019 · fire

“DRIVING OUR NEWLY PURCHASED 4 WEEK OLD SUBURBAN DOWN I95. FOLLOWING A BATHROOM BREAK AT A REST STOP, WE LOADED UP IN THE CAR, STARTED IT VIA THE PUSH IGNITION AND DROVE DOWN THE ON RAMP ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN SECONDS, SMOKE BEGAN BILLOWING FROM THE HOOD. A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD ENSUED. WE WERE…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 27, 2019 · fire

“The suburban pulls to side. I got it into the service center and they tried to fix the alignment but when we got it back it still does it. So im not driving it til it gets a second opinion because its definitely not the alignment if it is still doing it. So I dont feel safe driving it with me or…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · December 21, 2025

“ON 12/16/2020, WHILE DRIVING OUR 2019 SUBURBAN WITH 10,041 MILES AROUND TOWN, THE BRAKE PEDDLE WOULD VIBRATE WHEN MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND IT WAS HARDER THAN NORMAL FOR HER TO PUSH THE PEDDLE DOWN AND COME TO A STOP. SHORTLY AFTER SHE PULLED OVER, WITH THE CAR RUNNING, A MESSAGE APPEARED ON…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · December 16, 2020

2019 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 92 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Suburban year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2019 Suburban problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (34 complaints), engine (24 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2019 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.

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

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.

How does 2019 compare to other Suburban years?

What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Suburban problems?

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

2019 Chevrolet Suburban — common questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?

What are the most common 2019 Suburban problems?

Does the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban have recalls?

Which Chevrolet Suburban years should you avoid?

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