Chevrolet Suburban overheating problems

Filed Aug 10, 2026 · Transmission · 84,478 miles · WA

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission overheating warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and waited for the engine to cool down. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The failure reoccurred every 15–20 miles while driving. In addition, the contact stated that eventually the vehicle stopped driving forward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure reoccurred almost two years later. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that an unknown part was not replaced during the transmission repair. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact stated that the dealer was the dealer who completed all three of the repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that the failure was not due to a manufacturing defect. The failure mileage was approximately 84,478.

Filed May 24, 2026 · Electrical · NC

The rear defroster malfunctioned and caused the rear glass to reach a high temperature, and it started raining outside, and it caused the rear glass to shatter. No known issues before? We come to this conclusion by looking at the black overheating marks on the glass after it shattered.

Filed Feb 17, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · FL

I own a 2022 Chevrolet Suburban RST that has experienced ongoing mechanical and safety issues over several years. I first began reporting drivability concerns to General Motors and the dealership in 2023 and continued contacting them throughout 2024 and 2025. During one dealership visit, a sales advisor rode in the vehicle with me and stated they did not observe any issues, despite my continued reports. The vehicle later suffered a loss of propulsion and required a full engine replacement. The radiator and cooling components were also replaced by a Chevrolet dealership. Due to ongoing concerns for my safety, I contacted General Motors multiple times, requested an executive buyback, and asked about Lemon Law options. GM advised that the engine had been replaced and that I needed to take ownership of the vehicle. After picking up the vehicle last Wednesday, I immediately noticed a persistent sweet coolant/radiator odor inside the cabin and outside the vehicle that continued for nearly a week. I also experienced engine hesitation/stuttering when stopped at traffic lights as the auto start/stop feature reengaged. I attempted to contact GM again regarding these concerns prior to today’s incident. Today, while driving, the vehicle displayed an engine overheating warning instructing me to turn the car off immediately. I safely pulled over and shut the vehicle down and am currently stranded roadside. Given the repeated failures, history of loss of propulsion, multiple repair attempts, denied buyback requests, persistent coolant odor, drivability issues, and now overheating shortly after engine and radiator replacement, I believe this vehicle presents an ongoing safety risk and request formal investigation.

Filed Dec 17, 2025 · Transmission · 167,000 miles · TN

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. No warning light was illuminated. The contact veered to the side of the road and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who determined that the transmission had overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 167,000.

Filed May 14, 2025 · Transmission · MI · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving on two occasions, the vehicle did not accelerate as intended. The contact stated that when the vehicle reached 55 MPH, the vehicle dead stopped, and she was thrust forward, and on the second occasion, she sustained a head injury from hitting her head on the steering wheel. Medical attention was not needed. Additionally, on the second occasion, the vehicle began overheating, and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was codes P0700, P0741, and P0796 populated, and the TCM, torque converter clutch circuit, pressure control solenoid C, and transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Engine · NC

While driving cross-country, my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban Z71 (5.3L V8) experienced several progressive symptoms leading to total engine failure. For months prior, there was a noticeable coolant smell from the engine bay despite no visible leaks. Multiple Chevy/GM shops noted the smell, and pressure tests showed no external coolant loss. On the trip to Colorado, the engine ran normally, but at idle, the temperature would steadily rise to ~235°F before fans would engage. Upon arrival in Colorado, I found the coolant reservoir was low again. The final time the vehicle started, it shook violently at idle for nearly a minute before settling. The next day, it would crank but failed to start, and has not started since. There were no check engine lights or warning messages at the time of failure. A GM dealership has since diagnosed the engine as “locked up” and quoted a $14,500 remanufactured engine replacement (GM Part 19420610). I’ve been told my engine is the 5.3L V8 (RPO L84), which is currently not included in GM’s safety recall 25V‑274 affecting similar failures in the 6.2L L87 engines. Right before this occurred, I had a NC inspection (passed), a fresh oil change the same day, and had coolant added. This failure happened without warning, while traveling out of state, leaving the vehicle stranded in a garage and requiring towing. The situation presented a safety risk and significant financial burden. Given the similarities in symptoms and failure type to the recalled L87 engines, I believe this may be a related manufacturing issue.

Filed Feb 13, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · OH

The “add engine oil” light kept coming on and I initially thought it was because they forgot to reset it after my oil change because my car wasn’t reading it was due for one. I came to find out that my car is likely burning excess oil, according to the dealership, since all of the oil was gone. GM says that it’s normal to burn oil and as long as it’s up to 2 quarts between oil changes it’s fine. The dealership recommended that I get oil consumption test and sometimes it burned more oil than normal and other times it did not. We had to go every 1,000 miles which was an issue because it’s our main vehicle for family transportation and sometimes I would have to go under 1,000 miles because we needed it for a longer trip and would be over if waited until we got back. Also, my engine fan was making a very loud noise that would run for a while after my car was turned off and I was told multiple times it was fine until one time they checked it and it was indeed an engine malfunction and my engine would overheat when I went above a certain speed. The first fix wasn’t right and had to go back. I wasn’t burning enough oil to warrant GM to do anything.

Filed Oct 24, 2023 · Transmission · TX

While traveling on the highway, my dashboard indicated that my transmission was overheating. I had to pull over immediately and turn off the engine to allow it to cool down in the middle of heavy traffic in an unsafe location almost getting hit my multiple vehicles at a high rate of speed. All regular maintenance has been done and it only has 119,000 miles. I purchased it in May 2023 with 113,000 miles from a reputable dealership and this occurred in October 2033, only 5 months later. There is a recall for this model and my vehicle is not included, which seems to be an ongoing issue with other consumers with the same year, make, and model. The transmission needs to be replaced and it’s costing over $6,000.

Filed Mar 29, 2019 · Electrical, Seats · 166,000 miles · AZ · 1 injury

Passenger seat motor overheated. Initial indication was smell. Seat is powered (forward and back only). Seat switches were not in use at the time. Vehicle was in powered and in motion. Smoke followed w/I 20" of initial smell. Vehicle stopped at sight of smoke and driver was able to locate plugs for motor under passenger seat. Driver removed plug, burned hand significantly in the process.

Filed Mar 13, 2019 · Electrical · 37,311 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 chevrolet suburban. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled. Afterwards, the "failure to open right door, roll window down, and put back up" warning indicator illuminated. The contact followed the instructions and the vehicle restarted. The contact mentioned that the failure occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to banner chevrolet (5173, 5950 chef menteur hwy, new orleans, la 70126, (504) 302-8900) where it was diagnosed that the negative battery cable overheated, which caused the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,311.