Chevrolet Suburban key fob problems

Filed Sep 14, 2026 · TN

Dear Chevrolet Customer Assistance, I am writing to formally report a serious safety incident involving my 2023 Chevrolet Suburban and to request an investigation by General Motors. My vehicle unexpectedly locked while the key fob was still inside the vehicle. Most concerning, my baby was also inside the vehicle at the time. I was unable to regain access to the Suburban, and because my baby was trapped inside, I had no reasonable option but to break a window to gain immediate access to her. This was an extremely serious and frightening situation. My primary concern is understanding how a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with a keyless entry system was able to lock while the key fob remained inside the vehicle. I am requesting that Chevrolet/General Motors: 1. Open a formal safety case regarding this incident. 2. Investigate why the vehicle locked despite the key fob being inside. 3. Have the vehicle’s keyless entry, passive locking system, key-detection components, software, and related systems inspected for a malfunction. 4. Determine whether there are any applicable recalls, technical service bulletins, software updates, or previously reported incidents involving similar circumstances. 5. Reimburse me for the cost of the broken window and related repairs, as the window had to be broken solely because immediate emergency access to my baby was necessary. I do not want this incident documented simply as a customer accidentally locking keys inside a vehicle. The key fob was inside the Suburban when the vehicle locked, and an infant was trapped inside as a result. I am asking that this be documented and investigated specifically as a potential vehicle safety or key-detection system issue. I can provide my VIN, photographs of the damage, repair invoices, key fob information, dealership inspection records, and any other documentation necessary for your investigation. Please provide me with a GM case number and written confirmation that this incident has been form

Filed Jul 12, 2025 · Electrical · MA

Issue: The vehicle intermittently displays a “Key Not Found” or “No Key Detected” message on the dash and refuses to start, despite both original factory-issued key fobs being present and having fresh batteries. The issue began in summer 2023 and has progressively worsened. The vehicle has stranded our family multiple times, sometimes requiring a tow, family impact, missed obligations. Luckily for all urgent needs like trips to the ER or Urgent care, we were able to use our other vehicle, but we no longer have that vehicle and it is important that our sole vehicle be a reliable one. Impact: •Two emergency room visits and multiple urgent pediatric appointments affected •Forced to rely on one family vehicle for months •Paid for tow and fob batteries •Multiple instances of no rental coverage •GM and dealers often declined documentation or action due to the issue being “intermittent” ⸻ Request: We believe there is a systemic defect in the Suburban’s keyless entry/ignition system (likely receiver or antenna module). We request that the federal safety agency investigate and that GM be required to issue a recall or permanent repair for affected models. This issue poses a safety concern and has created financial and logistical hardship for our family.

Filed Jun 27, 2023 · Electrical · IA

It was diagnosed as the Telecommunication Module, this part malfunctioned causing issues with audio in the vehicle. The audio would at times play normal, at times go completely out losing all sound to turn signals, hazard signals, and safety sensor audios inside the vehicle. It would additionally lose communication between the key fob and the unit causing warnings during driving and non-start issues. With that said, the lose of audio when expecting safety sensor sounds, or sudden audio on complete full volume with the only resolution being to shut the car off is a safety issue. The vehicle had to be pulled over on the travel portion of the highway to resolve the sound issues on multiple occasions. Software updates, radio head change didn’t matter, until it was diagnosed as the module described above. Occurrences were completely random.

Filed Sep 22, 2020 · Body · 137,800 miles · NJ · 1 injury

On very random but numerous occasions beginning years ago, the liftgate will it will close on its own or it will not open at all. The liftgate is either opened remotely by key fob, interior button or by using the button on the liftgate handle. As the liftgate opens to it's open position, it has on some occasions sounded the warning signal indicating the liftgate is closing while loading or unloading items and on other occasions the liftgate automatically closes on its own, very abruptly, without any warning signal. Both types of instances have occurred while being under the liftgate causing me to be struck and hurt. Recently (aug '20), it occurred while having my tire changed by a service provider who was also struck. I have looked into this concern online and have noticed quite a few complaints by 2015 gm owners over this same issue. I also found that there were 17 bulletins in 18 months from april 2014- oct 2015 regarding liftgate issues for this same year model, including a recall that was mentioned on a gm forum (recall #14300????). This is a tragedy waiting to happen to someone if it hasn't already! The liftgate is very heavy and the first time it fell on me, it did leave abrasions and contusions. I was 125 lbs. Someone half my weight would never withstand that impact! I would never have anyone else go near this liftgate to load/unload my vehicle as it is a serious liability! Please do something about this! All occurrences obviously happened while the vehicle was stationery, at times with the car idoling in the parked position but mostly after the engine was turned off. The ground level didn't seem to affect it one way or another. It has happened on flat ground and on a slopes driveway. ***please note I have 2 videos from the most recent occurrence (9/20/20) that I am not able to attach but will provide.if necessary***

