CHEVROLET SUBURBAN · model year

2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN

57 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2020CHEVROLETSUBURBAN carries 57 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 0 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 2020 SUBURBAN is engine with 13 filings, followed by power train (10) and electrical system (6). 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 3 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 2020 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.

57
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

57 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE13
POWER TRAIN10
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM6
STEERING4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
SERVICE BRAKES3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)2
AIR BAGS2
SUSPENSION2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER2
TIRES1
WHEELS1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1

Recalls (3)

21V11500025/02/2021

TIRES

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, XT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, Traverse, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, 2018-2021 Chevrolet Express, GMC Savana, 2019-2020 Chevrolet Blazer, Silverado 1500, GMC Acadia, Sierra 1500, and certain Continental

19V76100024/10/2019

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING

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 tra

19V83700021/11/2019

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Camaro, Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The fuel pump may be missing a pressure regulator, allowing for over-pressurization of the fuel system.

Recent Complaints

20260112ENGINE

Driving on interstate and gradual onset of clicking/knocking. Within 5 minutes complete loss of propulsion and throttle. RPM went to zero. Oil pressure/temperature/engine lights all fine. Dealership states "catastrophic engine failure." My family was in the vehicle. Fortunately still had power steering and brakes and able to guide vehicle to shoulder.

20260112VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Driving on interstate and gradual onset of clicking/knocking. Within 5 minutes complete loss of propulsion and throttle. RPM went to zero. Oil pressure/temperature/engine lights all fine. Dealership states "catastrophic engine failure." My family was in the vehicle. Fortunately still had power steering and brakes and able to guide vehicle to shoulder.

20260107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced electrical failures that caused several safety and powered components to turn off and on. The contact stated that the vehicle occasionally lost power steering or windshield wiper functionality and would start functioning without having been engaged manually. The contact stated that the instrument cluster occasionally went black. The contact took the vehicle to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and advised the contact of Technical Service Bulletin: 18-NA-161, which addressed the electrical failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact stated that the electrical failure described in TSB: 18-NA-161 should have been a national recall due to the safety factors of the systems affected. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.

Mileage: 85,000

20260106UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I hadn’t had my car a year and my solenoid in my transmission is in need of replacement. The suv will not pick up speed above 40

20251210POWER TRAIN

Transmission is not functioning properly at 74,300 miles. Engine kept slipping while driving uphill and the RPMs were not matching vehicle speed. Could not go above 50mph while merging onto freeway which was very dangerous. Whirring noise occurred every time I accelerated which was also noted By dealer and transmission shop. No check engine lights on. Took to dealer, but the misdiagnosed it since no lights were on. Took to Transmission shop, and they found that the transmission had several issues that were not displayed. Besides the shop running specific tests, there are still no warning lamps or messages displayed on the vehicle dashboard or using an OBD2 sensor.

20251125ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving 25 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shuddering. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the camshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

Mileage: 95,000

20251107ENGINE

Our engine went at 100,800 miles, costing us $15k in June 2025. Then our transmission went 3 months later, now costing us another $7k. GM is offering very little financial assistance. It's quite inconvenient that these major mechanical issues occur right after factory warranty. It is at a dealer getting fixed, again, but how can this be ok with GM to see their product be such a failure for consumers? Recall or not, this has left a horrible taste in our mouth for GM/Chevy vehicles. We will no longer trust the longevity of their vehicles and will educate others to be weary on purchasing vehicles. We can understand mechanical failures over time, but not to this extent, and we're very disappointed in the customer service and available assistance for someone that just spent nearly $23k on a vehicle that's less than 5 years old.

20251107POWER TRAIN

Our engine went at 100,800 miles, costing us $15k in June 2025. Then our transmission went 3 months later, now costing us another $7k. GM is offering very little financial assistance. It's quite inconvenient that these major mechanical issues occur right after factory warranty. It is at a dealer getting fixed, again, but how can this be ok with GM to see their product be such a failure for consumers? Recall or not, this has left a horrible taste in our mouth for GM/Chevy vehicles. We will no longer trust the longevity of their vehicles and will educate others to be weary on purchasing vehicles. We can understand mechanical failures over time, but not to this extent, and we're very disappointed in the customer service and available assistance for someone that just spent nearly $23k on a vehicle that's less than 5 years old.

20251030UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The transmission is not shifting appropriately from 2nd to 3rd 3rd to 4th. There is a huge whining noise when it reaches the end before shifts. There is known issues in the 2020 suburban and this vehicle was never recalled for similar issues.

