The 2009 Chevrolet Suburban has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Excessive engine oil consumption.” 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.
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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2009 Chevrolet Suburban.
ENGINE
11 NHTSA complaints · 2013-07 → 2021-04
“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION IS A PROBLEM AFFECTING A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS MODEL IN 2009-2010. CHEVY NEEDS TO ISSUE THE RECALL AND ADDRESS THEIR PROBLEM”
“THIS ENGINE USES 1 QUART OF OIL IN 750 MILES. THIS IS EXCESSIVE!”
“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. VEHICLE USE 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 3000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOW MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT YET THEY ARE MAKING ME PAY FOR THE REPAIRS”
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
14 NHTSA complaints · 2011-03 → 2019-07
“DOOR LOCK/UNLOCK ACTUATORS ARE FAILING TO OPERATE, WHICH POSES SAFETY CONCERN FOR CHILDREN IN THESE VEHICLES. I'VE HAD TWO FAIL”
“DOOR LOCKS NO LONGER WORKING ON DRIVER DOOR, FRONT PASSENGER, AND NOW REAR PASSENGER. DEALERSHIP SAYS ALL THREE NEED REPLACED”
“FAILURE OF POWER LOCK ACTUATOR ON REAR DOOR. DOOR FAILS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK AS DESIGNED WHEN VEHICLE IS PUT IN OR TAKEN OUT OF GEAR”
TIRES
3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-07 → 2023-07
“Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 developed bulge in inner sidewall. I was unaware of issue until a stranger pointed it out. That was on 03/08/2023. Since then, 2 more tires have developed the same issue!!”
“On 05/19/2023 driver's side front wheel removed for brake replacement. Noticed large bulge on inner sidewall of Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 tire. This was the 2nd tire of a set of 4 that has developed the same issue”
“Cooper Discoverer 275-55r20 had a stranger point out a very large bulge on the inner sidewall of my passenger side rear tire. This is the 3rd tire from a set of 4 that has developed the same issue within 3 months”
STRUCTURE
59 NHTSA complaints · 2012-10 → 2022-01
“DASHBOARD CRACKED ABOVE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ABOVE PASSENGER AIRBAG. THIS OCCURRED WHEN VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY”
“WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE IT DEVELOPED CRACKS ALL ALONG THE DASHBOARD. THE CRACKS GOT BAD ENOUGH THAT RECENTLY A LARGE PIECE OF THE DASHBOARD FELL OUT”
“DASHBOARD ON THE DRIVER SIDED CRACKED INTO 2 PIECES. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO HAVE HAD THIS ISSUES”
AIR BAGS
37 NHTSA complaints · 2016-10 → 2021-09
“I am STILL waiting for this recall to be fixed. Why is this taking so long? Every time I drive this vehicle, it is a danger for my passenger due to the defective airbag”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, SHE ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AND WAS HIT BY A CAR COMING FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT”
“MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER2049151 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER16V381 RECALL STATUSRECALL INCOMPLETE, REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE RECALL STATUS HAS BEEN SHOWING AS REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE SINCE MAY 27,2016”
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
20 NHTSA complaints · 2010-02 → 2024-07
“AS WE WERE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAY OUR STABILITRAK LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE CUT OUT, WE HAD NO POWER. WE WAITED FOR 30 MINUTES AND STARTED ENGINE, IT RAN FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED A TOTAL OF 5 TIMES NOW”
“DRIVING FOR A FEW WEEKS ON MORE GOT UP ONE MORNING AND IT WOULD NOT S STARTED KEEP CRANKING TURN IT OVER THERE WOULDN'T STARTED”
“WHILE TAKING 4 CHILDREN TO SCHOOL IN THE MORNING, THE DASH TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE ENGINE DIED. POWER STEERING AND BREAKS WERE GONE AND I WAS LEFT STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION”
AIR BAGS
3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2020-12
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE”
“AIRBAG LIGHT SAYS CHECK AIRBAG”
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.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
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.
Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)
22 crashes 1990–2024
How the 22 occupant deaths break down
11
driver deaths
11
passenger deaths
22
occupant deaths
Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 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.
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.
1
complaints mentioning a crash
0
complaints mentioning a fire
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 2009 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.