CarBrief

Owners filed 142 complaints with NHTSA for the 2017 Suburban, and brakes are the biggest group[1][2]. Five recalls are on file, so check any Suburban you are considering against them[3][4][5][6][7].

142owner complaints[1]
5recalls[8]
18–19MPG combined (EPA)[9]
4★NHTSA overall rating[10]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 142 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Seven mention a crash, three a fire and six an injury. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many Suburbans were sold[1].

Component group Complaints
Brakes[2] 44
Power train[11] 39
Engine[12] 26
Electrical system[13] 21
Unknown or other[14] 18
Steering[15] 6
Speed control[16] 6
Exterior lighting[17] 5

Brakes. This group has the most complaints, with 5 crashes and 4 injuries. The median mileage at failure is 55,000[2]. In a sample of complaints we read, owners describe a brake pedal that turns hard and takes much more effort to stop. Several of them link it to the brake vacuum pump[2]. Recall 19V645 below covers a related vacuum problem.

Power train. There are 39 complaints[11], with 1 crash and no injuries[11]. The median mileage at failure is 96,000[11]. In the sample we read, owners describe jerking, slipping or failing transmissions. A few mention metal in the fluid[11].

Engine. There are 26 complaints and 1 fire[12]. The median mileage at failure is 94,400[12]. Owners in the sample describe stalling, hesitation and engine knocking[12].

Electrical system. There are 21 complaints and 1 fire[13]. The median mileage at failure is 29,700, lower than the 55,000 for brakes[2], 96,000 for power train[11] and 94,400 for engine[12]. Owners in the sample describe the vehicle losing power while driving, often with stability warning messages[13].

Steering, speed control and exterior lighting each have 6 or fewer complaints, so we do not treat them as common problems[15][16][17]. Speed control has 1 crash and 3 injuries among its 6 complaints[16].

Recalls

NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first. Many cover other GM models too[5][7]. A recall applies only if your vehicle is among those covered, and you can check your VIN on NHTSA.gov[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists the 5.3L 8-cylinder with a 6-speed automatic[9][18]. The 2WD Suburban C1500 gets 16 city, 23 highway and 19 combined MPG, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550[9]. The 4WD Suburban K1500 gets 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined MPG, at $3,700 a year[18]. The same figures apply when running on gasoline or E85[19][20]. EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4WD version 4 stars overall, 4 stars in the frontal test, 5 stars in the side test and 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 20.3%[10]. The rear-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings and a rollover risk of 21.2%[21].

Engine and size

The EPA ratings above are for a 5.3L 8-cylinder engine[9][18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Rear-wheel drive All-wheel drive
Length[22][23] 224 in 224 in
Width[22][23] 80 in 80 in
Height[22][23] 74 in 74 in
Wheelbase[22][23] 130 in 130 in
Curb weight[22][23] 5,536 lb 5,776 lb

How 2017 compares with other years

1995: 465 complaints, 6 recalls19951996: 369 complaints, 3 recalls1997: 430 complaints, 2 recalls1998: 215 complaints, 2 recalls1999: 708 complaints, 1 recalls19992000: 349 complaints, 8 recalls2001: 532 complaints, 6 recalls2002: 406 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 476 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 386 complaints, 4 recalls2005: 223 complaints, 6 recalls2006: 54 complaints, 2 recalls2007: 482 complaints, 4 recalls20072008: 314 complaints, 4 recalls2009: 161 complaints, 5 recalls2010: 170 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 228 complaints, 5 recalls20112012: 101 complaints, 4 recalls2013: 118 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 59 complaints, 3 recalls2015: 431 complaints, 11 recalls20152016: 220 complaints, 6 recalls2017: 142 complaints, 5 recalls14220172018: 84 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 78 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 44 complaints, 4 recalls2021: 201 complaints, 12 recalls2022: 124 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 148 complaints, 4 recalls20232024: 44 complaints, 2 recalls2025: 31 complaints, 1 recalls2026: 18 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Suburban model year. The 2017 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954656
19963693
19974302
19982152
19997081
20003498
20015326
20024062
20034765
20043864
20052236
2006542
20074824
20083144
20091615
20101703
20112285
20121014
20131184
2014593
201543111
20162206
20171425
2018844
2019783
2020444
202120112
20221244
20231484
2024442
2025311
2026183

NHTSA shows 142 complaints and 5 recalls for 2017[8]. The 2016 model year has 220 complaints and 6 recalls, and 2015 has 431 complaints and 11 recalls[8]. The 2018 and 2019 model years have fewer complaints (84 and 78) and recalls (4 and 3), but 2021 has 201 complaints and 12 recalls, and 2023 has 148 complaints[8]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide only. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, and counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat this as a rough guide only.

Should you buy a used 2017 Suburban?

The record shows brakes and power train as the biggest complaint groups, plus a recall on brake vacuum assist[2][11][5]. Ask the seller which of these recalls apply to the vehicle and whether they were completed, especially the 2026 transfer case recall[3]. Budget for fuel, since EPA estimates $3,550 to $3,700 a year[9][18]. Complaints are unverified, so a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic matters more than any count here[1].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban?
Brakes have the most NHTSA complaints at 44, followed by power train at 39 and engine at 26[2][11][12].
Does the 2017 Suburban have any recalls?
NHTSA lists five recalls, covering the transfer case, brake software, brake vacuum assist, a mirror on Suburban HD vehicles and air bag software[3][4][5][6][7].
What MPG does the 2017 Suburban get?
EPA rates the 2WD at 19 combined MPG and the 4WD at 18 combined MPG[9][18].
How safe is the 2017 Suburban?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall and 3 stars for rollover[10][21].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 142 owner complaints on file for the 2017 Chevrolet Suburban (7 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 44 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 26V289, filed May 7, 2026: Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 19V761, filed October 24, 2019: Service Brakes. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 19V645, filed September 6, 2019: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 17V033, filed January 12, 2017: Visibility › Rearview Mirrors / Devices › Exterior. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 16V651, filed September 8, 2016: Seat Belts › Pretensioner. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Chevrolet Suburban model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for Suburban C1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 39 complaints name the power train component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 26 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,400). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 21 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 29,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 18 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 6 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 5 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  18. EPA rating for Suburban K1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for Suburban C1500 2WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. EPA rating for Suburban K1500 4WD, 5.3L 8-cyl, Automatic 6-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV RWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SUBURBAN 4DR SUV RWD: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,536 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, SUBURBAN 4DR SUV AWD: length 224 in, width 80 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 130 in, curb weight 5,776 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.