VehicleVerdict

2001 GMC Suburban problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 2001 GMC Suburban — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

5

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

2

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2001 compare to other Suburban years?

Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted490 complaints1966: 0 complaints1974: 1 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 2 complaints1984: 5 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 4 complaints1987: 8 complaints1988: 8 complaints1989: 24 complaints1990: 28 complaints1991: 33 complaints1992: 105 complaints1993: 254 complaints1994: 490 complaints1995: 294 complaints1996: 220 complaints1997: 268 complaints1998: 137 complaints1999: 393 complaints2000: 20 complaints2001: 5 complaints2002: 9 complaints2003: 8 complaints2004: 1 complaints
Suburban NHTSA complaints by model year, 2001 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Suburban years to avoid →

What are the most common 2001 GMC Suburban problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seats240%
Airbags120%
Seat Belts120%
Tires & Wheels120%

Does the 2001 GMC Suburban have recalls?

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHEN SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT IS FOLDED FORWARD TO MAKE ROOM FOR A TALL LOAD, DRIVER'S SIDE SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT BACK HAS NO MANUAL LATCH, LEAVING THAT SECOND ROW DRIVER SIDE SEAT BACK ABLE TO FLOP FORWARD DURING BRAKING. SIDE THAT IS UNSTABLE IS ABOUT 60% OF SECOND ROW BENCH SEAT. DEALER HAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · April 15, 2001

“PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BECOMES SO TIGHT THAT PASSENGER CANNOT MOVE. DEALER HAS ATTEPTED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM 2 TIMES, HOWEVER HAS BEEN UNSUCESSFUL. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30MPH CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE HEAD-ON, AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DID ABOUT 7000 DOLLARS DAMAGE TO FRONT END. CONTACTED DEALER AND DEALER GAVE CONSUMER'S TELEPHONE NUMBER TO GMC.*AK *NLM”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 25, 2001 · crash

2001 GMC Suburban — common questions

Is the 2001 GMC Suburban reliable?

The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2001 GMC Suburban have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 GMC Suburban. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2001 GMC Suburban under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which GMC Suburban years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Suburban years to avoid are 1994, 1999, 1995, 1997, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1992, 1991. 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.