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1994 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1994 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 32 of 858 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 568 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

146 crash reports8 fire reports33 injury reports

What owners actually said

858 reports
4,500 miles · Apr 26, 2023
Tires

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with two Lionhart Tires, Tire Line: LHS, Tire Size: 305/30/ZR26, DOT Number: TB2ACY50. The contact stated that he had installed two Lionhart tires on the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a secondary vehicle that was not driven often. The contact sta…

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The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban equipped with two Lionhart Tires, Tire Line: LHS, Tire Size: 305/30/ZR26, DOT Number: TB2ACY50. The contact stated that he had installed two Lionhart tires on the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was a secondary vehicle that was not driven often. The contact stated that he observed a bulge on the tire, and the tire sidewall was separating from the tread next to the bulge. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate vehicle failure mileage was 4,500 on a new installed engine. The tire failure mileage was 2,000.

NHTSA ODI #11519159

274,000 miles · Nov 16, 2021
Service BrakesCrash

The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was…

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The contact owns a 1994 Chevrolet Suburban. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and applying the brake pedal to stop the pedal suddenly extended to the floor causing the vehicle to crash into the rear of a second vehicle. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified. The failure mileage was 274,000.

NHTSA ODI #11440608

243,640 miles · Aug 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineFire

VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PA…

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VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE IGNITION OFF. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES, A FIRE STARTED IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY PRECEDED BY THICK WHITE SMOKE. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE PLASTIC WHEELWELL GUARD AND RIGHT FRONT TIRE ABOUT TWO MINUTES AFTER THE SMOKE WAS NOTICED. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, DASHBOARD, WINDSHIELD, AND FRONT FLOOR PAN AREA WAS DESTROYED BY FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10537114

108,000 miles · Sep 13, 2012
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD NOT ACTIVATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10475268

Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2010
Tires

1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT DAMAGING THE HEATER LINES AND RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL. *BF OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0678-91. *JB UPDATED 04/14/10 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10322000

112,000 miles · Dec 15, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FIN…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150001 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME ANY FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. AS OF DECEMBER 15, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

NHTSA ODI #10251816

50,000 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL WORK VERY INCONSISTENTLY. ALSO, IF HE MANUALLY MOVES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL BEGIN TO FUNCTION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. WHENEVER THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO USE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL WORK VERY INCONSISTENTLY. ALSO, IF HE MANUALLY MOVES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THEY WILL BEGIN TO FUNCTION FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 09/29/08*LJ UPDATED 09/29/08 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10239755

Mileage unknown · May 7, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. RECALL # 03V159000 (VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) IS FOR THE SAME FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10189985

165,000 miles · Apr 25, 2007
Visibility

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 03V159000 CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY OR FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OCCASIONALLY HAS TO BANG ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 03V159000 CONCERNING VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS OPERATED INTERMITTENTLY OR FAILED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OCCASIONALLY HAS TO BANG ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD TO GET THE WIPERS TO OPERATE PROPERLY. ALSO ATTACHED A STICK AND TAPED IT TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 242,000, AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10188804

95,000 miles · Sep 21, 2006
Visibility

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #98V150001, REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ODI #10168851

Official recalls

3

03V159000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, PICKUP TRUCKS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITH CERTAIN MODEL-ENGINE COMBINATIONS, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY FAIL DUE TO CRACKED SOLDER JOINTS ON THE CONTROLLER CIRCUIT BOARD. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS COULD WORK INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR DURING BAD WEATHER, DRIVER VISIBILITY WOULD BE REDUCED, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537.

99V025000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 5, 1999

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PICKUP TRUCKS, CREW CABS, UTILITY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES WERE BUILT WITH THE POLARITY OF THE WIRING FOR THE ZERO ADJUST BRAKE SWITCH REVERSED FROM WHAT WAS SPECIFIED ON THE SWITCH DRAWING. WITH THE REVERSED POLARITY, THE CONTACTS IN THE BRAKE SWITCH CAN WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE BRAKE SWITCH WILL PERFORM NORMALLY UNTIL THE BRAKE SWITCH CONTACTS WEAR OUT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF THE BRAKE LAMPS WITHOUT ANY WARNING TO THE DRIVER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WOULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS BRAKING AND COULD LEAD TO A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE SWITCH AND REVERSE THE WIRING.

98V150001 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Jul 1, 1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, 2 AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE. SOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR CAN CRACK CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS, REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY, AND INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD AND COVER.

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

4

EA02006 · Windshield Wiper Failure

Opened May 31, 2002 · Closed Jul 23, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

AS A RESULT OF THIS, AND THE PRECEDINGINVESTIGATION, RQ99-003, GM HAS EXPANDED THE POPULATION OF SAFETY RECALL 98V-150 (REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL MODULE) TO INCLUDE AN ADDITIONAL 1.77 MILLION VEHICLES.INCLUDED ARE VARIOUS 1994-1997 MY M/L VANS, S/T TRUCKS AND SUVS, & C/K TRUCKS AND SUVS.SEE ATTACHED TECHNICAL REPORT FOR DETAILS.

DP00001 · Oem Hitch Receiver Platform Cracking

Opened Jan 31, 2000 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Equipment

THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL

PE97027 · Drivers Seat Failure

Opened Jun 17, 1997 · Closed Oct 31, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats

THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGE THE DRIVERS SEAT MOUNTING FAILS, ALLOWING THE SEAT TO MOVE OR TIP REARWARD INTO A RECLINED POSITION.

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