FaultScore

Chevrolet Suburban airbag problems

663 of the 10,571 complaints filed about the Chevrolet Suburban are about the airbag system — 6% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2007.

663

Complaints

6%

Share of all complaints

125

Crashes

5

Fires

Airbags complaints by model year

1992 Suburban 1 0.2%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

1995 Suburban 21 3.2%
1996 Suburban 17 2.6%

Median failure at 174,000 miles

1997 Suburban 8 1.2%

Median failure at 129,052 miles

1998 Suburban 4 0.6%
1999 Suburban 15 2.3%

Median failure at 154,500 miles

2000 Suburban 9 1.4%

Median failure at 40,500 miles

2001 Suburban 20 3.0%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2002 Suburban 12 1.8%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2003 Suburban 20 3.0%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2004 Suburban 14 2.1%

Median failure at 90,000 miles

2005 Suburban 10 1.5%

Median failure at 86,489 miles

2006 Suburban 3 0.5%

Median failure at 105,000 miles

2007 Suburban 146 22.0%

Median failure at 121,250 miles

2008 Suburban 96 14.5%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2009 Suburban 38 5.7%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2010 Suburban 52 7.8%

Median failure at 88,000 miles

2011 Suburban 66 10.0%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2012 Suburban 26 3.9%

Median failure at 68,000 miles

2013 Suburban 28 4.2%

Median failure at 57,900 miles

2014 Suburban 15 2.3%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2015 Suburban 11 1.7%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

2016 Suburban 6 0.9%

Median failure at 55,000 miles

2017 Suburban 4 0.6%

Median failure at 70,000 miles

2018 Suburban 4 0.6%

Median failure at 10,000 miles

2019 Suburban 2 0.3%
2020 Suburban 2 0.3%

Median failure at 1,500 miles

2021 Suburban 6 0.9%

Median failure at 9,500 miles

2022 Suburban 4 0.6%
2023 Suburban 2 0.3%
2024 Suburban 1 0.2%

What owners said

2015 Chevrolet Suburban Uncasville, CT

AIR BAGS

Door slam caused side impact airbags to deploy

NHTSA complaint #11751414 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Chevrolet Suburban Levittown, NY Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

My vehicle was met with an accident on June 28, 2026. The accident was very swear and driver get internal injuries like swelling on face pain in head and ribs due to the heavy shock. But non of the airbag has been activated for safety of driver.

NHTSA complaint #11749632 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Suburban at 192,252 miles Decatur, IL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2016 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 30-35 MPH, the vehicle crashed into a concrete pole, and the front end of the vehicle was significantly damaged. The contact stated that the pole was 12-18 inches into the hood, and 1.5 ft. up into the engine bay. The concrete pole was damaged. The air bags and the seat belt pretensioners failed to deploy. Several warning lights, including the check engine, the ABS, the TPMS, the air bag, the StabiliTrak, and the traction control warning lights, were illuminated after the crash. The contact noticed he had sustained bumps on the head and neck from hitting the steering wheel, but did not feel sore at the time. The contact woke up dizzy the next day and sought medical assistance. The contact underwent X-rays and was informed that he had also sustained torn chest muscles. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The insurance company towed the vehicle to another lot the following day, and the vehicle was totaled. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V651000(Air Bags, Seat Belts), which was previously performed on the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that the manufacturer had also issued NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V437000(Air Bags, Seat Belts) for vehicles repaired under the previous recall, and the recall information stated that the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. However, the second recall had not been performed on the vehicle. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed, but the case manager was unreachable. The failure mileage was 192,252.

NHTSA complaint #11731042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Suburban Denton, MD

AIR BAGS

Per AAA—Front Airbag/Seatbelt and Increase break pedal

NHTSA complaint #11729162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Chevrolet Suburban Goldsboro, NC

AIR BAGS

Front passenger dash airbag spontaneously deployed without any inciting event. The vehicle is at the Team Chevrolet Goldsboro dealership. A case has been opened with General Motors Case Number XXX. No prior warning - it smoked for a few seconds then deployed. No prior warning lights.

