general problems of the 2021 Chevrolet Suburban - part 1

Vehicle stalled during routine driving. Code p129f. I was stranded in 95 degree weather with three small children. Please correct and advise ASAP. Had to be towed home. Vehicle inoperable.

On Friday, March 13, 2026, while traveling at approximately 60 mph on the highway, my 2021 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with an l87 6. 2l v8 engine experienced a sudden and complete loss of motive power. The failure sequence began with a dashboard warning prompting me to "press the start button again," followed immediately by the vehicle shifting into neutral without any driver input. Despite repeatedly pressing the accelerator, the vehicle continued to decelerate and could not re-engage drive. A second dashboard warning displaying "engine recall" then appeared mid-incident. Subsequently, the rear wheels locked, forcing the vehicle to coast to a complete stop on the hard shoulder without any brake input required from the driver. Upon coming to a full stop, the start button continued flashing with repeated prompts to press it, the vehicle lock emblem illuminated on the dashboard, and the vehicle became fully and mechanically immobile, unable to shift out of neutral or transition into any other gear. The engine could not power the vehicle at all. My safety and the safety of other motorists were directly and seriously endangered, as the failure occurred without warning in the middle lane of an active highway at highway speed, leaving the vehicle unable to maneuver or accelerate out of harm's way. A responding police officer confirmed the road hazard on scene and remained present to protect the vehicle and occupants while we awaited assistance. The aaa tow truck operator independently concurred upon arrival. The vehicle was transported to classic Chevrolet, grapevine, TX, the same day and is currently awaiting full technical inspection by the dealership's service team; an official mechanical diagnosis remains pending. The dealership service advisor has verbally confirmed awareness of an active engine and powertrain/transmission recall affecting this vehicle. The failed component — the l87 6. 2l v8 engine and associated drivetrain — is available for inspection.

My 2021 Chevrolet Suburban experienced a sudden and complete engine failure at approximately 79,000 miles. The vehicle became inoperable and is currently at a dealership pending evaluation. There were no prior warnings indicating an imminent catastrophic failure. A sudden engine failure of this nature presents a significant safety concern, including the risk of loss of propulsion during operation. The failure has been confirmed by the dealership, and no repairs have been authorized at this time pending further review. This complaint is being submitted to document a sudden and severe engine failure and to request evaluation of potential safety-related defects involving internal engine components.

In April of 2022 with 26k miles my vehicle had its first engine failure, Chevrolet dealership had to replace engine lifters due to a known engineering defect with the 2021 6. 2 l87 engine. Now in late February 2026 with 80k miles my engine has locked up and requires a brand new engine replacement. For some reason, even though this is a l87 6. 2l 2021 engine it is not part of the broader recall for this exact same engine failure for the same engine year and model.

The check engine and traction control light came on in my car. This was accompanied by a clanking sound, shaking. The panel said “ service esc” “ service traction control” and “ forward collision system unavailable” the Chevrolet light logo on the back of my car will also not turn off occasionally whenever the car is turned off.

Engine failure at 86,000 miles with documented regular oil change and recommended services.

See attached document for complaint.

While driving, the engine malfunctioned. There were no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the malfunction. The vehicle has been inspected and repaired by a Chevrolet dealership.

While driving the engine warning light, service esc light, and collision light all came on and an engine knock started. I also experienced a loss of power at the same time. Car was taken to local chevy dealership for evaluation and repair. Dealership advised that they dropped the oil and found metal shavings in the oil. After further investigation, we were advised that it was a crankshaft connecting rod failure. We have an extended warranty and were waiting to hear back on repair coverage. Gm denied the repair as this vehicle is not part of the active recall. Our warranty company also denied the repair stating we did not have adequate records of oil changes. Receipts for oil and filters were provided.

