2020 Chevrolet Suburban
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 18 of 44 complaints (41%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 77 in 2019 to 44 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–3,450 | 3,450–4,850 | 3,450–4,850 | 3,450–4,850 | 3,650–4,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–19 | 16–18 | 16–18 | 16–23 | 16–23 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 22–23 | 14–15 / 20–23 | 14–15 / 20–23 | 13–21 / 19–27 | 14–21 / 19–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–504 | 505–553 | 505–557 | 437–570 | 442–569 | |
| Complaints filed | 81 | 77 | 44 | 190 | 119 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 4 | 12 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban?
Engine: 18 of 44 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA rates it 16–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Chevrolet Suburban?
EPA estimates $3,450–$4,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 15 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 505 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 15 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 505 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 | 543 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 10-spd | 8 | 6.2L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 14 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | $4,550 | 517 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 10-spd | 8 | 6.2L | 4-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $4,850 (high) | 557 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 6-spd | 8 | 5.3L | 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 | 547 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) · Campaign 26V289000 · May 7, 2026
Defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Consequence: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
TIRES · Campaign 21V115000 · Feb 25, 2021
Defect: 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 tires sold to the aftermarket for various model year 2018-2021 vehicles. The affected tires were cured for too long during production.
Consequence: Over cured tires may develop a break in the sidewall resulting in sudden air loss or a belt edge separation which could lead to a tread/belt loss. Either condition can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the tires, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began March 22, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Buick customer service at 1-866-608-8080, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N212329050.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 19V837000 · Nov 21, 2019
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Over-pressurization can crack the fuel pump and cause leaks, increasing the risk of a fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began December 18, 2019. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N192283991.
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC); SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING; SERVICE BRAKES · Campaign 19V761000 · Oct 25, 2019
Defect: 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 traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Consequence: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.