2017 Chevrolet Suburban: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Transmission · NY

I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect in the vehicle’s transmission system. While driving, the vehicle began experiencing severe vibrations, accompanied by an abnormal increase in engine RPMs, while the vehicle failed to accelerate appropriately. The vehicle became unresponsive, limiting my speed to 15-20 mph. This forced me to make frequent stops every 6-7 minutes to allow the transmission to cool down, as the car would not sustain normal speeds. ​This failure created an extremely dangerous situation on the highway. Due to the sudden loss of power and inability to maintain traffic flow, I was subjected to aggressive behavior from other drivers, who were honking, gesturing, and clearly endangered by my inability to accelerate. This transmission failure is a major safety hazard that renders the vehicle unreliable and dangerous to operate in any traffic condition. I am requesting an immediate investigation into this transmission defect and a permanent resolution from General Motors, as this issue poses a significant risk of causing a collision. I spoke with the owner of AAMCO, and he showed me that they have 7 of these Chevy Suburbans, GMC Yukons, and Chevy Tahoes, Escalades, and they all have the same problem, the transmission needs to be replaced, and General Motors is not notifying car owners about this problem, but it should.

Filed Jan 17, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Component or System Failure The vehicle experienced two major mechanical failures. First, the transmission failed and required full replacement shortly after the expiration of the 60,000-mile powertrain warranty. At the time of this failure, the vehicle had approximately 61,000 miles. Second, at 100,119 miles, the engine suffered a catastrophic failure that required complete engine replacement. Safety Risk The transmission failure impaired normal drivability and created a safety risk due to reduced or unreliable propulsion, which could have resulted in loss of power while driving in traffic. The engine failure rendered the vehicle inoperable and could have posed a serious safety hazard if it had occurred while the vehicle was in motion, including sudden loss of engine power. Problem Confirmation and Inspection Both failures were diagnosed and confirmed by dealership service personnel, who determined that full replacement of the transmission and later the engine was necessary. The issues were identified through inspection and standard diagnostic procedures. Warning Lamps or Symptoms There were no clear, persistent, or meaningful warning lamps, messages, or symptoms that would have reasonably alerted the driver to an impending transmission failure prior to it occurring. Any warning indicators appeared at or immediately before the failure. Similarly, there were no significant warning signs that would have predicted the engine failure prior to the need for complete replacement. Additional Information Both the transmission and engine failed at relatively low mileage for major powertrain components. The transmission failure occurred just beyond the powertrain warranty threshold, and the engine required full replacement at 100,119 miles. . These failures suggest a potential defect or durability concern affecting critical powertrain systems.

Filed Dec 18, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · IL

While driving, the vehicle has repeatedly experienced sudden loss of power and electrical failures without warning. During these events, the dashboard flickers, warning messages appear, and the vehicle shuts off or goes into reduced power mode. When this occurs, steering becomes extremely difficult, braking becomes stiff, and the vehicle cannot accelerate. These incidents have happened multiple times in different driving situations, including: At stoplights While pulling into intersections Backing out of parking spaces Driving on public roads, including dark rural roads Driving with my three minor children in the vehicle On at least one occasion, the vehicle shut off while pulling onto a road with oncoming traffic, leaving us stopped in the roadway with no power and limited steering/braking. This created an immediate and serious risk of collision. The vehicle eventually restarted after several attempts. The problem has occurred repeatedly over many months. Multiple independent repair facilities have attempted to diagnose and repair the issue, but no definitive cause has been identified, and the failures continue. The vehicle has had numerous electrical, sensor, engine, and powertrain-related repairs, yet the loss-of-power events persist. Because the vehicle can suddenly shut down while in motion and compromise steering and braking, I believe this is a serious safety defect that could result in a crash, injury, or worse.

Filed Mar 17, 2024 · Acceleration · CA

Moisture in the APP sensor connectors causing reduced engine power code affecting acceleration randomly very dangerous on the road

Filed Jan 16, 2024 · Transmission · PA

Transmission sudden failure. We were driving down the road when we suddenly lost all power to the wheels. No ability to accelerate or maintain vehicle speed, only coast with the remaining speed we had like it was in neutral. No warnings or trouble light, no noticeable symptoms ahead of time. I would press the gas pedal and the engine would Rev high like it was in neutral. I had just pulled out into the flow of traffic and the cars behind me soon had to all come to a stop because i lost accelaration and had nowhere to go with parked cars along the side of the road. Luckily we were not on a really busy road and could eventually get out of traffic. I can only imagine how bad it could have been if I was in the middle of highway traffic, or going up a snowy hill, or trying to cross a divided highway, etc. The car had to be towed to the nearest dealership and is awaiting repair. The dealer says the torque converter failed and subsequently damaged the transmission fluid pump and will require the entire transmission to be replaced and cost us over $6600. It should be available for inspection but I guess you would need to contact Blaise Alexander Chevrolet of phillipsburg pa. I don't know if anyone else has inspected it. I suspect this is a very well known issue/defect. Other mechanics I talked with instantly guessed the failure before the dealer could tell us. I have the 6 speed transmission and I see there is a class action lawsuit for the similar 8 speed failures.

Filed Jun 20, 2023 · Electrical · AR

Despite replacing Throttle Body and Accelerator Pedal Position Sensor, I continue to have my Suburban go into Reduced Engine Power without much warning. It is very dangerous when you are driving on the freeway and your vehicle suddenly will not do over 35mph with the engine revving to 4000+ RPM. I've spent nearly $1000 at repair shops and have found that nothing they attempt will fix the problem. I cannot trust vehicle with my wife and kids riding any distance in it.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · SC

Lifter and cam shaft failure in 2017 Suburban at 87,000 miles. Vehicle was purchased new and well maintained when engine knocking or clicking started. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Camshaft, lifters, pistons How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Had failure not been detected I could have been stranded or lost engine power in situation that created a collision and injury. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, diagnosed at Chevrolet dealer on February 8, 2022 and repaired June 2, 2022 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Dealer inspection, diagnosis and repair Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Engine begin clicking or knocking late January 2022, took to dealer and they diagnosed bad lifters, camshaft failure and piston failure. New engine took 4 months to acquire and install, was told by dealer there are 1400+ Suburban waiting on new engines for related issues.

Filed Jul 15, 2021 · Electrical, Steering · PA

While driving the cars loses all power and you can’t steer. It used to only happen when turn at a slow speed. And now when you’re driving it matter what speed it shuts off and you lose all power. Nothing comes up for service on diagnostic it is very dangerous I have a family have sex and no one can find out what’s wrong with it

Filed Dec 14, 2020 · Electrical · 46,000 miles · MN

Vehicle was turning at a "t" intersection into oncoming traffic. When cranking on the steering wheel to turn left and accelerate, vehicle steering wheel jammed up. Thankfully, vehicle was able to keep driving & clear intersection before approaching cars arrived. Upon restarting vehicle memory systems in vehicle were erased and an error message flashed stating to roll down then back up driver side and passenger side windows. Later that evening when putting vehicle into reverse and sharply turning wheel to the left the vehicle lost all power and turned off completely while in reverse. Again, thankfully, I was in a drive-way with no other traffic around. When I re-started the vehicle the stereo memory erased and the roll down, then back up driver and passenger windows warning flashed again. This is all unsettling because I frequently drive in areas of heavy traffic and intersections that can be tricky to cross/turn into therefor requiring my vehicle to respond appropriately and not turn off while in gear.