The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle shuddered and shut off completely without warning. An attempt was made to restart the vehicle, but the engine failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where a diagnostic inspection revealed a lifter failure, and the engine was replaced. The contact stated that three months after the engine replacement, the engine was leaking oil and the transmission failed. The failure mileage was 160,000.
2021 Chevrolet Suburban: complete transmission failure
5 of the 208 complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban describe complete transmission failure.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 2
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls and 128 service bulletins for this area of the car. See below
Complete transmission failure by model year
What owners say
COMPONENT: The 10-speed automatic transmission failed on 6/29/26, locking the vehicle completely in neutral. The neutral override could not be disengaged even by dealership technicians. Vehicle is currently at [XXX] Chevrolet, [XXX] and is available for inspection. SAFETY RISK: I have 3 young children who are regular passengers. The failure occurred without warning. Had it happened at highway speed in oncoming traffic, I would have had no ability to move the car — creating a direct risk of a serious or fatal collision. CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Yes. Don Hewlett Chevrolet received the vehicle on 6/30/26 and confirmed the failure is directly related to two active federal recalls: the federal safety agency #24V‑797 (10-speed transmission valve body failure/wheel lockup) and the federal safety agency #22V‑036 (driveshaft assembly/loss of propulsion). Vehicle has been unrepaired for 13 days with no timeline provided. OTHER INSPECTIONS: Vehicle has been in possession of Don Hewlett Chevrolet since 6/30/26. No manufacturer representative, police, or insurance inspection has occurred. WARNING SIGNS: None. No warning lamps, messages, or symptoms appeared before the failure. The power train locked suddenly and completely without any prior indication on 6/29/26. Despite the dealer confirming this is recall-related, they have indicated I may owe partial repair costs. Under 49 U.S.C. § 30120, GM must remedy recalls at no charge regardless of mileage or warranty. I am requesting the federal safety agency investigate both the failure and GM's attempt to charge the owner for federally mandated recall repairs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
transmission failed high speed jerking shifting ruined a set of tires yes has been confirmed by dealer but our vin is not covered under the recall no yes error codes appeared before we took the vehicle in for service 6-5-2025 we have had the vehicle in to 2 separate dealerships a total of 4 times for repair now that powertrain warranty is expired they are calling for a transmission replacement
Went into limp mode on 11/6/25, took to the dealership where they found metal shavings in the oil due to a “stuck solenoid ‘A’”. Originally said that I’d need a whole new transmission, decided to do the cheaper easier repair and just replaced the valve train (not my choice) got it back on 11/13/25. On 11/24/25 I was on a very busy highway, at a red light, hit the gas when the light changed and the car didn’t move. Just revved the RPMs, then it suddenly lurched/surged forwards. Took it back to the dealership and they said “it doesn’t have any codes showing”. This is not normal behavior for a 4 year old vehicle with less than 40k miles on it.
History of transmission shifting issues shortly after purchase (CPO from Dealership). Vehicle was taken to two separate dealerships, several times for this issue while still under the 100,000 mile CPO warranty. Dealerships claimed they could not replicate the issue, however problem continued. Now at 1198xx miles, the transmission failed while driving. was accelerating from stop and and the vehicle bucked, the rpms jumped, the service indicator illuminated, and when the vehicle stuck in limp mode. I spoke with one of the dealerships and explained the history and suggested my vehicle failure was exactly as described in the safety recall and they informed my VIN was not included in any recall or service campaign and the could do nothing for me. I called the GM customer service number, pled my case and was told the same thing
Service bulletins that may apply
- Condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within...
- Condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have...
- This service bulletin advises the technician to check if the transmission cooler lines are twisted to...
- This service bulletin helps diagnose/reduce possible CCND issues on Transfer Cases
- This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern...
- Condition where the transmission control valve has worn, resulting in a gradual loss of pressure within...
- This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the rear diff fluid to correct the rear clutches...
- This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: fluid/lubricant: valves/valve body
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, 2500, 3500, 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with diesel engines. The transmission control valve may fail and cause the rear wheels to lock-up.
- Risk
- Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1‑888‑988‑7267, Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006, GMC customer service at GMC 1‑800‑462‑8782 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N242454440.
Recall number 24V797000 · Recall details
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
- What is wrong
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal components that were not heat-treated properly, possibly resulting in driveshaft failure.
- Risk
- Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020; Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑458‑8006 or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Recall number 22V036000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban transmission failure
Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
5 of 208 owner complaints about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban (2%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
There are 2 recalls and 128 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban
Check engine light 45Engine failure 44Fuel pump 23Loss of power 20Knocking 18Stalling 18Misfire 17Headlights 10Jerking 8Won't shift 8Won't start 8Shudder 6Oil consumption 5
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