Since purchasing the car in March 2023, the battery has died 5-7 times. We contacted our dealer and they claimed nothing wrong and the battery was fine. We have contacted them about this issue and there is no fix. They performed an update in June 2025 which was supposed to fix it but it didn’t. The latest it has died is November 25. There was nothing left on for the battery to die. I have 4…
2023 Chevrolet Suburban electrical problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2023 Suburban has multiple electrical system failures reported by owners: keyless entry that won't work, instrument panels going dark at highway speeds, batteries dying repeatedly, and engines shutting off without warning. Dealers struggle to diagnose and fix these issues, leaving owners stranded.
Owners of 2023 Suburbans report a cluster of serious electrical failures. The most recurring issue is the keyless entry system refusing to work despite functioning fobs with fresh batteries—one owner's family got stranded multiple times, missing medical appointments. The vehicle can also lose all electrical power to the instrument panel or entire electrical system while driving at highway speeds, with some owners experiencing complete engine shutdown and loss of all lights while in traffic.
Battery drain is another persistent complaint: one owner's battery died 5-7 times in less than two years, with the dealer unable to identify or fix the problem even after a software update. Several owners report the OnStar telecom module failing, affecting safety functions and communication systems, with GM denying warranty coverage.
Additional electrical gremlins include headlights and wipers shutting off simultaneously during highway driving in rain, computer systems throwing false error codes, and headlights flickering repeatedly between high and low beam while driving. Dealers consistently cannot reproduce these intermittent failures, leaving owners unprotected. One owner reports the same OnStar module failure is widespread across GM vehicles from 2023-2025.
Same Chevrolet Suburban electrical reports on nearby years: 2021 · 2022
Failure modes owners describe
Keyless Entry System Malfunction
Vehicle displays 'Key Not Found' or 'No Key Detected' messages and refuses to start despite key fobs being present with fresh batteries. Issue began summer 2023 and progressively worsened, stranding owners multiple times.
When: Summer 2023 onwards; progressive worsening
Symptoms owners cite: Key not found/no key detected message on dash; Vehicle refuses to start; Intermittent failures
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple dealers declined action citing intermittent nature; some towing required
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM and dealers often declined documentation or action due to intermittent issue
Instrument Panel / Electrical Power Loss
Vehicle loses electrical power to the instrument panel while driving, displaying no information on the gauge cluster. Occurs at highway speeds without warning lights. Motive power remains. Issue reoccurs even after dealer reset of instrument panel control module.
When: At 2,000 miles; regular occurrence after repair
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of instrument panel display; No warning lights before event; Motive power retained; Random occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed instrument panel control module reset; failure reoccurred after repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened; owner referred to NHTSA
Headlights and Wipers Shutdown While Driving
While driving on highway at night in rain at approximately 65 mph, both headlights and wipers shut off simultaneously, then resumed normal operation after a few seconds. Both systems were in automatic mode. No warning lights illuminated.
When: Highway driving at night in rainy conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Headlights turned off (auto mode); Wipers stopped in up position (auto mode); Brief duration shutdown; No warning lights
Repairs/costs cited: Issue could not be replicated by owner or dealer; random in nature
Computer System Communication Loss and Error Codes
Computer system repeatedly displays false or spurious error codes (ESC system, steering wheel column, collision traction, engine light) indicating various systems need service. Dealer determined computer lost communication with harness. Vehicle was 4 months old at occurrence. Dealer unable to fix the harness communication issue.
When: June 20, 2023; 4 months old (purchased March 11, 2023)
Symptoms owners cite: Multiple false error codes (ESC, steering wheel column, collision traction); Engine light illuminated; Computer lost communication; Errors recurred after initial service attempt
Codes mentioned: ESC system error, steering wheel column error, collision traction error
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted repair; unable to adjust computer harness or resolve communication issue
Random Engine Shutdown While Driving
Vehicle randomly shut off while driving at highway speeds on interstate during extended road trip. When vehicle shut off, all interior and exterior lights failed. Engine completely shut off. Occurred 3 separate times; vehicle required restart after each event. No indication of issue before or after events.
When: Interstate highway; 3 separate occurrences during extended trip
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine shutdown at highway speed; All interior and exterior lights failed simultaneously; No warning lights or prior indication; Random occurrence
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reproduce issue and stated unable to find any fault
Parasitic Battery Drain
Battery has died 5-7 times since March 2023 purchase despite no loads left on vehicle. Dealer claims battery is fine and no fix available. Software update performed in June 2025 did not resolve issue. Latest occurrence November 25.
When: Recurring from March 2023 through November 2025; at least 5-7 occurrences
Symptoms owners cite: Battery repeatedly dies with no accessories left on; No parasitic load identified
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer claims nothing wrong; software update in June 2025 unsuccessful
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer performed software update June 2025 intended to fix issue but it did not resolve problem
OnStar Telecom Module Failure
Vehicle stalled while driving; investigation revealed telecom module was damaged, rendering OnStar system inoperable. Owner reports same issue is common across GM models 2023-2025. Owner's Suburban and Yukon both affected. GM refused warranty coverage and required owner to replace module at own expense.
When: Timing not specified; reported to be common across 2023-2025 GM models
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar system inoperable; Vehicle stall associated with failure
Repairs/costs cited: Telecom module replacement required at owner's expense
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM disagreed with warranty claim and denied free replacement
OnStar Module Failure with Extended Backorder
OnStar module failed; module controls multiple safety-related functions. Module has been on backorder for months, leaving vehicle with safety concerns unresolved.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: OnStar module malfunction; Multiple safety features affected
Repairs/costs cited: Module on backorder for months; repair delayed
Entertainment Screen Shutdown and Complete Electrical Failure
Entertainment screen shut down; the next day vehicle was completely dead and required booster. After booster, engine warning light illuminated. Vehicle has only 33,000 miles.
When: Event occurred; vehicle has 33,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Entertainment screen shutdown; Complete vehicle electrical failure next day; Engine warning light after booster
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required booster to restart
Headlight Flashing Malfunction
Headlights repeatedly flash between high beam and low beam while driving. No method identified to stop the flashing behavior.
When: While driving; ongoing
Symptoms owners cite: Repetitive high beam/low beam flashing; No identified control or stopping mechanism
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
On Star module failure. The module controls many different safety features and it has failed and has been on a backorder for months creating a safety issue every day.
While driving on the highway at night during rainy conditions the wipers stopped in the up position, and at the same time, the headlights turned off. After a few seconds they resumed normal operation. My headlights were in the auto position and my wipers were also in the automatic setting. Being as that I was on a highway at night, in the rain, and going approximately 65mph surrounded by…
Had electrical trouble with your 2023 Chevrolet Suburban?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2023 Chevrolet Suburban?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 2,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2023/Chevrolet/Suburban.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.