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Chevrolet Suburban 1500 knocking problems

19 of the 1,439 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 describe engine knocking or ticking, most of them for the 2004 model year.

owner complaints
19
worst model year
2004
typical mileage
83,300
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2026
    2
  • 2025
    3
  • 2023
    2
  • 2011
    1
  • 2007
    1
  • 2005
    1
  • 2004
    7
  • 2003
    1
  • 1996
    1

Often reported together

Check engine light 6Engine failure 5Misfire 3Loss of power 2Jerking 2Stalling 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P0300 2P0307 1

What owners say

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · TX

While driving, suddenly began hearing loud knocking noise and lost most power. Was able to get vehicle off road, where it stopped, and had trouble starting again. Towed to dealer. Diagnosed issue as spun rod bearing.

Filed Aug 27, 2026 · Engine · 14,800 miles · IA

The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, an abnormal knocking sound was heard coming from the engine compartment, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and parked. While reversing out of the driveway the following day, the engine seized, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, where the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 14,800.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Engine · NJ

Driving on Highway at approx 70mph, lost propulsion and speedometer went to 0. Came back after approx. 5 seconds. After exiting highway and stopping, clear knocking/clanging noise from engine. GM states full engine replacement needed. This is a 2025 6.2 V8, thought these issues were fixed?

Filed Nov 11, 2025 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

7/13/25: Car repeatedly jerking/shuddering/rough ride. A flashing check engine light came on for 10 or 15 minutes. After stopping car and restarting it, the check engine light went off. 9/15/25: Car jerking and another flashing check engine light. Took to dealership. They drove it and said no codes stored. Told it was probably the transmission "breaking in." Took home. Car continued to jerk/stumble. 8/28/25 to 9/15/25: Car jerking and flashing check engine light back on. Took to Autozone. A Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Code was detected (P0300). Took to dealership and confirmed P0300 Code stored. GM TAC engineers involved. Told they were unable to figure out why car was having multiple misfires. Returned car to me because no active code/light. 9/29/25: Car jerking and flashing check engine light back on. Got a warning of "reduced acceleration and drive with care." Car lost power. I have video of this and contacted On Star with report generated and P0300 code. On 10/1/25 on way to dealer, car making audible ticking noise. I have video of this. Took to dealer, the ECM was replaced and oil changed because it was "very dark" (in vehicle with 4,600 miles). Car continued to jerk/stumble. Told by dealer that problem would have to get worse before diagnosis could be made. 10/31/25: Jerking and another flashing check engine light with "reduced acceleration drive with care warning." Turned car off and engine light off. On Star report P0300. Took to dealer. The dealership was given the videos of check engine lights/reduced acceleration warnings and ticking noise video. All show problem happening around 1,200 rpms. Told by dealer on 11/11/25 that GM rep said they will not pay dealer for any work because no active engine light/codes. Told to pick up car. Asked dealer today for reason in writing, but no response. Very concerned about vehicle safety when repeatedly going into limp mode and flashing check engine lights with GM offering no solution.

Filed Oct 31, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Purchased the vehicle on April 7, 2025. On 7/15/25, the car had 6948 mi. and started running rough, had a loss of power, an odor from the engine, and then on the display: check engine, blinking green vehicle light, and a message stating that the car was lowering for stability control. Took the vehicle to the closest Chevrolet service. The service dept. determined that code found P0307 and P0300, cylinder seven had the most misfires above 500. After completing oil service, the vehicle began to click on the passenger side; however, it was not misfiring. They inspected and found potential lifter issue. Found ticking coming from cylinder 7 and verified misfires. Found 2 pushrods damaged. Heard noise coming from cylinder 4, removed valve cover, removed rocker arms, and found 1 pushrod damaged. They removed and replaced all lifters and 3 pushrods. They stated there was no more noise //after this repair. These repairs were completed on July 25, 2025. On 8/15/25 took back to service because it continued to run rough and made excessive noise and whistling when starting the vehicle. The dealer inspected and heard the noise, inspected the vehicle exhaust leak, checked exhaust manifolds, pipe connections, and determined there were no issues found. On 9/26/25 at 11,821 miles the car was making excessive noise, running rough, and was losing power. Drove home, and the vehicle was running rougher and losing power. No check engine lights or warnings were present. Drove home, and the vehicle was running rougher and losing power until it turned off. Towed in. Maintenance techs determined catastrophic engine failure, all bearings and engine rods seized. After this repair hen the catalytic converter failed. This car has been out of service due to engine failures for 43 days out of the 204 of ownership.

Filed Jan 22, 2025 · Engine · NC

On April 7th 2024 we were traveling on vacation 2 1/2 hours from home and our vehicle started making a ticking noise and traction control, engine light, service emissions, and front collision warning all came on. It was idling very rough. We had to stop for the night with our kids and take it to the closest dealer the next morning. They diagnosed the car and confirmed that the lifters needed repair. We had to leave our vehicle and get a rental to make it back home. The dealer made repairs and sent vehicle back to us. Fast forward to 1/15/25 I was on the way to work and the same thing started happening. I then had to tow the vehicle to the dealership and they have diagnosed it with the same issue on the other side of the engine. As a brand new vehicle this should not be happening. Each time we were stranded with kids and without a vehicle for a long period of time.

Filed Jan 21, 2025 · Engine · VA

Engine died without warning on interstate. Vehicle was towed to Chevrolet dealer where defective rod bearings were found. Engine was replaced by dealer.

Filed Nov 19, 2018 · Engine · 152,000 miles · OH

I was driving on a city street and made a right turn onto another city street and the engine started running rough and idle rough, service stabilitrak light stayed on, service traction control, transmission jerks from 1st gear to 2nd gear, engine ticking/knocking, service engine light flashing, scan code came up as misfire on cylinder #4, took vehicle to repair shop and lifters were replaced among other things; see attached files.

Filed Oct 5, 2018 · 100,200 miles · VA · 1 injury

While in park in our driveway, engine turned off, and keys in my hand the suburban rolled backwards down our driveway, knocking me down and rolling over my leg where it then stopped in the middle of the street. 911 was called and I was transported from the scene to the hospital where I was admitted. We are highly concerned about this incident

Filed Jun 17, 2014 · Engine · 120,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 chevrolet suburban 1500. The contact stated while starting the ignition, a loud knocking noise emitted from the engine. In addition, coolant was dispensed into the radiator reservoir every two days without coolant visible on the ground. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the water pump would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the failure persisted. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Related recalls

Engine and engine coolingReported August 3, 2006 · 38,439 vehicles affected
What is wrong
On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
Risk
If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463.

Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details

Questions about the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 knocking

Which Chevrolet Suburban 1500 years have engine knocking or ticking problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2004 (7 complaints), 2025 (3 complaints) and 2023 (2 complaints).

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