Chevrolet Suburban VIN Number Check

Decode a Chevrolet Suburban VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefix1GN3GN1GB1GC

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Chevrolet Suburban

About the Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet has sold the Suburban in the US since the 1990 model year, and there have been six generations. The Gen 7 came first (1990–1991); Gen 8 (1992–1999), Gen 9 (2000–2006), Gen 10 (2007–2014), Gen 11 (2015–2020) followed, and the Gen 12 took over for 2021–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 84 vehicle recall campaigns and 9,619 owner complaints. The 1994 has the most complaints of any model year (872). EPA rates the Gen 7 at 12–17 mpg combined, while the Gen 12 gets 16–23 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years1990–2026

GenerationsGen 7 · Gen 8 · Gen 9 · Gen 10 · Gen 11 · Gen 12

NHTSA recall campaigns84

Owner complaints9,619 at NHTSA

Chevrolet Suburban photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Chevrolet Suburban generations

Six generations since the 1990 model year. The Gen 8 (1992–1999) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 9 (2000–2006) the most recall campaigns (20).

6 / 6

Gen 12

2021–202612th generation

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

19901995200020052010201520202025

2021–2026· Generation 6 of 6

Gen 12 · 12th generation

PlatformGMT T1XX

EPA combined mpg16–23

NHTSA recalls19

Engines (EPA)

3.0 L 6-cyl (turbo, diesel) · 2021–2026
5.3 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026
6.2 L 8-cyl · 2021–2026

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, RWD
automatic (2021–2026)

Known issues to check

Engine and cooling (302)Powertrain (transmission, driveline) (102)Electrical system (68)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 552 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 121GNSKGKL?PR······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban High Country, built in Arlington, Texas

Check a Suburban VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Suburban model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 84 campaigns on file for Suburban model years 1990–2026, and the 2021 shows up in more of them than any other year (13), ahead of the 2015 (11). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Chevrolet Suburban owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Complaints peak with the 1994 (872 of 9,619). Tap any bar or generation.

9,619NHTSA complaints, 1990–2026

671mention a crash

162mention a fire

567injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 12: 552 complaints · most for the 2021 (199)

Top complaint areas · Gen 12

Mentions in 552 complaints, 2021–2026.

Engine and cooling302

Powertrain (transmission, driveline)102

Electrical system68

Fuel system54

Forward collision avoidance27

Brakes22

Crashes 13Fires 3Injuries 13

2021–2026 (Gen 12)

NHTSA data summary

Its first model year, the 2021, drew more complaints than any other (199 of 552). Owners across the generation name engine and cooling most often (302 mentions), then powertrain (102).

What Suburban owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2021–present (12th generation)

On the 2021, NHTSA owners most often describe engine trouble, including check engine lights, lifter failures and stalls blamed on the fuel pump. CarComplaints has only four reports for 2021, citing a failed fuel pump control module, a sunroof leak and lifter and cam trouble. Recalls cover fuel pump control modules on 2021 models that can make the pump fail and cause a stall, and 6.2L V8 engines on 2021–2024 models whose connecting rods or crankshaft may have defects that lead to engine failure. [1] [2]

2015–2020 (11th generation)

Brakes lead NHTSA complaints on the 2015, with many owners describing a brake pedal that turns hard. CarComplaints ranks an A/C that stopped working first for 2015, followed by brakes that stopped working and transmission failure. Recalls cover brake vacuum pumps on 2015–2018 models whose output may drop over time and reduce brake assist, and 2015 models that can briefly lose electric power steering assist before it suddenly returns. [3] [4]

2007–2014 (10th generation)

Oil consumption is the best known complaint here. CarComplaints notes that thousands of owners report needing a quart of oil every 500 to 1,000 miles. On the 2007, NHTSA complaints center on air bag recalls, cracked dashboards and broken door handles. A recall covers passenger front air bag inflators on 2007–2011 models that may explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. [5] [6]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the 6.2L engine and fuel pump module recalls on 2021 and later models, the brake vacuum pump recall on 2015–2018 models and the air bag inflator recall on 2007–2011 models.
Ask for oil consumption, lifter and A/C repair records.
On the drive, check that the brake pedal feels firm, listen for engine ticking and confirm the A/C blows cold.

