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When it comes to people haulers, none is more notorious than the 2019 Chevy Suburban. This large SUV claims to be “ready for just about everything,” except driving the family safely. From defective seat belts to a malfunctioning engine and failing powertrain to an uncertain steering system, this vehicle puts people in danger.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2018 2020 2021 2022
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Steering | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Seat Belts | |
| Electrical System | |
| Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection | |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | |
| Structure:body |
Problems with the Seat Belts
The first patent on a seat belt occurred in 1885. Since then, the design has been perfected and rarely causes any trouble, until the 2019 Chevy Suburban came along.
One NHTSA user states, “Seatbelt would not release and I was stuck in driver seat and forced to cut the seat belt to free myself.”
While this is a scary situation, there’s something worse occurring inside the Suburban. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V673000 states that over 15,000 vehicles could have rear seatbelts that don’t lock in the event of an accident. Considering children are the main occupants of the back seat, this puts lots of kids in danger. What’s even worse is NHTSA Campaign Number 19V761000, which talks about how more than 650,000 vehicles could contain a failing wheel speed sensor that might trigger the Electronic-Brake Control Module to begin unintended braking. This causes the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly and puts occupants in danger of an accident. If both this and the seat belts fail, there could be injuries or death. Basically, the Suburban is “ready for just about everything” except driving safely.
Problems with the Engine
If a vehicle is equipped to carry seven people, it better have a strong engine for all of that weight. The Suburban struggles on this front as well.
Here is another NHTSA comment worth reading. “Driving our newly purchased 4 week old Suburban down I95. Following a bathroom break at a rest stop, we loaded up in the car, started it via the push ignition and drove down the ramp onto the highway. Within seconds, smoke began billowing from the hood. A fire under the hood ensued. We were traveling at approximately 30-40 mph, when the smoke became so heavy. We pulled over and parked the car on the shoulder and attempted to turn it off. For 30-40 seconds, the car would not turn off, rather, it shook and sputtered. We evacuated the car and called the state police who arrive shortly thereafter. The Suburban was towed to [dealer]. About a week later, we were told that the push ignition in the car caused an electrical fire. Chevrolet still has the car is working to repair, but we have concerns about taking possession of a 4 week old car that caught fire.”
It turns out that this isn’t the only engine-related concern to be aware of. Service Bulletin #19NA212 discusses reasons that the camshaft alignment pin might already be sheared away in newer models. For the price families pay to get behind the wheel of a Suburban, one would think it would be equipped with more durable equipment. Maybe the tagline should be “ready to sit and wait for repairs” instead.
Problems with the Transmission
Just like the engine, the powertrain must be in good operational order for the vehicle to get anywhere, but that’s not what’s happening with the Suburban.
Read this NHTSA complaint. “2019 Chevrolet Suburban 4×4. When starting the vehicle, the transmission selector is in the Park position and the emergency brake is set. On Monday, February 10, 2019, I started the vehicle and it lurched forward while the emergency brake was set and the vehicle was parked. Additionally, my foot was on the brake pedal. The vehicle was on a slight incline and facing forward when this happened.”
Again, Chevrolet is aware of transmission problems. Service Bulletin #PIP5504C states that the transmission could suffer from chugging and torque converter vibrations. What it doesn’t talk about is the Suburban attempting to drive itself away. Maybe it secretly hopes it is an autonomous vehicle that can haul big families.
Problems with the Steering
Keeping the Suburban under control seems to be another struggle that owners are facing.
Just read this NHTSA complaint. “The vehicle doesn’t drive straight or drifts to either side at highway speed on straight line causing small correction to be applied all the time.”
It turns out there are many other steering issues present. Service Bulletin #N182190820 states that the power steering belt could slip because the gear fit is incorrect. Without proper attention, there could be squealing sounds, audible clicking and a change in the effort needed to steer. Instead of issuing a recall so owners are aware of the problem, Chevy is hoping that nothing dangerous occurs. The Suburban is “ready for just about everything” except steering, driving and keeping occupants safe. What more is there?
