2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

66/100

Skip unless cheap

AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	22	33%
Service brakes	21	31%
Fuel system	3	4%
Tires	3	4%
Seat belts	2	3%
Unknown or other	2	3%
Seats	2	3%
Fuel/propulsion system	1	1%
Parking brake	1	1%
Engine	1	1%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

The contact owns a 1999 N/A Chevrolet Suburban 1500. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was an open recall associated with the VIN. The contact was provided the information for NHTSA Campa
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts

WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, THE SPARE TIRE THAT IS STORED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE APPARENTLY BROKE FREE AND FELL TO THE STREET. CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE METAL CABLE, USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH A WINCH TO S
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other

BRAKE LINES RUSTED THRU. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL 80S 90S AND 2000 2001. 2002 CHEVYS WITH RUSTED BRAKE LINES WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN A FATAL ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

I'VE HAD TO REPLACE MY FUEL PUMP 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 YEARS. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2005, BUT I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE IN 2011. THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE IT'S NOT A OPEN RECALL ANY LONG
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system

WAS DRIVING AROUND 45MH AND WAS COMING TO STOP SIGN BUT WHEN I WENT TO USE BRAKE THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. I KEPT PUMPING WHICH SEEMED TO HELP JUST ENOUGH TO TURN INTO THE DRIVE WAY OF A MALL THAT HAPPENED TO BE CLOSE
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED TO OPERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ADJUSTED AND THE WIRIN
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake

PASSENGER REAR BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WITH COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE LINE RUPTURED WHILE REPAIRING THE REAR LINES DURING THE BLEEDING PROCESS. GM'S STATEMENT THAT THEIR VEHICLES STILL HAVE BRAKING TO 2 W
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

RUSTED BRAKE LINES TO REAR DRIVER WHEEL LEAKS FLUID RESULTING IN VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO STOP. COLLISION NEARLY OCCURRED AS RESULT OF LOSS OF BRAKING.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

Recalls on record

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.

Wheels:hub 07E106000

CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL REPLACEMENT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES WITH THE BRAND NAMES: NATIONAL, CARQUEST P/NOS. 515020, 515021, 515025, 515053, 515054, 515059, AND 515060, SHIPPED BETWEEN JANUARY 23, 2006, AND DECEMBER 20, 2007, SOLD FOR LIGHT DUTY AND MEDIUM DUTY TRUCKS. THE INBOARD RETENTION NUT USED TO M

Risk: WHEEL SEPARATION CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY CUSTOMERS AND WILL REPLACE THE HUB ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 7, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL TOLL-FREE AT 877-489-6659.

The seven scores

Reliability raw	80	excellent
Longevity est.	77	good
Maintenance	57	average
Depreciation	58	average
Performance	74	good
Efficiency	27	below average

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 62% of SUVs
Longevity: better than 67% of SUVs
Running costs: better than 18% of SUVs
Value retention: better than 35% of SUVs

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 80: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 77: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2000 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 57: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety: no score. NHTSA crash testing thins out for older vehicles and we would rather show nothing than guess.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 22 of them (33%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.

Is the 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 80/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500 last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2000 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2000 Chevrolet Suburban 1500?

AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 66/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.