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CarComplaints.com Notes: Engines shouldn't need a new quart of oil every 500-1000 miles, but for thousands of Suburban owners that's exactly what's happening. Engine oil consumption on aluminum block engines with Active Fuel Management (AFM) is out of control and owners are left looking for answers.

The most likely culprit is an uncovered AFM valve which, in many cases, can be covered under warranty. The problem is the issues don't stop there and many owners have been told by GM just to buy a new engine. Take one guess who they want to pick up the tab.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
60,087 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2007 Chevrolet Suburban electrical problems

electrical problem

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2007 Chevrolet Suburban Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #37

Sep 132023

Suburban

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My 2007 Suburban has extensive rust that has left the frame open and crumbling. It appears that the seals on the vehicle did not do their job. The spare tire cannot hold under it. I have never taken it into salt water nor has it had flood damage. Its main years on the road were in CT and NJ. I have never seen a vehicle with this amount of crumbling rust. I have to drive 2 hours each way to see my specialists at Shands Hospital in Gainesville every 2 - 3 months and as a female it does concern me that there is that lifter clicking as well as the oil disappears and yet there's no puddle. Also, the lighting in the cabin ac area doesn't function as well as the rear controls. In Florida my last two problems deal with my problem with heat. The a/c runs intermittently and sometimes only blows very hot air. Also, what a big reason I purchased a Tahoe LTZ and this vehicle was because of the remote start which is not working. Is there anything that can be done. I needed a safe vehicle for my short regular trips and I've become worried and I have already had to rent a vehicle to make the trip out of fear of the cabin getting so hot. With Narcolepsy I can fall asleep without warning. Please advise. I'd love to keep the truck but not if it could mean injuring someone else or myself. Thanks in advance.

- St Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #36

Oct 162020

Suburban

  • miles
The car just shut off. It's now making random clicking noises. Stationary.

- Carson City, NV, USA

problem #35

Sep 272020

Suburban

  • miles
My battery is draining. I put $300 worth of parts in it and come to find out it is an electrical issue that other people with Suburban are having as well. It caused my brake light to stop working even with new bulbs, there is a burning smell coming from my air vents, my battery is draining while I'm driving the car, my dash lights went out for no reason and sometimes the radio doesn't want to work or the locks. I will hit U lock but sometimes I have to hit the button more then once. It does it when I'm driving. I can charge the battery and it will be good for about a day then I have to charge it again. I have had the battery tested and it is good and I have a brand new alternator and have spent a lot of money for my mechanic to do some looking around the car. That is when we found out it is an electrical issue. We just haven't pin pointed to exactly what because I dont have the money to keep looking. I called Chevy and they said there's nothing they can do even tho some Chevy do have a recall for wiring but mine does not.

- Low Moor, IA, USA

problem #34

Jan 212019

Suburban

  • 186,601 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owned a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. While the vehicle was parked, the console caught on fire due to an electrical shortage from the cigarette lighter. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 186,601.

- Easley, SC, USA

problem #33

Jun 012018

Suburban

  • miles
My drver door has an electrical issue. Camt roll down window or control anything else from drver door. I have been told on numerous occasions that its mot a bad switch that its an electrical issue. Also dash wont ligjtnup now. Rear passenger side tail light has a short

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #32

Sep 112017

Suburban

  • 99,000 miles
Faults or shorts in the electrical harnesses have caused premature failure of headlamps and brake lights. Taking the vehicle to the dealership and the auto parts store they confirm that many people come in with this similar failure. Known issue with supplier quality on GM forums suggest that this has been an ongoing issue since model launch. We have replaced all lights and fuses chasing the harness and not still have the dealership stating that the entire electrical harness system needs replaced.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #31

Aug 012015

Suburban

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Huge crack in the dashboard, driver side. The electrical has been bad in this vehicle ever since we've had it since 2009 for the past five years the window controls don't work and the radio doesn't work car just stops on its own and dies rear passenger radio gets extremely hot to wear it causes the skin to be burned. Vehicle rattles extremely loudly and keeps getting worse over the years.

- Tuttle, OK, USA

problem #30

Jun 282017

Suburban

  • 62,200 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. On several occasions, the air conditioner became inoperable without warning. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was concerned that the failure could cause a fire. The vehicle was taken to hall Chevrolet chesapeake (3412 western branch blvd, chesapeake, va (877) 475-0719) where it was diagnosed that the motor blower overheated and burned, and the wire harness ruined the control module. The dealer stated that the control module, blower motor, and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to call NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was 62,200.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #29

Mar 082017

Suburban

  • miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. While driving 25 mph, smoke entered into the cabin of the vehicle. While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood on the driver's side and wires were exposed. The contact stated that the potential fire occurred due to NHTSA campaign number: 10V240000 (electrical system). The vehicle was taken to be repaired at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Sunnyside, WA, USA

problem #28

Nov 152016

Suburban

  • miles
Takata inflators... still no repair info. Also, as noted in many other complaints, my passenger side airbag/dash cover has a huge crack all the way across. Needs to be fixed. Also - we have electrical issue after electrical issue. When will they address these issues?