NHTSA complaint #11728354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2016 Chevrolet Suburban Chesapeake Beach, MD

AIR BAGS

While driving home vehicle slid on black ice and spun out. While spinning curtain airbags and driver seat deployed and battery died. Sis not hit anything

NHTSA complaint #11721229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Suburban at 90,000 miles San Jose, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the rear driver side of the vehicle, causing him to lose control of the vehicle, collided into the curb, and the two right side tires, both driver's and passenger tires, became blown and damaged. The contact mentioned that after colliding with the curb, he crashed into a tree, which caused the right passenger side rim to detach from the tire. The contact also mention from the impact the whole right passenger side of the completely crushed and was damaged. The contact stated that no air bags deployed in his vehicle. The contact stated that he sustained a concussion to the head from the driver side window, brushing of the right rib, and bruises on both left and right hands. Medical attention was required. The contact stated that a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to City Towing. The manufacturer was notified of this failure, and they requested information from the contact regarding the accident. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11714310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Chevrolet Suburban Vinemont, AL

AIR BAGS

“Service safety restraint system” light came on. I feel this is a defect and a serious concern. I’ve seen where others are experiencing the same issue. I bought this vehicle specifically because I wanted to a safe vehicle to drive my 4 children around in.

NHTSA complaint #11714022 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2013 Chevrolet Suburban New Orleans, LA

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2013 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V053000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA complaint #11712550 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Chevrolet Suburban Gilberts, IL

AIR BAGS

Car says "service safety restraint system" and airbag light comes on intermittently. Dealer won't cover under safety restraint warranty. They site TSB about a wire that GM made too short but are not sure it will fix it. This car has 42,000. We are worried the safety restraint system won't work and we carry 4 children in our vehicle. This should be covered and a safety recall.

NHTSA complaint #11707940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Chevrolet Suburban Frisco, TX

AIR BAGS

Our 2014 Chevrolet Suburban has been garage-kept since it was purchased new. Within a year of the factory airbag recall replacement, the dashboard began cracking in two separate areas. The cracks have continued to spread despite the vehicle being consistently garage-kept and the regular use of a windshield sunshade.

NHTSA complaint #11705145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Chevrolet Suburban Fresno, CA

AIR BAGS

Warning light indicating front passenger airbag inflator which is at risk of exploding during a crash due to propellant degradation sending metal fragments into the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11692204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Chevrolet Suburban Mount Pleasant, SC

AIR BAGS

Since purchasing the vehicle on September 27, 2024, I have experienced a series of troubling issues that raise serious concerns about its design, manufacturing, and overall safety, including: Airbag system malfunction: My airbags were nonfunctional for over a month. Tire-related issues: Required full replacement of the initial set of tires. Persistent alignment problems Bluetooth audio problems: Poor quality and connectivity with multiple phones, resolved only after a service visit in May 2025. Defective seat frame: Rear passenger-side bucket seat required full replacement. Defective paint: Blisters and bubbles in the rear quarter panel paint. Fuel module failure: Most concerning, the vehicle abruptly stopped on the road last week and required towing. I was later told the cause was a fuel module failure. Each of these issues is concerning on its own. Taken together, they represent a troubling pattern of unreliability and potential risk to my safety and that of others on the road. They’ve also resulted in a significant loss of my time. This vehicle has spent over a month at the dealership for service—astounding for a truck that’s only eight months old. These are the kinds of delays and disruptions I specifically try to avoid by purchasing and maintaining new Chevrolet vehicles.

NHTSA complaint #11666254 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Chevrolet Suburban at 154,000 miles Rancho Cucamonga, CA Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2008 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at 30 MPH, she started to choke and was unable to breathe, which resulted in the driver fully colliding into a cement wall. The driver sustained injuries, and medical attention was provided, and the contact child was taken to the local trauma facility. The contact stated that all of the air bags located in the vehicle were deployed during the incident. A police officer was driving behind during the incident and assisted immediately after the crash. The contact was concerned that the air bags deployed violently, causing a fracture to the driver's neck, which resulted in an emergency trigonometry on the scene, who cut the trachea. The driver suffered injuries and underwent multiple operations due to the incident. The driver sustained lung and trachea injuries from the incident. A police report was filed, but the report number was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. After the incident occurred, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V050000 (Air Bags). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11664687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Chevrolet Suburban Live Oak, TX

AIR BAGS

The technical service bulletin for the Service Safety Restraint System is for models 2021-2023. I have a 2020 Service Safety Restraint System error code this is appearing intermittently. Turning off and on. It's almost like a short somewhere. We are taking it in for servicing but I feel that the service bulletin should include the 2020 model as well.

