2012 Chevrolet Suburban

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Chevrolet Suburban
Pictured: 2015 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 LTZ, front 4.18.19. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
1500 4dr SUV 4WD, 1500 4dr SUV RWD, 2500 4dr SUV 4WD, 2500 4dr SUV RWD
Engines
5.3L 8-cyl, 6.0L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
FFV, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
17 combined · 15 city / 21 hwy
Length
222.4 in
Curb weight
5,686–6,446 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 19% below the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 5 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is a SUV - offered with 2 engines (5.3L 8-cyl and 6.0L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 222 inches long and 79 inches wide on a 130-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,836 lb (1500 4dr SUV 4WD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 21 highway), 19% worse than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 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 91 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2012

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2011 Suburban — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 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 2012 Suburban configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
1500 4dr SUV 4WD222.4 in79.1 in76.8 in129.9 in68.9 / 67.3 in5,836 lb51/49
1500 4dr SUV RWD222.4 in79.1 in76.8 in129.9 in68.9 / 67.3 in5,686 lb51/49
2500 4dr SUV 4WD222.4 in79.1 in76.8 in129.9 in68.9 / 67.3 in6,446 lb51/49
2500 4dr SUV RWD222.4 in79.1 in76.8 in129.9 in68.9 / 67.3 in6,180 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 1500 2WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-19%$3,950523
Suburban 1500 4WD FFV5.3L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17-11%$3,950523
Suburban 2500 2WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive10 / 16 / 12-43%$5,600741
Suburban 2500 4WD6.0L 8-cylAutomatic 6-spd4-Wheel Drive10 / 16 / 12-37%$5,600741
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
20.9 MPG2012 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Chevrolet Suburban.

Similar 2012 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Chevrolet Suburban (this car)17 MPGNot rated4
2012 GMC Yukon21 MPGNot rated4
2012 Chevrolet Captiva23 MPGNot rated2
2012 BYD e6122 miNot rated0
2012 Chevrolet Avalanche17 MPGNot rated3
2012 Saab 9-420 MPGNot rated2

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V051000 · 284,645 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, Silverado 2500/3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Sierra 2500/3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 22, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 11, 2021. 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 N212328770.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Feb 5, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V054000 · 1,778,128 vehicles

Problem
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, PR, AS, GU, the MP, and VI or "Zone A." Additionally GM is recalling certain 2011-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, Yukon XL and 2011-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AZ, AR, DE, DC, IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV or "Zone B." Additionally, GM is recalling certain 2010-2014 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Silverado 3500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 2500, Sierra 3500, Yukon, and Yukon XL and 2010-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado 1500, and GMC Sierra 1500 vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY or "Zone C." These vehicles are equipped with non-desiccated passenger frontal inflators containing phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) propellant. These inflators may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate one, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed on February 25, 2021. Second notification letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owner notification letters were mailed to 40 VIN owners on May 11, 2021. A second owner notification letter was mailed to all other owners on January 24, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020; Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006; and GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is N212328800.
Electrical System › Ignition · Dec 30, 2014

NHTSA campaign 14V827000 · 84,192 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade EXT, Chevrolet Avalanche, Silverado HD, Silverado LD, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra LD, Sierra HD, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. 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 inspect and replace the ignition lock housing, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2015. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), or 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14696 for the original equipment, and 14912 for the service replacement parts.
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Pitman · Mar 22, 2012

NHTSA campaign 12V112000 · 6,159 vehicles

Problem
GENERAL MOTORS (GM) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 CHEVROLET EXPRESS AND SUBURBAN VEHICLES, AND GMC SAVANA AND YUKON XL HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES. THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN ADEQUATELY HARDENED AND COULD FRACTURE.
Risk
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, A LOSS OF STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix
GM WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING GEAR AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR PITMAN SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON APRIL 4, 2012.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Chevrolet Suburban is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

91Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
3Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
2Injuries reported
75,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other38
Air Bags25
Structure › Body20
Engine10
Electrical System7
Service Brakes3
Steering3
Power Train3
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
18/12: 119/02: 219/03: 119/04: 119/06: 219/07: 219/09: 219/11: 220/01: 220/02: 220/04: 120/05: 120/06: 120/07: 120/10: 120/12: 121/01: 121/03: 421/04: 121/06: 121/08: 122/08: 123/07: 124/08: 118/1219/0419/0920/0220/0620/1221/0422/08max 4

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Chevrolet Suburban buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 25 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 20 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Engine — 10 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 75,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 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★★★★★132
2024 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★245
2023 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4148
2022 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★4124
2021 Suburban23225.6 in★★★★★12204
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 →