Your Lemon Law Legal Rights
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Chevrolet pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Complaint Data
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Jan 15, 2023 |
| State | MD |
| Description | Recently invoice date 12/15/2022 the transmission was replaced with a remanufacture transmission while under warranty coverage because it was making noise and grinding during shifting. The remanufacture transmission grinds in between gear shifting and it vibrates as if my tires are driving over traffic control grids near the solid yellow shoulder line just before pulling over onto the shoulder. My transmission was replaced at 77-887 I now have approximately 80. 121 miles just 2,000 miles as of 1/15/2023 on the remanufacture transmission and it has already has problems. I am soon to return it to the dealer to have it replaced for a second time. |
| Category | Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection |
| Date | Nov 29, 2022 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Electrical: noticed a few months ago that the lane assistance/departure and blind spot warning work off and on. At times the blind spot warning does not warn and will when there is nothing there. Lane assistance and departure have the same issue. Transmission: gears slipping. I am not a mechanic but there were no telltale signs until it just went out on me while driving with my children in the car! The only thing I noticed in several months prior was that the vehicle would shake as if you were running over the paved warning bumps on the side of the freeway. I just thought it was possibly the road or I needed new tires. I got new tires, problem still persists. When the gears slipped while I was on the highway it took about 15 seconds to engage at which time I removed myself and my children from being a traffic hazard. I checked the transmission oil - which I just did two weeks ago because I knew it was time to change the oil for the transmission - this time it had a very defined burnt smell and black in color. |
| Category | Engine, Power Train |
| Date | Nov 18, 2022 |
| State | MD |
| Description | While driving the suburban I am hearing and feeling the transmission slipping and jerking during shifting. Is there a recall on the year / make and model transmission. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Nov 09, 2022 |
| State | IL |
| Description | The contact's wife owns a 2019 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated while driving and exceeding 45 mph, the vehicle was jerking with a loud grinding sound. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the failure recurred, and the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the vehicle was almost struck by a semi-truck. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact made a local dealer aware of the failure, but no appointments were available to be scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the vin was not under recall. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. |
| Category | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| Date | Oct 28, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | The contact owns a 2019 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would not properly accelerate while pressing the accelerator pedal. The contact indicated that the rpm would increase but the vehicle would not respond as needed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter; however, after retrieving the vehicle, the failure recurred and the vehicle stalled while driving on the freeway. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 64,000. |
| Category | Engine, Power Train |
| Date | Sep 07, 2022 |
| State | KY |
| Description | The contact called on behalf of his daughter who owns a 2019 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle began to shake and lost motive power. The driver pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle. The contact noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000. |
| Category | Structure:body, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jul 20, 2022 |
| State | WA |
| Description | We were in an accident with minor exterior damage but when closer look the frame is damaged and even bolts to engine bent. Insurance company first totalled then decided to repair with new frame . All car experts say that the vehicle will decrease substantially in value. My concern is that we have no control or protection about how it is repaired and if we sell it with the current vin number, it is misleading to the new buyer as it was not assembled as stated in the vin number. Would appreciate your response. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Jun 02, 2022 |
| State | WI |
| Description | I turning left and accelerate when the truck jerked which felt like it move the whole truck and made a loud clunk. The jerk almost felt like we hit something in front of us. The truck immediately came to almost a complete stop in the middle of the road. When I tried to accelerate to get out to get out of the middle of the road because of oncoming traffic there was a load winding noise and the truck would barley move forward. We took it into a chevy dealership and we told by a chevy service technician that the transmissions torque converter ripped apart the inside of the transmission. |
| Category | Engine |
| Date | Oct 08, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | Weld on the radiator failed at 50,000. Dealership said they don't know why but this is common in chevy suburbans, gm yukons, and pickups. From research online I saw that there were repair bulletins for earlier year models. Is the problem continuing? Luckily we were close to home when this failed. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Sep 15, 2021 |
| State | TN |
| Description | My car on lower rpm and lower speed. It does fishbite chuggle misfire feeling or shudder vibration |
| Category | Power Train, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 12, 2021 |
| State | TN |
| Description | the service 4wd light is the following dtc's set: switchcircuitsetinthetcm • p0700:transmissioncontrolmodulerequestedmilillumination • p2534:ignitionon/startswitchcircuitlowvoltagesetintheecm on the pdf I have that's exactly what happend with me |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jun 01, 2021 |
| State | VA |
| Description | As I first started the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed and the transmission in park, I heard and felt a grinding similar to what would be heard and felt when the abs is activated when braking on a slippery surface such as snow or ice. At that point, the "service brake assist" message was displayed in the center of the instrument cluster. I cleared the message to let the vehicle move. Every time that I depressed the brake pedal, the same thing would happen -- grinding similar to what would be heard and felt when the abs being activated (in between each instance, I would clear the message from the screen). It did not matter if I was going 2 mph or 20 mph, going forward or backwards. I drove up to 25 mph and this also resulted in diminished brake performance - which could put others at risk. In this regard, I do have two videos of the incident. When I shut the car off and opened the driver's door, the suburban reset and the brake assist system operated normally for the rest of the quarter-mile drive back to its parking spot as though nothing had happened. The vehicle is currently at the dealer for repair. It is important to note that this same issue occurred approximately one year ago and the dealership advised that they had replaced the brake booster sensor at that time. Please reference nhtsa id number 11384064. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | May 20, 2021 |
| State | NC |
| Description | While driving down the interstate, the sunroof just exploded. There was no other vehicles near or any debris that caused the glass to shatter. |
| Category | Seat Belts |
| Date | May 12, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | My daughter was stuck in the back seat. I was unable to get her out. The seatbelt was locked and unable to unlock. I had to cut the seatbelt in order for her to get out. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Dec 18, 2020 |
| State | OR |
| Description | On 12/16/2020, while driving our 2019 suburban with 10,041 miles around town, the brake peddle would vibrate when my wife applied the brakes and it was harder than normal for her to push the peddle down and come to a stop. Shortly after she pulled over, with the car running, a message appeared on the dash "service braking assist". The vibration and difficultly stopping continued several more times that day before before it went away. |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Aug 05, 2020 |
| State | TX |
| Description | Tl* the contact owns a 2019 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while attempting to park and the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to the right and crashed into a building. The contact mentioned that as the failure occurred he forcefully pressed the brake pedal to no avail. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the legs but medical attention did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. A police report was filed, the dallas police department was present. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | May 19, 2020 |
| State | VA |
| Description | 2019 chevrolet suburban. After starting the vehicle, when I stepped on the brake to come to a stop, I heard and felt a grinding in the brake pedal and the pedal was a little "mushy" as well when coming to a stop. The instrument cluster displayed a warning which said "service brake assist." the vehicle was taken to my local chevrolet dealer who advised that they are replacing the brake booster sensor. This incident happened each time I stepped on the brake, whether I was in my subdivision at very low speed or on a four lane divided secondary road (speed limit 45 mph) or in the dealership service lane moving at 1 or 2 mph. *tr |
| Category | Electrical System, Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Feb 11, 2020 |
| State | VA |
| Description | The 2019 chevrolet suburban is equipped with a wiper for the rear window. On an intermittent basis after the vehicle has gone through a car wash or after starting following a drenching rain, the rear wiper will not work even though it is switch on with the switch on the turn signal stalk. If the vehicle is restarted, the wiper will then work as if nothing had happened. Likewise, if the wiper does not work and you wait a few minutes, it will work as it normally should. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Feb 11, 2020 |
| State | VA |
| Description | 2019 chevrolet suburban 4x4. When starting the vehicle, the transmission selector is in the park position and the emergency brake is set. On monday, february 10, 2019, I started the vehicle and it lurched forward while the emergency brake was set and the vehicle was parked. Additionally, my foot was on the brake pedal. The vehicle was on a slight incline and facing forward when this happened. |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Jan 11, 2020 |
| State | TX |
| Description | The vehicle doesn't drive straight or drifts to either side at highway speed on straight line causing small correction to be applied all the time. |
| Category | Engine, Power Train, Steering |
| Date | Jan 04, 2020 |
| State | ME |
| Description | Vehicle will not go streight, constantly drifts left and right, takes control away from driver nearly running into parked cars and people cause mental and physical fatigue after a few minutes. Vehicle accelerator peddle erratice, sensetive then stiff then no response runs into other vehicles, electronic gadgets a distraction, poor visibility windshield cluttered up with electronics. Had to stop suing vehicel after 1000 miles. |
| Category | Engine, Power Train, Steering |
| Date | Jan 04, 2020 |
| State | ME |
| Description | Steering dangeriously stiff, vehicle takes control away from the driver vehicle will not trac streight, vehicle stalls, lurches runs into other vehicles accelerator peddle to sensetive engine unresponsive dangerious |
| Category | Seat Belts, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Dec 05, 2019 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Seatbelt would not release and I was stuck in driver seat and forced to cut the seat belt to free myself |
| Category | Steering |
| Date | Sep 13, 2019 |
| State | ME |
| Description | 2019 chevrolet suburban. Consumer writes in regards to issues with the electronic vehicle steering system. *ld consumer sent additional correspondence. *ld the consumer stated the vehicle would veer out of the lane. The steering was difficult to control causing tendonitis to the hands and arms, headaches, and fatigue. The dealer was notified and stated the computer needed to adjust to the consumer's driving. *js *js |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine |
| Date | Aug 06, 2019 |
| State | VA |
| Description | Driving our newly purchased 4 week old suburban down i95. Following a bathroom break at a rest stop, we loaded up in the car, started it via the push ignition and drove down the on ramp onto the highway. Within seconds, smoke began billowing from the hood. A fire under the hood ensued. We were traveling at approximately 30-40mph, when the smoke became suddenly heavy. We pulled over and parked the car on the shoulder and attempted to turn it off. For 30-40 seconds, the car would not turn off, rather, it shook and sputtered. We evacuated the car and called the state police who arrived shortly thereafter. The suburban was towed to rick hendrick chevrolet in richmond, virginia. About a week later, we were told that the push ignition in the car caused an electrical fire. Chevrolet still has the car and is working to repair, but we have concerns about taking possession of a 4 week old car that caught fire. Would appreciate chevrolet's assistance, but the dealership that we purchased the vehicle, koons chevrolet of mclean, has been nonresponsive and very unhelpful. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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