2023 Chevrolet Suburban: What to check before buying

Sudden engine failure at highway speed dominates these reports. The engine loses power and makes a loud knocking or tapping noise. Then it shuts off and will not restart, often with no warning light beforehand. Dealers find seized engines, including the 6.2L V8, at roughly 30,000 to 62,000 miles. Replacement engines are on nationwide backorder, so some vehicles sit at the dealer for 30 days or more. Other reports cover collapsed lifters with misfires on the 5.3L V8, failed coolant control valves, a ruptured radiator, and stalls the dealer cannot diagnose. Losing power in traffic is the main crash risk.

Parts shortages for recall 25V274000 drive most of these reports, not actual failures. Owners got the recall notice, but dealers have no parts for the repair, and at least one declined to inspect the engine. Most of these complainants have not had a failure and object to the long wait. One report describes an abnormal engine sound the dealer could not duplicate. Another describes a check engine light traced to a failed coolant control valve. That valve was not replaced, and the special coverage program it fell under was not applied.

Two problems show up here. The first is a total loss of propulsion at highway speed. The engine dies, the transmission drops into neutral, and power steering goes with it. In one case this happened even after the L87 engine recall repair added higher-viscosity oil. The second is transmission valve body failure. It brings hard shifts, a check engine light, reduced-power or limp mode, and in one report wheel lockup. Valve body parts are scarce, so vehicles wait at dealers for a month or longer. Some owners have paid for the repair themselves.

Random shutdowns at highway speed lead this category, sometimes with all interior and exterior lights going out at once, and dealers cannot reproduce them. Headlights flash between high and low beam, or switch off along with the wipers while driving at night. Other reports cover a battery that keeps going dead, "No Key Detected" messages that prevent starting, a blank instrument panel, and a string of system warnings blamed on lost computer communication. The OnStar telematics module fails and has been on backorder, and GM has denied at least one warranty claim for it.

Slippery factory running boards cause falls when wet, and this category includes 2 injuries. A dealer called the running boards a common problem. In a separate report, the front fuel tank strap lost its bolt at about 30 mph and the tank dragged on the road, which raises a real fire risk. Paint bubbling on a vehicle bought new is also reported. Each issue rests on a single report, so no broad pattern is visible beyond the running boards.

Loss of braking and sudden brake warnings appear in these reports. One describes a "Brake failure" alert followed by a total loss of brakes on a hill. Another says the vehicle failed to stop, and even accelerated, at about 3,000 miles, and the problem came back after a dealer repair. A third describes the vehicle stuck in park with ABS, check engine, and park brake warnings lit. With only 3 complaints there is no clear pattern, but each failure carries a direct crash risk.

A second-row center belt locks in automatic locking mode and keeps tightening. It restricts the passenger's breathing and will not release even after the vehicle is turned off. This category includes 1 injury. Separately, a vehicle was delivered new without one of its required third-row seatbelts, and the manufacturer declined to fix it after the warranty expired. Both problems are easy to miss if the rear rows are rarely used.

Power steering failure is the more serious report here. A steering warning appeared on a nearly new vehicle, and the dealer blamed the rack and pinion but could not fix it after a month in the shop. Another report describes an ESC error message about brake pads along with a wheel that locks. Both raise loss-of-control concerns, though there are only 2 complaints in this category.