2021 Chevrolet Suburban: engine knocking or ticking

Filed Oct 23, 2026 · Transmission · CA

Car misfired and had ticking noise. Car began to consistently shake when I was on the highway. Known issue 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. V8 engine. Dynamic Fuel Management Lifter failure. Driving on the 101 highway and an error message for traction was relayed on dash, followed by ESC error, followed by blinking engine light. It happened in the span of seconds with no prior alerts. Dealership had to take apart the engine for 3,300 to find the reason and repair is an addition 4,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · MI

Cylinders were misfiring and lifters had to be completely replaced along with pushrod and camshaft. This cost me $7018.64 to fix out of my own pocket. Received the vehicle back, and there was a slight ticking sound that was new to me. Scheduled to bring the vehicle back in and 2 days before I was scheduled to go in and approximately 1000 miles later, the engine completely shut down while I was driving on the road. As I did not know what was going on and I had my newborn baby in the car, I was panicking as I was trying to figure out how to pull over to get out of traffic. Turns out there are now metal shavings in my engine according to the GM certified dealership that I had the work on the lifters done at in the first place. They are now quoting me an additional $13,000+ dollars to completely replace the engine with one that is not even brand new. Highly disappointed and concerned for my family's and I's safety while driving this vehicle. Also, not happy that I apparently need to spend $20K on a vehicle that I have only brought to certified GM dealerships for work on and I have kept in excellent condition.

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Engine · 19,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, there was an abnormal knocking sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle went into LIMP Mode with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the nearest dealer in LIMP Mode. A diagnostic test was performed, and the mechanic discovered that the right engine lifter was damaged; however, 10 days later, the mechanic discovered that the left lifter was also damaged. The vehicle was repaired under warranty. Recently, the failure reoccurred and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was informed that the left engine lifter had failed and caused catastrophic engine damage. The contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle remained with the dealer awaiting the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2026 · Engine · MO

My engine was initially part of the 6.2L v8 engine recall. The dealer cleared my engine after inspecting it and told me my engine was not affected, but that I had to use corvette engine oil. After my 3rd corvette engine oil change, and two days after having it serviced and getting an all clear inspection from Chevy, the engine blew while going 70 mph on the highway. No warning lights. I looked down at my dash and there was a gray box that said “engine oil pressure low, turn engine off”. By the time I checked my side and rear view mirror I could see clouds of white smoke and other cars flashing me with their headlamps. I was traveling by myself with 4 small children through a very bad part of town. It was frightening. Thankfully we were able to safely pull over and have it towed to Chevy where they confirmed that the engine was blown. Chevy gave me a false sense of security when they told me my engine was not affected. I would never have put my family at risk had I known it was a ticking time bomb.

Filed Mar 12, 2026 · Engine · OR

While driving the Engine warning light, service ESC light, and collision light all came on and an engine knock started. I also experienced a loss of power at the same time. Car was taken to local Chevy dealership for evaluation and repair. Dealership advised that they dropped the oil and found metal shavings in the oil. After further investigation, we were advised that it was a crankshaft connecting rod failure. We have an extended warranty and were waiting to hear back on repair coverage. GM denied the repair as this vehicle is not part of the active recall. Our warranty company also denied the repair stating we did not have adequate records of oil changes. Receipts for oil and filters were provided.

Filed Feb 14, 2026 · Engine · GA

My vehicle was taken in to shop due to recall recommendation I received in GM app for fuel pump control module . After repair was done my engine begin ticking the same day and failed a week later . I documented the whole thing and filed a claim with GM however the dealership that did the repair are not responding to GM . The dealership is alm Chevorlet south in Jonesboro ,GA this vehicle stalled out while I was on the highway . Please help me this vehicle belongs to my limo fleet and this is detrimental to my business . After multiple attempts to get it diagnosed they kept telling me I had to wait in line for weeks out to get it checked out although the problem arose after the new part installation . Then when I brung it back with failed engine soon after they told me that I had to sign a liability release waiver for them to check out the vehicle stating that the vehicle was high mileage and not their fault . The service manager literally instructed me not to leave my vehicle when I wanted to because it would not speed up the process for it to be seen I brung it back when instructed but it was to late because the engine had already failed . They literally forced me to sign a waiver stating that they wouldn’t diagnose it if i didn’t sign the waiver . These people are committing a fraudulent scam and their are unsafe vehicles on the road that arent being treated properly due to these practices . Please contact the dealership and or GM to take this matter more seriously .

