Is the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN reliable?

The 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN has 111 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.8x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN?

Top problems: ENGINE (18 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (17 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:WHEEL SPEED SENSOR/TONE RING, POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE). Contact any Chevrolet dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to charge a 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN?

The 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN has an EPA rating of 19 MPGe. At the current US average residential electricity rate, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $4044. State rates vary significantly — see the interactive calculator on this page.

How much does it cost to insure a 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN is approximately $1,975/year (ev-mainstream class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

Does the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN qualify for tax credits?

The federal EV tax credit (Section 30D) expired for vehicles acquired after September 30, 2025. If purchased before that date, the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN may still qualify on the 2025 tax return. State-level incentives remain active in 13+ states — see the incentives section on this page for details.

2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN has 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.8x the segment average of 147. The most common issue is engine problems (16% of all complaints), specifically: check engine light and miss firing. faulty fuel injector on cylinder #1.. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 4 injuries

111

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.8x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

18 complaints

16%

• CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MISS FIRING. FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR ON CYLINDER #1.
• I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN DEC OF 2019 USED. 35,000 MILES. NOW HAS 88,000 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. REGULAR OIL CHANGES. NO WARNING LIGHTS. NO ISSUES. STOPPED RUNNING. AFTER HAVING SOMEONE LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, THE MECHANIC SAID THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAS TO EITHER BE REBUILT
• The vehicle began to shake as if it would shut down. Then, the engine light came on. Then I received three text message alerts. We were shown paperwork regarding the service history that was done at Philips Chevrolet. Now we’re getting alerts regarding work that has to be completed within 7 days.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MISS FIRING. FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR ON CYLINDER #1.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN

Based on 34 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 41K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 88K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 68K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (4)

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER26/09/2018

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.

Charging Cost Calculator for 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local electricity price)

Per year

$4,008

Per month

$334

Per mile

33.4¢

kWh/mi

1.77

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,975

Full coverage / month

$165

Liability only / year

$679

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (ev-mainstream)1.18x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1975

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Chevrolet SUBURBAN Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

45K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

23K mi

Engine air filter

45K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

45K mi

GM Oil Life System dynamically calculates oil change interval. DEXOS-approved oil required.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Chevrolet New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

6 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Chevrolet. If you're buying a used 2018 SUBURBAN, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Chevrolet dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

EV Incentives for 2018 Chevrolet SUBURBAN

Updated 2026-07

Federal Tax Credit (Section 30D) — Expired 2025-09-30

Section 30D new clean vehicle credit ($7,500 max) expired for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025 per Public Law (One Big Beautiful Bill Act). Vehicles acquired on or before that date remain eligible on the buyer's 2025 return. No federal purchase credit exists for post-9/30/2025 acquisitions.

State-Level Incentives (Still Active in 14 States)

CaliforniaUp to $12,000

Clean Cars 4 All

ColoradoUp to $5,000

Innovative Motor Vehicle Credit

ConnecticutUp to $4,250

CHEAPR (Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate)

DelawareUp to $2,500

Clean Vehicle Rebate

IllinoisUp to $4,000

Illinois EV Rebate Program

MarylandUp to $3,000

Excise Tax Credit for Plug-in Electric Vehicles

MassachusettsUp to $3,500

MOR-EV

New JerseyUp to $4,000

Charge Up New Jersey

New YorkUp to $2,000

Drive Clean Rebate

OregonUp to $7,500

Oregon Clean Vehicle Rebate

PennsylvaniaUp to $3,000

Alternative Fuel Vehicle (AFV) Rebate Program

Rhode IslandUp to $2,500

DRIVEEV

TexasUp to $2,500

Light-Duty Motor Vehicle Purchase or Lease Incentive

VermontUp to $5,000

Incentive Program for New Electric Vehicles

See full state-by-state EV incentive details

Source: US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center + state DOR / DEQ program pages. Program details and eligibility limits change frequently — always verify with the linked source before purchase.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 111 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND MISS FIRING. FAULTY FUEL INJECTOR ON CYLINDER #1.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ENGINE OFF AND KIDS WERE GETTING INTO CAR WHEN ONE OF THE KIDS PULLED IN THE SHIFTER AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL. THE SUBURBAN WAS STOPPED WHEN IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE PARKED BEHIND. THE SLOPE WAS SMALL AND THE IMPACT WAS INCONSEQUENTIAL. UPON
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTERWARDS, THE "FAILURE TO OPEN RIGHT DOOR, ROLL WINDOW DOWN, AND PUT BACK UP" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V761000 (ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH SCHUMACHER CHEVROLET OF DENVILLE (281 US-46 E, DENVILLE, NJ 07834, (973) 664-7584) AND WAS INFORME
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Chevrolet dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)