← New search

1995 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1995 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: 18 of 457 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 163 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seats. Review the 87 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

50 crash reports6 fire reports24 injury reports

What owners actually said

457 reports
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 1999
Visibility

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE RECALL COMPONENT (98V-150) WINDSHIELD WIPERS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY AND NEAR ACCIDENT. MJS

NHTSA ODI #546490

Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 1999
Seats

CONSUMER'S SEAT BOLT WELD BROKE FROM THE TRACK. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION AT THIS TIME, IE-96-093. *AK *YC

NHTSA ODI #841455

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Seats

THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT BROKE OFF THE TRACKING AND ANCHOR SYSTEM, LEAVING THE SEAT FREE TO ROCK BACK AND FOWARDS WHILE DRIVING. THE SEAT MOUNTS BROKE DURING A SUDDEN BRAKE TO AVOID A COLLISION. MANUFATURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #839841

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Visibility

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707584

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 1999
Seats

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE MOUNTING BRACKET BROKE, CAUSING THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE MOUNTING AND FALL BACKWARDS, WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837170

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1999
Seats

THE METAL OF THE DIRVER'S SEAT FRAME IS CRACKING AND SPLITERING WHERE IT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER IS ATTACHED TO THE POWER SEAT RAIL/TRACK. INITIALLY I REPORTED A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM SEAT TO A MD CHEVY DEALER IN 1996, WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND EXPLAINED IT OFF AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SEAT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. ON APRIL 14…

Read full complaint

THE METAL OF THE DIRVER'S SEAT FRAME IS CRACKING AND SPLITERING WHERE IT THE LEFT FRONT CORNER IS ATTACHED TO THE POWER SEAT RAIL/TRACK. INITIALLY I REPORTED A SQUEAKING NOISE FROM SEAT TO A MD CHEVY DEALER IN 1996, WHO FOUND NOTHING WRONG AND EXPLAINED IT OFF AS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND SEAT WOULD NOT BE REPLACED. ON APRIL 14TH, 1999 I DISCOVERED METAL FRACTURES AFTER SQUEAKING NOISE BECAME INCREASINGLY LOUDER AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ITS CAUSE. CONTACTED CHEVROLET AT THEIR WEB SITE AND EXPRESSED MY CONCERN OVER THE APPEARENT MATERIAL FAILURE OCCURING. I RECIEIVED AN EMAIL ASKING THAT I CONTACT A SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT 800-222-1020. I WAS TO GIVE THE REPRESENTATIVE MY REFERENCE FILE NUMBER: 990206345. I SPOKE WITH A MS. PAMELA DORSEY AT EXTENSION 3732. MS. DORSEY WAS VERY CURT AND INDICATED THAT CHEVROLET MOTOR DIVISION WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I RESEARCHED THE NHTSA DATA BASE ON THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND 25 COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME SEAT WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. SINCE I AM A MEMBER OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES, I DON'T MAKE THE KIND OF MONEY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER SEAT FOR THIS VEHICLE. NOTWITHSTANDING THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE SEAT FRAME FAILING IN FIVE YEARS AND UNLIKE THE OTHER COMPLAINTS, IT'S A JUST A MATTER OF TIME WHEN MY SEAT DETACHES, WORSE YET, WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #705692

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPER CIRCUIT BOARD FAILED, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO MOTOR DUE TO SHORT / BURNING *YC

NHTSA ODI #545062

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 1999
Seats

THE SEAT FRAME FOR THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FAILED. THERE WAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR A WHILE UNTIL I COULD GET IT FIXED, IF THE OTHERBOLT HAD FAILED THE SET WOULD HAVE TIPPED BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING, I DON'T BELIEVE I WOULD HAV BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF THAT HAPPENNED. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICL…

Read full complaint

THE SEAT FRAME FOR THE LEFT FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SEAT FAILED. THERE WAS ONLY 67,000 MILES ON IT. I DROVE IT FOR A WHILE UNTIL I COULD GET IT FIXED, IF THE OTHERBOLT HAD FAILED THE SET WOULD HAVE TIPPED BACKWARDS WHILE DRIVING, I DON'T BELIEVE I WOULD HAV BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE IF THAT HAPPENNED. I HAVE KEPT THE VEHICLE AND IT IS ABOUT NINE MONTHS LATER. TEH REPLACEMENT IS BEGINNING TO FAIL IN THE SAME WAY. THIS SEEMS UNACCEPTABLE. THE DEALER HAS INFORMED ME HTEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN OTHER SUBURBANS, I HAVE HEARD OF THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHER OWNERS AND I SEE THE SAME PROBLEM LISTED IN YOUR COMPLAINT SUMMARY. PLEASE MAKE THEM CONRRECT THE PROBLEM. IT IS SIMPLY A POOR DESIGN AND IF BOTH BOLTS FAIL AT THE SAME TIME, IT SEEMS VERY LIKELY SOMEONE WILL GET HURT.