My vehicle was taken in to shop due to recall recommendation I received in gm app for fuel pump control module . After repair was done my engine begin ticking the same day and failed a week later . I documented the whole thing and filed a claim with gm however the dealership that did the repair are not responding to gm . The dealership is alm chevorlet south in jonesboro ,GA this vehicle stalled out while I was on the highway . Please help me this vehicle belongs to my limo fleet and this is detrimental to my business . After multiple attempts to get it diagnosed they kept telling me I had to wait in line for weeks out to get it checked out although the problem arose after the new part installation . Then when I brung it back with failed engine soon after they told me that I had to sign a liability release waiver for them to check out the vehicle stating that the vehicle was high mileage and not their fault . The service manager literally instructed me not to leave my vehicle when I wanted to because it would not speed up the process for it to be seen I brung it back when instructed but it was to late because the engine had already failed . They literally forced me to sign a waiver stating that they wouldn’t diagnose it if I didn’t sign the waiver . These people are committing a fraudulent scam and their are unsafe vehicles on the road that arent being treated properly due to these practices . Please contact the dealership and or gm to take this matter more seriously .

Had to replace entire engine for same reason other gm engines are recalled for, the lifters and shifting cylinders. This should also be covered under a recall! it left me and my kids stranded.

On January 13, 2026, the engine in my Suburban failed suddenly and completely, rendering the vehicle inoperable without warning. The failure left me stranded with my children, creating a serious safety concern and requiring immediate towing. Prior to that day, the vehicle exhibited no ongoing symptoms, warning lights, or performance issues, aside from a ticking noise that appeared only on the day of failure. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Chevrolet dealership, where it was determined that the engine was damaged beyond repair and required full replacement. I was informed a new engine would need to be ordered, at an estimated cost of approximately $14,000—an extraordinary and unreasonable expense for a vehicle of this age and price point.

My vehicle is having an oil consumption problem. 2 quarts were missing from my oils consumption test. The dealer is now doing a secondary oil consumption test and I’ve read up and learned that there have been a lot of recalls with the engine and oils changes.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal oil consumption was noticed. No warning light was illuminated. In addition, the vehicle was previously taken to a local dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed; however, the contact was advised to bring the vehicle back for further investigation. An appointment with the same local dealer was scheduled to inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

The car was driving at 60 mph on a regular commute to work and the car was stalling and shaking and soon after the check engine light came on with multiple issues.

I have a 2021 chevy Suburban with the l87 6. 2l v8 engine. At 7k miles, we have lost propulsion, leaving the car undrivable. Resulted in the dealer replacing all 16 lifters under a recognized bulletin. I never received extended 6yr 100k mile powertrain warranty as described in the bulletin. Since then, there have been 3 other issues with loss of propulsion, resulting in replacement of fuel pump modulator. Belt pulley system, one of the incidents left us without power or control of our vehicle on the interstate, with no where to pull over or get out of the way of oncoming semi trucks. The last incident again left the vehicle undriveable at 84k miles, with the dealer currently reporting that it is a lifter and cam shaft issue. Resulting in a 10k bill. They state that it is not covered under the recall of these engines because it is the top of the engine versus the bottom. Clearly, the engine oil problem noted in the recall has contributed to these issues . And the crankshaft not syncing properly with the lifters.

Went into limp mode on 11/6/25, took to the dealership where they found metal shavings in the oil due to a “stuck solenoid ‘a’”. Originally said that I’d need a whole new transmission, decided to do the cheaper easier repair and just replaced the valve train (not my choice) got it back on 11/13/25. On 11/24/25 I was on a very busy highway, at a red light, hit the gas when the light changed and the car didn’t move. Just revved the rpms, then it suddenly lurched/surged forwards. Took it back to the dealership and they said “it doesn’t have any codes showing”. This is not normal behavior for a 4 year old vehicle with less than 40k miles on it.

Vehicle experienced sudden engine malfunction including rough idle, hard misfire, and flashing check engine light. Vehicle was diagnosed with a collapsed lifter and internal engine failure. Metallic debris was found in the engine oil, including silver and gold/bronze particles consistent with bearing material. A Chevrolet dealer inspected the vehicle and determined that the engine requires complete replacement due to internal mechanical failure. Vehicle is equipped with the 6. 2l v8 (l87) engine. The failure occurred without warning and presents a safety concern due to potential loss of propulsion. This vehicle is not currently included in the existing gm 6. 2l engine recall, despite exhibiting the same failure characteristics reported in other affected vehicles with the same engine and year that were included in the recall. Vehicle has not been driven since metal contamination was discovered to prevent further damage.

We have a defective engine that stopped working after 120 miles. We can drive the car because it can leave us on the road or catch fire, this is what the mechanic told us, GMC option is to buy another car.

