My car was acting weird, brake pedal was extremely tough to decompress, speed then was affected, and ultimately the brakes failed.
2018 Chevrolet Suburban complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2018 record →
I have three occasions where I have been turning and my steering wheel locks up and is very hard to turn. I almost crashed twice. I have three young children in the car. I could not get out of the way fast enough but luckily avoided a crash.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact initially stated that while in reverse(R), the brake pedal became firm as the brake assist message appeared on the instrument panel. The contact stated that she had to stand on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle while in reverse(R). The contact then stated that the failure would occur while driving at various speed. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer where the mechanic was eventually able to duplicate the failure. The contact had the vacuum pump replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where she was then informed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to pay a portion towards the cost of the repair. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) which she linked to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 80,000.
We were driving the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban with our three children we tried to accelerate at a green light the car jolted to a halt and someone almost hit us from behind. If this would have happened on the highway we could have caused a major accident and put my kids lives in danger. Was able to get the car to move to the side of the road. We had the car towed to an automotive repair shop and they said there was an issue with the torque convertor and the transmission was totally ruined. There were no check engine lights and no warning what so ever! The repair shop said they haven’t seen this happen on a car with so few miles. Costing us 4.5k and a couple weeks. There are no recalls for this issue on our car.
I had noticed an intermittent chirping noise coming from the vehicle, but no warning lights were on and it did not seem significant, I thought maybe it was a squeaky belt that I would have checked at our next routine maintenance. My husband drove the vehicle next for an approximately 12-mile round trip. He noticed the noise get more consistent and louder, and while pulling into our driveway, I observed that the sound was very loud and smoke was coming from the right side wheel well. As soon as he put the vehicle in park, coolant flooded the driveway. We had an independent mechanic come to our home to diagnose the vehicle. He stated that the water pump completely blew and the pulley was loose. The mechanic emphasized that a car this age should not have had a loose water pump/pulley and that this was a manufacturing issue. He was very concerned that if it had blown while driving, it would have shut off the engine entirely and could have caused a catastrophic accident. He recommended a new water pump and thermostat.
When driving with the 4x4 switch in the auto setting the car would jerk while driving at high speeds. Almost seemed like the left front tire would engage on dry pavement. Also there is a loss of steering while the vehicle is in motion. Speed does not change when it happens. Seems to happen more when driving around a corner. Loss of steering happened for a split second or multiple seconds.
2018 Chevy Suburban. HVAC Condenser needs replaced. There is a recall for the 2015-2017 models but not 2018. Same problem. A/c does not blow cold air.
Both 2nd row seatbelt tensioners failed within four years of owning the vehicle (bucket seats) with an estimated cost of $500 to fix. We were advise that this is the result of using a recommended child car seat. It is not acceptable or safe to have a seat belt system that cannot be used properly after a car seat has been used and removed.
The car was slowly making right hand turn when we heard a loud noise and stopped the car Once we got out, we saw that right wheel was completely torn out. We have videos and pictures. If it would happened on the higher speed, we would be dead. The car shop told us that they never seen anything like that in the past. Per their report, upper control arm broke off then the rest followed: lower control arm, ball joint, outer tie rod, poss inner tie rod, sway bar link, abs sensor connector. Consumer also learned from dealer that certain parts do not exist anymore and new ones are available.
I purchased the vehicle in June. On a trip in July the transmission stopped functioning in the middle of a major highway. There was no warning and the car just stopped. After getting it to a service dealer in the state we were traveling in, we were told it was the transmission. The car had less than 34,000 miles on it. Fast forward to today and 4 garage visits later, I know own a vehicle that I am told by service dept could need an entire transmission. At less than 40,000 miles.
When placing the car in reverse, the car started to go backwards quickly and I had to put all my weight on the brakes and it took about 40 feet for the car to stop.
The vehicle began to shake as if it would shut down. Then, the engine light came on. Then I received three text message alerts. We were shown paperwork regarding the service history that was done at Philips Chevrolet. Now we’re getting alerts regarding work that has to be completed within 7 days.
