Driving our 2024 Suburban, 6.2 L engine, on a 2-lane highway in southern Utah, traveling on cruise control at 70 mph, felt 2 hesitations (jerking movement), and turned off cruise control. Immediately after, heard knocking/thumping sound in the front of the vehicle, followed by a whining sound that got louder. Immediately found a turn-off from the highway, pulled in, and engine died while vehicle was still in motion. Attempted starting again and would not start. People stopped to help us and tried to jump vehicle without success. Suburban was towed to a Chevy dealership and we were told the Suburban's engine seized. In researching this issue, we came across the federal safety agency's investigation case EA26005. Our VIN does not fall in to this recall.
Chevrolet Suburban won't start problems
80 of the 8,048 owner complaints about the Chevrolet Suburban describe won't start, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 80
- worst model year
- 1999
- typical repair cost reported
- $731
- typical mileage
- 67,108
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 21Engine failure 9Stalling 8Loss of power 7Won't shift 3Fire or smoke 3Check engine light 3Battery drain 3
Trouble codes mentioned
P129F 1P0016 1
What owners say
The vehicle experienced an initial incident of significant engine power loss while traveling at highway speeds approximately two weeks prior to the eventual complete engine failure. During that incident, the vehicle unexpectedly lost engine power while traveling at speeds exceeding 65 mph. On Thursday, September 3, 2026, a second incident occurred within approximately one-half mile of leaving my residence. The vehicle again experienced a significant loss of engine power. I had already notified the dealership of the this occurrence and had a scheduled appointment for repairs the following day. I was attempting to drive the vehicle to the dealership as planned. Shortly after leaving my neighborhood, I stopped at a nearby gas station after the vehicle displayed a "Low Oil Pressure" warning on the dashboard. I also subsequently received an email notification from OnStar identifying diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0016. The vehicle was then driven again and subsequently experienced a catastrophic and complete loss of engine power while traveling at highway speeds above 65 mph. Following this failure, the engine would not turn over or crank and the vehicle could not be restarted. The sequence of events is significant because the vehicle had previously experienced engine power loss at highway speeds, the dealership had been notified of the initial incident, and the vehicle was being driven to the dealership for its scheduled repair appointment when the second power-loss event occurred. The vehicle subsequently suffered complete engine failure. I am documenting these events, including the dates, circumstances, dashboard warning, OnStar diagnostic notification, and sequence of failures, for purposes of establishing the history of the vehicle's mechanical problem and the circumstances leading to the catastrophic engine failure.
Operating vehicle normally until one day I heard a rattling noise from the engine compartment. Car had limited speed and i had to pull over to check what the issue was and the car wont start. No check engine lights, no warning. Tried turning car on but only the car starter keeps rolling. Tried jumping and it doesnt start and had to have it towed to the dealership. Car is under 55,000miles and dealer diagnosis indicates there are metal particles in the new oil after replacing oil and a loose bearing. States i will need a new engine, which is on back order and GM will only cover $44/day until repair is complete. All maintenance and oil change invervals were kept up to date. Other days when I start the car, the main HUD with the speedometer does not turn on. Pitch black... I can drive but not know what my speed is. I had to disconnect battery and reconnect to clear the issue. It has happened several times.
Pulled out in 4 lane traffic. Got almost to 55mph. Vehicle lost all power, slowed down and auto shifted to neutral, vehicle stopped and went to park. Vehicle would not start back nor transition to Neutral to remove from highways. 2021 suburban with just 35,000miles. Shut down a lane on a 55mph highway. Code P129F
My 2021 Chevrolet Suburban experienced a sudden no start condition which required the vehicle to be towed for repair. A diagnostic inspection determined that both the fuel pump and the fuel pump control module had failed. I paid out of pocket for the full repair, including replacement of both components. Several months later, GM issued a safety recall for the fuel pump control module on this vehicle. I submitted a reimbursement request to GM. GM agreed to reimburse only the control module , but refused to reimburse the fuel pump, even though the pump failure was directly caused by the defective module that is now under recall. Federal recall reimbursement guidelines require manufacturers to reimburse the full cost of the remedy for the defect. In this case, the defective module caused the fuel pump to fail, making the pump replacement part of the necessary remedy. GM’s refusal to reimburse the full repair cost leaves me paying for damage caused by the recalled component. I am requesting the federal safety agency’s assistance in reviewing GM’s refusal to reimburse the full repair cost associated with this recall related failure.
