CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

133 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2009CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 133 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 3 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 2009 SUBURBAN is air bags with 38 filings, followed by unknown or other (23) and electrical system (16). 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 5 active recall campaigns, 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 2009 SUBURBAN, 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.

133
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

133 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS38
UNKNOWN OR OTHER23
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM16
ENGINE10
STRUCTURE:BODY9
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES7
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
STEERING3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
TIRES:SIDEWALL3
POWER TRAIN2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
STRUCTURE2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL2
SEATS2

Recalls (5)

09V15400006/05/2009

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

GM IS RECALLING 27,188 MY 2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE HYBRID, ESCALADE ESV, AND ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SUBURBAN, TAHOE, TAHOE HYBRID, AND COLORADO; AND GMC YUKON, YUKON HYBRID, YUKON XL, AND CANYON VEHICLES. THE FUEL SYSTEM CONTROL MODULES MAY HAVE A CONDITION IN WHICH AN ADHESIVE

21V05200005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the

21V05300005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaba

21V05000005/02/2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

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 s

10V24000004/06/2010

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

GM IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2009 BUICK, LUCERNE; CADILLAC DTS; HUMMER H2; MODEL YEAR 2008-2009 BUICK ENCLAVE; CADILLAC CTS; MODEL YEAR 2007-2009 CADILLAC ESCALADE, ESCALADE ESV, ESCALADE EXT; CHEVROLET AVALANCHE, SILVERADO, SUBURBAN, TAHOE; GMC ACADIA, SIERRA, YUKON, YUKON XL; SATURN OUT

Recent Complaints

20250112AIR BAGS

Unknown

20240725FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel pump modulator, which has a recall for other vehicles for same part, malfunctioned which caused the vehicle to cut off while my son was driving on the highway without notice, where he had to avoid being hit while trying to make it to the shoulder for safety. The fuel pump module was tested by a service mechanic and was found to have corroded due to moisture. Prior to vehicle cutting off, there were no warning signals/signs, it just cut the vehicle off while driving on the highway.

20230713TIRES:SIDEWALL

Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 developed bulge in inner sidewall. I was unaware of issue until a stranger pointed it out. That was on 03/08/2023. Since then, 2 more tires have developed the same issue!! The last 2 have been looked at by tire installation professionals and determined to be manufacturer defects.

20230713TIRES:SIDEWALL

On 05/19/2023 driver's side front wheel removed for brake replacement. Noticed large bulge on inner sidewall of Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 tire. This was the 2nd tire of a set of 4 that has developed the same issue. Now a third has a bulge. I will submit a 3rd report for it.

20230713TIRES:SIDEWALL

Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 had a stranger point out a very large bulge on the inner sidewall of my passenger side rear tire. This is the 3rd tire from a set of 4 that has developed the same issue within 3 months. Cooper Tires is not wanting to help resolve this issue. They want the tire dissected and returned before doing anything.

20221205FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle intermittently failed to start after multiple attempts without warning. The contact replaced the ignition switch and the fuel pump; however, the failure persisted. The contact then used a code reader that determined that the Engine Control Module (ECM) was not giving a signal to the fuel pump. The contact made additional repairs to the vehicle, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and he was given an estimate for the repair. Upon investigation, the contact linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V154000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that his vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20220809ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2009 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her son was seated in the driver's side front seat with the door opened, the key was not in the ignition, the doors inadvertently locked and unlocked. The contact's son noticed that there was smoke coming from the dash and exited the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact and her son detected a burning odor and noticed that there was smoke coming from underneath the hood; however, there were no flames. The contact's son opened the hood and disconnected the battery. The fire department arrived and inspected the vehicle. The fireman informed the contact that the alternator and battery connectors were extremely hot. The fire department assisted in moving the vehicle away from the residence. A fire department report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, the vehicle was diagnosed but still hasn't been repaired. The contact related the failure to a faulty electrical system. The vehicle was not yet dee

Mileage: 133,000

20220124STRUCTURE:BODY

Dashboard cracked around the corner of the passenger side air bag and manufacturer did not recall. It appears there are many vehicles with this problem and could be a potential safety issue if the airbag malfunctioned and caused parts of dash to break and rupture air bag or fly into passengers of vehicle in the event of a crash.

20210909AIR BAGS

I am STILL waiting for this recall to be fixed. Why is this taking so long? Every time I drive this vehicle, it is a danger for my passenger due to the defective airbag. It almost seems to me that maybe this is a stall tactic so there will be less of a cost for the repairs due to the less vehicles still on the road. Just my opinion. I would like to know what is taking so long to fix. It is already late 2021 and this vehicle is a 2009. Wow. I guess the safety of the customers is second to the cost of repairs.

