2013 Chevrolet Suburban
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.

- Class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
- Body styles
- 1500 4dr SUV 4WD, 1500 4dr SUV RWD, 2500 4dr SUV 4WD, 2500 4dr SUV RWD
- Engines
- 5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- FFV, Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 21 hwy
- Length
- 222.4 in
- Curb weight
- 5,686–6,413 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Chevrolet Suburban is a standard SUV offered with 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.
It measures about 222 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 130-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,820 lb (1500 4dr SUV 4WD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 21 highway), 3% worse than the 2013 standard SUV average of 17.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 108 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 Suburban — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 Suburban →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Arlington, Texas
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2013 Suburban configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1500 4dr SUV 4WD | 222.4 in | 79.1 in | 76.8 in | 129.9 in | 68.9 / 67.3 in | 5,820 lb | 51/49 |
| 1500 4dr SUV RWD | 222.4 in | 79.1 in | 76.8 in | 129.9 in | 68.9 / 67.3 in | 5,686 lb | 51/49 |
| 2500 4dr SUV 4WD | 222.4 in | 79.1 in | 76.8 in | 129.9 in | 68.9 / 67.3 in | 6,413 lb | 51/49 |
| 2500 4dr SUV RWD | 222.4 in | 79.1 in | 76.8 in | 129.9 in | 68.9 / 67.3 in | 6,142 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suburban 1500 2WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -3% | $3,950 | 520 |
| Suburban 1500 4WD FFV | 5.3L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | -1% | $3,950 | 520 |
| Suburban 2500 2WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 10 / 16 / 12 | -32% | $5,600 | 714 |
| Suburban 2500 4WD | 6.0L 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | 4-Wheel Drive | 10 / 16 / 12 | -30% | $5,600 | 724 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban.
Similar 2013 standard SUVs
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Chevrolet Suburban (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2013 GMC Yukon | 21 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche | 17 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V053000 · 692,526 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2009 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming or "Zone C."
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 24, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328790.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021
NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- Risk
- An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Electrical System · Oct 1, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V614000 · 106,307 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac CTS, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL, and 2014 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Express, Impala, Silverado HD, Traverse, GMC Acadia, Savana, and Sierra HD vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the chassis electronic module may be internally contaminated, resulting in an electrical short.
- Risk
- If the module experiences an electrical short, the vehicle could stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the chassis electronic module, free of charge. The recall began on December 26, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GMÂs number for this recall is 14515.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jan 2, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V001000 · 54,686 vehicles
- Problem
- General Motors (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, and Escalade EXT; Chevrolet Avalanche, Express, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, and Tahoe; and GMC Savana, Sierra HD, Sierra LD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles, manufactured between November 7, 2012, through December 18, 2012, for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 102, "Transmission Shift Lever Sequence, Starter Interlock, and Transmission Braking Effect", and FMVSS No. 114, "Theft Protection and Rollaway Prevention." The vehicles may have been built with a fractured park lock cable or a malformed steering column lock actuator gear in the lock module assembly.
- Risk
- As a result, the vehicle may shift from Park with the ignition key removed or the ignition key in the OFF position. The vehicle may also shift out of Park without application of the brake pedal while the key is off. Either of these scenarios may cause the vehicle to roll away after the driver has exited the vehicle, resulting in a possible vehicle crash and/or injury.
- Fix
- GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and replace the steering column as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on January 21, 2013. Chevrolet owners may call 1-800-630-2438. Cadillac owners may call 1-866-982-2339. GMC owners may call 1-866-996-9463.
Not every 2013 Chevrolet Suburban is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Chevrolet Suburban buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Air Bags — 27 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Structure › Body — 20 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Engine — 16 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 68,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Chevrolet Suburban. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Suburban years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Suburban | 23 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | Not rated | 3 | 18 |
| 2025 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 31 |
| 2024 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 45 |
| 2023 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 148 |
| 2022 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 124 |
| 2021 Suburban | 23 | 225.6 in | ★★★★★ | 12 | 203 |
| 2020 Suburban | 18 | 224.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 44 |
| 2019 Suburban | 18 | 224.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 78 |
| 2018 Suburban | 19 | 224.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 84 |
| 2017 Suburban | 19 | 224.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 142 |
| 2016 Suburban | 19 | 224.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 220 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →