2019 Chevrolet Suburban VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability
The 2019 Chevrolet Suburban has good reliability. There are 2 recalls and 61 owner complaints on file for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. Severity signals include 2 crash-related complaints and 1 fire-related complaint. The most commonly reported problem areas are: Power Train (28), Engine (10), Steering (6).
Suburban reliability snapshot
68/100
Latest model-year reliability score
3.0/5
RepairPal rating (medium)
$944
Avg annual repair cost vs $784 category avg
#11/14
Ranking in fullsize SUVs · better than 21% of peers
Data sourced from Auto Reliability Index, aggregating NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and RepairPal repair-cost records.
Used-car research
Research the Chevrolet Suburban before checking the VIN
Compare model years, recurring problems, safety campaigns and market value first. Then use the VIN to verify the history of the individual car.
Owner-reported problem categories from NHTSA complaint filings. Counts reflect complaints per category for the most-recent model year on file.
Power Train28
Engine10
Steering6
Service Brakes3
Engine And Engine Cooling2
Air Bags2
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban
Hands-on checks distilled from real NHTSA complaint patterns and recall histories. Bring this list to a test drive or mechanic inspection.
☐Inspect transmission for jerking or slipping during test drive
☐Check engine for knocking sounds or warning lights
☐Test power steering at low speeds for intermittent loss
☐Verify brake assist system for grinding noise or vibration
☐Ensure airbag system warning lights are not active
☐Check for any recalls related to transmission or engine components
☐Inspect seat belts for proper release function
What owners reported
2019 Chevrolet Suburban owner complaints in detail
Owners have reported 2 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to NHTSA for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints28
POWER TRAIN
Owners report frequent transmission failures in the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, often requiring full replacements. Complaints commonly mention symptoms such as jerking, slipping gears, hard shifting, and shuddering, with many issues arising between 75,000 and 130,000 miles. Some reports describe loud vibrations and unusual noises, and a few note the presence of metal fragments in the transmission fluid. Safety concerns include loss of power while driving, which could pose risks in traffic or on highways. These patterns suggest potential buyers should be cautious of transmission issues in vehicles with similar mileage.
Owner complaints10
ENGINE
Owners report significant engine issues with the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, particularly involving lifter failures and resulting catastrophic engine damage. Complaints frequently mention symptoms such as sudden loss of engine power, rough running, and warning lights like the oil and check-engine indicators. These issues often lead to severe consequences, including engine seizing and the need for costly repairs or replacements, with some reports citing repair costs upwards of $8,000 to $13,000. The problems tend to occur around or beyond 50,000 miles, with some owners experiencing failures as early as 50,000 miles and others over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, as sudden engine failures have led to dangerous situations on highways, necessitating emergency maneuvers and posing a risk of accidents.
Owner complaints6
STEERING
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban frequently report issues with the steering system. Common symptoms include the vehicle pulling to one side, drifting at highway speeds, and intermittent loss of power steering at low speeds, particularly during parking maneuvers. Some complaints also describe the steering as dangerously stiff and difficult to control, leading to physical fatigue and, in one case, an injury. These issues often appear around 68,000 miles, but some owners report problems shortly after purchasing the vehicle. Safety concerns are highlighted by reports of near-collisions due to steering control loss and the vehicle veering out of lanes. Potential buyers should be aware of these recurring steering issues and consider having the system thoroughly inspected before purchase.
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving the brake assist system. Common symptoms include a grinding noise and vibration in the brake pedal, along with warnings such as "Service Brake Assist" displayed on the instrument cluster. These issues are often accompanied by a harder-than-usual brake pedal, which can lead to diminished braking performance. Complaints suggest these problems can occur at various speeds and under different driving conditions. Notably, the brake booster sensor is mentioned as a component that dealerships have replaced in response to these issues. Incidents are reported at mileages ranging from around 10,000 to 89,000 miles, indicating that potential buyers should be aware of these issues regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage.
