Chevrolet Suburban Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Some, but not unusually many. 90 of the 900 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008–2024 Chevrolet Suburban (10%) name the transmission, near the 12.6% median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2021 and 2022.
Transmission complaints
90
Filed with NHTSA, 2008–2024 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
10%
of 900 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
6
1 with a do-not-drive warning
Chevrolet Suburban transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 7 | 2.2% | 1 | — | 112 |
| 2009 | 3 | 1.9% | 0 | — | 110 |
| 2021WORST | 33 | 18.6% | 0 | 24V79700022V036000 | 182 |
| 2022WORST | 29 | 27.6% | 0 | 26V085000 | 128 |
| 2023 | 12 | 11.2% | 0 | — | 83 |
| 2024 | 6 | 16.7% | 0 | — | 44 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- No row for 2010–2020: NHTSA's complaints data returned no records for those years under this model's names.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 90 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Chevrolet Suburban years to avoid for the transmission
2021 Chevrolet Suburban
33 transmission complaints (18.6% of the year's 177). Most often described: jerking, lurching or harsh shifts. Covered by transmission recalls 24V797000, 22V036000.
2022 Chevrolet Suburban
29 transmission complaints (27.6% of the year's 105). Most often described: loss of power or limp mode. Covered by transmission recall 26V085000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Chevrolet Suburban years to avoid.
Chevrolet Suburban transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Chevrolet Suburban model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 26V289000 · 2026-05-07 · 2015 and 2017–2020 modelsDO NOT DRIVE
A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
- 26V085000 · 2026-02-13 · 2022 models
The transmission control valve may fail and lock up the rear wheels.
- 24V797000 · 2024-10-24 · 2021 models
The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- 22V036000 · 2022-01-27 · 2021 models
The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- 14V374000 · 2014-06-27 · 2015 models
In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
- 14V152000 · 2014-03-31 · 2015 models
The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Which transmission does the Chevrolet Suburban use?
- GM 10-speed automatic — 2021–present (all engines); 2018–2020 6.2L
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 33 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, 18.6% of all 177 complaints for that year. The most common description is "jerking, lurching or harsh shifts" (6 complaints). 2 transmission-related recalls cover it: 24V797000, 22V036000.
Does the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 29 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2022 Chevrolet Suburban, 27.6% of all 105 complaints for that year. The most common description is "loss of power or limp mode" (7 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 26V085000.
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have the most transmission complaints?
2021 (33), 2022 (29) and 2023 (12), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Chevrolet Suburban transmission problems?
In the 90 transmission complaints, owners most often describe loss of power or limp mode (18.9%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (13.3%) and will not shift, stuck in gear or no reverse (8.9%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Chevrolet Suburban model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration