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KLUNK

2001 Chevrolet Suburban

The Verdict

21 Check Engine

The 2001 Chevrolet Suburban has 573 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are brakes (224 complaints) and engine (132 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 21/100, it earns a "Check Engine" rating. If you're shopping for a Chevrolet Suburban, consider the 2024 model year which has 93% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2024 has 93% fewer complaints

View the 2024 Chevrolet Suburban dashboard →

21

Klunk Score: Check Engine

More complaints than most vehicles. Known issues exist — budget for potential repairs.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

01V159000 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP AND UTILITY TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE AN INTERNAL COMPONENT IN THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELT RETRACTORS FOR THE 2ND AND 3RD ROW OF SEATS THAT COULD BE CRACKED. WIT...

Risk

IN A CRASH, INCREASED OCCUPANT INJURY COULD RESULT FROM THE NO-LOCK CONDITION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS FOR SPECIFIC LOT NUMBERS AND REPLACE THE BELTS IF NECESSARY. GM IS ENCLOSING AN INSPECTION PROCEDURE FOR THE OWNERS TO USE OR THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALE...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
200012092225010
20011302245113236
2002100197389526
200384901013122
200480921615122
20055130982624
20062891423
200713162487321
20081056155433
200959274242
20212281710525
2022171106116
202322510637
2024522234

By Category

Brakes
224
Engine
132
Body
130
Electrical
51
Transmission
36

By Severity

1
277
2
238
3
3
4
55

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

The ABS and Brake lights illuminate as per GM recall 05v379000. This occurs each time the vehicle is driven. I purchased this vehicle on 12/6/2023 from Kyle's Kars which is a used car dealership in Slatington, PA. A warranty was not offered due to the age, however I did purchase a warranty from Car Shield. This repair would not fall under the warranty guidelines.

30mo ago
Brakes 2

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

37mo ago
Brakes 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BEHIND HIS FATHER'S VEHICLE, THEY HAD APPROACHED A STOP AND ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. AS HIS FOOT WAS ON THE PEDAL, THE CONTACT COULD HEAR THE ABS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE AS THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HIT THE BACK OF HIS FATHER'S VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. DUE TO THE LOW IMPACT OF THE CRASH, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.*DT*JB

67mo ago
Engine 1

FUEL PUMP MAY FALTER OR FAIL; FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS NON-FUNCTIONAL, REPLACED IT; OTHER FUSES PASSED TESTING WITH METER; VEHICLE STARTED, WOULD NOT RUN MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES. NEW FUEL FILTER. GUY AT SERVICE STATION BANGED ON GAS TANK, AND IT WOULD START THEN RUN GREAT FOR A MINUTE, THEN WILL NOT RESTART. ORDERING A REPLACEMENT FUEL PUMP. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2005 ABOUT THE TIME OF GM RECALL 05027. IN DOING ONLINE TROUBLE-SHOOTING TODAY, I DISCOVERED THE 2001 GM RECALL 05027. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES. FUEL FILTER WAS LAST CHANGED IN JULY 2009. COMPLETE FAILURE WHEN IN MOTION, BACKING OUT OF SERVICE STATION ONTO MAIN STREET (US 64 BUS), JUST INCHES FROM LANE OF TRAVEL (6.14.19).WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT A BUSY INTERSECTION DURING LUNCH HOUR? GRATEFUL IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE, OR GET HIT. AS THE SERVICE ATTENDANT TRIED TO RESTART IT, OVER AND OVER, THE RELAY IN THE ECU MAY HAVE FAILED AT THAT TIME. IN THE INTERIM, MY HUSBAND DIED. I REPLACED RELAY/FUSES TODAY 9/14/19, AND VEHICLE STARTED, BUT WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING. ANOTHER MECHANIC BANGED ON FUEL TANK, IT RAN FOR A WHILE, SO HE ADVISED REPLACING PUMP, WHICH IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE AFTER VIEWING YOUTUBE HOW-TO VIDEOS. WITH THE PUMP FAILING SPORADICALLY, AND RESPONDING TO THE VIBRATION OF BEING BANGED, IT SEEMS LIKE FAULTY WIRING OR CONNECTION PROBLEM, OR THAT SOMETHING IS LOOSE OR NOT FULLY SEATED ANYMORE. LOTS OF FOLKS SAY THE CHEVY 1500 IS WIDELY KNOWN FOR FUEL SUPPLY PROBLEMS. GAS GAUGE HAS NOT BEEN ACCURATE EVER. WHEN FULL, IT MAY SHOW EMPTY WHEN TURNING OR HITTING A SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD. (TRACK BY COMPUTING MPG AND MILEAGE, TO DETERMINE RANGE). IN SHORT DISTANCES, IT SWINGS FULL-> EMPTY->FULL. WIRING DIAGRAM SHOWS TINY FUSE LABELED PRIME, NONE THERE. ABS INDICATOR LIGHTS UP BECAUSE SENSOR CABLE AT RIGHT FRONT TIRE MAY FAIL ON LEFT TURN, OR HARD RIGHT TURN, YET BRAKES ARE FINE.

