IllustrationSEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT PROPERLY, ALSO THE SAME FAILURE IS IN THE MIDDLE SEAT. SEATBELT FAILS TO REMAIN TIGHT PROVIDING PROTECTION FOR OCCUPANT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*JB
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 reportsI AM UNCLEAR ON HOW I CAN HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IT NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL REPORTED. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD THE EXPENSE OF THE REPAIR AND WANT TO KNOW IF I CAN GET REIMBURSED WHEN I CAN GET IT CORRECTED? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
I AM EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TODAY I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND THE BRAKES STOP ABOUT HALF WAY, MAKE A STRANGE NOISE AND I FAIL TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS FRIGHTENS ME EVERY TIME IT OCCURS. I AM SCARED OF REAR ENDING SOM…
Read full complaint
I AM EXPERIENCING TROUBLE WITH THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. TODAY I WAS ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A YELLOW LIGHT AND THE BRAKES STOP ABOUT HALF WAY, MAKE A STRANGE NOISE AND I FAIL TO STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MANY TIMES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS FRIGHTENS ME EVERY TIME IT OCCURS. I AM SCARED OF REAR ENDING SOMEONE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR, WET OR DRY WEATHER MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. IF I AM ATTEMPTING TO STOP ON GRAVEL THE SAME THING HAPPENS, THE CAR JUST SLIDES OUT INTO THE ROAD. BRAKESWORKED ON SEVERAL TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE RECALL NOTICE WAS ONLY COSMETIC AND DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS ON THE INTERNET AND PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE WOMAN SAID HER BRAKES LOCK UP AND GROAN ALSO. ANOTHER ,MAN REAR ENDED SOMEONE. THESE BRAKES ARE DEADLY AND I NEED HELP. I PAID MY LAST BANK PAYMENT TODAY AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE. I COULD NEVER SELL IT TO SOMEONE WITH FAULTY BRAKES. THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY REPORT. SHARON PENDARVIS SLP39@YAHOO.COM SORRY ABOUT SOME OF THE SPELLING THE PROGRAM WOULD YOU ARE USING WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY.
ABS BRAKES SYSTEM PERFORM ERRATICLY WITH WARNING LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATING. MODULE HAS FAILED, WITH BRAKES OPERATING MANUALLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
RECALLS 98V150000, 98V150001 CONCERNING WIPER MOTER CIRCUIT BOARD/COVER. THIS TRUCK WAS NOT PART OF RECALLS, BUT WAS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT FAILURE OF MOVEMENT AS RECALLED TRUCKS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO OPERATE WITH OWNER IDENTIFYING SHE CAN HEAR MOTOR RUNNING, BUT NO WIPER MOVERMENT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
BRAKES HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME. WHENEVER THE BRAKES GET WET THEY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO TOUCH THE BRAKES LIGHTLY ENOUGH WITHOUT LOCKING THEM UP.*AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE GOES INTO EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE IN RESULT OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. NLM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS/MISFIRES ON ACCELERATION, AND LONGER TIME TO CRANK HOT OR COLD. AT TIMES SLIGHT TOUCH OF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD.*AK THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT ANY SPEED, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS PER RECA…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS/MISFIRES ON ACCELERATION, AND LONGER TIME TO CRANK HOT OR COLD. AT TIMES SLIGHT TOUCH OF ACCELERATOR AND VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD.*AK THE VEHICLE CUTS OFF AT ANY SPEED, LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AS PER RECALL 95I005, WHEN VEHICLE WAS RETURNED IT WAS WORSE. CONSUMER INSTALLED A VACUUM PUMP WHICH WAS NEEDED BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK AND WAS TOLD A LIFT PUMP WAS NEEDED AND THEY GUARANTEED THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED. IT WASN'T. NOW THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JG
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT CLEAR CODES 71-74 DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. FLOWCHART SPECIFIES PART REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, ABS LIGHT ON DASH HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SECONDS AFTER VEHICLE STARTED. SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WHEN TESTING REQUIRES REPLACMENT, BUT THE DRIVER IS NOT WARNED. COMPONENT WAS TESTED BECAUSE CAR PULLED T…
Read full complaint
ABS SYSTEM WOULD NOT CLEAR CODES 71-74 DURING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. FLOWCHART SPECIFIES PART REPLACEMENT, HOWEVER, ABS LIGHT ON DASH HAS NEVER ILLUMINATED EXCEPT FOR THE TWO SECONDS AFTER VEHICLE STARTED. SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WHEN TESTING REQUIRES REPLACMENT, BUT THE DRIVER IS NOT WARNED. COMPONENT WAS TESTED BECAUSE CAR PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. LATER DETERMINED TO BE A BAD REMANUFACTURED CALIPER. *AK
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