- St. Stephens Church, VA, USA

problem #27

Jul 122010

Suburban

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Wire harness underneath vehicle rubbing on drive shaft causing electrical issues. Battery drain, compressor for air ride burning out, stability control warning light coming on and various other electrical issues.

- Springfield, NJ, USA

problem #26

Mar 132015

Suburban 4WD 8-cyl

  • 277,000 miles
Safe lite auto glass placed polyeurethane glue on the rear window auto defroster metal contact to the rear window of my Chevy 2007 lt Suburban. I hit the remote starter and allowed the car to run for 9 minutes, the vehicle will auto shut off after 10 minutes. My daughter smelled smoke in the car so I inserted my ignition key and I rolled down the windows. I then backed my car out of the garage, pulled out of the driveway and my rear window exploded into pieces of glass everywhere. I called the police, filed a police report, filed a claim with my insurance company (geico, ref claim # : 0501768800101053) where the claims adjuster found that the metal contact did cause a chemical reaction with the polyurethane glue as the cause. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Flanders, NJ, USA

problem #25

Nov 012014

Suburban

  • 61,634 miles
For the last year I have been attempting to get GM/Chevrolet to pay for my faulty speedometer and since there was no official recall other then the extended warranty and my vehicle was not list although it did receive the same manufactured part as the previous year models, I too should have been covered. Special coverage adjustment-#07187A I would like to have my vehicle fixed since a: GM spokeswoman [xxx] - said Friday that the agreement "clears the slate" between delphi and GM "and resolves a certain group of outstanding warranty issues." She said the agreement covers as many as 50 warranty issues; the settlement refers to at least 43 warranties. The major issue resolved involves 1.1 million electronic parts that are part of instrument clusters, according to a heavily edited version of the agreement that has been made public. The instrument cluster is the electronic brain behind the instrument panel on the dash. With the agreement and an improving relationship with delphi, GM hopes to save $2 billion annually in parts costs. As delphi exits several businesses, GM will represent a diminishing share of its revenue -- down to a quarter or less than $5 billion by 2010. Delphi attorney jack butler said the agreement saves delphi "hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liability." Defective parts replaced under the deal, GM will receive $47.5 million to replace defective electronic parts and delphi will provide 1.1 million new parts at no charge through 2014. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Pensacola, FL, USA

problem #24

May 012013

Suburban

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that the air conditioner motor failed to operate. The contact attempted to remedy the failure by replacing the air conditioner fan motor and connector cable, but the failure persisted. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact smelled a burning odor of electrical wires inside the vehicle and smoke appeared under the steering wheel. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Naples, FL, USA

problem #23

Jun 302014

Suburban

  • 107,000 miles
Ignition does not engage engine when key is turned. Takes several attempts of turning key on, completely off, then on again until engine will engage and start. Stabilitrak light illuminates and goes off every 20-40 miles. Rough shift between first and second gear.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #22

Feb 252013

Suburban

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that the vehicle was jerking violently and the stability traction control sensor illuminated intermittently. Also, the contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated and the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who diagnosed that there had been thirty different codes on the computer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #21

Feb 012011

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
The vehicle intermittently exhibits a dead battery. This happens regardless of whether the vehicle has been driven for hundreds of miles or none at all. At seemingly random times, we go to start the vehicle and the battery is dead. We have had the battery, alternator and cables tested. All tested good. We also notice that around the same time this problem started occurring, that engine noise could be heard through the vehicle speakers regardless of whether the stereo is on. This also occurs at intermittent intervals. We have taken to the dealership and they cannot reproduce the problem in shop in order to troubleshoot. Parasitic draw test is negative due to the fact that the problem is intermittent and not constant.

- Fort Lewis, WA, USA

problem #20

Jan 182014

Suburban

  • 132,000 miles
The contact owns a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph, he smelled a strong burning rubber odor. The air bag and emergency brake warning lamps also illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who stated that the wiring harness was chafed and burned near the lift gate that extended to the fuse box. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 132,000.

- Bend, OR, USA

problem #19

Dec 072013

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
Battery drains regularly requiring jump start. Vehicle will be fine for a period time (days/weeks) and then be dead again.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #18

Sep 032012

Suburban 8-cyl

  • 73,510 miles
Our vehicle started to use between one quart and 2 quarts between oil changes. At sometime before this the heater stopped working on the windshield washer fluid. The dvd player stopped working around 75,000 miles. At 79,0911 miles the service air bags light came on. We are not new to owning Suburban. This is our fifth one. We have always been happy with them, but this one has way to many things that are not working properly. We would like to hear from you regarding resolving these issues.

- New Cumberland, PA, USA

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