2/24/2026 Sitting at red light, very busy road, vehicle cut off and said push to start. Vehicle would not start and would not shift out of park to push out of road. Very dangerous to be stranded in moving traffic. Had to be towed to dealer and it's still there waiting on engine replacement.
I've taken this SUV to the Chevy dealership 4 times now for the same issue. SUV will not start at times then starts, it will even turn off on the road without warning. New Battery and Chevy can not find out issues $500.00 later. The brake pedal becomes hard to push down, and it will not start: wait 10 mins or so and it will start. Even the remote start at times will not work. Chevy has had it for 30 days at a time and I'm being told to bring it back when it happens, how do I that!
I was driving the vehicle and without warning it just stopped shut off and immediately shot an error code that there was a critical issue with the engine and that the oil pressure was low, and the vehicle would not start and was not drivable. It had to be towed to a dealership.
On 7/26/2025 approximately 8:30pm (PDT), driving south on CA I-880 in third lane from right traveling at approximately 50mph when vehicle engine died and went into neutral gear. Dashboard alert indicated to press start engine button, but would not start. Managed to maneuver vehicle to right shoulder amid rush hour traffic. Fortunately, a CA Highway Patrol officer saw us and was able to render assistance. Vehicle would not restart or go into neutral after several attempts to restart engine. Special tow vehicle was called to give us a tow home. This incident happened after we received a Chevrolet recall notice back in May or June about the engine and did take the vehicle in for service on 6/10/2025. The dealership service recommended using higher weight oil and it would help mitigate any potential issue. Obviously, this was not the case. We were very fortunate to avoid any serious injury or damage on the highway due to engine failure.
Sitting in my truck and everything just stopped working. Starter was still going even with the key out of the ignition and there was a burn smelling come from under the engine and the truck wouldn't Starter. Had to get it tow from my job. Till this day my truck is still down. Engine be replace and the dealership still don't know why it still wouldn't starter. Also before the electrical problem. Me and my family was come down the highway from a vacation and the engine when i lost acceleration to the engine. The speed limit was 65 I can only do 25 because the engine lost acceleration. I only had the truck for three months. People told me that there was recalls on engine problem with the Chevrolet suburban and Tahoe. I looked it up and it is for 2019 and up. So know i have to pay 3800 to replace everything. I cant afford to replace anything I cant afford I use vehicle. The dealership that I got the vehicle from is closed down because they was lemons to people know everyone is stuck with a vehicle that they still have to pay the bank. And can't drive there vehicle. It's not right they have recalls on vehicles that are 2019 and up. I'm just looking for help. Because to be honest me and my family wouldn't be here because of the engine and electrical problem. So can someone please look in to this from a sincere father, husband, grandfather. The dealership name is Stratum auto group. 2050 Burlington-mount holly
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: hard parts internal/mechanical
- What is wrong
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
- Risk
- Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223, Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020, or GMC customer service at 1‑800‑462‑8782. GM's number for this recall is N252494000.
Recall number 25V274000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 engine, the crankshaft position can operate intermittently or fail completely. If the sensor operates intermittently, the ses light may illuminate and the vehicle may run rough. The engine may stall, and if so, may re-start immediately or after a cool down period.
- Risk
- If the sensor becomes completely inoperative, the engine will quit running and will not re-start. Either of these failures can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the crankshaft position sensor free of charge. The recall began on december 18, 2007. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 07V521000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- On certain trucks equipped with an 8.1l v8 (rpo l8-VIN g) engine have a condition in which the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip may fracture resulting in inadequate retention of the damper.
- Risk
- If the damper comes loose, a fuel leak may result. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip free of charge. The recall began on august 31, 2006. Owners may contact chevrolet at 1‑800‑630‑2438 and gmc trucks at 1‑866‑996‑9463.
Recall number 06V289000 · Recall details
Questions about the Chevrolet Suburban won't start
Which Chevrolet Suburban years have won't start problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (8 complaints), 2001 (8 complaints) and 2021 (8 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Chevrolet Suburban?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $731 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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