My wife and son were traveling on the interstate in Indianapolis and the brakes began to fail in our 2018 Chevy Suburban. The brake pedal was almost impossible to depress to get the vehicle to even slow down. She was afraid that she was not going to be able to stop and get in a crash. Fortunately, she was able to maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder as it finally slowed down enough. She was afraid to go any farther to an exit for fear of not being able to stop down a sloping exit. So she was able to come to a stop on the shoulder of the interstate. Their was a warning light that came on as this was happening, which was the ABS warning light. It was towed to Andy Mohr Speedway Chevrolet and they have diagnosed it as a failed vacuum pump. After doing research, I found that there is a recall on 2018 Chevrolet Suburban for the vacuum pump. However, the VIN on my vehicle wasn't included. The recall number is N192268490. The information listed in this recall sounds exactly was happened to our vehicle causing the very dangerous condition that could have resulted in a tragic crash.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 55 MPH, THE MESSAGE HILL DESCENT ASSIST DISABLED WAS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR BEFORE THE ABS SYSTEM ACTIVATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GEORGE GEE BUICK GMC (21502 E GEORGE GEE AVE, LIBERTY LAKE, WA 99019, (509) 343-2391) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.
MY DOORS LOCK WITH THE CAR WITH THE KEYS IN THE CAR, MY KIDS WERE IN MY CAR AND I GOT LOCKED OUT WITH MY KEYS IN IT, THERE WAS A BATTERY REPLACEMENT DONE WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A RECALL NOTICE A MONTH AGO (MAYBE 2 MONTHS), ALSO THE LOCK BUTTON WORKS BUT WHEN I PUSH THE MIDDLE BUTTON IT WILL NOT AUTO START , WHEN I PUSH THE BUTTON ON THE HANDLE OUTSIDE THE CAR DOOR IT WILL NOT UNLOCK,& MY CAR WILL TELL ME THAT MY REMOTE ISN'T DETECTED WHEN THE KEYS ARE IN THE CAR. I WAS AT HOME WHEN IT LOCKED WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR I PUT THEM IN THE CAR AND I WALKED AROUND TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CAR AND IT LOCKED THAT QUICKLY IN MY DRIVEWAY AT HOME NOT EVEN RUNNING NOT MOVING.
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC OF 2019 USED. 35,000 MILES. NOW HAS 88,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. REGULAR OIL CHANGES. NO WARNING LIGHTS. NO ISSUES. STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER HAVING SOMEONE LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO EITHER BE REBUILT OR REPLACED.
I DRIVE A 2018 CHEVY SUBURBAN. THIS CAR HAD NO LIGHTS ON AND HAS LESS THAN 18K MILES ON IT. IT IS JUST OVER TWO YEARS OLD AND THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING WITH MY [XXX] CHILD AND WE HAD DRIVEN ABOUT A MILE. WE WERE ON THE FEEDER ROAD ABOUT TO GET ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR STARTED SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. JERKING FASTER AND FASTER WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THE GAS. IT WAS LIKE WE WERE ON A RUNAWAY TRAIN. I PANICKED AND SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BREAKS. THERE WERE NO BREAKS - NO TENSION OR PRESSURE IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE PEDAL JUST CONTINUOUSLY SLAMMED INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I COULDN'T STOP US. I THOUGHT QUICKLY AND SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE PARKING BRAKE AS OUR CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE QUICKLY WITH NO BRAKE FUNCTION. WE JOLTED TO A STOP AS CARS ZOOMED AROUND US HONKING AND YELLING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR OFF OF THE PARKING BREAK, THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. NO BREAKS AND SPORADIC ACCELERATION. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS INCIDENT A LIGHT CAME ON THAT SAID 'SERVICE STABILITRAK'. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I'M SHARING THIS FOR ALL CAR OWNERS TO REMEMBER THE POWER OF YOUR PARKING BREAK IN AN EMERGENCY. IT'S ONE THING TO BE ANNOYED WHEN YOUR CAR WON'T GO, BUT IT IS PURE PANIC AND FEAR WHEN YOUR CAR WON'T STOP AND KEEPS GOING FASTER - ESPECIALLY WITH YOUR PRECIOUS CHILD IN THE BACK SEAT. *JS PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE AUTOMATIC AIR SUSPENSION HAS FAILED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN TOWING. THE SHOCKS LEAK, THE COMPRESSOR DOES NOT TURN ON, AND SOMETIMES, IF IT DOES TURN ON, THE BAGS DO NOT DEFLATE. WHEN THEY DO NOT INFLATE IT CAUSES DANGEROUS SAGGING AND SQUATTING. WHEN THEY INFLATE AND DO MOT DEFLATE AFTER TOWING THE REAR SUSPENSION IS VERY STIFF AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AROUND IN. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN OVER 5 TIMES TO FIX THE ISSUE AND CHEVY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2018.
THE STABILITY TRACK LIGHTS KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF. DEALER CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. IT DOES NOT LEAVE A CODE IN ORDER TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. WHEN THE LIGHT COMES ON IT AFFECTS THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STEERING ASSIST. THIS OCCURS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ARE ON A CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY.
