MotorCaliberNHTSA Safety Index

MODEL

Chevrolet Suburban 1500

NHTSA safety across every Chevrolet Suburban 1500 model year we cover.

Across the 5 model years of the Chevrolet Suburban 1500 we cover (2019 to 2026), the strongest crash-test showing is the 2020 at 81 on the NHTSA Safety Index. 5 recalls have been issued across those years.

THE MOTORCALIBER REVIEW
MotorCaliber editorial Reviewed against NHTSA data 2026-07-03

The Chevrolet Suburban 1500 is a full-size, body-on-frame SUV that has anchored the family hauler segment for decades. Built for buyers who need serious passenger capacity, towing muscle, and road-trip endurance, it competes at the top of the large SUV class. From 2019 through 2025, it remains one of the most recognizable vehicles on American roads, appealing to large families, fleet buyers, and anyone who refuses to compromise on interior space.

The Chevrolet Suburban 1500 posts a respectable but nuanced safety picture across the 2019 to 2025 model years covered by MotorCaliber. Its best NHTSA Safety Index score of 81 out of 100, recorded in the 2019 model year, earns a Strong band rating, which is a solid result for a vehicle of this size and weight class. Drilling into the crash-test breakdown tells a more specific story. The side-impact rating of 5 out of 5 stars is genuinely impressive and reflects well-engineered structural protection for occupants. The frontal result of 4 out of 5 stars is competent without being exceptional, and the rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars is the number that deserves the most attention from shoppers. At the Suburban's height and mass, that three-star rollover figure is not surprising for the segment, but it is a real consideration, particularly for buyers in markets with high-speed rural roads or uneven terrain. On the recall side, only 2 recalls across seven model years is a genuinely low count for a vehicle this complex, suggesting Chevrolet has kept production quality fairly consistent. Owner complaints total 154 across the covered years, with 4 alleged crashes, 2 alleged fires, and 2 reported injuries among those unverified allegations. No deaths were reported. That complaint volume is not alarming for a high-volume, long-running platform, but the fire allegations are worth monitoring before purchase. Overall, the Suburban earns a cautious endorsement from a pure safety standpoint, with the rollover rating being the one figure shoppers should weigh carefully.

WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally praise the Suburban for its commanding interior space, smooth highway ride, and strong towing credentials, treating it as a benchmark in the full-size SUV segment. Most acknowledge that its sheer size demands attentive driving and that fuel consumption is a persistent trade-off. Overall professional sentiment toward the 2019 to 2025 generation is broadly positive, particularly for families prioritizing capacity and comfort.

WHAT TO KNOW
  • The rollover rating of 3 out of 5 stars is the weakest point in the Suburban's crash-test profile. Given the vehicle's tall ride height and substantial curb weight, shoppers should factor this into their decision, especially if highway driving at speed is a regular use case.
  • Only 2 recalls across seven model years is a notably low count for a full-size SUV of this complexity, suggesting the 2019 to 2025 generation has avoided the kind of widespread manufacturing issues that can drive repeat service visits.
  • The side-impact crash-test result of 5 out of 5 stars is a genuine strength, offering reassurance that occupant protection in lateral collisions is a priority in the Suburban's structural design.
  • Among the 154 owner complaints on record, 2 involve alleged fires. These are unverified allegations, but prospective buyers should review current NHTSA complaint records and confirm whether any open investigations exist before finalizing a purchase.

Safety Index by year

Most-recalled year on record: 2026 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 with 3 recalls.

BY YEARSuburban 1500 by model year