Faults:

Dead batteries on numerous occasions. Doesn't seem to have the "get up and go" a 5.7 L engine should have, timing?

Intermittent dome light on and off problems led me to believe cause for battery dying so often. Problems still existed and continuing to diagnose, I discovered the rear window defrost works with the switch and ignition off intermittently. I think this explains all the dead batteries. I have disconnected the wiring harness in the doors for the defrost (rear) and removed the fuses for the dome lights, but I think this is only a quick fix and doesn't mean there aren't more problems in the near future or explain the sluggish performance although smooth. Ideas anyone? Thanks! John.

General Comments:

On the brighter side, wow, what a nice ride!

Faults:

Transmission went bad at 167,000 miles.

Starter (not sure of miles)

Alternator (not sure of miles)

A/C compressor (not sure of miles)

Transmission went bad at 183,000 miles.

Dash lights blink sometimes.

General Comments:

I think I would have been better off buying a new one than a used one. This has the tow package and who knows how the last person drove it. I was never hard on it and only towed our 2,700 pound camper twice... out of O/D. It is possible that this Suburban may have been a lemon. I am the only one who drives it to work and so it is not cost effective to keep it. I am going to sell it.

Faults:

Front brake rotors warped

Brake booster and master cylinder failed

Starter died

AC compressor went out and I replaced it with a remanufactured unit. It failed within 1 year! Third compressor is now starting to clatter loudly. Thankfully it's under warranty.

Transmission hose leak - quick turn of the wrench fixed that.

Driver's door hinge and lock mechanism wore out and had to be replaced.

Stock CD player died.

General Comments:

I got this used last year to tow a horse trailer, and it does a great job at it. Driving up hills and accelerating to freeway speeds even with a heavy 5000# load hooked up is no problem. If you need to tow a heavy trailer along with several people and a trunk full of junk, there is simply no other alternative save for the Ford Excursion, which Ford discontinued.

I'm under no delusions that this truck is supposed to handle like a sports car or sip gas like a hybrid. It's a huge, heavy, and powerful SUV. That said, it's surprising how well it handles in and around parking lots and accelerates from stops. It definitely drives smaller than it really is. I'm averaging 13-15 mpg in a mix of highway and city driving with some towing of a heavy trailer. Not bad for a such a large SUV.

Recent reliability has been disappointing, but I think most of that was due to age. I haven't had any really serious problems that couldn't be fixed by my mechanic.

Faults:

Coil wire became defective at 45000 miles.

Pinion bearing went bad in differential at 55000 miles. First exhibited signs of failure as squeaking sound from left rear brake drum while in reverse. Problem became obvious as a low frequency vibration upon deceleration when things got really bad.

Transmission went out at 78000 miles. It started out being slow going into reverse, then lost reverse completely. From talking to other Sub owners, this seems typical.

The disk brake rotors warped and needed replacing at 60000 miles, and are getting close to needing a change again.

The engine oil cooler hose started leaking at 120000 miles, but a $45 trip to the Mr Good wrench parts store and a couple of hours of laying underneath it on my back solved that.

General Comments:

I use this vehicle often for towing a 3000 lb. boat. Though this doesn't nearly approach the towing capacity of this vehicle, I probably would have been better off with the K2500 with its beefier transmission and differential.

Though it has had its problems, it has never left me stranded.

Gas mileage seems to run about 12 no matter where I drive, but it's hard to beat it for the number of people and the amount of stuff it can haul.

You can haul a whole stack of 4X8 plywood with the back doors closed, or use the back space for people and equipment.