CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 · model year

2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500

102 NHTSA complaints, 9 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001CHEVROLETSUBURBAN 1500 carries 102 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 9 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 SUBURBAN 1500 is service brakes, hydraulic with 16 filings, followed by service brakes (14) and parking brake (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 57 investigation files overlapping the 2001 SUBURBAN 1500, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

102
Complaints
9
Crashes
5
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

102 filings

Crashes Reported

9 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16
SERVICE BRAKES14
PARKING BRAKE5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP5
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP4
STEERING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE4
POWER TRAIN4
TIRES3
SEATS3
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC3
AIR BAGS3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3

Recalls (1)

07E10600017/12/2007

WHEELS:HUB

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

Recent Complaints

20181029SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET DEALER (877-721-4901, 3731 SW TOPEKA BLVD, TOPEKA, KS 66609) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

Mileage: 140,000

20181001SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AND DUMPED ALL LINE PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ROLLED RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE PEDAL ENOUGH TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST A CURB. HAD I NEARED THE STOP SIGN 2 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, I WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN T-BONED BY A BOX TRUCK, OR T-BONED A SMALL SEDAN. I EMPHASIZE THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEYOND THE TYPICAL SURFACE RUST THAT CAN BE FOUND ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A FEW WINTERS IN THE "RUST BELT". HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE BRAKE LINES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL AT THE RATE THAT THESE GM TRUCKS DO. THIS TRUCK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TOWING A CAMPING TRAILER FOR VACATIONS WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY, SO THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY. I URGE YOU TO TAKE GM TO TASK AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE OF CHEAPING OUT ON BRAKE LINE MATERIALS!

Mileage: 153,000

20180823SERVICE BRAKES

I HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO BRAKES, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES.

Mileage: 235,000

20180712SERVICE BRAKES

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2016 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. WE BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST INOPERABLE, ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND STILL BE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKES LINES HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT. WE HAD A SHOP REPAIR IT AND WHEN THEY TESTED IT, IT BLEW ANOTHER LINE. WE ENDED UP HAVING ALL THE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF CORROSION.

Mileage: 190,000

20170210WHEELS

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 95 COMING BACK FROM DAYTONA WHEN A DRIVER LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES WHERE LOW SO I WHEN TO A GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND THATS WHEN I NOTICE THAT MY TIRES HAD A LOT OF NAILS LTHE 4 TIRES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY TIRES ARE LNOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY WITH ME AND DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES IS NOT AN OPTION. PLEASE TAKE MY COMPLAINT IN CONSIDERARATION. THANK YOU

Mileage: 211,284

20160726TIRES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LETIRES, TIRES SIZE: 265/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE BEFORE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 150,000

20151231ENGINE

WHEN VEHICLE IS IDLING WHILE NOT MOVING EXTREME AMOUNTS OF EXHAUST FUMES ARE ENTERING THE CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS DUE TO DEFECTIVE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS WHICH ARE BREAKING ALLOWING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO OPEN AND ALLOW FUMES TO ENTER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHICH RESULTS IN THE EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE PASSENGER CABIN AREA THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THIS IS A HEALTH ISSUE FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE CABIN BREATHING THE TOXIC EXHAUST FUMES. THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON GM TO FIX THE PROBLEM DUE TO POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN AND FOR USING POOR QUALITY COMPONENTS WHICH FAIL FOR NO REASON. ALSO THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR PASSENGERS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, WHICH HAVE TO BREATH THE DANGEROUS EXHAUST FUMES. GM SHOULD BE MADE TO REPAIR ALL VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM WHICH WERE DESIGNED AND ENGINEERED WITH INFERIOR PARTS WHICH ARE CAUSING THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ACROSS THIS COUNTRY.

Mileage: 104,569

20151213CrashENGINE

EXHAUST BOLTS BROKEN AND CAUSING A LEAK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS ALSO. STEERING STABILIZERS BROKEN.

20151213CrashSTEERING

EXHAUST BOLTS BROKEN AND CAUSING A LEAK MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO PASS EMISSIONS ALSO. STEERING STABILIZERS BROKEN.

20150924CrashAIR BAGS

WHILE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, VEHICLE STRUCK AN ADULT DEER - FRONT END SQUARE HIT OFFSET TO PASSENGER SIDE. FRONT PASSENGER LIGHTS, GRILL, RADIATOR SUPPORTS, BUMPER, SIDE FENDER, AND HOOD ALL SEVERELY DAMAGED. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE ENDED UP AT $4,386.