20251016POWER TRAIN

Driving through residential area and noticed loud noise from under hood. Went to pull out onto state highway and wasn’t able to get up to speed almost causing an accident because I could not accelerate. Had to maintain speed at or below 40mph. Brought vehicle to dealership and they confirmed that the transmission was shot. Also went to a local transmission repair shop and he stated that he sees 1-2 of this same transmission weekly. That 2016-2020 Chevrolet transmissions are no good and that Chevrolet knows this. This is a $7000 repair on a vehicle that just hit 100,000 miles. Vehicle has always been well maintained. Just wondering how GM doesn’t have a recall on this particular transmission if there are so many reported problems with it. I was fortunate to be able to pull off of the highway and take back roads to get to the dealership. There was no slipping, no warning signs whatsoever. It just made the loud noise and then boom. Done.

20250820POWER TRAIN

SEVERE TRANSMISSION SHUDDER. LAST MONTH HAD TAKEN MY 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TO THE WEST CHEVROLET DEALER LOCATED IN ALCOA, TENNESSEE. I WAS ADVISED BY A TECH THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. I PAID 2,200.00 FOR THIS REPAIR. THIS REPAIRS DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. AFTER PAYING MY BILL AND DRIVING THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, IT STARTED BACK IMMEDIATELY. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THEIR WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO AFTER EXPRESSING HOW BIG OF A SAFETY CONCERN IT. SO I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE IT HOME. AS I ENTEREDED INTO A BUSY 4 LANE HIGHWAY (ALCOA HIGHWAY) THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE AND BEGAN SHUDDER VERY BAD, ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. AFTER DOING LOTS OF RESEARCH, IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO REACHED OUT TO SEVERAL NEWS MEADIA OUTLETS TO ASSURE THIS IS ADDRESSED TO PREVENT BY FAMILY GETTING HURT AND/OR KILLED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE 6L80 TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. PLEASE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATIONS OF THE SERIOUNESS OF THIS ISSUE. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRA

20250818ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 88,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 252,000.

Mileage: 252,000

20250812ENGINE

The vehicle is stuttering, intermittent, jumping, miss firing during acceleration, and hard down shifting. The check engine and forward collision unavailable light flashed as the vehicle struggled to accelerate. According to Chevrolet the camshaft and two lifter has failed.

20250812FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

The vehicle is stuttering, intermittent, jumping, miss firing during acceleration, and hard down shifting. The check engine and forward collision unavailable light flashed as the vehicle struggled to accelerate. According to Chevrolet the camshaft and two lifter has failed.

20250629ENGINE

Had to replace motor. Had to replace the vibrater in the seat. Had to replace transmission. Electric shorted

20250629SEATS

Had to replace motor. Had to replace the vibrater in the seat. Had to replace transmission. Electric shorted

20250629ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Had to replace motor. Had to replace the vibrater in the seat. Had to replace transmission. Electric shorted

20250622ENGINE

The vehicle has 70,000 miles. The engine has failed and been replaced two times. We are on the third engine. The first time was in 2021 the second time was in 2024. I heard that others are having a similar issue. This is a 2020 .6.2L RST. The engine failed the first time while driving at high speed the car just stopped working. The second time we heard it failing and were able to drive it to the dealer where the engine fell apart in the parking lot The vehicle has had other issues too. Currently the wire harness has failed. This has happened several times but the dealer has not figured out a repair. Each time it’s failed while driving causing power steering to fail while driving. I don’t not trust my teen drivers around the vehicle or to drive.

20250622SUSPENSION

The vehicle has 70,000 miles. The engine has failed and been replaced two times. We are on the third engine. The first time was in 2021 the second time was in 2024. I heard that others are having a similar issue. This is a 2020 .6.2L RST. The engine failed the first time while driving at high speed the car just stopped working. The second time we heard it failing and were able to drive it to the dealer where the engine fell apart in the parking lot The vehicle has had other issues too. Currently the wire harness has failed. This has happened several times but the dealer has not figured out a repair. Each time it’s failed while driving causing power steering to fail while driving. I don’t not trust my teen drivers around the vehicle or to drive.

20250622ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The vehicle has 70,000 miles. The engine has failed and been replaced two times. We are on the third engine. The first time was in 2021 the second time was in 2024. I heard that others are having a similar issue. This is a 2020 .6.2L RST. The engine failed the first time while driving at high speed the car just stopped working. The second time we heard it failing and were able to drive it to the dealer where the engine fell apart in the parking lot The vehicle has had other issues too. Currently the wire harness has failed. This has happened several times but the dealer has not figured out a repair. Each time it’s failed while driving causing power steering to fail while driving. I don’t not trust my teen drivers around the vehicle or to drive.

Compare 2020CHEVROLETSUBURBAN to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN have?
The 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 57 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
Yes, the 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is TIRES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN?
The most-complained component for the 2020 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN is ENGINE with 13 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2020 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.