20210405ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND SHAKE WITH A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE AND DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE WAS LOW ON OIL. ADDITIONALLY, THE NUMBER 6 LIFTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.*DT

Mileage: 167,000

20210331UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE DASHBOARD IS CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES

Mileage: 45,000

20210329UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASHBOARD CRACKED IN MULTIPLE PLACES. CRACKING UP TO THE EDGE OF THE AIRBAG. IF AIRBAG IS DEPLOYED THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE DASHBOARD COULD CAUSE AIRBAG TO DEFLATE RENDERING IT USELESS AND CAUSE INJURY.

Mileage: 89,500

20210212AIR BAGS

DASH HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK - OVER 4 CRACKS THAT HAS AFFECTED THE DEFROST VENT, DASH AND NOW I RECEIVE PERIODIC AIRBAG WARNINGS UPON STARTING IGNITION AND/OR PARKING. I AM CONCERNED AS A DRIVER, MOTHER OF 3 AND CAREGIVER OF ELDERLY MOM THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY AT ANYTIME AND/OR NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY UPON A CRASH OR COLLISION.

Mileage: 180,000

20210212STRUCTURE:BODY

DASH HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK - OVER 4 CRACKS THAT HAS AFFECTED THE DEFROST VENT, DASH AND NOW I RECEIVE PERIODIC AIRBAG WARNINGS UPON STARTING IGNITION AND/OR PARKING. I AM CONCERNED AS A DRIVER, MOTHER OF 3 AND CAREGIVER OF ELDERLY MOM THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY AT ANYTIME AND/OR NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY UPON A CRASH OR COLLISION.

Mileage: 180,000

20210212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

DASH HAS CONTINUED TO CRACK - OVER 4 CRACKS THAT HAS AFFECTED THE DEFROST VENT, DASH AND NOW I RECEIVE PERIODIC AIRBAG WARNINGS UPON STARTING IGNITION AND/OR PARKING. I AM CONCERNED AS A DRIVER, MOTHER OF 3 AND CAREGIVER OF ELDERLY MOM THAT THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY AT ANYTIME AND/OR NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY UPON A CRASH OR COLLISION.

Mileage: 180,000

20210209AIR BAGS

PASSENGER AIRBAG SENSOR HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS, AND I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR MANY YEARS FOR THIS PARTICULAR RECALL TO BE FIXED! IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE AND PEOPLE LIKE ME ARE FORCED TO BE DRIVING THEIR FAMILIES AROUND IN SUCH UNSAFE VEHICLES!!!!! I HAVE FILED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS, AND HAVE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER MULTIPLE TIMES, TO GET NOWHERE FAST! WHY EVEN HAVE THIS SYSTEM SET UP FOR RECALLS IF YOU DONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM???? IT'S SICKENING TO THINK OF SOMEONE HAVING TO FILL THIS COMPLAINT OUT AFTER THE FACT OF INJURY OR DEATH TO A LOVE ONE- WHAT'S THE POINT?

20201218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFTER ADDING NEW GROUNDS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, CHECKING CONTACTS. IT'S BEEN AT 4 REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING A CHEVY DEALER AND CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. DOORS CYCLE ON LOCK/UNLOCK, LIGHTS CYCLE DIMMING, ABS AND OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON, LOSE ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER AND AFTER A 'REST' MAY OR MAY NOT START NO RHYME OR REASON. HAS BAFFLED MECHANICS FOR OVER 2 YEARS. PLS HELP.

Mileage: 130,000

20201218ENGINE

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFTER ADDING NEW GROUNDS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, CHECKING CONTACTS. IT'S BEEN AT 4 REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING A CHEVY DEALER AND CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. DOORS CYCLE ON LOCK/UNLOCK, LIGHTS CYCLE DIMMING, ABS AND OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON, LOSE ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER AND AFTER A 'REST' MAY OR MAY NOT START NO RHYME OR REASON. HAS BAFFLED MECHANICS FOR OVER 2 YEARS. PLS HELP.

Mileage: 130,000

20201218FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE RANDOM ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AFTER ADDING NEW GROUNDS, NEW ALTERNATOR, NEW BATTERY, CHECKING CONTACTS. IT'S BEEN AT 4 REPAIR SHOPS INCLUDING A CHEVY DEALER AND CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS. DOORS CYCLE ON LOCK/UNLOCK, LIGHTS CYCLE DIMMING, ABS AND OTHER INDICATOR LIGHTS COME ON, LOSE ACCELERATION AND VEHICLE STALLS AND DIES. SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY IN COLD WEATHER AND AFTER A 'REST' MAY OR MAY NOT START NO RHYME OR REASON. HAS BAFFLED MECHANICS FOR OVER 2 YEARS. PLS HELP.

Mileage: 130,000

20201208ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AND SHUT OFF WILL NOT START AGA

Mileage: 250,123

Compare 2009CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 133 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
Yes, the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is AIR BAGS with 38 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 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.