Mileage: 132,945

20150820SERVICE BRAKES

COMPLETE BREAK FAILURE. BREAK PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR AND ALMOST KILLED MY FAMILY. NOTICED LEAKING BREAK FLUID COMING OUT OF RUSTED BREAK LINE UNDER VEHICLE.

Mileage: 130,000

20150811ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH BATTERY, SECURITY AND LOW FUEL POPPED ON INTO MESSAGE CENTER. GAS GAUGE, VOLT METER, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE QUIT WORKING, HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF IT ALMOST GOT HIT. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 198,000

20150811UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 75MPH BATTERY, SECURITY AND LOW FUEL POPPED ON INTO MESSAGE CENTER. GAS GAUGE, VOLT METER, AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE QUIT WORKING, HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE OF IT ALMOST GOT HIT. I KNOW NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 198,000

20150602ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 7/28/15*CN UPDATED 10/18/2017*CN

Mileage: 180,000

20150524POWER TRAIN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE NJ TURNPIKE NEAR EXIT 10, TRAVELLING TO BOSTON. AHEAD, ALL TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED IN BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SET OF LANES. AS I DECELERATED, I HEARD A NOISE AND THE TRUCK JERKED SLIGHTLY. WHEN I TRIED TO PULL OFF THE ROAD INTO THE SERVICE LANE, I HAD NO TRANSMISSION AND HAD TO DRIFT TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND IT HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT (UNDER WARRANTY). WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD AROUND 70,000 MILES (ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, 2013), THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT AGAIN. PATHETIC. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 83,000 MI ON IT.

Mileage: 10,000

20150331FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DISABLED AND THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. ALSO, THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SENSOR LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V155000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 260,000.

Mileage: 260,000

20150129ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WENT TO START MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I LISTENED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE RELAY AND NOTICED IT WAS MELTED ON ONE CORNER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A GM FAN ALL MY LIFE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING ONE. PLEASE RECALL THIS ON GOING PROBLEM GM. *TR

Mileage: 175,808

20150129FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WENT TO START MY 2001 CHEVY SUBURBAN AND IT WOULDN'T START. I LISTENED FOR THE FUEL PUMP TO ENGAGE AND IT WASN'T WORKING. I CHECKED THE RELAY AND NOTICED IT WAS MELTED ON ONE CORNER. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. ALSO NOTICED THAT GM HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX THIS ISSUE. I HAVE BEEN A GM FAN ALL MY LIFE AND WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING ONE. PLEASE RECALL THIS ON GOING PROBLEM GM. *TR

Mileage: 175,808

20150128CrashSERVICE BRAKES

I PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT AND PROCEEDED TO PARK MY SUBURBAN. I HIT THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. THEY PULSATE AND GAVE OUT COMPLETELY. NO SERVICE LIGHTS OR WARNING LIGHT CAME ON PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. WHEN THE BRAKES DIDN'T WORK I TRIED TO PUMP THEM TO GET THEM TO WORK BUT NOTHING WORKED AND MY SUBURBAN SMASHED INTO A BUSH AND OVER THE CURB. I JUST HAD MY BRAKE LINES REPLACES WHICH WAS QUOTED $1700 AT MY LOCAL CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP. I AM NO LOOKING INTO THE ISSUES WITH THE ABS SYSTEM. *TR

Mileage: 139,000

20150106SERVICE BRAKES

CHEVROLET HAS CONTINUED TO IGNORE THE ABS BRAKE ISSUE WITHIN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE. THIS IS SEPARATE FROM THEIR WHEEL SENSOR ISSUE.THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.HAS A CIRCUIT BOARD ISSUE WHICH DEACTIVATES THE ABS SYSTEM AND SHOWS A BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT ON DASH.IN SNOW TODAY MY ABS FAILED AND I SLID THROUGH AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY MISSING A SCHOOL BUS A F$%^ING SCHOOL BUS.THERE IS SO MUCH INFO ON THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET BUT CHEVROLET SEEM TO BE IGNORING IT.THE PROBLEM IS CENTERED AROUND A CIRCUIT BOARD IN THE BRAKE CONTROL MODULE.

Mileage: 108,000

Compare 2001CHEVROLETSUBURBAN 1500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 have?
The 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 has 102 NHTSA complaints, 9 crashes, 5 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500?
Yes, the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500?
The most-complained component for the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 16 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and PARKING BRAKE.
Is the 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.