What is the best year for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Meaningful complaint data only exists from 2021 onward in our records. The 2024 Suburban (35 complaints, 8/10 safety, 0 severe) is the cleanest year on record. The 2021 new-generation launch had 173 complaints, improving steadily through 2022-2024. For used buying, 2024 is the strongest pick.

How much does Chevrolet Suburban insurance cost?

Suburban insurance averages around $2,542/year — roughly $212/month.

Is the Chevrolet Suburban or Ford Expedition cheaper to maintain?

The Expedition is cheaper to maintain by $83/year — $861 versus $944 for the Suburban. The Expedition also has significantly lower repair frequency (25% vs. 51%). Both carry the same reliability score and major repair probability. On total maintenance value, the Expedition holds a clear edge.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Chevrolet Suburban?

Repair frequency of 51% above the class average, combined with a $944 annual maintenance cost, makes extended warranty worth considering — particularly for used models. Containing the cost of more frequent unscheduled visits is where coverage earns its value here.

Is the Ford Explorer expensive to maintain?

The Explorer costs $732/year to maintain — $159 above the three-row segment average of $573. Repair frequency of 24% is well below the class average of 40% — the lowest in the three-row segment. Reliability score of 7 matches the segment average, and major repair probability of 14% is slightly above the 13% norm. Well above-average cost, but notably fewer unscheduled shop visits than class rivals.

What is the best year for a Ford Explorer?

The Explorer's complaint history is one of the most volatile in the three-row class. Avoid 2013-2015 (2,214, 1,666, and 1,728 complaints respectively — the exhaust fume intrusion era), 2017 (1,648 complaints), and 2020 (1,136 complaints at the sixth-generation launch). The 2024 Explorer (16 complaints, 10/10 safety, 0 severe) is the best year on record by a wide margin. The 2023 (94, 10/10, 7 severe) is also strong.

How much does Ford Explorer insurance cost?

Explorer insurance averages around $2,461/year — roughly $205/month.

Is the Ford Explorer or Chevrolet Traverse cheaper to maintain?

The Traverse is cheaper to maintain by $76/year — $656 versus $732 for the Explorer. But the Explorer has a higher reliability score (7 vs. 6), lower major repair probability (14% vs. 18%), and much lower repair frequency (24% vs. 43%). More expensive annually, but a meaningfully lower risk and visit-frequency profile.

Should I buy an extended warranty for a Ford Explorer?

Repair frequency of 24% is the lowest in the three-row segment — a significant positive. For 2023 and newer models, the Explorer's dramatically improved complaint trajectory makes extended warranty unnecessary. However, the severe documented complaint spikes across 2013-2015, 2017, and 2020 make coverage essential for used models from those years.

Chevrolet Suburban vs Ford Explorer

Two fullsize SUVs compared on the numbers that matter — maintenance cost, reliability, and insurance.

// VERDICT

Our verdict

Buy the Chevrolet Suburban if its specific features or size suit your needs better.

Buy the Ford Explorer — lower 5-year cost and better reliability.

// COST HEAD TO HEAD

Maintenance and ownership cost

	Chevrolet Suburban	Ford Explorer
Annual maintenance	$944	$732winner
5-year total cost	$4,720	$3,660winner
Reliability score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
Major repair risk (5yr)	15%	14%winner
Cargo space	144.5 cu ftwinner	85.3 cu ft
Starting price (new)	$66,000	$41,300winner
Best years to buy	—	2010, 2023, 2024

// RELIABILITY

Which is more reliable?

	Chevrolet Suburban	Ford Explorer
RepairPal score	6 / 10	7 / 10winner
NHTSA complaints / 100k	0winner	452.2
Years to avoid	2021, 2022, 2023	2011, 2013, 2014
Value retained · 3 yr	—	72.5%
Value retained · 5 yr	49.6%	49.9%winner
Value retained · 7 yr	—	39.6%

// COMMON PROBLEMS

What breaks — and what it costs

	Chevrolet Suburban	Ford Explorer
Engine	48.9%	14.1%winner
Electrical	5.7%	4.1%winner
ADAS	5.9%	3.3%winner
Brakes	2.8%	1.7%winner
Suspension	—winner	2.5%
Steering	—winner	22.1%
Fuel system	6.1%	2.8%winner
Tires/Wheels	1.9%	1.6%winner
Glass/Windows	1.4%winner	3.0%
Airbags	2.8%	2.6%winner
Lighting	1.9%	—winner
Seatbelt	2.4%	—winner

One major repair on either model can run $1,500–4,000. A warranty caps your exposure, especially on known problem years.

// INSURANCE

Which is cheaper to insure?

	Chevrolet Suburban	Ford Explorer
Avg annual premium	$2,542	$2,461winner

// FULL MODEL PAGES

GAS

Chevrolet Suburban

$944/yr maint · 6 reliability

Full model page

GAS

Ford Explorer

$732/yr maint · 7 reliability

Full model page

// FAQ

Common questions

The Suburban costs $944/year to maintain — $160 above the fullsize segment average of $784. Repair frequency of 51% is above the class average of 40%. Reliability score of 6 and major repair probability of 15% both sit at segment averages. It's the most expensive model in the fullsize segment to maintain.

How we calculated this. Maintenance costs and reliability scores from RepairPal. Complaints and recalls from NHTSA. Fuel economy from the EPA. Insurance averages from CarEdge. Pricing from KBB. Depreciation from iSeeCars. Full methodology →