83mo ago
Brakes 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO COMMONWEALTH CHEVROLET (155 MARSTON ST, LAWRENCE, MA 01841, (978) 687-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLIES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

92mo ago
Brakes 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON A LIFT AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINE WAS CORRODED, CAUSING A LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET DEALER (877-721-4901, 3731 SW TOPEKA BLVD, TOPEKA, KS 66609) AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED BRAKE LINES CORRODED AND WAS LEAKING. UPDATED 12/18/18*JB

93mo ago
Brakes 2

I WAS SLOWING FOR A STOP SIGN WHILE LEAVING A PARKING LOT WHEN THE STEEL REAR BRAKE LINE SPONTANEOUSLY SPLIT AND DUMPED ALL LINE PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR, AND I ROLLED RIGHT INTO TRAFFIC BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO PUMP THE PEDAL ENOUGH TIMES TO STOP THE VEHICLE AGAINST A CURB. HAD I NEARED THE STOP SIGN 2 SECONDS EARLIER OR LATER, I WOULD HAVE EITHER BEEN T-BONED BY A BOX TRUCK, OR T-BONED A SMALL SEDAN. I EMPHASIZE THAT THE BRAKE LINES SHOWED NO WARNING SIGNS BEYOND THE TYPICAL SURFACE RUST THAT CAN BE FOUND ON ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR MORE THAN A FEW WINTERS IN THE "RUST BELT". HOWEVER, THOSE VEHICLES DO NOT HAVE BRAKE LINES SPONTANEOUSLY FAIL AT THE RATE THAT THESE GM TRUCKS DO. THIS TRUCK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TOWING A CAMPING TRAILER FOR VACATIONS WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY, SO THIS COULD HAVE ENDED VERY DIFFERENTLY. I URGE YOU TO TAKE GM TO TASK AND FORCE THEM TO FIX THEIR MISTAKE OF CHEAPING OUT ON BRAKE LINE MATERIALS!

94mo ago
Brakes 2

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.

96mo ago
Body 1

THE PASSENGER SIDE SECOND SEAT SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT.

96mo ago
Brakes 1

THIS ISSUE OCCURRED IN JULY OF 2016 WHILE WE WERE ON VACATION IN FLORIDA. WE BEGAN TO LOSE BRAKING ABILITY UNTIL FINALLY THE VEHICLE BECAME ALMOST INOPERABLE, ONLY ABLE TO TRAVEL AT ABOUT 20 MPH AND STILL BE ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT HITTING ANYTHING. ONE OF THE STEEL BRAKES LINES HAD BLOWN A HOLE IN IT. WE HAD A SHOP REPAIR IT AND WHEN THEY TESTED IT, IT BLEW ANOTHER LINE. WE ENDED UP HAVING ALL THE LINES REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE LEVEL OF CORROSION.

97mo ago
Body 1

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR WINDOW BREAKS WHEN THE WINDOW IS DOWN FOR NO REASON. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE IT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 60 DAYS. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO DAMMAGE TO ANY OF THE INSIDE OF WINDOW OR THE WINDOW REGULATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AND MY DAUGHTER OPENED THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW BROKE.

107mo ago
Engine 1

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.

111mo ago
Electrical 4

ON MARCH 16, 2017, I WAS TRAVELLING ON A MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA IN MY 2001 SUBURBAN WITH THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER ON. I WAS SITTING ON A THIN SEAT CUSHION. TWENTY MINUTES INTO THE 40 MINUTE TRIP, I TURNED MY SEAT HEATER OFF. TEN OR SO MINUTES LATER, I SMELLED A HORRIBLE RUBBER/PLASTIC BURNING SMELL. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION, I LIFTED MY CUSHION AND SAW THAT THE SEAT HAD A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE LEATHER AND INTO MY SEAT CUSHION. IT WAS WARM, BUT I DID NOT SEE A FLAME. WHEN I GOT HOME IN THE BAY AREA, I CONTACTED GM, AND THEY OPENED A CASE NUMBER AND TOLD ME TO TAKE MY VEHICLE TO A DEALER, AND THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE. I RECEIVED A CALL YESTERDAY FROM THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP., AND SHE TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE COVERING THIS AS MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IN SO MANY WORDS. I ASKED WHAT THE DEALER HAD FOUND, AND SHE COULDN'T TELL ME. I REITERATED TO HER THAT THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. MY PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER IS NOW GETTING VERY HOT, AND I AM CONCERNED NOW ABOUT THAT. PLEASE NOTE, THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER IS STILL WORKING IF YOU ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR. TODAY, I FOUND OUT FROM THE DEALER THAT THEY WERE NOT INSTRUCTED BY GM TO LOOK INTO THE SEAT TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THIS, ONLY TO TAKE PICTURES, ETC. NOBODY KNOWS WHY IT HAPPENED. HOW CAN THEY DENY ANYTHING WITHOUT DETERMINING THE CAUSE IS MY THOUGHT. AREN'T THEY CONCERNED THEIR SEATS OVERHEAT? SHOULD THEY BE WARNING THE PUBLIC? MY SEATS ARE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN OLDER VEHICLE. INTERESTING TO NOTE WHEN WE PICKED THE CAR UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I SHOULDN'T WORRY SINCE IT IS NOT WORKING NOW BECAUSE A WIRED PROBABLY BROKE (EVERYTHING IS PROBABLY OR MAYBE). I CORRECTED HIM AND SHOWED HIM THAT IT DOES. HE WAS VERY SURPRISED TO SEE THAT IT STILL DID. SO, THE QUESTION IS WHY DID IT OVERHEAT. PLEASE ADVISE.

112mo ago
Body 1

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 95 COMING BACK FROM DAYTONA WHEN A DRIVER LET ME KNOW THAT MY TIRES WHERE LOW SO I WHEN TO A GAS STATION TO PUT SOME AIR IN AND THATS WHEN I NOTICE THAT MY TIRES HAD A LOT OF NAILS LTHE 4 TIRES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MY TIRES ARE LNOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE THE RECEIPT TO PROVE IT. SOMEONE HAS TO DO SOMETHING. BECAUSE I HAVE A NEW BORN BABY WITH ME AND DRIVING WITH FLAT TIRES IS NOT AN OPTION. PLEASE TAKE MY COMPLAINT IN CONSIDERARATION. THANK YOU

114mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT END AND FRONT WHEELS WERE ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. FIRE AND POLICE REPORTS WERE FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,654.

118mo ago
Engine 4

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SMOKE EMITTED UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

118mo ago
Brakes 2

WHILE THANKFULLY DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, MY BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED WITH NO WARNING..PEDDLE WENT TO THE FLOOR, I WAS ABLE TO STOP BY SHIFTING THE TRANS DOWN TO 2ND THEN 1ST. MECHANIC SAID KNEW EXACTLY WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WHEN I EXPLAINED WHAT HAPPENED AFTER I STOPPED, PUMPED THE BRAKES AND BRAKE FLUID FLOWED FROM UNDER THE TRUCK GENERALLY UNDER WHERE THE DRIVER SITS. MECHANIC EXPLAINED THAT THE BRAKE LINE BROKE AND IS VERY COMMON, AND THAT IT JUST STARTED SHOWING UP A FEW YEARS AGO WHEN THESE "C" BODY TRUCKS AGED. I SPOKE TO ANOTHER MECHANIC AT A CHEVY DEALERSHIP NEAR MY HOME AND HE SAID THE SAME THING THAT IT'S VERY COMMON AND THAT GM NOW SELLS A KIT FOR A COMPETE BRAKE-LINE SYSTEM REPLACEMENT BECAUSE IT HAS BECOME SO COMMON. A FEW DAYS BEFORE I HAD BEEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS ON I-81 WITH A CARLOAD FULL OF PEOPLE, HAD THIS HAPPENED AT THAT TIME IT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. REVIEWING CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ON YOUR SITE I SEE THIS IS A REOCCURRING COMPLIANT AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS, AS THERE IS NO MORE IMPORTANT SAFETY SYSTEM ON A AUTOMOBILE THAN BRAKES....CHEVY HAD A RECALL ON MY 98' BUICK FOR A VALVE COVER GASKET LEAKING THAT DIDN'T COME CLOSE TO THIS POTENTIAL DANGER.

120mo ago
Brakes 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATED WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE HARD TO STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V379000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

121mo ago
Body 1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500 EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE WILDERNESS LETIRES, TIRES SIZE: 265/70R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE BEFORE A LOUD BOOMING SOUND WAS HEARD. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HAD EXPERIENCED A BLOWOUT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

121mo ago
Brakes 1

THREE TIMES I HAD COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. DRIVING TWO TIMES AND HAD JUST ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION THIRD TIME, WHICH WAS TODAY -- SURPRISE!!!! HAD TO SLOWLY DRIVE HOME, YET AGAIN, WITH NO BRAKES!!!!!

125mo ago

573 total

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