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY LOCK WHEN THE SEATBELT IS FULLY PULLED OUT OF THE RETRACTOR, NOR DOES IT AUTOMATICALLY RETRACT WHEN IN THE UNUSED POSITION. MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOSE. CANNOT PROPERLY SECURE MY CHILD'S SAFETY SEAT.
MY 2018 SUBURBAN REQUIRED OVER $400 WORTH OF EXPENSES TO REPLACE A VALVE AND RECHARGE THE FREON IN THE AC. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER IT REQUIRED A NEW CONDENSER AND ANOTHER $1250 IN REPAIR. THE CONDENSER WAS RECALLED IN 2015-2017 SUBURBANS AND IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE IT SHOULD INCLUDE THE 2018 MODEL YEAR AS WELL. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PUT MORE THAN $1650 IN REPAIRS FOR THAT INTO A VEHICLE THAT IS LESS THAN THREE YEARS OLD. I HAVE A FAMILY OF SIX INCLUDING A NINE MONTH OLD AND IT IS NOT SAFE IN THE SUMMER HEAT TO BE DRIVING THEM AROUND AS THIS IS THE ONLY CAR WE HAVE THAT FITS THE ENTIRE FAMILY. MY WIFE IS A DOCTOR AND FREQUENTLY WORKING AT THE HOSPITAL DURING THIS PANDEMIC SO IT IS THE ONLY REMAINING VEHICLE I HAVE AND THE ONLY ONE THAT FITS THE REST OF THE FAMILY. *TR
CAR BRAKES ON ITS OWN WHEN GOING ABOVE 40 MPH CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO ONE SIDE.
THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO PROVIDE THE FEDERAL SAFETY STANDARDS STICKER AND DMV WILL NOT PROVIDE ME WITH MY REGISTRATION TO OPERATE MY SUV
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE OFF AND KIDS WERE GETTING INTO CAR WHEN ONE OF THE KIDS PULLED IN THE SHIFTER AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL. THE SUBURBAN WAS STOPPED WHEN IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND. THE SLOPE WAS SMALL AND THE IMPACT WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THE VEHICLE CAN BE SHIFTED IN/OUT OF PARK WITH OR WITHOUT KEYS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE IN THE OFF POSITION. THIS EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC, HAD A CHILD BEEN BEHIND THE VEHICLE WHEN IT CAME OUT OF PARK AND INTO GEAR. WE HAVE VIDEO OF THE VEHICLE BEING ABLE TO BE SHIFTED WITHOUT THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE RUNNING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V761000(ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT STATED THAT SALT LAKE VALLEY CHEVROLET (LOCATED AT 4050 W 3500 S, WEST VALLEY CITY, UT 84120, (801) 758-8387) EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V761000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF DENVILLE (281 US-46 E, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973) 664-7584) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT SHE SHOULD NOT PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO 4-WHEEL DRIVE UNTIL THE REMEDY WAS FOUND. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE CAP LESS FILLER'S AUTOMATIC FLAP BROKE. WE NOTICED THIS SHORTLY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE
INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS FRONT END COLLISION AND AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HIT BETWEEN FRONT WHEEL AND FRONT BUMPER. WAS LEAVING A STOP SIGN WHEN HIT. VEHICLE THAT HIT ME WAS GOING AT LEAST 40 MPH.
FRAME WAX PEELING, RESULTING IN CORROSION. AT THE CURRENT RATE, CORROSION WILL AFFECT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME IN THE FUTURE. PROBLEM MAY HAVE RESULTED FROM IMPROPER WAX APPLICATION TECHNIQUE OR IMPROPER PREPARATION OF FRAME PRIOR TO WAX APPLICATION. NORMAL VEHICLE USE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTERWARDS, THE "FAILURE TO OPEN RIGHT DOOR, ROLL WINDOW DOWN, AND PUT BACK UP" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BANNER CHEVROLET (5173, 5950 CHEF MENTEUR HWY, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70126, (504) 302-8900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,311.
DEFECTIVE REAR CENTER SEAT BELT. WOULD NOT EXTEND OUT.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MISS FIRING. FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR ON CYLINDER #1.
THE FILLER NECK ON MY 3 MONTH OLD 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500, HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN O RING THAT WAS MISSING, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK NOT TO PRESSURIZE PROPERLY CAUSING THE FUEL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM TO SEND AN OBD II FAULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL AND BOUNCED BACK ONTO THE ROADWAY. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED SHOULDER AND NECK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DRIVER ALSO SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT WHERE IT WAS AWAITING INSPECTION. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,700.
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NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban → · Every Suburban year → · How the figures are calculated →