NHTSA ODI #705637

Mileage unknown · Mar 29, 1999
SeatsFire

PE90056, POWER SEAT WAS A LITTLE LOOSE AND CAUSED IT TO CUT THE WIRES. THEN SMALL FIRE UNDER THE SEAT BROKE OUT. AFTER WIRES MELTED FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY ITSELF. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED PROBLEM AND DIRECTED CONSUMER TO CALL GMC. GMC INDICATED THEY WOULD ACT ACCORDING TO WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED. SERVICE MA…

Read full complaint

PE90056, POWER SEAT WAS A LITTLE LOOSE AND CAUSED IT TO CUT THE WIRES. THEN SMALL FIRE UNDER THE SEAT BROKE OUT. AFTER WIRES MELTED FIRE EXTINGUISHED BY ITSELF. DEALER'S SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED PROBLEM AND DIRECTED CONSUMER TO CALL GMC. GMC INDICATED THEY WOULD ACT ACCORDING TO WHAT THE SERVICE MANAGER REPORTED. SERVICE MANGER REPORTED "NOT MUCH OF A FIRE CAUSED BY NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR". SEAT APPEARED TO BE LOOSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836281

Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 1999
Seats

CONSUMER HEARD NOISES IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FROM DEC--98 THROUGH MARCH 99 DUE TO A METAL PART BROKING OFF FROM THE SEAT. DEALERSHIIP REPLACED LOWER SEAT FRAME AT CONSUMER'S COST. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836165

Official recalls

6

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.

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.

96V057000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Apr 4, 1996

THESE VEHICLES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTACTING THE DASH MAT WHICH COULD BIND THE THROTTLE. THIS DOES NOT MEET WITH THE MAXIMUM RETURN TIMES REQUIRED BY FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 124, "ACCELERATOR CONTROL SYSTEMS."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: THE ENGINE SPEED MAY NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR ADEQUATE THROTTLE CABLE TO DASH MAT CLEARANCE, AND IF THERE IS INSUFFICIENT CLEARANCE, CUT OUT A PORTION OF THE DASH MAT TO PROVIDE PROPER CLEARANCE.

95V139000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jul 26, 1995

THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT-CABLE LOCK CLIP CAN BACK OUT OF ITS INSTALLED POSITION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CABLE ADJUSTMENT. WHEN THE SHIFT LEVER IS PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION, THE "PARK" INDICATOR LIGHT MAY NOT ILLUMINATE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE VEHICLE CAN MOVE UNINTENTIONALLY IF THE DRIVER DOES NOT NOTICE THAT THE INDICATOR LIGHT IS NOT ON AND DOES NOT APPLY THE PARKING BRAKE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADJUST THE SHIFT CABLE AND INSTALL A LOCK CLIP.

95V140000 · Air Bags

Jul 25, 1995

THE VEHICLES HAVE BOTH THE SUPPLEMENTAL INFLATABLE RESTRAINT (SIR) LABEL AND AN ENGINE START LABEL INSTALLED ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO.208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: CONSEQUENCE OF NON-COMPLIANCE: OPERATORS COULD FAIL TO NOTICE AND HEED THE WARNING LABEL.

Remedy: THE ENGINE START LABEL WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE STOWED SIDE OF THE SUN VISOR AND A NEW ENGINE START LABEL WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE HEADLINER IN THE SUN VISOR DEPRESSION. OWNERS WILL RECEIVE THE NEW LABEL AND CAN INSTALL THE LABEL THEMSELVES OR HAVE A DEALER INSTALL IT.

95V026000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines

Feb 16, 1995

DUE TO A THIN CASE CASTING, AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION LEAK CAN OCCUR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE TRANSMISSION OIL TO SPRAYONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND RESULT IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION CASE ASSEMBLY FOR THE INVOLVED CASE CASTING. IF THE ASSEMBLY IS INVOLVED, THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED.

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

8

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.

EA00024 · Headlight

Opened Sep 26, 2000 · Closed Dec 21, 2001

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting

No summary supplied.

EA00013 · Battery Leaks Acid

Opened May 2, 2000 · Closed Jun 28, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

There is no summary currently available

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.

PE96056 · Underseat Vehicle Fires

Opened Sep 17, 1996 · Closed Mar 17, 1997

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

ALLEGED SHORTING OF WIRE FOR POWER SEAT CAUSES UNDERSEAT FIRE.