Filed Jan 22, 2026 · Engine · MO

On January 13, 2026, the engine in my Suburban failed suddenly and completely, rendering the vehicle inoperable without warning. The failure left me stranded with my children, creating a serious safety concern and requiring immediate towing. Prior to that day, the vehicle exhibited no ongoing symptoms, warning lights, or performance issues, aside from a ticking noise that appeared only on the day of failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where it was determined that the engine was damaged beyond repair and required full replacement. I was informed a new engine would need to be ordered, at an estimated cost of approximately $14,000—an extraordinary and unreasonable expense for a vehicle of this age and price point.

Filed Jun 4, 2025 · Engine · WA

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -My engine started to make a loud ticking and knocking noise. I brought it into Good Chevrolet in Renton WA 6/3/25 where they told me there is an “internal engine failure due to failure of the lifters.” When I asked the dealership for the repair estimate so I could possibly have a second opinion, they said they were “not comfortable giving their information and the problem in writing.” They refuse to give us any documentation but were insistent that even though the federal safety agency has issued a mass recall for this exact same issue on the larger engine in my same year of vehicle, “it’s unrelated.” How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -The engine is failing and had we not brought it in for diagnosis, I could have had full engine failure while driving with my children and been in a catastrophic crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -Yes the problem can be reproduced and has been confirmed by Good Chevrolet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -Good Chevrolet inspected the engine but refuse to give us documentation though they had us file a claim with GM (I will attach the claim email) Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -I noticed a small noise after I had fans replaced in September but the noise gradually increased so it was brought in for diagnostics. There were no warning lamps or messages.

Filed May 19, 2025 · Engine · 23,906 miles · IN

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking spot in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,906.

Filed May 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · CO

I am contacting you regarding a critical engine failure in my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban LT, which is equipped with the L84 5.3L V8 engine. Due to a valve lifter malfunction, the engine suffered catastrophic failure, with metal shavings found throughout the oil system and internal components. I’ve been quoted approximately $14,000 by the dealership/service center to replace the engine, and the vehicle is currently awaiting repair. I was driving the car with my son when the vehicle began to shake, make ticking noises, and the check engine light went on. I pulled off the road and several error codes popped up including "Service ESC" and "Service Traction Control." This is the second time that a lifter valve has failed on this vehicle. In 2022, the lifter valves on the left side were replaced under warranty. It appears one of the left side lifter valves failed again, this time causing significant cam shaft damage and damaging the engine. Given that this issue appears to be affecting many owners with similar engine configurations, I would appreciate your assistance in investigating this matter to see if these issues stem from possible manufacturing defects which could result in engine damage or failure. I reached out to General Motors to ask if I qualify for extended coverage or any known service programs to address this situation and they told me I should talk to the dealership because they are unwilling to offer assistance. I've attached receipts for repair of the lifter valve in 2022 and the current diagnosis of engine failure, cam shaft damage, and lifter valve failure. This vehicle is only four years old and was regularly serviced by General Motors. It is available for further inspection. Please let me know what other documentation or information you require. Thank you.

Filed May 8, 2025 · Engine · IA

My vehicle went from completely fine to having a loud knocking noise while I was driving 65 mph down the 4 lane highway. My vehicle lost power and slowed down. I was 50 miles from a dealership. They had to replace my entire engine and crankshaft. It cost over $12,000.00. This exact issue has been recalled by GM, but websites say my vehicle is not covered. The dealership had my vehicle for a month doing repairs.

Filed May 5, 2025 · Engine · 132,000 miles · MI

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and approaching a light, there was an abnormal ticking and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V274000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 132,000.