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U.S. public vehicle records

2011 Chevrolet SUBURBAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

148 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

70,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 88 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 66 of 148 complaints (44.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior128.1%
Braking behavior96.1%
Electrical and battery issues53.4%
Fuel system concerns42.7%
Engine operation32.0%
Transmission and shifting10.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Air Bags
66
Unknown Or Other
46
Structure:Body
19
Engine
10
Electrical System
8
Structure
7
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)
5
Service Brakes
5
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags66
Unknown Or Other46
Structure:Body19
Engine10
Electrical System8
Structure7
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)5
Service Brakes5

Air Bags: 66; Unknown Or Other: 46; Structure:Body: 19; Engine: 10; Electrical System: 8; Structure: 7; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 5; Service Brakes: 5

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
6
25,000 to 49,999
18
50,000 to 74,999
24
75,000 to 99,999
20
100,000 to 149,999
11
150,000 and above
9
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0006
25,000 to 49,99918
50,000 to 74,99924
75,000 to 99,99920
100,000 to 149,99911
150,000 and above9

Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 18; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 20; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 9

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (24). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
1
2013
4
2014
6
2015
16
2016
31
2017
35
2018
18
2019
12
2020
10
2021
4
2022
4
2023
2
2024
2
2025
1
2026
2
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20121
20134
20146
201516
201631
201735
201818
201912
202010
20214
20224
20232
20242
20251
20262

2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 6; 2015: 16; 2016: 31; 2017: 35; 2018: 18; 2019: 12; 2020: 10; 2021: 4; 2022: 4; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 2

Pattern summary

Air Bags leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10490235 · 2012-12-27 (December 27, 2012)

1.)WHEN WE WERE DRIVING THRU THE MOUNTAINS OUR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM STARTED TO GO HAYWIRE AND THE LIGHTS STARTED GOING IN AND OUT AND THE IGNITION STARTED TO ACT UP CAR TURNED OFF A FEW TIMES WE HAD TO RESTART IT WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECKED OUT THEY SAID THERE WAS COINS IN THE RADIO. 2.) THE DEFROSTERS FOR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DOESN'T DEFROST THE WINDOW AT ALL WHEN DRIVING IN COLD DAYS THE WHOLE WINDOW FOGS UP AND FREEZES MAKING VISIBILITY TO NONE AND WE HAVE TO STOP WIPE DOWN THE WIND SHIELD AND DRIVE AGAIN FOR TEN MIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490235 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10507216 · 2013-04-05 (April 5, 2013)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE REAR LIFT GATE CLOSED ON ITS OWN WHILE THE CONTACT WAS STANDING UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER FACE. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE W…

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10507216 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10512842 · 2013-05-20 (May 20, 2013)

I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN DECELERATING & APPLYING MY BRAKES WHEN APPROACHING A STOP THAT MY VEHICLE ACTUALLY WILL ACCELERATE ALL OF THE SUDDEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, NOT ALWAYS, BUT ENOUGH FOR ME TO BE CONCERNED. MY DAUGHTER ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN SHE WAS DRIVING MY SUBURBAN. SHE, LIKE ME, SAID IT HAPPENED WHEN SHE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WAS APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10512842 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10534039 · 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)

A SMALL CRACK BEGAN ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF DASH BOARD. WITHIN WEEKS, THE CRACK BECAME MUCH BIGGER. AFTER TWO MORE WEEKS, I NOTICED ANOTHER CRACK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE DASH. SOON, IT BECAME MUCH LARGER TOO. NOW, THERE ARE SEVERAL CRACKS ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN ANY TYPE OF ACCIDENT OR DRIVING ON ROUGH TERRAIN. I DON NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE DASHBOARD WOULD CRACK. I HAVE NEVER OWNED A VEHICLE WHICH HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 46,732 miles reported. Look up ODI 10534039 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10542779 · 2013-09-09 (September 9, 2013)

THIS IS BECOMING A RECURRING AND REPRODUCIBLE PROBLEM. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OCCURS WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP SIGN AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MOST RELIABLE WAY TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM IS AS FOLLOWS. BE DRIVING ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR, UP A SLIGHT SLOPE. MOVE YOUR FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND ON TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. DEPRESS THE BRAKE LIGHTLY. JUST AS THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SLOW DOWN YOU WILL FEEL THE ACCELERATION OF THE ENGINE AS IF THE VEHICLE IS ATTEMPTING TO MAINTAIN THE 15 MILE PER HOUR PREVIOUS SPEED. THIS UN…

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10542779 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10574427 · 2014-03-24 (March 24, 2014)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL AND OVERPOWERING ODOR WAS PRESENT IN THE REAR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S FOUR SMALL CHILDREN WERE ASLEEP IN THE REAR ROW SEATS AND WHEN CALLED UPON, DID NOT AWAKEN TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT FURTHER AND DISCOVERED THE ODOR. ADDITIONALLY, ALL FOUR CHILDREN HAD BECOME ASPHYXIATED BY THE FUMES. TWO OF THE FOUR CHILDREN WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CHILDREN'S ASTHMA REACTED TO THE OVERPOWERI…

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574427 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10615532 · 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)

THE ACCELERATOR HESITATES WHEN PRESSED. THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE AND WILL THEN ACCELERATE RAPIDLY WHEN AT A STOP AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE FOR REPAIRS. RECURRING ISSUE. ALSO HAS A POPPING OR CLUNKING NOISE IN BACK PASSENGER SIDE. DEALER HAS DUPLICATED BUT NOT REPAIRED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10615532 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10616980 · 2014-07-28 (July 28, 2014)

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WAS USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THE CAR BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED WITHOUT MY CONTROL. IT WENT FROM 65 TO 90 IN A FEW SECONDS AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS TO GET IT TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO WE CAN NEVER LET THE GAS GET LOWER THEN A QUARTER OF A TANK OR THE CAR JUST SHUTS DOWN LIKE ITS EMPTY. SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL JUST REV UP FOR NO REASON AND OTHER TIMES IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY. YOU CAN PUSH THE GAS AND IT FEELS LIKE THE SPEED IS DELAYED BUT THEN WILL CATCH UP. *JS

Owner-reported narrative. 66,490 miles reported. Look up ODI 10616980 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V827000 · Electrical System:Ignition

Reported: 2014-12-30 (December 30, 2014)

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.

Consequence: If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V050000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2007-2011 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL, and 2009-2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 2500 and Sierra 3500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2007-2008 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 1, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328760.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V054000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module

Reported: 2021-02-05 (February 5, 2021)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.

NHTSA campaign record ↗