PE95052 · Steering Shaft Separations

Opened Oct 25, 1995 · Closed Mar 22, 1996

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering: Steering Wheel/handle Bar

ODI OPENED THIS PE ON NOVEMBER 13, 1995 BASED ON AN OWNER COMPLAINT CONCERNING A SEPTEMBER 1995 ACCIDENT INVOLVING A 1995 1/2 TON GM PICKUP TRUCK.THE VEHICLE OWNER ALLEGED THE BOLT USED TO JOIN THE 2-PIECE STEERING SHAFT WAS MISSING.THE SHAFTS THEN SEPARATED AND STEERING CONTROL WAS LOST. DURING THE COURSE OF THIS INVESTIGATION, ODI HAS GATHERED INFORMATION FROM STAFF AT THE FOLLOWING: AUTO COLLISION INSURANCE COMPANIES, THIRD-PARTY PRODUCTS LIABILITY INDUSTRY, INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS, INVOLVED VEHICLE OPERATORS, GENERAL MOTORS CORPORATION. ACCORDING TO GM, THE STEERING COLUMN AND SHAFTS WERE CHANGED FOR THE 1995 C/K MODELS AT THE START OF THE 1995 MODEL YEAR.THE CHANGE WAS MADE TO INCORPORATE DRIVER AIR BAG SYSTEMS FOR THE C/K10/20 WITH GVWR OF LESS THAN 8500 LBS.HOWEVER THE CHANGE WAS MADE FOR ALL C/KS. FOR THE 1995 MODEL YEAR, THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS CONNECTED TO THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WITH A BOLT THROUGH THE COLUMN SHAFT AND THE UNIVERSAL JOINT COUPLING.NO NUT WAS REQUIRED.THIS CONNECTION WAS MADE AT THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY FACILITY AND THE STEERING COLUMN IS SHIPPED TO THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANT.THIS JOINT IS LOCATED INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAB.THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS CONNECTED TO THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT ASSEMBLY IS ALSO CONNECTED TO THE STEERING GEAR AT THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANT. THE CONFIGURATION OF THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS CHANGED AT THE START OF THE 1996 MODEL YEAR, WITH A SMALL NUMBER OF 1996 STEERING COLUMNS PULLED AHEAD IN THE 1995 MODELS ASSEMBLED AT THE OSHAWA AND FT. WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS.THE UNIVERSAL JOINT OF THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT WAS REPLACED WITH A POT JOINT.THIS CHANGE WAS MADE TO UTILIZE A JOINT MANUFACTURED INTERNALLY INSTEAD OF EXTERNALLY SUPPLIED UNIVERSAL JOINT.THE POT JOINT STYLE CONNECTION TO THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WAS MADE WITH A THROUGH BOLT AND NUT.THIS CHANGE WAS EFFECTIVE FOR 1995 VEHICLES ASSEMBLED AT FT. WAYNE AND OSHAWA IN OCTOBER 1995 AND FOR ALL 1996 VEHICLES. ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND THAT, OF THE 24 FIELD REPORTS, 14 INVOLVE VEHICLES PRODUCED AT THE FT. WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT.ALL 7 OF THE ACCIDENTS INVOLVE TRUCKS BUILT THERE, AS WELL.HOWEVER, BECAUSE THE FT. WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANT PRODUCES APPROXIMATELY THE SAME NUMBER OF VEHICLES AS THE OTHER SUBJECT VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANTS, THIS FINDING CAN NOT BE EXPLAINED ON THE BASIS OF VEHICLE POPULATION AND EXPOSURE.ODI, WITH THE INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, IS UNABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS PHENOMENON.ODI DOES HAVE INFORMATION INDICATING THAT THE PROBLEM OCCURS INFREQUENTLY AND VERY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.FOR THE 24 FIELD REPORTS, INCLUDING THOSE REPORTING ACCIDENTS, A FAILURE OCCURRED, ON AVERAGE, 129 DAYS AND 3900 MILES AFTER THE TRUCK WAS BUILT.BASED ON INFORMATION FROM ALL SOURCES, CURRENT THROUGH NOVEMBER 1995, ODI HAS FOUND THAT ONE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED INVOLVING A SUBJECT VEHICLE BUILT SINCE JULY 8, 1995, - A PERIOD OF 257 DAYS.THE DATA REVIEWED INDICATES ACCIDENTS, ALLEGEDLY DUE TO THE SUBJECT FAILURE, OCCUR EVEN EARLIER IN ACCIDENTS, ALLEGEDLY DUE TO THE SUBJECT FAILURE, OCCUR EVEN EARLIER IN THE LIFE OF A SUBJECT TRUCK, AT AN AVERAGE OF APPROXIMATELY 103 DAYS. FINALLY, BASED ON THE 115 WARRANTY AND FILED REPORTS COMBINED, THE INCIDENT RATE IS 12/100,000 VEHICLES.OF THE 115 REPORTS, 69 INVOLVE VEHICLES BUILT AT THE JANESVILLE AND FT. WAYNE ASSEMBLY PLANTS (35 AND 34 RESPECTIVELY).THE JANESVILLE FAILURE RATE IS 15/100,000 AND THE FT. WAYNE RATE IS SLIGHTLY LOWER AT 14/100,000. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN INDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF T

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