Engine is shaking like a bearing is going out, I've seen multiple recalls on this engine but for some reason my 6. 2 isnt apart of them.

I was driving and then the vehicle started running rough. There was no indication or warning lights before this happened. This is a huge safety issue because I could have had a wreck and injured people and my very own family. I took it to a chevy dealership. They inspected the Suburban and number 4 cylinder had a pool of oil in it. And they told me it need a new engine. Which it has the l87 engine that all the gm recalls are on. However, they are telling me mine isn't on the recall. They don't know if gm is going to cover it because it has 111,000 miles and it's out of the power train. It's the same engine they're having trouble with engines failures on. And I believe mine should be under the recall.

See attached document for complaint. To whom it may concern, I am writing regarding the recall on my 2021 chevy Suburban. While I understand there is currently no active solution for the issue, I want to stress the seriousness of the situation. As a mother of [redacted] living in wisconsin, I am deeply concerned that if my truck were to shut down due to engine failure and we could not get help quickly, my family would be exposed to the risks from the fire that inevitably could arrive. Given the harsh winters there, this poses an unacceptable safety risk. Additionally, I paid for an extended warranty, believing I had plenty of coverage left. I recently brought my vehicle in only to be told that I was 500 miles past the 60,000-mile limit, I was under the impression the warranty had not expired, and if I had known otherwise, I would have brought it in much sooner. This issue has been ongoing for at least 6 months, and I have been aware of the mileage restriction, I would have scheduled service well before this point. On top of that, my Suburban continues to emit the smell of burnt oil. It is embarrassing to have my vehicle smell like it's burning every time I drive it, and it raises serious concerns about my health. Breathing in burnt oil fumes regularly cannot be good for my lungs or overall well-being. This issue has also created a financial burden for me, as I am currently trying to sell the vehicle. In its present condition—with the burning oil smell and unresolved recall—it is essentially unsellable. No buyer wants to take on these risks and uncertainties, leaving me stuck with a vehicle I can neither comfortably drive nor reasonably sell. This matter is not just about inconvenience. It is about safety, that matters, and other concerns, trust and accountability. Chevrolet has marketed its vehicles as reliable, family-safe transportation, and I want to feel assured that gm takes immediate action to properly address this oil consumption and/or issue. Anything less is unacceptable when it comes to the safet.

Engine while driving completely seized up. Crank shaft, cam shaft and oil pump water pump replaced. Low oil pressure alarm code present then sudden loss of power. Piston blown. There are similar recalls to 2021 Suburbans however, this specific model is not in the recall. I was told I need a completely new engine. The car died in the middle of traffic and police had to call an emergency tow truck.

While driving along on a city street, the check engine light came on. Once I turned onto the highway, there was a pop from the engine, and the vehicle started missing and vibrating. I turned around and drove the vehicle back home. A mechanic looked at it and said there were a lot of problems and recalls on these vehicles for misfiring. He said the problem is the lifters and they need to be replaced as soon as possible. He encouraged me not to drive it due to it may cause more damage.

Engine light comes on and now flashes. The service traction control and esc comes on. The whole vehicle shakes when idling. Certified gm dealer hooked it up and it says misfiring cylinder 6. All spark plugs replaced, new gm coil, new spark plug wires. Nothing has fixed it yet.

I was driving when I received messages saying service esc, forward collision system unavailable, & service traction control. The vehicle began to shake hard when I applied brakes, had loss of power when pressing the gas pedal, and sounded like metal grinding. All of this put my children & I at risk as we were on interstate 35 with cars flying past us and I’m losing power. Initially the spark plugs and coil was were changed to no repair. It was towed to a dealership where they confirmed the lifter & cam failed which put metal in the oil. My only option is a full engine replacement costing 20k on a vehicle that’s 4yrs old. It’s not ok that I have to spend that in order to get my 70k car drivable. Im now without a car, still paying a car note, unable to get my kids places, and having to get help from friends all bc gm can’t build a quality vehicle. I also haven’t been able to get a loaner car. This isn’t happening in only the 6. 3l. This is a widely known issue with the 5. 3l as well. *there were zero warning signs that something was wrong. Drive just fine that morning*.

