2018 Chevrolet Suburban: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban: 4 recalls, 82 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #18V673000 · 2018 · 15,800 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies May not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (fmvss) number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Why it matters: If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V645000 · 2019 · 3,456,719 vehicles
What's wrong: The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump May decrease over time.
Why it matters: As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the electronic brake control module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019.
Brakes, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #19V761000 · 2019 · 652,967 vehicles
What's wrong: 3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the electronic-brake control module (ebcm) software May activate the driveline-protection system.
Why it matters: Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ebcm, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #26V289000 · 2026 · 66 vehicles
What's wrong: A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case May cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Why it matters: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the transfer case assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 18, 2026.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 4 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (18): the most common themes are warning light on (9), noise or vibration (5), stalls / loses power (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (18): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (6), warning light on (4), noise or vibration (4).
- Electrical (17): the most common themes are electrical failure (8), stalls / loses power (5), warning light on (3).
- Brakes (12): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban has 82 owner complaints, ranking #28 of 35 Suburban model years for complaints (well below the 229 average). Complaints peaked in 2023 (16 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 42,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2017 (141 complaints, 5 recalls), 2019 (78 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Regular |
| 5.3 L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 22 | 18 | Gasoline or E85 |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2018 Chevrolet Suburban problems?
Owners have filed 82 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (18), transmission & drivetrain (18), electrical (17).
What gas mileage does the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (5.3 L, Automatic 6-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2018 Chevrolet Suburban repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.