Filed Nov 15, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 9,400 miles · AK

This vehicle keeps having key fob, electrical issues, tire service maintenance issues, and now engine issues related to the key fob. The key fob keeps saying it is not detected. Recently, while driving on road at about 48 MPH, key fob notification came on dashboard saying key fob was not detected, engine shut off and car had to be restarted again using fob box inside glove compartment, this was particularly alarming. The key fob has had batteries replaced and they work because the car will remote start and have tried batteries in other items. The fob does not however let you unlock the car or finish starting it out of the remote start once you get into the car and try to start it, the car tells you it cannot detect the remote. The car has had numerous key fob issues and has been taken into local chevrolet dealer who cannot find issue. The car has also had 142 hard braking events since april 2019 to november 2019 according to on star reports. The tire service monitor keeps flashing that there are issues with tires. The rear wiper would not shut itself off even though button was in off position. All of these issues have not been able to be repaired at the chevy dealer. This car is going back in for service 11/18/19 for these issues again. Not sure what the outcome will be until after this appointment. My guess is that it is some kind of electronic circuitry problem(s) but unfortunately the dealer says they cannot find any issue(s) or problem(s) until it completely shuts down. These events are ongoing and have been occurring intermittently since november 2018. All I can provide is photos of the dashboard showing what it relates to me unfortunately I have no documentation of engine shutting off only a photo of what dashboard showed when it happened.

Filed Mar 2, 2019 · 82,000 miles · CT

When my chevrolet suburban 2012 is locked using the key fob or remote start, a person inside the car cannot unlock the doors or tailgate from the inside (via the door unlock buttons near the door handles or the tailgate button) to get out of the car. Example, parent accidentally leaves child in car, exits car, uses fob to lock doors; child now cannot unlock the door or tailgate using the unlock buttons by the door handles nor by using the tailgate open button. The person inside the car is locked inside and cannot exit if they do not have a key with which to turn on the car or a fob with which to unlock the car. When the car is locked with the fob a person inside the car cannot get out of the car using any button or handle inside the car. This occurred when the vehicle was parked and the ignition off. Two adults tested this multiple times and tried all possibilities to unlock and get out of the car from the inside when it had been locked by fob or remote start. I have a video demonstrating this which I am happy to share, but believe that I cannot upload below as it is not one of the permitted formats.

Filed Apr 19, 2017 · Body · 98,000 miles · OK

I have 2012 chevy suburban 1500 lt. The rear tailgate unlock and lock intermittently causing the manual liftgate to stay ajar or stay lock. There is no manual release or key access. It only unlocks and lock by keyfob. On one occasion, the liftgate opened without noticed while driving prompting the car alert. It was then closed and the liftgate stayed in the lock position (unable to unlock with keyfob) after diagnosis at a local gmc dealer, it was determined that the rear liftgate lock actuator failed. The repair was in excess of $400.00

Filed Apr 8, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2008 chevrolet suburban. While the vehicle was in park or drive, all four doors failed to unlock and the key fob failed to unlock the door. In addition, while driving 50 MPH, the check engine, stability track disengage, and traction control lights illuminated. The vehicle decelerated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the oil spilled and caused the spark plugs to fail. The spark plugs were replaced numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Transmission · 2,000 miles · CA

This vehicle has a push button start/stop. You can stop the vehicle while it is in gear, and if you get out the vehicle can just roll away. This has nearly caused 2 serious accidents, once it rolled backwards, narrowly missing a pedestrian, another time forwards into a car in front. Gm need to rectify this asap.

Filed Aug 4, 2013 · Electrical, Locks · 61,000 miles · TX

Rear hatch door actuator went out. The door is in the locked position and cannot be opened with console button, key fob or exterior handle. There is no way to open the rear hatch from the inside of the vehicle creating a safety hazard for passengers riding in the 3rd seat. The rear hatch is not accessible for use since I is in a locked position and cannot be opened. I have filed a complaint with gm. Their cs representative contacted me to let me know that my local dealership can fix the problem at my expense. Tens of thousands of these complaints have been filed with gm over the last 2 yrs. And there has been no recall for this potentially fatal safety hazard.