general problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban

Six problems related to equipment have been reported for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban. The most recently reported issues are listed below.

1 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 03/01/2019

When my Chevrolet Suburban 2012 is locked using the key fob or remote start, a person inside the car cannot unlock the doors or tailgate from the inside (via the door unlock buttons near the door handles or the tailgate button) to get out of the car. Example, parent accidentally leaves child in car, exits car, uses fob to lock doors; child now cannot unlock the door or tailgate using the unlock buttons by the door handles nor by using the tailgate open button. The person inside the car is locked inside and cannot exit if they do not have a key with which to turn on the car or a fob with which to unlock the car. When the car is locked with the fob a person inside the car cannot get out of the car using any button or handle inside the car. This occurred when the vehicle was parked and the ignition off. Two adults tested this multiple times and tried all possibilities to unlock and get out of the car from the inside when it had been locked by fob or remote start. I have a video demonstrating this which I am happy to share, but believe that I cannot upload below as it is not one of the permitted formats.

2 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 01/27/2019

2012 ltz 4wd Suburban, noticed a faint hot smell, thought it was the engine, took it in for an oil change on new years eve 2018 ( we had lost an engine in previous Suburban not taking chance) told by mechanic alloy wheels are hot, took to gm dealer, front wheel hub needed replaced, took to local garage for repair, garage told us brakes, caliphers, rotors be replaced due to caliphers being closed. They had hard time bleeding the lines, also replaced master cylinder, drove for few days short distance when front brakes caught fire, without warning, towed back to garage, they could not find cause, replaced brakes and rotors, drove for a week happened again, towed back to garage, they took to gm garage who replaced brake sensor, drove for few days locked up again kids in car, had towed to another gm dealer, told brake system tested normal to replace abs computer module, drove 2 weeks locked up again with kids in car, towed back to gm dealer, we were told by gm it was at risk of loss of life or catastrophic injury and they were sending tech, till we did not put gm brake pads, possible replacement of brake system could fix but not guaranteed. Gm dealer had Suburban 2/19-9/9/19 and it still is locking up without defined cause. I have been without vehicle this whole time & still owe on the vehicle. It was taken back to chevy dealer 10/26/19 after locking up again. There are no warning lights, the brakes lock up. There have been 2 major gm recalls regarding 2014+ Suburbans my issues are very similar regarding the braking system and even more severe. Had we been on busier roads we would have had an accident. We went to gm corp. / gm dealer lied to gm corp. We have vms to prove. Over $3k put into the vehicle and it still is not fixed, the brake system is $4k & that has not been proven to be the diagnosis. Vehicle not drivable. Pics from 1/27/19 incident, fire / smoke visable,.

3 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 06/21/2017

When trying to start put SUV the key gwys stuck and won't turn after this started happening our stability control sensor started going off. It used to turn off one u shut off the sub but not it's always on. And the key won't turn unless u wiggle it.

4 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 10/16/2014

Fl door ,pull handle gets broken real easy and every time we need to change the whole door panel. The door pull handle material is poor and after few times pulling the door it gets broken. We have heard same story from lots Suburban or tahoe owners.

5 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 09/05/2014

The first time the incident happened my car locked and unlocked the doors while im driving and then when I parked it wont start, after 5 mins it started and I drove it to the dealership. After couple of days they said everything is fine so I drove it back home. After 3 days while im driving it at 40 m/hr it looses power and came back then when I parked it wont start again so it was towed going to the dealership and there is a grinding noise on the transmission when backing and moving it forward. But after 3 days they said everythings fine and they want me to take it home but I refused and it stays there for 3 wks, they never call me for updates, never call me back everytime I left a msg or not answer my phone call at all. Never give me a loaner car which is part of my warranty, and after 3 wks they told me to pick up my car because there is nothing to fix. And I decided to trade the car (different make) because I dont feel safe anymore, I lost a lot of money because of them being irresponsible.

6 Equipment problem

Failure Date: 05/27/2013

Car was in florida parked for three days in direct sunlight. Sunroof visor was closed. On day 3, sunroof exploded and shattered while car was parked.


Other Equipment related problems of the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban



Fuel Economy of Suburban Vehicles
Suburban Service Bulletins
Suburban Safety Recalls
Suburban Defect Investigations