2015 Chevrolet Suburban

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Chevrolet Suburban
Pictured: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ, front 4.18.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV AWD, 4dr SUV RWD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
18 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
224.4 in
Curb weight
5,536–5,776 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
11 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • "Do not drive" recallCheck that the recall repair was done before buying or driving.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Chevrolet Suburban is a standard SUV offered with a 5.3L 8-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 224 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 130-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,776 lb (4dr SUV AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 4% worse than the 2015 standard SUV average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 11 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 428 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2015

  • New body dimensions: 2.0 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 Suburban →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–5.3L 8-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD · RWD

Trims

LTLTZLS

Built in: Arlington, Texas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2015 Suburban configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV AWD224.4 in80.3 in74.4 in129.9 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,776 lb51/49
4dr SUV RWD224.4 in80.3 in74.4 in129.9 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,536 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Suburban C1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-4%$3,700481
Suburban K1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-1%$3,700503
Suburban C1500 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 18-4%$3,700481
Suburban K1500 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-1%$3,700503
4/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
4/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $6,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2015 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban.

Similar 2015 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Chevrolet Suburban (this car)18 MPGNot rated11
2015 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated4

Recalls (11)

Safety advisory: 1 recall for this model year carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Check your VIN now.
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · May 7, 2026 Do not drive

NHTSA campaign 26V289000 · 66 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, and GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles with four-wheel (4WD) or all-wheel drive (AWD), and certain 2015-2020 Suburban, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Yukon, Yukon XL, and Tahoe vehicles. A component missing from the drivetrain transfer case may cause the front and/or rear wheels to lock up without warning to the driver.
Risk
Front or rear wheel lockup increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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 recall is N262557620. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 7, 2026.
Service Brakes · Oct 24, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V761000 · 652,967 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, and GMC Yukon, and 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles equipped with a 5.3-liter engine, a 3.08-ratio rear axle and four-wheel drive. If a wheel-speed sensor fails, while the vehicle is traveling between 41 and 60 mph in four-wheel or automatic mode, the Electronic-Brake Control Module (EBCM) software may activate the driveline-protection system.
Risk
Unintended activation of the driveline-protection system will cause unintended braking on the wheel on the opposite side of the failed sensor, causing the vehicle to pull to one side unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the EBCM, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192261050.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Power Assist › Vacuum · Sep 6, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V645000 · 3,456,719 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Cadillac Escalade, 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, 2015-2018 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Yukon vehicles. The amount of vacuum created by the vacuum pump may decrease over time.
Risk
As the vacuum level drops, the brake assist decreases, increasing braking effort, extending the distance required to stop the vehicle, thereby increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the Electronic Brake Control Module, free of charge. The recall began October 8, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-630-2438, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N192268490.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Sep 7, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V586000 · 1,015,918 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Sierra 1500 and Yukon, and Cadillac Escalade vehicles. Electric power steering (EPS) assist may be lost momentarily, followed by a sudden return of EPS assist.
Risk
If EPS assist is lost and then suddenly returns, the driver may have difficulty steering the vehicle, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the EPS module software, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. 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 18289.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jul 10, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V437000 · 40,683 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse and Chevrolet Spark EV, Caprice PPV and SS vehicles, 2014-2017 Buick Encore and Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Trax, Suburban and Silverado 2500 and 3500 and GMC Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles, and 2015-2017 GMC Sierra HD 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on August 4, 2017. 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 recall is 17287.
Seat Belts › Pretensioner · Sep 8, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V651000 · 3,640,162 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.
Risk
A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. 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 recall is 16007.
Electrical System › Ignition · Oct 9, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V640000 · 3,073 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks manufactured January 24, 2014, to February 26, 2014, 2015 Chevrolet Suburban vehicles manufactured February 12, 2014 and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles manufactured February 6, 2014, to February 13, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the ignition lock actuator may bind, making turning the key difficult or causing the ignition to get stuck in the "Start" position.
Risk
If stuck in the "Start" position, the ignition may suddenly snap back into the "Accessory" position, causing a loss of engine, steering, and braking power, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. If the vehicle is in a crash, the air bags may not deploy, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition lock housing, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020 or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 15573.
Steering › Electric Power Assist System · Nov 10, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V719000 · 679 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra, and Yukon XL vehicles, equipped with electric power steering (EPS). Due to a problem with the EPS module, the affected vehicles may experience a sudden loss of power steering assist during vehicle operation.
Risk
An unexpected loss of power steering increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering assist motor kit, free of charge. The recall began on November 17, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14743.
Air Bags › Side/Window · Jul 23, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V451000 · 22 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Chevrolet Suburban, Suburban LTZ, Tahoe, Tahoe LTZ, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL Denali vehicles manufactured on May 13, 2014. The affected vehicles were assembled with a roof rail air bags (RRAB) that were not reinforced at the points were the bags contact the hardware used to attach the roof carrier.
Risk
During deployment, the RRAB may be punctured or torn by the roof carrier hardware, reducing its performance and increasing the risk of occupant injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the roof carrier attaching hardware, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early September 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet) or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14359.
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) · Jun 27, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V374000 · 392,459 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra vehicles, and model year 2015 GMC Yukon and Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, an electrical signal short may cause the transfer case to shift to neutral without the driver's input.
Risk
If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is parked and the parking brake is not in use, the vehicle may roll away increasing the risk of injury to bystanders. If the transfer case switches to neutral while the vehicle is being driven, the vehicle would lose drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will re-program the software in the transfer case control module, free of charge. The recall began in early August 2014. Owners may contact General Motors customer service at 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14192.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Cooling Unit And Lines · Mar 31, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V152000 · 489,936 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM ) is recalling certain model year 2014 Chevrolet Silverado Light Duty Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 series and model year 2015 Suburban and Tahoe; GMC model year 2014 Sierra Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab 1500 Series and model year 2015 Yukon and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6-Speed Automatic Transmission (feature code MYC). The subject vehicles may have a transmission oil cooler line that is not securely seated in the fitting.
Risk
If the line is not securely seated and transmission oil leaks from the fitting, the oil could contact a hot surface and cause a vehicle fire.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmission oil cooler line connection and repair the vehicles, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on May 19, 2014. Owners may contact Chevrolet at 1-866-694-6546 or GMC owners may contact GMC at 1-866-996-9463. GM's number for this recall is 14121.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Chevrolet Suburban is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

428Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
21Involved a crash
8Involved a fire
34Injuries reported
62,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes150
Steering59
Electrical System55
Unknown Or Other53
Power Train45
Engine38
Suspension28
Structure › Body27
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
24/06: 224/07: 324/08: 124/09: 224/10: 224/12: 325/01: 225/02: 125/04: 225/05: 325/07: 125/08: 125/09: 225/11: 325/12: 226/01: 326/02: 126/03: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 126/09: 126/10: 224/0624/0925/0125/0525/0926/0126/0426/07max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Chevrolet Suburban buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 11 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Safety-critical recall. At least one recall carries a "Do Not Drive" or "Park Outside" warning. Do not buy until the VIN shows it was repaired.
  3. Service Brakes — 150 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Steering — 59 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Electrical System — 55 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 62,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  7. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Suburban years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Suburban23–Not rated00
2026 Suburban23225.6 inNot rated318
2025 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★131
2024 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★245
2023 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4148
2022 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4124
2021 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★12203
2020 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated444
2019 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated378
2018 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated484
2017 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated5142
2016 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated6220

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Chevrolet. How we calculate this →