IllustrationVEHICLE STALLS AT ANY TIME, THEN DIES, AND WILL NOT RESTART. DEALER CONTACTED, AND REPAIRWORK DONE. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Suburban years →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: 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 reportsTHE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY DUE TO A FAULTY LIGHT SWITCH CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. NLM
ANTI LOCK BRAKES PERFORM POORLY, VEHICLE HAS RUN INTO DITCH ON TWO OCCASIONS DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL. MJS
SEAT BELT HARNESS WORE OUT.THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR IN THE FRONT SEAT ON BOTH SIDES DOESN'T RETRACT. THE SHOULDER HARNESS IS LOOSE. *AK
WHEN APPLYING THE ABS BRAKES ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
OCCASIONALY WHEN COMING TO A STOP DURING A CONTACT WITH WET ROADWAY THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE ENGAGING IN A MANNER THAT IS ERRATIC AND DRAMATIC. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, JUST AS TOTAL STOPPING IS ABOUT TO OCCUR A VIOLENT PULSING OF THE BRAKES OCCURS SUCH THAT THE FEELING OF BEING REAR-ENDED TAKES PLACE. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR A…
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OCCASIONALY WHEN COMING TO A STOP DURING A CONTACT WITH WET ROADWAY THE ABS SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE ENGAGING IN A MANNER THAT IS ERRATIC AND DRAMATIC. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, JUST AS TOTAL STOPPING IS ABOUT TO OCCUR A VIOLENT PULSING OF THE BRAKES OCCURS SUCH THAT THE FEELING OF BEING REAR-ENDED TAKES PLACE. THIS WILL CONTINUE FOR ANYWHERE FROM 3 TO 5 BRAKING INCINDENTS IN A ROW AND THEN ABRUBTLY STOP. BY THE TIME I GET TO A DEALER THE SITUATION IS UNDUPLICATABLE. I HAVE READ ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH OTHER ABS SYSTEMS ON THE CHEVY LINE OF SUV'S AND WAS WONDERING IF THIS IS SIMILAR TO THOSE COMPLAINTS. IT IS ALWAYS WET ROADWAY WHEN IT HAPPENS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY A COLD VEHICLE (AS IN FIRST USE OF THE DAY). IT TRULY FEELS LIKE SOMEONE JUST HIT YOU FROM BEHIND IN THE WAY THE VEHICLE LURCHES AS IT COMES TO A FULL STOP AT LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. ALSO TENDS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN BRAKING FROM SLOW, 40 MPH OR LESS, SPEEDS.
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMATIC ANTI-SKID SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE HAD DOZENS OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AND ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO VEER INTO SHOULDERS AND DITCHES TO PREVENT DISASTER. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND WANT TO GET RID OF IT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS, BUT CONTINUOUSLY C…
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I HAVE HAD PROBLEMATIC ANTI-SKID SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE, AND HAVE HAD DOZENS OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AND ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO VEER INTO SHOULDERS AND DITCHES TO PREVENT DISASTER. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND WANT TO GET RID OF IT. THE DEALER HAS BEEN INFORMED OF THIS ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS, BUT CONTINUOUSLY CHARGES US TO 'ADJUST' OR REPLACE THE BRAKES AND SAYS THIS PROBLEM IS NORMAL.
THESE BRAKES DO NOT ACT PROPERLY - WHEN TRAVELLING ON THE FREEWAY THE BRAKES SHUDDER WHEN APPLIED AND THEY OFTEN LOCK AND MAKE A YAWNING SOUND.
THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM ON THE 1994 SUBURBAN WAS UNRELIABLE SINCE THE FIRST MONTH AFTER ORIGINAL PURCHASE. A TYPICAL SCENARIO IS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT. THE BRAKES OCCASSIONALLY START PULSING, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL AN EXTRA DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR MISSES WHERE WE ALMOST…
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THE ABS BRAKES SYSTEM ON THE 1994 SUBURBAN WAS UNRELIABLE SINCE THE FIRST MONTH AFTER ORIGINAL PURCHASE. A TYPICAL SCENARIO IS COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT. THE BRAKES OCCASSIONALLY START PULSING, ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL AN EXTRA DISTANCE BEFORE STOPPING. THIS HAS RESULTED IN NEAR MISSES WHERE WE ALMOST REAR-ENDED OTHER VEHICLES AND ON OTHER OCCASSIONS CAME TO A STOP IN THE INTERSECTION. ALSO, RAILROAD TRACKS ARE PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS WITH THE SUBURBAN ABS.
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-16-99. SHE WAS GOING APROX. 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER WAS APPROX. 20 FT IN FRONT OF HER. SHE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BEGIN TO SLOW IN TIME. OUR VEHICLE (SUBURBAN) SUSTAINED $8,000+ IN DAMAGES THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A THIRD VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE TO RE…
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MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 6-16-99. SHE WAS GOING APROX. 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER WAS APPROX. 20 FT IN FRONT OF HER. SHE FELT THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT BEGIN TO SLOW IN TIME. OUR VEHICLE (SUBURBAN) SUSTAINED $8,000+ IN DAMAGES THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. A THIRD VEHICLE SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER AND WAS DRIVEN FROM SCENE. WE FEEL THAT ABS FAILURE COULD BE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR BUT DON'T HAVE MECHANICAL CONFIRMATION.
Official recalls
303V159000 · 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
4EA02006 · 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