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2020 Chevrolet Suburban

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Suburban.

The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is defined by its engine's 8.0-quart oil capacity and 0W-20 viscosity requirement, specifications tied to a powertrain that ranks as the vehicle's top complaint area. With 40 total owner complaints and four recalls on record, this model year's issue profile remains contained within the broader 1990-2024 complaint history. Sitting far closer to the lowest complaint count of 36 seen in 2024 than the historic peak of 1,004 logged in 1994, the 2020 Suburban represents a relatively stable point in the model's reliability trajectory, indicating fewer systemic concerns for researchers than the nameplate's most problematic era.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 720 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 720 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/65R18 112TOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5; Optional: 9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742
Engine air filter23349854
Spark plug12622441
Battery88865934 alt 88866309
Front wiper blades84613732
Serpentine belt12643517 alt 12658178
Thermostat12620318 alt 12674639
Cabin air filter23281440

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length224.4 in
Overall width80.3 in
Overall height74.4 in
Wheelbase129.9 in
Curb weight5776 lb
Track (front / rear)68.1 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Suburban of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.1–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.10 sec — 2015 LTZ
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015LTZ 5.3L V87.10 sec15.50 sec355 hp4x4
2015LTZ 5.3L V87.30 sec15.70 sec355 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Synthetic · SAE 75W85 in the differential, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10L80
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1 qt
Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Brake FluidDot 3
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · SAE 75W85

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs11.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or StudsThrust plate retainer bolt: 18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugFront: 24.0; Rear: 24.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugFront: 33.0, Rear: NA ft-lbs
Differential Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug33.0 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionFront: 18.0; Rear: 18.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1–8–7–2–6–5–4–3
Cylinder Firing Order1–8–7–2–6–5–4–3
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.037–0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity6.50-7.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Optional BCI Group NumberAuxiliary: 48
Optional BCI Cranking PerformanceAuxiliary: 730 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-84.0
Engine Compression100
Engine Oil Pressure RPM22
Engine Oil Pressure55
Engine Oil Pressure RPM22
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 9.6; Rear: 9.6
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 170.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 148.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth0.059
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.102; Rear: .728; Front: 1.516; Rear: 1.280
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.122; Rear: .748; Front: 1.535; Rear: 1.299

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
185°-100°
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.0°37 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°48 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 85°18 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use current crankshaft bolt and tighten 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove crankshaft bolt and discard., Step 3: Check for a recess of .094-.176" of the crankshaft into the balancer bore., Step 4: Use replacement bolt and tighten to 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°., Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: Balancer Bolt with Flanged Head 125°., Step 8: Balancer Bolt with rotating washer 200°.240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: Internal Hex Bolt: 40°, Step 4: All Except Internal Hex Bolt: 60°59 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
222.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
345.0
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°3.7 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Pan Bolt to Block and Front Cover Bolts 1-13 & 1618 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 75,000 miHood Hinge (inspect)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2020 Chevrolet Suburban is not included in the year-by-year federal record, which spans 1990–2009 and 2021–2024, so direct trend comparison is limited. The nearest recorded year before 2020 is 2009 (161 complaints, 5 recalls), and the year after is 2021 (179 complaints, 12 recalls). For the 2020 model, the top complaint areas are Power Train (7) and Engine (4), with only 2 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint—figures that are low relative to the hundreds of complaints seen in many earlier years. The overall complaint trend across the available record shows a decline from the 1990s peaks, a spike in 2007–2009, and then a drop to lower levels in the 2020s, but the 2020 itself sits in a data gap. Without total complaint, recall, or TSB counts for 2020, it is not possible to fully assess its reliability arc, but the limited reported issues suggest it may be a reasonable choice if a thorough pre-purchase inspection and recall check are performed.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
840
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
40
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’90’91’92’93’94’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’21’22’23’24

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 40 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7
Engine4
Unknown Or Other3
Electrical System,Engine2
Electrical System2
Air Bags2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Steering2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 840 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5509M2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT6425D2026-03-02Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Suburban. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 94R batteryVehicles taking 8.0 qtEngine oil filter 12731742Engine air filter 23349854Spark plug 12622441Battery 88865934

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2020 Suburban take?

8.0 qt of 0W-20 meeting GM Dexos 1, per the factory manual.

Does the 2020 Suburban have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.