2018 Chevrolet Suburban

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2018 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
Transmission
6-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Seats
7–8
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
19 combined · 16 city / 23 hwy
Length
224.4 in
Curb weight
5,536–5,776 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Seats up to 83 rows of seating.

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 2018 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 19 MPG combined (16 city / 23 highway), 3% worse than the 2018 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,550 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 84 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.

What changed for 2018

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2017 Suburban — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2017; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2017 Suburban →

Trims, performance & features

Engine–5.3L 8-cyl
Transmission6-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating7–8 seats · 3 rows

Trims

LTPremierLS

Safety & driver-assist features

Automatic emergency brakingOptional
Forward collision warningSome trims
Blind-spot monitoringSome trims
Lane departure warningStandard
Lane keeping assistStandard
Adaptive cruise controlOptional
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamSome trims
Keyless startStandard

Built in: Arlington, Texas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2018 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 2WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-3%$3,550468
Suburban C1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19-3%$3,550468
Suburban K1500 4WD5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-4%$3,700504
Suburban K1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 22 / 18-4%$3,700504
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $5,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.5 MPG2018 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2018 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2018 Chevrolet Suburban.

Similar 2018 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2018 Chevrolet Suburban (this car)19 MPGNot rated4
2018 Toyota Land Cruiser15 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

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.
Seat Belts › Rear/Other · Sep 26, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V673000 · 15,800 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Cadillac CT6, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Volt, and GMC Yukon XL vehicles. Certain second-row or third-row rear seatbelts retractor assemblies may not automatically lock when the seatbelt is fully pulled out of the retractor, possibly preventing a child seat from being properly secured. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk
If the child seat is not properly secured in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear seatbelt retractors and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 7, 2018. Owners may contact 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 18315.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

84Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
42,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Engine19
Power Train17
Electrical System15
Service Brakes13
Unknown Or Other10
Steering8
Seat Belts5
Air Bags4
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
23/07: 123/08: 123/10: 324/03: 124/07: 124/10: 124/11: 124/12: 225/02: 125/03: 125/04: 425/06: 125/08: 125/09: 125/10: 125/11: 125/12: 226/01: 126/02: 226/03: 326/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/10: 323/0724/0324/1125/0325/0825/1126/0226/05max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2018 Chevrolet Suburban buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 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. Engine — 19 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  4. Power Train — 17 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Electrical System — 15 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  6. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 42,000 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 2018 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
2017 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated5142
2016 Suburban19224.4 inNot rated6220
2015 Suburban18224.4 inNot rated11428

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