NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Ratings
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban scores 70 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 4-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 176 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban achieved a 3-star rating in rollover resistance, a notable area of concern for this model year. Its overall NHTSA Safety Index stands at 70/100, positioning it within the Average safety band. While crash protection scores were largely solid across most test modes, the low rollover rating, coupled with a defect record score of just 4.25 out of 20 points, significantly impacted the final safety assessment.
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 out of 100 and a 3-star NHTSA rollover rating, based on federal NHTSA crash-test and recall data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban ranks 107 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 70 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 4 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 21.9% |
| Recalls on file | 12 |
| Owner complaints | 176 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 107 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban's defect record is a primary concern, with 12 recall campaigns driving its defect sub-score to just 4.25 out of 20. These recalls address critical components including engine internals, transmission software, lighting software, seat belt fasteners, and driveshaft integrity, indicating a broad spectrum of issues for the inaugural model year of the redesigned platform. This significantly impacts the overall Safety Index, which registers at 70 out of 100, placing the vehicle in the Average band. Crash protection data from NHTSA yields a respectable 57 out of 70, bolstered by a 5-star side impact rating. However, the 3-star rollover rating for this tall, heavy SUV presents a notable safety limitation. Avoidance technology scores 8.5 out of 10; standard features include forward collision warning and electronic stability control, though lane departure warning was offered only as an option.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban perform in crash tests?
A 22 percent rollover risk, earning 3 out of 5 stars, marks a key safety concern for the 2021 Suburban, even with a "No Tip" outcome in the dynamic tip test. Frontal protection rated at 4 out of 5 stars. Side impact protection, however, achieved a full 5 out of 5 stars. Overall, the 2021 Suburban earned 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15350
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
The 2021 Suburban carries 12 recall campaigns. Named components include internal engine hard parts, automatic transmission control module software, lighting control module software (addressed via an OTA fix), seat belt critical fasteners, and a driveshaft concern. The seat belt fastener recall is particularly safety-critical and shoppers should verify remedy completion by VIN before purchase.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:HARD PARTS INTERNAL/MECHANICAL25V274000
Risk: Engine failure increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the engine, and as necessary, repair or replace the engine. For vehicles that pass inspection, dealers will add higher viscosity oil, install 6 oil fill cap, replace the oil filter, and update the owner's manual. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2025. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223, Chevro
Reported 2025-04-24
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE24V797000
Risk: Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install new transmission control module software, free of charge. GM will provide a special coverage program to cover the repair of transmissions that are identified by the remedy software as containing a defective control valve. Owner notification letters were mailed December 12, 2024. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-80
Reported 2024-10-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE22V827000
Risk: Daytime Running Lights that do not deactivate as intended may cause a glare, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will provide an over-the-air (OTA) update for the Body Control Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 15, 2022. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-888-988-7267, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N222382220.
Reported 2022-11-03
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS22V617000
Risk: A seat belt with a deformed rivet may not properly restrain an occupant, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rivet head formation on both the left and right side third-row seat belt buckle assemblies and replace seat belt buckle assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed September 28, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on November 1, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1
Reported 2022-08-11
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT22V036000
Risk: Driveshaft failure can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212351030.
Reported 2022-01-27
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP:CONTROL/DRIVE MODULE21V739000
Risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump power control module, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 14, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212332040.
Reported 2021-09-23
STEERING:STEERING CONTROL MODULE21V455000
Risk: Increased steering effort, particularly at lower speeds, increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212333900.
Reported 2021-06-17
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT21V421000
Risk: The air bag malfunction indicator light may fail to warn the driver of a problem with the air bag, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: The communications gateway module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 1, 2021. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this
Reported 2021-06-10
SEAT BELTS21V190000
Risk: A damaged seat belt can break during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the third-row outboard seat belts, replacing any damaged seat belts, and rerouting them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 21, 2021. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, and Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is N202313000.
Reported 2021-03-18
SEAT BELTS20V811000
Risk: If a seat belt assembly is not properly attached to the vehicle, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the suspect bolts, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8785, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202322230.
Reported 2020-12-23
SEAT BELTS20V792000
Risk: If a seat-belt bracket is not secured, the seat belt may not properly restrain an occupant in the front-row center seat position, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect left-side and right-side front-row center seat-belt bracket attachments and reassemble it correctly as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 26, 2021. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N202314670.
Reported 2020-12-17
SEATS20V735000
Risk: If an occupied front seat has loose or missing attachment bolts, it may move during a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the seated occupant.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat attachments for both front seats and install attachment bolts as needed, free of charge. The recall began December 21, 2020. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, and GMC customer service at 1-888-988-7267. GM's number for this recall is N202312720.
Reported 2020-11-25
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
NHTSA has logged 176 unverified owner complaints for this model year, including alleged reports of 6 crashes and 5 injuries. The most frequently alleged problem areas are the Engine (74 reports), Power Train (33), Fuel/Propulsion System (21), Electrical System (17), and Forward Collision Avoidance (11). These are unverified consumer allegations, not confirmed defects.
176 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
The 2021 Suburban has been subject to 12 recall campaigns, a notable figure. Prospective owners should verify that all recall remedies have been completed before acquiring the vehicle, particularly given a recall campaign concerning seat belt fasteners.
- The 2021 Suburban's defect record sub-score of 4.25 out of 20 is the single largest drag on its 70/100 Safety Index, reflecting 12 recall campaigns issued for this specific model year.
- A seat belt critical fasteners recall was issued for the 2021 model year, covering Suburban units alongside Escalade, Tahoe, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, making VIN-level remedy verification essential for used-market buyers.
- The 3-star rollover rating and 22 percent rollover risk figure stand out against an otherwise strong crash profile, including a 5-star side protection score, and are specific to this body-style and platform generation.
- Lane departure warning is listed as Optional, not Standard, for this model year, meaning individual 2021 Suburban units on the used market may or may not be equipped with that crash-avoidance feature.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban places
The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Chevrolet Suburban safety questions
Was the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban earned 4 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 3 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 21.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 176 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Suburban years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15350), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Suburban 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 107 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.