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2021 Chevrolet Suburban

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Suburban.

The 2021 Chevrolet Suburban is a model-year entry in a lineage tracked from 1990 through 2024, with routine oil service specified at 7.0 quarts of 0W-20. In owner-reported data, it generated 179 complaints, with the engine category drawing the most attention, and it carries 12 recalls. Against the model’s broader history—peaking at 1,004 complaints in 1994 and bottoming at 36 in 2024—the 2021 sits near the lower end of the complaint range, though its engine-focused feedback and recall count are worth noting in any reliability assessment.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 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 Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 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 Only use AGM VRLA Battery. 94R · 730 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size275/50R22 111HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 12727115
Engine air filter84121217 alt 84121219
Fuel filter13539108
Spark plug12622441
Battery88866098 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades84278338
Serpentine belt12658178 alt 12669858
Thermostat89018168 alt 12587397
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length225.6 in
Overall width81.1 in
Overall height75.6 in
Wheelbase134.3 in
Curb weight5684 lb
Track (front / rear)68.5 / 68.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

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.

6.1–8.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.10 sec — 2021 High Country
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2021High Country 6.2L V86.10 sec14.50 sec420 hp4x4
2021Z71 5.3L V87.60 sec15.70 sec355 hp4x4
2021High Country Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-68.40 sec16.50 sec277 hp4x4
2021High Country Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-68.50 sec16.60 sec277 hp4x4
2025High Country Duramax 3.0L Turbo Diesel I-67.70 sec16.00 sec305 hp4WD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 4 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 FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1 qt
Brake FluidDot 4
Brake Fluid Capacity2.11 pt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity15.70 qt
Engine CoolantDEX-COOL
Engine Coolant Capacity15.6 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)6.25 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts43.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)6.6 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
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 Gap.037-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerMotorcraft
Spark Plug Gap.037-.043 in

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity6.59 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity2.0 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Capacity6.59 oz

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-88.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: NS, Rear: 30.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.7
Minimum Pad Thickness0.078 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: J55: 1.181", J61: 1.102"; Rear: .709"
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: J55: 1.201", J61: 1.122"; Rear: .728"
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.001"
Maximum Rotor Runout.002"

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 110°18 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 85°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Take old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove the old crankshaft balancer bolt and throw away., Step 3: Recess the nose of the crankshaft into the balancer bore: 0.94-0.176", Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 5: Loosen 360°, Step 6: 59.0 ft. lbs. Step 7: Bolt with rotating washer: 200° or Bolt that has a flanged head: 125°240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Bolts 13, 14, 5, 6, 4, 3, 11, 12: Loosen completely., Step 3: Bolts 13, 14, 5, 6, 4, 3, 11, 12: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: Bolts 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 8: Loosen completely., Step 5: Bolts 9, 10, 1, 2, 7, 8: 30.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 59.030 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
159.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Internal Hex Style Bolts: 130°, Step 3: All Except Internal Hex Style Bolts: 150°59 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
126.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°26 ft. lbs
Flex or Driveplate Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 45°11 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.43.7 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 Air Filter Element (inspect)
Every 15,000 miWindshield Wiper Blade (replace)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miFuel 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) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 2021 Chevrolet Suburban recorded 179 complaints, 12 recalls, 4 investigations and 1,361 TSBs, which are higher than the subsequent model years shown in the record. In 2022 complaints fell to 105 with 4 recalls, in 2023 they were 109 with 3 recalls, and by 2024 complaints dropped sharply to 36 with only 1 recall, while investigations and TSBs also declined across those years. Compared to the earlier peaks in the dataset—such as the 1,004 complaints in 1994 or the 1,315 TSBs in 2008—the 2021 figures are modest, but they represent a local high point within the recent 2021‑2024 trend. This indicates that the 2021 model sits at the beginning of an improving reliability trajectory for this generation. Consequently, a 2021 Suburban is likely to present more potential issues than a 2022‑2024 example, making the latter years a safer choice for a used purchase.

12
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1361
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
178
Owner complaints
6 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 179 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine54
Power Train24
Fuel/Propulsion System15
Exterior Lighting7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Power Train,Engine4
Fuel System, Gasoline4
Electrical System3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 12 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V455000Steering:Steering Control ModuleReported 17/06/2021

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. A software issue may cause a loss of power steering assist at… Remedy: The power steering module software will be updated by a dealer, or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 13, 2021…

22V036000Power Train:Driveline:DriveshaftReported 27/01/2022

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 GMC Yukon, Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Suburban, and Chevrolet Tahoe vehicles. The rear wheel driveshaft assemblies may have internal… Remedy: Dealers will replace the left and/or right rear driveshaft assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 14, 2022. Owners may contact Chevrolet…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1361 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT5966F2026-06-23Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates an issue with an OTA pending message still…
PIT5509M2026-05-14Unknown Or OtherThis PI provides diagnostic tips for diagnosing electric trailer brakes issues.
N2625526202026-05-11EngineCertain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the cylinder 2 glow plug to fail…
PIC6423A2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherPi created to provide GM dealers with information on gathering information for projection…
PIC6551B2026-05-11Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless…

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 O batteryVehicles taking 7.0 qtEngine oil filter 12731742Engine air filter 84121217Fuel filter 13539108Spark plug 12622441

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 2021 Suburban take?

7.0 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 Suburban have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.