Model year

2012 Chevrolet Suburban

NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 101 complaints for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (38), AIR BAGS (25), STRUCTURE:BODY (21). NHTSA lists 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA rated 2 variants 4 stars overall. EPA rates it 12–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950–$5,600, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

21V054000 · Feb 5, 2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI,…

21V051000 · Feb 5, 2021

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states…

14V827000 · Dec 30, 2014

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock…

12V112000 · Mar 22, 2012

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.

Complaints

101 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 2, injury field 2, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER38
  2. AIR BAGS25
  3. STRUCTURE:BODY21
  4. ENGINE12
  5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
  6. POWER TRAIN5
  7. ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
  8. SERVICE BRAKES3
  9. STEERING3
  10. TIRES3

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (1). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
EA21002Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULESep 17, 2021No close date in the file

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-star variants matched to this model year (4). Rollover possibility is the API's published figure, shown as recorded.
VariantOverallFrontSidePoleRolloverPhoto
1500 SUV 4WD 4 5553 · possibility 0.237NHTSA photo
1500 SUV RWD 4 5553 · possibility 0.237NHTSA photo
2500 SUV 4WD Not rated Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated · possibility 0—
2500 SUV RWD Not rated Not RatedNot RatedNot RatedNot Rated · possibility 0—

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
Suburban 1500 2WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline · FFV152117——$3,950
Suburban 1500 4WD · 5.3L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline · FFV152117——$3,950
Suburban 2500 2WD · 6L · Automatic 6-spd · Rear-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline101612——$5,600
Suburban 2500 4WD · 6L · Automatic 6-spd · 4-Wheel DriveRegular Gasoline101612——$5,600

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Chevrolet Suburban at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Chevrolet Suburban model years