NHTSA complaint #11661801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Moseley, VA Crash

AIR BAGS

Safety Defect Complaint Vehicle Equipment: - Anti-lock Brakes - Full Front Air Bag - Passive Disabling Anti-theft Device Introduction: I am the registered owner and primary driver of a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. I am filing this safety complaint regarding a serious system malfunction that occurred during an accident in 2023, resulting in injury to myself and my daughter. As a responsible vehicle owner who has maintained this vehicle according to manufacturer specifications since its purchase on July 21, 2021, I am deeply concerned about the safety implications of this incident. Safety Defect Description: In 2023, my vehicle experienced a critical system malfunction during a collision incident. While the vehicle was not in a rollover situation, the system incorrectly detected one, resulting in: 1. Complete vehicle shutdown during active accident conditions 2. All airbags deployed simultaneously 3. False rollover detection despite vehicle only experiencing vertical displacement when something from another vehicle hit the front of my vehicle Injuries and Medical Response: - Driver (self) sustained mild concussion requiring emergency transport - Daughter required emergency medical evaluation - Both occupants transported via ambulance to hospital Insurance Claim Impact: - MetLife denied accident and hospital claims - Denial basis: Absence of traffic citation - Virginia State Police report indicated no-fault accident - This denial has created significant financial hardship due to medical expenses and vehicle repairs - The vehicle's system malfunction has contributed to difficulties in proving accident circumstances Ongoing Vehicle Issues Post-Incident: - Persistent power loss issues, Multiple alignments required, Compromised driving dynamics and handling, vehicle does not track correctly despite repairs Safety Concern: The vehicle's incorrect rollover detection and subsequent complete shutdown during an active accident scenario presents a serious safety risk.

NHTSA complaint #11658176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Chevrolet Suburban Zionsville, IN

AIR BAGS

This is not connected with a specific crash in this vehicle. It is a defect with all vehicles with this seat. There is known common defect with the stitching on the side of the front seats covering the airbag. The stitching is designed to come apart if an airbag is deployed. The defective stitching deteriorates and falls apart. This exposes the airbag system in the seat. This occurs on all GM vehicles with the same leather seats. Models include Suburbans, Yukons, and pickup trucks. In this Suburban the stiching started to come apart about 6 years ago with a few loose threads. The entire side of the seat has now come apart. The rest of the seat is in relatively good repair without any holes, rips or torn stitching. GM claims this is cosmetic and not covered. The safety issues caused by this includes the potential deterioration of the airbag system interfering with deployment in a crash. Another safety issue is the potential for foreign objects to get lodged in this space and injuring someone if the airbag goes off. The third safety issue is the potential of a person, or child, to access the airbag and cause it to go off without warning.

NHTSA complaint #11645734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2009 Chevrolet Suburban Freeport, FL

AIR BAGS

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11635537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2021 Chevrolet Suburban Champion, MI

AIR BAGS

I was sold a vehicle from a dealership in Green Bay Wisconsin under the impression all safety regulations were met. The day I drove it off the lot, I had issues with the back drivers' door, making wind noise. I had messaged the salesman, he stated it may have been the door seal. Days went by, it wasn't sitting well with me, I made an appointment with a local body shop in. regard's to the door and suspicion of something not right. I brought it to the body shop, they informed me, that the back air bags were deployed and stuffed back into the roof, body work on the left side was done incorrectly and is very unsafe to drive, seat belts where my children sit were finger tightened, frame is held on by a bolt etc. The body shop states that if this vehicle were to be in an accident, it would not sustain impact the way vehicles are designed to do so. The owner of the dealership I had bought from refuses to come to an agreement about this situation. I have all the paperwork and documents from the body shop along with another local dealership near me who I also brought it to look it over as well so the owner could understand that this vehicle should have never been able to be sold on his lot. They also agree that this is super unsafe and should not be driven until it is fixed properly and all safety standards should be met. They believe that it should have been totaled out, it is very obvious that the left side was hit and smashed in. I also asked the owner if he would feel safe for his children to drive in this vehicle and he said, “no” I have many documents/pictures/reports to share once needed.

NHTSA complaint #11623927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2015 Chevrolet Suburban at 114,000 miles Byron Center, MI Crash

AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated while driving at 10 MPH and making a right turn to enter a parking lot, the vehicle behind failed to see the contact's turning signal and brake lights therefore did not slow down resulting in the contact being rear-ended. As a result, the vehicle was pushed by the impact of the rear end and crashed into a utility pole where it came to a stop. A police report was filed. There was no medical attention required. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was pending another tow to a collision center. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.

NHTSA complaint #11620995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Chevrolet Suburban problems