NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2026 Chevrolet Suburban Safety Ratings
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban scores 86 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Strong), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 3 recalls, and 9 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban registers a NHTSA Safety Index of 86 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. This assessment, however, must be qualified by the vehicle's three active recall campaigns, one of which advises owners to park outside due to fire risk. Beyond this critical concern, the Suburban's score reflects solid NHTSA crash-test performance and a full suite of standard crash-avoidance technology.
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban received a 5-out-of-5-star overall NHTSA crash-test rating and carries a NHTSA Safety Index of 86 out of 100, sourced from NHTSA crash-test, recall, and complaint data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 143 SUVs from 2026 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban ranks 97 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- new and teen drivers who want standard crash-avoidance tech
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 86 / 100 (Strong) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 5 / 5 / 3 stars |
| Rollover risk | 21.9% |
| Recalls on file | 3 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 9 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 97 of 143 SUVs tested for 2026 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban?
The 2026 Suburban's Safety Index of 86 out of 100 represents a 3-point gain over the 2025 model's score of 83, both sitting in the Strong band. That incremental improvement is meaningful: the crash protection subscore of 62 out of 70 and a perfect 10 out of 10 for avoidance technology together drive the headline number, while the defect record subscore of 14 out of 20 is the one component holding the vehicle back from an elite rating. That defect drag is directly traceable to this model year's three recall campaigns, one of which carries a park-outside designation tied to a transfer case concern in the powertrain. The hub and wheel recall adds a second structural-integrity issue that shoppers cannot overlook. The 5-star frontal and side crash results confirm that the vehicle's passive protection is genuinely strong, but the 3-star rollover score and a 22 percent rollover risk figure are characteristic of large, tall SUVs and should factor into any safety-focused purchase decision. Nine reported complaints, six of them alleging engine-related issues, are early signals worth monitoring as this model year accumulates more miles in the field.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban perform in crash tests?
The 2026 Suburban achieved NHTSA's highest rating in overall, frontal, and side crash protection, each earning 5 out of 5 stars. Its rollover performance, however, presents a notable exception, rated at 3 out of 5 stars with a 22 percent rollover risk. This statistical outcome is somewhat mitigated by the dynamic tip test, where the Suburban did not tip.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 21861
Index breakdown
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban have any recalls?
Three recall campaigns cover the 2026 Suburban. The most urgent is a park-outside, do-not-drive directive tied to the transfer case in the powertrain. A second campaign addresses the wheels and hub assembly across a broad group of GM full-size SUVs. A third covers owners and service manual documentation. At least one of these campaigns requires immediate action before the vehicle is operated.
WHEELS:HUB26V304000
Risk: A bolt that loosens or breaks during vehicle operation can result in loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front left and right wheel hub bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 18, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recall is N262554630. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became sea
Reported 2026-05-14
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)26V289000
Risk: Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. GM's number for this recal
Reported 2026-05-07
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL26V114000
Risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-9700, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N252540430. Vehicle
Reported 2026-02-26
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban?
Nine owner complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2026 Suburban. The top alleged problem area is the engine, cited in 6 of the 9 reports, followed by structure with 2 reports and one each for powertrain and an unknown category. All complaints are unverified consumer allegations and have not been established as confirmed defects.
9 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban?
Because this is a current-model-year vehicle with three open recall campaigns, including one park-outside directive, any shopper should run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup tool before purchase or delivery and confirm that all remedy work has been completed by a certified GM dealer prior to operating the vehicle.
- A park-outside, do-not-drive recall covering the 2026 Suburban's transfer case was issued in May 2026, making VIN-specific remedy verification essential before operating any example of this model year.
- The 2026 model's Safety Index of 86 out of 100 is a 3-point improvement over the 2025 model's score of 83, driven by strong crash protection and a perfect avoidance-technology subscore, but the defect record subscore of 14 out of 20 reflects the weight of three active recalls.
- The rollover star rating of 3 out of 5, paired with a 22 percent rollover risk figure, is the lowest-rated crash-test dimension for this model year and distinguishes the Suburban's safety profile from its otherwise top-tier frontal and side results.
- Six of the nine NHTSA complaints reported for the 2026 Suburban allege engine-related issues, an early-accumulation pattern that buyers should track as this model year's complaint record develops further.
RANKINGSWhere the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban places
The 2026 Chevrolet Suburban qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2026 Chevrolet Suburban safety questions
Was the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 86 out of 100, placing it in the Strong band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 5 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 2026 Chevrolet Suburban have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 3 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 9 owner complaints are on file for the 2026 Chevrolet Suburban. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Suburban years
Rivals in SUV (2026)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Lexus GX 550 | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 350e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Lexus Rz 550e BEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander MHEV | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross | 100/100 | not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid | 99/100 | not rated | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 21861), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Chevrolet Suburban 2026.
- 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 97 of 143 in the SUV class for 2026.
- 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.