My Suburban is 4 years old and needs a new engine. The dealership is seeing a lot of 21's with the same issue. Bank 1 and 2 have failed, both powerods are broken and the cans and lifters have failed. There were no prior warning. We were driving and 2 warnings popped up and we took it to a dealership. We then went to a private repair shop for second opinion. The warranty is 70k miles and my car is 72k miles. This should not be happening with a 4 year old. The other Suburban engine has been recalled but mine has no current recalls on it.

Was driving about 45 mph on 2 lane road. All of a sudden, without warning we lost power (had no propulsion). Luckily there was a residential side street that we were able to turn onto and get off of the highway with no shoulder. We coasted to the side of the street and called a tow truck. Had we not been able to get off the road, we would have been dead in the road, blocking an entire lane of a busy 2 lane highway without a shoulder to pull off on. There was no warning prior to incident but a message did appear during the incident. I believe it said "loss of propulsion. " we turned off the vehicle, then tried to restart it. Engine attempted to restart, but it made a horrible noise & wouldn't restart. Still had battery power. Vehicle was towed to a local dealership where it is currently being evaluated. We know of a massive recall on the 6. 2 l engines. Ours is a 5. 3 l engine. So far I'm seeing many people having problems but no official recall for the 5. 3 l engines that are having the same issue as the massively recalled 6. 2 engines. This needs to be looked at. Our vehicle only had less than 30k miles on it. We bought it new and have done routine maintenance.

On 7/26/2025 approximately 8:30pm (pdt), driving south on CA I-880 in third lane from right traveling at approximately 50mph when vehicle engine died and went into neutral gear. Dashboard alert indicated to press start engine button, but would not start. Managed to maneuver vehicle to right shoulder amid rush hour traffic. Fortunately, a CA highway patrol officer saw us and was able to render assistance. Vehicle would not restart or go into neutral after several attempts to restart engine. Special tow vehicle was called to give us a tow home. This incident happened after we received a Chevrolet recall notice back in may or June about the engine and did take the vehicle in for service on 6/10/2025. The dealership service recommended using higher weight oil and it would help mitigate any potential issue. Obviously, this was not the case. We were very fortunate to avoid any serious injury or damage on the highway due to engine failure.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 25v274000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal sound was coming from underneath the hood. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? -my engine started to make a loud ticking and knocking noise. I brought it into good Chevrolet in renton wa 6/3/25 where they told me there is an “internal engine failure due to failure of the lifters. ” when I asked the dealership for the repair estimate so I could possibly have a second opinion, they said they were “not comfortable giving their information and the problem in writing. ” they refuse to give us any documentation but were insistent that even though NHTSA has issued a mass recall for this exact same issue on the larger engine in my same year of vehicle, “it’s unrelated. ” how was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? -the engine is failing and had we not brought it in for diagnosis, I could have had full engine failure while driving with my children and been in a catastrophic crash. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? -yes the problem can be reproduced and has been confirmed by good Chevrolet. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? -good Chevrolet inspected the engine but refuse to give us documentation though they had us file a claim with gm (I will attach the claim email) were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? -I noticed a small noise after I had fans replaced in September but the noise gradually increased so it was brought in for diagnostics. There were no warning lamps or messages.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking spot in a parking lot, the vehicle stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle and observed a knocking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the engine had seized and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 23,906.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph on the highway, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired out-of-pocket. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 25v274000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

My 2021 chevy Suburban premier suffered a sudden internal engine failure due to collapsed lifters and a damaged camshaft. The vehicle began experiencing performance issues, including rough idling and loss of power. After taking it to a certified mechanic, it was confirmed that the lifters failed and caused significant damage to the camshaft, requiring a major repair that I had to pay for out of pocket. This issue is widely known among gm vehicles with the 5. 3l and 6. 2l v8 engines and has been the subject of numerous technical service bulletins and customer complaints. While my vehicle is not included in the current recall (NHTSA 25v-274), which covers crankshaft and rod failures on l87 6. 2l engines, this lifter failure is part of the same engine family and indicative of a broader defect in gm’s v8 engine platforms from 2021–2024. I’m requesting that NHTSA investigate these lifter and camshaft failures as a safety and reliability concern, and urge gm to expand the existing recall to include these known engine issues. Many customers, including myself, are incurring thousands of dollars in repair costs for problems that are clearly tied to manufacturer defects.

The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph and approaching a light, there was an abnormal ticking and knocking sound coming from the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 mph. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 25v274000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 132,000.