The contact owns a 2023 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle chugged, jerked, and lunged forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the spark plugs were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the spark plugs might need to be replaced. The contact stated that while driving and coming to a stop, the vehicle chugged, lunged forward, made an abnormal clicking sound, and almost struck another vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The OnStar mobile APP displayed the messages "Engine and Transmission System - Please Schedule Service Now," "Transmission System Issue - Please Schedule Service Now," and "VVT Issue detected - Please Schedule Service Now". The contact was able to pull into a parking lot. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine lifter failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.
Chevrolet Suburban sudden acceleration problems
31 of the 8,048 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Suburban describe sudden unintended acceleration, most of them for the 1994 model year.
- owner complaints
- 31
- worst model year
- 1994
- typical mileage
- 70,000
By model year
- 20231
- 20211
- 20191
- 20171
- 20152
- 20121
- 20112
- 20081
- 20071
- 20032
- 20022
- 20011
- 20001
- 19991
- 19962
- 19953
- 19945
- 19933
Often reported together
Stalling 3Adaptive cruise 3Jerking 2Transmission failure 1Won't shift 1Power steering loss 1Oil consumption 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
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.
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly lunged forward while driving approximately 30 - 40 MPH. The contact was able to maintain control of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to continue driving with no additional failures. The next day while the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the contact attempted to accelerate however, the RPM increased but the vehicle failed to move forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while attempting to park and the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to the right and crashed into a building. The contact mentioned that as the failure occurred he forcefully pressed the brake pedal to no avail. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to the legs but medical attention did not seek medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home. A police report was filed, the dallas police department was present. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond as the vehicle accelerated without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the power steering failed. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact sustained head, neck, back and wrist injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was towed but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,000.
While braking at a low speeds (20-25 MPH) my truck surged forward. This sudden acceleration in speed has caused two (2) accidents.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 chevrolet suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH attempting to accelerate, the engine suddenly accelerated without warning. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
This is becoming a recurring and reproducible problem. The unintended acceleration occurs while slowing down for a stop sign and depressing the brake pedal. The most reliable way to reproduce the problem is as follows. Be driving about 15 miles per hour, up a slight slope. Move your foot off the accelerator pedal and on to the brake pedal. Depress the brake lightly. Just as the vehicle starts to slow down you will feel the acceleration of the engine as if the vehicle is attempting to maintain the 15 mile per hour previous speed. This unexpected response will last about two seconds and then return to normal (idle) condition. This sudden and unexpected behavior is very unnerving and could lead to an accident if the road conditions were to be slippery.
I have noticed that when decelerating & applying my brakes when approaching a stop that my vehicle actually will accelerate all of the sudden. This has happened on several occasions, not always, but enough for me to be concerned. My daughter also experienced this sudden acceleration when she was driving my suburban. She, like me, said it happened when she was approaching a stop sign and was applying brake pressure. This should be investigated.
2007 suburban vehicle came to a stop 25ft behind several stopped cars at a red light. Without provocation, the vehicle strongly accelerated/surged forward while the brakes were engaged. Driver continued to attempt to stop the vehicle by repeatedly hitting the brake pedal, but with no success. Passenger in vehicle reported seeing drivers foot on the brake. Vehicle accelerated forward into the back of another vehicle which was then pushed into a third. All three vehicles suffered damage. Airbags failed to deploy in suburban despite level of impact. Vehicle was taken to chevrolet dealer for complete diagnostic. Results inconclusive; no data errors recorded in computers and no apparent mechanical attribute could be found relating to vehicle action. Action could not be repeated by technician. Vehicle released to owner. No explanation could be given as to this action. Dealer did not follow up or continue investigation.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
- What is wrong
- These vehicles were assembled with the throttle cable contacting the dash mat which could bind the throttle. This does not meet with the maximum return times required by federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 124, "accelerator control systems."
- Risk
- Consequence of non-compliance: the engine speed may not return to idle increasing the potential for a vehicle accident.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for adequate throttle cable to dash mat clearance, and if there is insufficient clearance, cut out a portion of the dash mat to provide proper clearance.
Recall number 96V057000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Suburban sudden acceleration
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have sudden unintended acceleration problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1994 (5 complaints), 1993 (3 complaints) and 1995 (3 complaints).
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used Chevrolet Suburban?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history