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1992 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1992 Chevrolet Suburban do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 189 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

37 crash reports7 fire reports12 injury reports

What owners actually said

189 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ON ANY SLICK ROAD SURFACES AT SPEED OF 10 MILES PER HOUR , WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT STOPSIGN. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TURN ON IN THE CONTROL PANEL. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO READJUST ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY IN A FEW SECONDS…

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ON ANY SLICK ROAD SURFACES AT SPEED OF 10 MILES PER HOUR , WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT STOPSIGN. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KICKED IN. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT TURN ON IN THE CONTROL PANEL. THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM IS SUPPOSED TO READJUST ITSELF AUTOMATICALLY IN A FEW SECONDS AFTER IT HAS BEEN DEPLOYED. BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT DO THIS. THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENT THAT THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM HAS KICKED IN WITHIN A SIX MONTHS PERIOD SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE FIRST INCIDENT INVOLVED A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SCENARIO. THE FIRST TIME THE ROADS WERE SLICK AND THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH. ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, DESPITE THE SLICK ROAD CONDITIONS. THIS VEHICLE HIT A SLICK SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY AND SLIDE COMPLETE ACROSS THE THREE LANE HIGHWAY, INWHICH I WAS TRAVELING ON THE FARTHEST LANE. THERE WERE ABOUT 4 OTHER CARS THAT HAD TO SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES AND BASICALLY COME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN ORDER TO AVOID THE VEHICLE THAT WAS SKIDDING THROUGH THE HIGHWAY. MY ANTILOCK BRAKES KICKED IN WITH A LOUD THUG. AND THE ANTILOCK LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON TOO. BUT IT NEVER READJUSTED ITSELF AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TAKEN INTO REPAIR TO RESET THE ABS. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED IN JULY 1999 AND WAS REPAIRED IN EARLY AUGUST. THIS SECOND INCIDENT DID NOT WARRENT THE ABS TO KICK IN. I BELIEVE THAT THE ABS ARE OVERLY SENSITIVE AND NEED TO BE REPROGRAMED. I HEARD ON A NEWS REPORT THAT THE CHEVROLET SUBURBAN WAS BEING RECALLED FOR ITS FAULTY ABS BRAKES FROM 1999 THROUGH 1992. HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CONFIRM THAT THE 1992 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN IS BEING RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP THAT I CALLED ABOUT REPAIRS SAID THE RECALL WAS FOR VEHICLES STARTING IN 1994, NOT 1992. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED . PLEASE LET ME KNOW THE RESULTS. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #717573

Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2000
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury

EMERGENCY STOPS ON DRY PAVEMENT AT 30 MPH CAUSED ABS TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO "ROLL" INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. AFTER DRIVING 30 YEARS, I HAVE A SENSE OF HOW LONG IT SHOULD TAKE TO STOP AS WELL AS BEING VERY AWARE OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO STOP THIS HEAVIER VEHICLE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED…

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EMERGENCY STOPS ON DRY PAVEMENT AT 30 MPH CAUSED ABS TO ENGAGE AND CAUSED 2 ACCIDENTS. IN BOTH INCIDENTS, THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO "ROLL" INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. AFTER DRIVING 30 YEARS, I HAVE A SENSE OF HOW LONG IT SHOULD TAKE TO STOP AS WELL AS BEING VERY AWARE OF HOW LONG IT TAKES TO STOP THIS HEAVIER VEHICLE AND HAVE ATTEMPTED TO COMPENSATE BY ALLOWING A GREAT DEAL OF STOPPING SPACE IN FRONT OF ME. I DO NOT FOLLOW AS CLOSE AS MOST SEMIS. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN IN SUDDEN STOPS, THE ABS COMES ON AND MAKES A SORT OF POPPING/ROARING SOUND. IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING SLIPPING. I HAVE COMPLETE CONTROL OF THE STEERING AS I ROLL/CRASH INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME! BUT, I FEEL THAT I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE BRAKES, AND THE DISTANCE IT TAKES TO GET STOPPED. OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE DRIVEN MY VEHICLE HAVE FELT THE ABS ARE UNSAFE IN SUDDEN STOPS. FORTUNATELY, I HAVE NOT HAD TO MAKE SUDDEN STOPS AT HIGH SPEEDS BECAUSE WHO KNOWS HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF FEET WOULD BE REQUIRED. SO FAR IN BOTH LOW SPEED CRASHES, TWO PEOPLE HAVE CLAIMED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND THEIR LEGAL SUITS ARE STILL PENDING WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I LIKE THE CAR BUT WOULD NOT BUY ANOTHER SUBURBAN BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FEELING SAFE WITH THE ABS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #717262

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THIS VEHICLE HAS A TREMENDOUSLY LONG STOPPING DISTANCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE WET. ONE DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG; THE OTHER SAYS TO TRY A NEW ANTILOCK UNIT. THEY SAY IT MIGHT HELP BUT IF IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IT IS NON-RETURNABLE. IT WILL COST @ $1000 JUST TO TRIAL AND ERROR A FIX FOR A SERIOUS SAFETY DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #716881

Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 1999
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash

WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #854576

Mileage unknown · Dec 24, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION REAR SEAL LEAKING, DEALER ADIVISED SEAL WAS REPLACED WITH THE WRONG YEAR 95 SEAL. HUSBAND REPLACED WITH RIGHT 92 SEAL. STILL LEAKING. ALSO THE MASTER CYLINDER IS KNOCKING LOUD NOISE. SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING OUT. WHEN I DRIVE 35 MILES OR MORE BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAILS. AND, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKS TEMPORARILY…

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TRANSMISSION REAR SEAL LEAKING, DEALER ADIVISED SEAL WAS REPLACED WITH THE WRONG YEAR 95 SEAL. HUSBAND REPLACED WITH RIGHT 92 SEAL. STILL LEAKING. ALSO THE MASTER CYLINDER IS KNOCKING LOUD NOISE. SEEMS LIKE IT IS GOING OUT. WHEN I DRIVE 35 MILES OR MORE BRAKES TEMPORARILY FAILS. AND, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WORKS TEMPORARILY ON THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW.

NHTSA ODI #716396

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILED ABS IMPACTS BRAKING ACTION - INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCE, SOFT PEDAL. SETS TROUBLE CODE 63. DEFINITE SAFETY HAZARD. 4WD ABS INSTALLED ON 2WD VEHICLE AT FACTORY. UNDERSTAND THAT RECALL TO REPLACE CORRECT ABS MAY BE PENDING.

NHTSA ODI #715726

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 1999
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT FRAME/FLOOR HAS BROKEN; SEAT BACK HAS ALSO BROKEN.

NHTSA ODI #712987

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 1999
Visibility

WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE ACTIVATED THEY DO NOT TURN OFF UNTIL THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES THEY WILL STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849996

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Seat Belts

REAR LAP SEAT BELTS BROKE IN MIDDLE ROW OF BACK SEATS. TOOK TO DEALER TO BE FIXED, THEN PART BROKE AGAIN, AND CURRENTLY DEALER IS REFUSING TO FIX ANY OF THEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #849704

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 1999
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MUSHY. I UNDERSTSAND THAT ABS WILL RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO EMERGENCY BRAKEING THAN "NORMAL" BRAKES BUT THIS THING IS A REAL ADVENTURE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE PANIC STOPS.IT SEEMS TO RESIST YOUR FOOT THE HARDER YOU PUSH THE LESS BRAKING YOU FEEL.THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING MODULE WENT OUT WHIC…

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THE BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MUSHY. I UNDERSTSAND THAT ABS WILL RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO EMERGENCY BRAKEING THAN "NORMAL" BRAKES BUT THIS THING IS A REAL ADVENTURE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU'VE GOT TO MAKE PANIC STOPS.IT SEEMS TO RESIST YOUR FOOT THE HARDER YOU PUSH THE LESS BRAKING YOU FEEL.THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL BEARING MODULE WENT OUT WHICH CAUSED THE DISK BRAKE TO GRAB AND BOTH FRONT TIRES TO WEAR VERY BADLY. THE ELECTRIC WIPER CONTROL WENT OUT BECAUSET THE CONTROL BOX IS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND GOT WET. DAH! THE DRAG LINK BUSHING RUSTED OUT BECAUSE THE GREASE FITTING WAS APPARENTLY INACCESSABLE TO SERVICE AND NEVER GOT ANY GREASE. THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING AT 90000 MLS. AT WHICH TIME I RAN A STOP LEAK PRODUCT IN IT WHICH STOPPED IT SO FAR. THE WATERPUMP WENT OUT AT 110,000 MLS AND THE ALTERNATOR AT 95000 MLS. BRAKES ARE BIGGEST CONCERN!!!!!

NHTSA ODI #712669

Official recalls

3

93V119000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

Aug 2, 1993

SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy: REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WITH NEW ROTORS WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION COATING. HOWEVER, IF REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LININGS ARE NECESSARY, IT WILL BE DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE SINCE BRAKE LININGS ARE NORMAL MAINTENANCE ITEMS.

93V016000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Feb 1, 1993

UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.

Remedy: INSTALL A LONGER TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE ROUTED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE.

92V056000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Apr 14, 1992

THE PIVOT BOLT HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ITS SUPPORT BRACKET MAY BE IMPROPERLY TIGHTENED AND MAY NOT HAVE ENGAGED THE LOCKING MATERIAL ON THE BOLT. THE BOLT CAN DISENGAGE FROM THE NUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE PIVOT BOLT DISENGAGES FROM THE NUT WHILE THEVEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL AND COULD RESULT INA VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS SHOULD INSPECT THE HAND STARTED BRAKE PEDAL BOLTS AND TORQUE THEM TO SPECIFICATION.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA95026 · Poor Brake Performance

Opened Sep 20, 1995 · Closed Sep 20, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic

POOR PERFORMANCE OF ABS BRAKES

EA94029 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Jul 29, 1994 · Closed Jul 31, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling

AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.