Owner complaints2
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban report issues with the airbag system, specifically noting the activation of a "service safety restraint system" warning and the airbag light. Complaints frequently mention these warnings appearing alongside an erroneous message indicating the hood is open, which lasts for about 20 seconds. One owner reports needing to replace the passenger side seatbelt and front airbag shortly after the warranty period, with the vehicle at approximately 51,000 miles. These issues occur at varied mileage, with one report at 124,400 miles. The complaints do not mention any crashes or loss of vehicle control, but the need for costly repairs shortly after warranty expiration could be a consideration for potential buyers.
Owner complaints2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban report issues related to engine and engine cooling, with symptoms including a loud knocking sound from the engine compartment and the illumination of the check engine warning light. In one case, a failure of the rod bearings due to copper in the engine oil required engine replacement at approximately 113,000 miles. Another report highlights a defective grille shutter needing replacement at around 81,000 miles. These issues do not indicate any crashes, fires, or loss of control. Buyers should be aware of potential engine component failures at higher mileages.
Owner complaints2
SEAT BELTS
Owners report issues with the seat belts in the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, specifically involving the seat belts becoming locked and unable to release. Complaints frequently mention situations where occupants, both in the back seat and the driver's seat, are unable to free themselves due to the seat belt locking mechanism failing to disengage. In both reported cases, the individuals had to cut the seat belt to exit the vehicle. These incidents highlight a potential safety concern, as being unable to quickly exit the vehicle could pose risks in emergencies. The complaints do not specify the mileage at which these issues occur, leaving the timeline for these failures unclear.
Owner complaints2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban report issues with the electrical system, specifically involving the rear window wiper and the push ignition. One complaint describes the rear wiper failing to operate intermittently after exposure to water, such as after a car wash or rain, but working normally after restarting the vehicle. Another owner reports a serious incident where a fire occurred under the hood shortly after starting the vehicle using the push ignition, with smoke quickly becoming heavy while driving. This incident happened when the vehicle was only four weeks old, highlighting potential safety implications related to the ignition system. These reports suggest potential concerns for used car buyers regarding the reliability of the electrical components and the risk of fire.
Every NHTSA safety recall logged against the 2019 Suburban. A VIN check confirms whether any recall remains unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)NHTSA 19V761000Oct 24, 2019
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.
SEAT BELTSNHTSA 18V673000Sep 26, 2018
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18315.
Used-market value
2019 Chevrolet Suburban resale snapshot
66.4%estimated value retained after 5 years
106listings in the model-level benchmark
$51,885median asking price from 6 listings
Listing benchmarks establish a market range; trim, mileage, condition, title history and prior damage determine what one vehicle is worth.
Reliability verdict for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban
With a 70/100 score against a 75/100 segment average, the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban lands below the norm for overall reliability. That gap points to a mixed record rather than a consistently strong one, raising buyer risk compared with typical peers.
Complaint patterns are not evenly spread. Reports are heavily concentrated in the powertrain, with the engine a distant second, while steering and service brakes appear as secondary themes. Air bag complaints exist but are a minor share, suggesting most reported trouble clusters around propulsion-related systems rather than being broadly distributed across the vehicle.
Recall activity is limited, indicating fewer formal corrective actions than models with elevated recall totals. Overall, reliability risk is moderate and slightly higher than segment average.
What you get in a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban report
✓Available title brand history
✓Odometer readings & rollback detection
✓Accident & damage records
✓Auction sales with photos
✓Open safety recalls
✓Theft & stolen vehicle check
Check a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban now
Confirm exact options, recall completion, accident history, and odometer accuracy in minutes.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban — Frequently asked questions
Is the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban reliable?
With a 70/100 score against a 75/100 segment average, the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban lands below the norm for overall reliability. That gap points to a mixed record rather than a consistently strong one, raising buyer risk compared with typical peers.
How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban have?
2 NHTSA safety recalls have been issued for the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban. A VIN check confirms whether any remain unrepaired on a specific vehicle.
What are the most common 2019 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
The most-reported 2019 Chevrolet Suburban problem areas are: Power Train (28), Engine (10), Steering (6).
Should I run a VIN check on a 2019 Chevrolet Suburban?
Yes. A VIN report verifies title brands, odometer history, accident records, and recall completion on a specific 2019 Chevrolet Suburban, complementing the model-year reliability data on this page.
