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4WD platform

2018 Chevrolet Suburban

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 Suburban.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2018 Chevrolet Suburban is a full-size SUV with a 4WD platform, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and an engine that takes 8.0 quarts of 0W-20 oil, returning EPA estimates of 16 mpg city, 23 highway, and 19 combined. Its reliability record for the year includes 81 owner complaints—most often in the power train—and 4 recalls. Within the model’s complaint history from 1990 to 2024, that figure sits far below the peak of 1,004 in 1994, though not as low as the 36 complaints for 2024, placing the 2018 Suburban in a relatively stable position in the nameplate’s long-term trend.

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 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/19 mpgEPA · 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 sizeP265/65R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.5; Optional: 9.0 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.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

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

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

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 · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 140 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidDEXRON(R)-VI GM P/N 89020661
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.0
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Dexron ULV
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity8.1
Automatic Transmission FluidUse Dexron HP
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilSynthetic · 75W-90 · GL-5 · 75W-85

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts17 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub188.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-4-3-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-7-8-4-5-6-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance720 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)46.0-84.0
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 74; Rear: 38 Use; Rear: 77
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 170; Rear: 148; Rear: 221
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
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationRear: .007; Rear: .001
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
148.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9048 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
285.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Use old crankshaft balancer bolt and tighten to 240.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: Remove bolt and throw away. Step 3: Make sure the nose of the crankshaft is recessed 2.40-4.48mm into the balancer bolt. Step 4: Use new crankshaft bolt. Step 5: 110.0 ft. lbs., Step 6: 360 degrees, Step 7: 59.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: Balancer bolt with rotating washer tighten additional 200 degrees; Balancer Bolt with flanged head tighten additional 125 degrees.240 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts.

159.0 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Internal Hex head bolts40 degrees
4Except Hex head bolts60 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
13.7 ft. lbs.3.7 ft. lbs
27.4
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2110 degrees; Outer bolts110 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280.0 degrees; Side bolts80 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; 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) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (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 provided federal record does not contain data for 2018 specifically; the dataset includes entries for 1990–2009 and then jumps to 2021–2024, leaving a twelve-year gap that encompasses the target model year. Without 2018-specific complaint, recall, investigation, or TSB figures, I cannot provide a direct analysis of where this model year falls within the generation's trend arc. The data therefore does not support a factual comparison of the 2018 Suburban's reliability metrics against adjacent model years or a determination of whether it represents a peak or trough in the complaint/recall pattern. As the dataset lacks the necessary figures for the target year, I cannot render a concrete takeaway on whether 2018 is a good year to buy based solely on the provided federal record.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1251
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
81
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 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 81 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train13
Electrical System8
Engine8
Unknown Or Other7
Seat Belts5
Air Bags4
Service Brakes3
Wheels2

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 1251 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…
PIT64832026-02-04Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates an issue with aftermarket LED headlights…

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 qt4WD-platform vehiclesEngine 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 2018 Suburban take?

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

Does the 2018 Suburban have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Suburban get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.