Wrench.Pro

2001 Chevrolet Suburban Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2001 Chevrolet Suburban has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “ABS activation, sensor and module faults.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban.

Reported to NHTSA

ABS activation, sensor and module faults

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

36 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2024-01

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH WHEN THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR, THE VEHICLE WOULD BECOME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10373956
“THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WITH JUST THE PEDAL APPLICATION, ON DRY PAVEMENT UNDER 20 MPH. ACTIVATED AND INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, WHILE KEEPING PEDAL PRESSURE ON. LUCKILY I TRY NOT TO FOLLOW CARS CLOSELY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10329428
“ABS SYSTEM WAS SERVICED AS PART OF 2006 RECALL CAMPAIGN. SENSORS WERE CLEANED AND RETURNED TO SERVICE. PLEASE NOTE THAT IN 2006 WHEN ISSUE FIRST SURFACED, ONE WEEK PRIOR TO RECALL, CHEVROLET DEALER QUOTED A PRICE OVER $800.00 TO REPLACE HUBS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10452132

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Broken exhaust manifold bolts

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2011-10 → 2017-05

“EXHAUST AND MANIFOLD COVER BOLTS ARE TOO WEAK AND THE HEADS BREAK OFF. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THEM WITH RACING BOLTS. MUCH BETTER NOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10990836
“THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS DOWN ARE BREAKING OFF AT THE HEADS AND CAUSING EXHAUST LEAKS. WHICH ARE IN TURN CAUSING MY CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAIL PREMATURELY. I HOPE GM FIXES THIS MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THERE LS V8 ENGINES! *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10564075
“THE HEADS BROKE OFF CLEANLY FOR NO VISIBLE REASON. FIXED FRONT BOLT BUT REAR ONE REQUIRES EXHAUST MANIFOLD REMOVAL AT COST OF $400.00. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF MORE BREAK! *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10433693

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Corroded or ruptured steel brake lines

SERVICE BRAKES

53 NHTSA complaints · 2010-04 → 2018-10

“I HAD A MAJOR BRAKE FAILURE THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING. I HAD NO BRAKES, BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY REPORTED THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS DUE TO RUSTED BRAKE LINES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11121992
“LOST TOTAL BRAKES. SERVICE SHOP NOTED SEVERE BRAKE LINE RUSTING. REPAIRED RUPTURED BRAKE LINE. TRUCK WILL BE UNDERGOING TOTAL BRAKE LINE REPLACEMENT DUE TO RUSTING. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627967
“BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR. WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH EMERG BRAKE. DEALER SAYS ALL BRAKE LINES ARE RUSTED OUT AND MUST BE REPLACED $2000. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10492350

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling or shutting off while driving

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

22 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2015-10

“WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN OUR SUBURBAN AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SHE HAD TO COAST OVER 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC AND GET INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. TRUCK STARTED AFTER 4 ATTEMPTS AND WORKED FINE FOR 2 MORE DAYS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10463563
“THE ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES INCLUDING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ON THE FREEWAY GOING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS INCLUDING HAULING A TRAILER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10255252
“CAR STALLED SUDDENLY AT 40 MPH, LOSING POWER STEERING IN TRAFFIC. AFTER A FEW MINUTES THE CAR RESTARTED. INTERMITTENTLY STALLS. WHILE GM HAS RECALLED 2001 SUBURBANS FOR CRANK POSITION FAILURES IN THIS YEAR MODEL, MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10247832

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump failure and fuel gauge faults

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2008-09 → 2019-09

“I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES AND TODAY WILL BE MY 4TH. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THE SAME PART OVER AND OVER. THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPLACED MY MECHANIC ADVISED US TO KEEP AT LEAST 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK WHICH I HAVE TRIED TO DO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10504948
“THE CONTACT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BY REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP MODULE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 69,000. UPDATED 08/24/10 *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE ELECTRICAL WRING IN THE FUEL PUMP MODULE HAD MELTED THE INSULATION AND WAS CAUSING A SHORT IN SEVERAL PLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10341002
“FIRST INCIDENT: VEH. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. TURNED OUT TO BE FUEL DELIVERY FUSE. REPLACED, AND RAN FINE FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. SECOND INCIDENT: DRIVING AT APPROX. 55 MPH, VEHICLE LOST POWER, STARTED SPUTTERING AS IF OUT OF GAS ALTHOUGH IT WAS 1/4 FULL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10366104

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bags not deploying in frontal collisions

AIR BAGS

10 NHTSA complaints · 2008-01 → 2015-09

“THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. MY SON SUSTAINED MINOR WHIPLASH TYPE INJURIES TO HIS NECK AND BACK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10731769
“NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED!!! *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10442832
“THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGES AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE CONTACT AND PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10335493

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Parking brake not holding the vehicle

PARKING BRAKE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-12 → 2023-06

“this vehicle has a non-functioning parking brake. There was a recall in 2004 for 880,000 trucks and suv's. I have taken it to my garage twice but they cannot fix this problem because it is not fixable”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11528704
“THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,736”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10477165
“THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DRIFT WHILE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS STILL APPLIED. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HEARD THE SOUND OF METAL COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10213077

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

On 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles — sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

337 crashes 1990–2024

How the 337 occupant deaths break down

185

driver deaths

152

passenger deaths

337

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2001 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

46

complaints mentioning a crash

9

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2001 Chevrolet Suburban reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →