2012 Chevrolet Suburban Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 12%of 101 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the engine of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban, 12% of the 101 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“Oil was changed at approx 72,000 miles. New filter and quaker state full synthetic 10w-30 oil. Current mileage as of oct. 11, 2015 is 78409 miles (15% oil life remaining). I have had to add 8 qts. Of oil so far. There are no visible leaks and exhaust does not smoke excessively. This is definitely not normal. Engine runs good otherwise. I am in the process of making an appointment with GM dealer for diagnosis.”
NHTSA complaint #10781343, filed 2015-10, 72,000 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“My 2012 Suburban has 90,000 miles. I had the lifters and oil pump go bad in october. Two weeks later I am back in the shop because the wheel bearing has gone bad. This is not covered under warranty. Also my dash is cracking. I had a 1999 Suburban and never had these problems.”
NHTSA complaint #10919218, filed 2016-10Related service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 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.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11012907Dec 18, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
- 11011709Nov 5, 2024This 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.
- 11011205Oct 28, 2024This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
- 11010544Oct 7, 2024This service bulletin explains how to measure for oil consumption and possible reasons for loss of oil.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | 53% |
| 2023 | 69 | 53% |
| 2022 | 62 | 50% |
| 2021 | 89 | 44% |
| 2020 | 17 | 39% |
| 2019 | 26 | 33% |
| 2018 | 19 | 23% |
| 2017 | 26 | 18% |
| 2016 | 27 | 12% |
| 2015 | 39 | 9% |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 14% |
| 2012 | 12 | 12% |
| 2011 | 10 | 7% |
| 2010 | 6 | 5% |
| 2009 | 10 | 9% |
| 2008 | 25 | 12% |
| 2007 | 27 | 9% |
| 2005 | 6 | 5% |
| 2004 | 6 | 3% |
| 2003 | 4 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 1 | 0% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1997 | 1 | 0% |
| 1994 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban
38 complaintsAir bags
25 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsElectrical system
10 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