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2018 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

27 reports with mileage · 54 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Service Brakes complaints

12 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2025
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

No official incident has happened yet, but the brake assist kicks in, yet does not work until it's revving engine to over 4000rpm, which causes a sudden jerk and scary sounds from engine. I have had a few instances where the vehicle did not want to stop almost causing an accident, and these have happened without anything in the …

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No official incident has happened yet, but the brake assist kicks in, yet does not work until it's revving engine to over 4000rpm, which causes a sudden jerk and scary sounds from engine. I have had a few instances where the vehicle did not want to stop almost causing an accident, and these have happened without anything in the car other than my daughter who is 2 and myself. The most recent problem is a weird rattling sound while going uphill. Before this going uphill is extremely sluggish, where I have the gas peddle almost to the floor, but nothing happens other than decrease in speed until it finally, about 30 seconds-1 minute, where it kicks into overdrive. Even then, speed does not increase by more than 5-10 mph depending on the incline. I have not brought it to get looked at yet, as I've seen these issues have been reported by numerous consumers without any recalls being sent out other than the breaking system update.

NHTSA ODI #11686951

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

The Trailor brake system, engine light, stabilitrak control system and antilock brake system is on due to the wiring of this vehicle.

NHTSA ODI #11576916

Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2023
Service BrakesSteering

Vehicle starts dinging with warning - Service Trailer Brake System - and warning - Action Required Steering Assist is Reduced Drive with Care - ABS Light - Traction Control. Power steering goes out and assumedly ABS and Traction Control stop working.

NHTSA ODI #11511267

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2023
Service BrakesSteering

My rear left tire locks when I’m doing sharp turns and I don’t see any traction control lights come on when that happens

NHTSA ODI #11510081

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2022
Service Brakes

My car was acting weird, brake pedal was extremely tough to decompress, speed then was affected, and ultimately the brakes failed.

NHTSA ODI #11484027

Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2021
Service Brakes

When placing the car in reverse, the car started to go backwards quickly and I had to put all my weight on the brakes and it took about 40 feet for the car to stop.

NHTSA ODI #11434507

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2021
EngineService BrakesSteering

The vehicle began to shake as if it would shut down. Then, the engine light came on. Then I received three text message alerts. We were shown paperwork regarding the service history that was done at Philips Chevrolet. Now we’re getting alerts regarding work that has to be completed within 7 days.

NHTSA ODI #11426679

Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2021
Service Brakes

My wife and son were traveling on the interstate in Indianapolis and the brakes began to fail in our 2018 Chevy Suburban. The brake pedal was almost impossible to depress to get the vehicle to even slow down. She was afraid that she was not going to be able to stop and get in a crash. Fortunately, she was able to maneuver the…

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My wife and son were traveling on the interstate in Indianapolis and the brakes began to fail in our 2018 Chevy Suburban. The brake pedal was almost impossible to depress to get the vehicle to even slow down. She was afraid that she was not going to be able to stop and get in a crash. Fortunately, she was able to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder as it finally slowed down enough. She was afraid to go any farther to an exit for fear of not being able to stop down a sloping exit. So she was able to come to a stop on the shoulder of the interstate. Their was a warning light that came on as this was happening, which was the ABS warning light. It was towed to Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet and they have diagnosed it as a failed vacuum pump. After doing research, I found that there is a recall on 2018 Chevrolet Suburban for the vacuum pump. However, the VIN on my vehicle wasn't included. The recall number is N192268490. The information listed in this recall sounds exactly was happened to our vehicle causing the very dangerous condition that could have resulted in a tragic crash.

NHTSA ODI #11424458

18,000 miles · Feb 6, 2021
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I DRIVE A 2018 CHEVY SUBURBAN. THIS CAR HAD NO LIGHTS ON AND HAS LESS THAN 18K MILES ON IT. IT IS JUST OVER TWO YEARS OLD AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY [XXX] CHILD AND WE HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE. WE WERE ON THE FEEDER ROAD ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATIN…

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I DRIVE A 2018 CHEVY SUBURBAN. THIS CAR HAD NO LIGHTS ON AND HAS LESS THAN 18K MILES ON IT. IT IS JUST OVER TWO YEARS OLD AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY [XXX] CHILD AND WE HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE. WE WERE ON THE FEEDER ROAD ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. JERKING FASTER AND FASTER WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE GAS. IT WAS LIKE WE WERE ON A RUNAWAY TRAIN. I PANICKED AND SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BREAKS. THERE WERE NO BREAKS - NO TENSION OR PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL JUST CONTINUOUSLY SLAMMED INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I COULDN'T STOP US. I THOUGHT QUICKLY AND SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE PARKING BRAKE AS OUR CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH NO BRAKE FUNCTION. WE JOLTED TO A STOP AS CARS ZOOMED AROUND US HONKING AND YELLING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR OFF OF THE PARKING BREAK, THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. NO BREAKS AND SPORADIC ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS INCIDENT A LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID 'SERVICE STABILITRAK'. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M SHARING THIS FOR ALL CAR OWNERS TO REMEMBER THE POWER OF YOUR PARKING BREAK IN AN EMERGENCY. IT'S ONE THING TO BE ANNOYED WHEN YOUR CAR WON'T GO, BUT IT IS PURE PANIC AND FEAR WHEN YOUR CAR WON'T STOP AND KEEPS GOING FASTER - ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR PRECIOUS CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11395013

19,875 miles · Apr 20, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesWheels

CAR BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING ABOVE 40 MPH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11321747

Official recalls

4

26V289000 · Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)

May 7, 2026

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.

19V761000 · Electronic Stability Control (esc); Service Brakes; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

Oct 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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Service Brakes

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:wheel Speed Sensor/tone Ring

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.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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.

19V645000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum

Sep 6, 2019

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.

18V673000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Sep 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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.