2012 Chevrolet Suburban Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 10%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, 10% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On two recent occasions my Suburban has failed to start (battery dead). I went to an auto parts store, they tested the battery and said it was good. Why is my battery going dead? Both instances are the vehicle is set on accessories and the radio was working. In both instances the battery would not turn over the engine.”
NHTSA complaint #10650534, filed 2014-10, 40,000 miles“Went to put my shoes on and I saw that my front end of my truck was on fire .it had been 15 hours since I had driven the truck . There were flames coming out of the front passagner side on the grill. And engulfed the front end of my truck.”
NHTSA complaint #10459983, filed 2012-05, 8,628 miles“Having issues with various warning lights will come on in the dash (seat belt, traction control, air bags), the radio will go dead and the headlights will flicker, and it loses power and steering for a few seconds. It seems to happen when I'm applying brakes or turning corners and just at random times. I'm very worried about this happening for extended periods of time, especially on hard curves when you lose power. The dealer is reporting that it is a ground cable issue and want us to cover the entire cost of repairs. Updated 09/15/15”
NHTSA complaint #10734128, filed 2015-07, 66,000 miles“While just starting to accelerate, the radio shut off, the automatic locks started to go up and down, then the engine light came on and the engine stopped running. I put the truck in park, shut of the engine and restarted without issue 5 minutes later. Two days later, the same thing happened, only this time, when we went to restart the truck, it seemed as though the battery was dead as no dome lights would come on and the fob would not work the door locks. 3 hours later when the tow truck operator showed up, the truck started right up. This has happened 5 times since april 6th. …”
NHTSA complaint #10748498, filed 2015-08, 63,000 miles“Low miles owner, garage kept, after several days of non-use, ie-parked in garage, vehicle will not start due to a dead battery. Baytown (craft) dealer could find nothing wrong. Current mileage 24k, still does same thing, if vehicle is not driven almost daily, the battery will go dead for zero reason and no one a chevy know why or what. Have had vehicle at dealer several times and nothing ever fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10680347, filed 2015-02, 14,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V827000Dec 30, 2014General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado…Covers: Chevrolet Suburban 2011–2012, Tahoe 2011–2012, Cadillac Escalade ESV 2011–2012 +7 more
Related service bulletins
- 11017252Mar 28, 2025This service bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on OnStar Module 2G Sunset Information.
- 11017031Mar 12, 2025This service bulletin provides information to diagnose batteries that have set for a long period of time and/or cold weather climates and testing those batteries.
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011805Dec 6, 2024This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number for reflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses.
- 11009156Oct 25, 2024This Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or updating operating software for the Tire Pressure Monitor, Active Fuel Injector tester…
- 11010421Oct 3, 2024This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on the requirements for 12V battery testing and warranty replacements.
- 11007196Sep 6, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the…
- 11006621Aug 26, 2024Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles. It provides the ability via a single selection within Techline Connect to first identify which…
- 11006274Aug 13, 2024This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that the speedometer needle appears to be inaccurate. Dealer should advise the…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 11% |
| 2023 | 14 | 11% |
| 2022 | 22 | 18% |
| 2021 | 19 | 9% |
| 2020 | 8 | 18% |
| 2019 | 7 | 9% |
| 2018 | 17 | 20% |
| 2017 | 21 | 15% |
| 2016 | 26 | 12% |
| 2015 | 58 | 13% |
| 2014 | 7 | 12% |
| 2013 | 14 | 12% |
| 2012 | 10 | 10% |
| 2011 | 10 | 7% |
| 2010 | 9 | 8% |
| 2009 | 16 | 15% |
| 2008 | 22 | 10% |
| 2007 | 25 | 9% |
| 2006 | 3 | 13% |
| 2005 | 36 | 28% |
| 2004 | 72 | 35% |
| 2003 | 81 | 27% |
| 2002 | 10 | 4% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 13 | 5% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 42 | 10% |
| 1996 | 47 | 13% |
| 1995 | 32 | 7% |
| 1994 | 21 | 2% |
| 1993 | 7 | 1% |
| 1992 | 9 | 5% |
| 1991 | 2 | 4% |
| 1990 | 3 | 6% |
| 1989 | 1 | 2% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 1 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
38 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology