2018 Chevrolet Suburban

9/29/22 (123k miles) TECHNICIAN: - Test drove vehicle, inspected transmission operation & found gear train noise / L3, in approximately 1st through 3rd gears. Tach was jumping up to about 200 rpms when converter locked up and then would go back down. Monitored on scanner and found converter slipping in and out of lock up. - Scanned computer control modules & found no codes. - Inspected transmission fluid level & condition, found transmission fluid was full and red, note; customer noted fluid was changed recently and was dark and burnt with metal shavings in it during the change. (photo of metal shavings). - Inspected exterior of transmission for leaks & damage, found no leaks or damage. - Determined there is a lack of lockup pressure or hydraulic pressure and internal damage to the transmission assembly. - Recommends replacing the transmission assembly with a unit with an improved torque converter. (We replace).

While slowing down to make a left hand turn at an intersection, my vehicle suddenly lost power steering and the entire system completely shut down. There was no electronic function during that time. I had to put the vehicle in park, turn the key to the off position and then start it back up. It has happened multiple times, both at low speeds in drive and reverse. This would have caused a collision if there was oncoming traffic at the intersection at that time.

The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle jerked with the check engine warning light illuminated and the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that he was informed by the dealer that the failure could not be duplicated, and that there would be a fee for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

On two occasions, most recently on 6/13/23 the vehicle went from 70 mph to 10 mph very suddenly on an Interstate in heavy traffic--very dangerous. The display indicates an over-heated transmission but the dealer believes its some electrical problem. This 2018 Suburban has an 8 speed auto transmission which has a lot of on line complaints and lawsuit pending.

The second row - driver's side seat belt no longer was retracting, making the seat unsafe. This belt had been slow to retract since we purchased this vehicle from the dealership in June 2022, but it stopped retracting in mid January 2023. As my extended warranty only covers drive chain, the dealer charged me $627.43 for parts and labor to replace the seat belt. It is disappointing that Chevrolet does not warranty the basic safety equipment for the life of the vehicle.

STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, DRIVER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON DASH. RESET IT AND ALERT STAYED OFF FOR A WHILE AND THEN STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED, AWAITING PARTS. DEALER STATED IT WAS AIRBAG IN THE OVERHEAD AREA OF THE DRIVER. I DON'T KNOW IF VEHICLE PART HAS BEEN INSPECTED. AWAITING COMPLETION OF THE REPAIR.

Trailer Brake system Service Message Took it to the dealer service department and was told that a diagnostic would be needed to find problem $225, if the wiring harness is indeed defective it would be over $500 in parts and $600 in labor. A picture of the light coming on while driving was produced to the dealer service department. It first appear when driving on the freeway and we have never towed anything with this vehicle. Upon further online research we found out that this is a common and serious problem with GMC and Chevy vehicles like the Canyon, Sierra, Silverado, Yukon, Tahoe, Suburban, Colorado from years 2015-2020.