2022 Chevrolet Suburban: What to check before buying

Sudden shutdowns while driving, often at highway speed, top the reports. Owners describe loud knocking, metal shavings in the oil, and seized or spun connecting rod bearings. Dealers usually call for a full engine replacement, and some owners are on a second or third engine. Failures cluster between about 53,000 and 97,000 miles, sometimes just past warranty. Many complaints concern the 6.2L V8 recall. Its remedy is thicker oil rather than a new engine, and owners report long dealer waits. A coolant control valve also fails repeatedly, causing limp mode, a constantly running fan, and a check engine light.

These complaints center on the engine recall, campaign 25V274000. Owners report knocking noises, oil burning off between changes, low oil warnings, and damaged pistons and rings that came back after repair. Some say the parts for the recall repair are unavailable and the wait has gone on far too long. In another case the engine banged, lost power, and stalled at about 55 MPH with no warning light. The dealer could not diagnose it, and coverage was denied because the warranty had expired.

Power drops suddenly at highway speed with a reduced acceleration warning. The engine revs but the vehicle barely moves, and sometimes it will not go into reverse. Dealers often trace this to the transmission valve body, and a large parts backorder leaves vehicles sitting at dealers awaiting repair. Other reports describe collapsed lifters with misfires and lost propulsion in traffic, heavy oil consumption, and harsh transmission bangs that trigger limp mode. A sticking coolant control valve keeps the fan running and sets code P1098. Some owners also report the engine shutting off when pulling away from a stop.

Power cuts out completely at highway speed. In one report the vehicle stopped in a travel lane and was rear-ended, injuring 3 people. Several of these shutdowns turn out to be complete engine failures. A separate pattern is failure of the telematics or OnStar module, which takes out WiFi, navigation, the app, and software updates. In some cases it also cuts audio for turn signals and safety chimes or causes key fob and no-start problems. GM no longer makes the original module, and extended coverage may not pay the full price of the refurbished replacement.

A "service safety restraint system" warning and airbag light come on, sometimes only intermittently. Dealers point to a service bulletin about a wire that was made too short. Owners say the repair is not always covered and may not fix the problem, and one reports it at 42,000 miles. A separate crash report says the passenger airbag began smoking after it deployed and a fire followed. Another owner reports the airbag light coming on along with engine stalling and loud rattling from the engine.

The engine loses power and stalls at highway speed with no warning, and it sometimes will not restart. Owners describe a false low-fuel reading on a mostly full tank, being unable to shift out of Park after stopping, and code P102A. One dealer replaced the fuel pump control module and called it a common enough failure that the part is kept in stock. A separate report describes the high-pressure fuel pump failing at 73000 miles. Each of these stalls happened in highway traffic, which makes them a real crash risk.

Rear belts fail in two ways. In one case a belt cinched tight around a child and would not release, so it had to be cut. In others the second-row middle belt or the rear driver's side belt will not latch or lock. Reported mileages range from about 27,000 to 70,000. One dealer diagnosed the problem but did not repair it because of the cost. None of these reports says the manufacturer stepped in.

Automatic emergency braking and collision alerts fail to warn or stop the vehicle before an impact. One crash with 1 injury is reported where there were no warning lights, no seat vibration, and no automatic braking, and the manufacturer denied any fault. A separate report describes a U-shaped metal piece falling off after a speed bump on rough pavement. That left the fuel tank hanging on one side until the owner strapped it to the frame.

Headrests are missing or will not stay in place. Owners report that the middle seats of the second and third row benches have no headrest, which raises neck injury concerns in a crash. A third-row headrest that will not stay up is described as a problem on 2021 and some 2022 models. One dealer is charging to replace it, and the owner says it should fall under an earlier recall.