2021 Chevrolet Suburban · symptom sheet
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing
- 43owner reports
- 75,000median miles
- $9,434median quote
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 22, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
94 of the 198 complaints on this car are about the engine. 43 of those describe engine failure. Only stalling is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 43 reports
Engine failure on other Suburban years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2015, 2016, 2017.
What this problem usually is
These are the reports nobody wants to file. The engine started knocking or ticking, the oil light came on, and then it seized or had to be replaced. Some owners had the replacement covered under warranty or an extension, and plenty were told they'd pay. Several narrower sheets split this group into knocking, seized engines and rod bearing failure.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the engine (42 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the engine covers the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
All 12 recalls on the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the engine on the Suburban
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure post recall remedy. Closed aug 20, 2026.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Open.
Loss of motive power due to engine failure. Closed oct 23, 2025, led to recall 25V-274.
Crank position sensor failure - stall. Closed sep 14, 2006.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jul 31, 1996.
What owners paid
14 of the 43 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $200 to $14,000.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 30,000 and 107,000 miles, from the 19 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban that deal with this problem. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Certain vehicles listed above, may have a condition where the connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components in these vehicles may have manufacturing defects that can lead to engine damage and engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be to main cause of an engine failure.
This bulletin advises the tech to inspect deeper into what may be the main cause of an engine failure.
Service Update. Certain vehicles may present a broken engine valve spring. This may cause the engine to run rough, an engine knocking or ticking noise, a check engine light illumination, or a possible vehicle stall.
What owners wrote
“Our Chevy Suburban High Country suffered sudden engine failure resulting in the vehicle to shake and smoke while driving on a busy intersection. The dealership diagnosed internal engine mechanical failure at only 46,000 miles. I believe this is directly tied to the known GM 6.2 L87 engine issues.”
Filed Sep 19, 2026 · 46,000 miles
“Engine failure at 86,000 miles with documented regular oil change and recommended services”
Filed Feb 17, 2026 · 86,000 miles
“My vehicle went from completely fine to having a loud knocking noise while I was driving 65 mph down the 4 lane highway. My vehicle lost power and slowed down. I was 50 miles from a dealership. They had to replace my entire engine and crankshaft. It cost over $12,000.00. This exact issue has been recalled by GM, but websites say my vehicle is not covered. The dealership had my vehicle for a month doing repairs.”
Filed May 8, 2025
“Worried about the safety of driving this vehicle due to the numerous reports of the engine seizing while driving. I have read about there being hundreds of thousand vehicles with the same engine having this problem. Thanks”
Filed Apr 30, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 43 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Engine stalls or loses power while driving 43 reports
- Check engine light or misfire 39 reports