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The 2007, 2008, and 2009 model years of the SUV are prone to Fuel Management issues along with transmission and cracked dashboard problems.
The SUV segment is one of the most booming categories of vehicles today. Although small crossovers draw a lot of attention, the market for full-size SUVs is still popular, especially in North America.
Debuted almost 90 years ago, the Chevrolet Suburban has evolved into a colossal, luxurious, and capable SUV that brims with all sorts of tech and safety features. Thanks to its excellent longevity and potent engine options, the Chevy Suburban has been one of the best seven-seater family haulers for decades.
The latest 2023 Chevy Suburban model has impressive 420-hp V8 and turbocharged diesel engine options. However, with its MSRP starting at over $55,000, many buyers might prefer compromising the top-of-the-line features for a more affordable model year.
A used Chevrolet Suburban from 2007 to 2014 (tenth-gen) can be an eye-catching option for buyers looking for a budget-friendly and dependable full-size SUV, so long as you avoid problematic model years. Without further ado, let’s take a look at tenth-gen Suburban’s most widespread problems, its reliability, and everything else you need to know before finalizing your purchase.
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According to the Car Complaints website, the 2007 Chevy Suburban has the highest number of registered owner complaints. Out of over 350 complaints, roughly 230 concern issues with the SUV’s powertrain.
According to these reports, excessive oil consumption is the most common problem with the 2007 Suburban. After 65,000 miles, owners typically notice the engine needs a new quart of oil every 500-1,000 miles. The issue predominantly pertains to aluminum block motors with Active Fuel Management (AFM). In most cases, owners couldn’t find a permanent solution for excessive oil consumption. However, several owners quoted having no option other than replacing the engine, and a few mentioned that replacing cylinder heads fixed the problem.
Many owners reported issues with the 2007 Chevy Suburban’s interior accessories. The problems range from cracks on the dashboard, and the steering wheel finish peeling off to malfunctioning gauge lights, radio, and cruise control. Although some of these issues are minor, they pile up after one another and severely damage the driving experience.
Although transmission failure reports are not as common as excessive oil consumption for the 2007 Suburban, there are an alarming number of them on Car Complaints. According to these reports, the transmission failed well below the 100,000-mile mark, costing almost $3,000 to swap it with a new one.
Both the 2008 and 2009 models are also plagued with excessive oil consumption at low mileage. Although fewer reports for such cases exist, owners have mentioned spending as much as $5,000 to replace the powertrain on a 2009 Suburban that dealt with high oil consumption rates.
Over 130 owner reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website target the 2008 Suburban’s faulty airbags. Although General Motors recalled the SUV for defective airbags, owners have complained about poor customer service. Some didn’t receive the remedy in a timely manner, and some mentioned dealing with cracks on the dashboard after the dealer installed the new airbag unit.
Another common issue with the 2008 Suburban is flawed door locks. “I purchased a 2008 Suburban LTZ in July 2011. Shortly after we purchased the vehicle, three of the door locks stopped functioning completely. The fourth door works sporadically. The locks do not work at all with the keyless entry nor the main lock button from the driver side door,” quoted one owner in their report registered in July 2013.
Like the 2008 model, the 2009 Suburban has issues with the door locks. Moreover, GM had to recall this model five times for problems such as flawed frontal airbags, windshield washers, and fuel system control modules.
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According to various reputable auto sources, A Chevy Suburban has no problem reaching 200,000 miles on the odometer. Based on an annual mileage of 15,000 miles, that translates to over 14 years of reliable service for the Suburban.
Following the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance routine is vital if you want to reach high mileage with a Chevy Suburban. Some of the essential services include:
According to the Repair Pal website, a Chevy Suburban costs about $821 to maintain in a year, about $50 more than the average for all full-size SUVs.
In conclusion, if you’re in the market for a used Chevy Suburban, you can expect relatively high mileage out of one without significant problems recurring, so long as you avoid the first three model years of the Suburban’s tenth generation.
Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.