Sources (6) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Suburban complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Diesel Suburban versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

9,619complaints, 1990–2026

671mention a crash

162mention a fire

567injuries reported

9complaints report a death

Most complaints: 1994 (872), 1999 (720), 2001 (566)

1994 · 872 complaints

Crashes 150 · fires 10 · injuries 55 · complaints reporting a death 2

Service brakes584

Visibility170

Seat belts29

Engine and engine cooling23

Electrical system21

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Suburban CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 152 Suburban versions for model years 1990–2026 (gas and diesel). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 437 g/mi, for the 2021 diesel. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 71990–1991

12–17 mpg · CO₂ 599–741 g/mi

Gen 81992–1999

12–14 mpg · CO₂ 635–741 g/mi

Gen 92000–2006

13–15 mpg · CO₂ 592–684 g/mi

Gen 102007–2014

12–17 mpg · CO₂ 520–741 g/mi

Gen 112015–2020

16–19 mpg · CO₂ 468–557 g/mi

Gen 122021–2026

16–23 mpg · CO₂ 437–572 g/mi

Model year2025

17combined MPG

530CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$3,950EPA yearly fuel cost

6/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

3/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III SULEV30 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 30Emission standard

Cleanest gas version of 2025: Suburban 2WD · Auto 10-spd, 8 cyl, 5.3 L — 17 MPG · 530 g/mi

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasDiesel

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Suburban vs Ford Expedition vs Toyota Sequoia

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2021–2026. NHTSA lists 19 recall campaigns for the Suburban, against 25 for the Ford Expedition and 8 for the Toyota Sequoia. Pick a range to compare.

Chevrolet SuburbanGen 12

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 19
NHTSA owner complaints: 552
EPA combined mpg: 16–23
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 5.3, 6.2 L
Also listed: turbo, diesel
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 302
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 102
Electrical system 68

Ford Expedition

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 25
NHTSA owner complaints: 535
EPA combined mpg: 17–19
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.5 L
Also listed: turbo
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 147
Electrical system 83
Engine and cooling 80

Toyota Sequoia

Model years 2021–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns: 8
NHTSA owner complaints: 100
EPA combined mpg: 14–22
Engines (EPA): 6-cyl 3.4 L · 8-cyl 5.7 L
Also listed: turbo, hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Structure and body 28
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 11
Brakes 11

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Chevrolet Suburban VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Suburban

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Black Chevrolet Suburban (12th generation) SUV, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

Production changes in 2021 moved the Suburban to a revised dashboard design, but the VIN plate location at the lower driver's side windshield remained consistent. A cargo area floor sticker and door jamb label provide secondary cross-references. The Gen 12 generation starts with the 2021 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (M for 2021) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Chevrolet Suburban VIN questions

Which Chevrolet Suburban model years have the most owner complaints?

The 1994 leads with 872, ahead of the 1999 (720) and 2001 (566). Those first two alone make up 17% of the 9,619 Suburban complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Chevrolet Suburban had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 84 vehicle campaigns for model years 1990–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 9 leads with 20. Then come the Gen 12 (19), Gen 11 (16), Gen 10 (15), Gen 8 (13) and Gen 7 (4), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Chevrolet Suburban recalls are high risk?

21V-050, 21V-052, 21V-053, 21V-054 and 21V-051 cover air bag inflator modules and how they deploy. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 93V-016, 95V-026, 03V-093, 03V-094, 05V-155, 03V-019, 06V-289, 04V-376 and 4 more. Do-not-drive advisories came with 26V-289 and 16V-256. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which Suburban generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 7 is 1990–1991 and the Gen 8 1992–1999. Gen 9 spans 2000–2006, Gen 10 2007–2014, Gen 11 2015–2020 and Gen 12 2021–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (M is 2021).

What fuel economy does the Chevrolet Suburban get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2021–2026 Gen 12 at 16–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 12–17 mpg for the 1990–1991 Gen 7 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Chevrolet Suburban compare with the Ford Expedition and Toyota Sequoia on recalls?

For 2021–2026 models the Suburban has 19 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Ford Expedition has 25, the Toyota Sequoia 8. Complaints run 552, 535 and 100 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

What crash rating does the Chevrolet Suburban have?

NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2025 Suburban 5 stars overall. Both rated versions, RWD and 4WD, get that score.

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