NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
40 reportsClear category filter179,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP INTERMITTENTLY PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 179,000.
NHTSA ODI #10351780
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, INTAKE MANIFOLD, ENGINE COOLING, TRANSMISSION, TIRES, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL CONSUMPTION AND WIPERS.*MR CONSUMER STATED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT DO ANYTHING BUT TAKE THE BATTERY CABLE OFF TO RESET THE COMPUTER AND THE BRAKES WERE NEVER LOOKED AT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10130223
29,452 miles · Jun 29, 2005
Power Train
1996 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN TRANSMISSION FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES. *MR THERE WAS NO THIRD GEAR AND TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPAIRED AND 2 JOINTS WERE REPLACED IN THE FRONT SHAFT. *SC
NHTSA ODI #10126876
57,280 miles · Mar 22, 2005
Power Train
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE, HAD TO COAST TO OFF-RAMP. TRANSMISSION HAD TO TOTALLY REPLACE. PRE-ATURE WEAR, METAL FILLING WERE FOUND AND MISSING PART IN TRANSMISSION ACCORDING TO TECHNICIAN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10114481
35,963 miles · Oct 1, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
LATENT DEFECTS AND THE GMC SUBURBAN.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. THE FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE AC HEATER KNOB HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THEY FAIL TO FIX PROBLEMS AND HE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY AT T…
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LATENT DEFECTS AND THE GMC SUBURBAN.*MR THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. THE FRONT OUTPUT SHAFT SEALS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE AC HEATER KNOB HAD TO BE REPLACED. WHEN THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED THEY FAIL TO FIX PROBLEMS AND HE CONSUMER HAD TO PAY AT THERE OWN EXPENSE. PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN HELPING TO RESOLVE MATTER. *CB
NHTSA ODI #10042136
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2003
Power TrainFire
THE VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK *NLM
NHTSA ODI #10008886
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentPower Train
1) MAJOR COOLANT LEAK FROM INTAKE/CYL HEAD GASKET (LEFT REAR OF MOTOR) (2) ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT INDICATES TC 1870 CODE PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY (3)WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITENTLY SAFETY HAZARD (4) A/C DASH LIGHTS CYCLE ON AND OFF WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PUSHED ON BUT FAN MOTOR IS SHUT OFF. ALL PROBLEMS ARE…
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1) MAJOR COOLANT LEAK FROM INTAKE/CYL HEAD GASKET (LEFT REAR OF MOTOR) (2) ENGINE TROUBLE LIGHT INDICATES TC 1870 CODE PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY (3)WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITENTLY SAFETY HAZARD (4) A/C DASH LIGHTS CYCLE ON AND OFF WHEN A/C BUTTON IS PUSHED ON BUT FAN MOTOR IS SHUT OFF. ALL PROBLEMS ARE "COMMON" PER DEALERSHIP SERVICE WRITER
NHTSA ODI #747054
Mileage unknown · May 17, 2001
Power Train
CONSUMER CLAIMS THAT VEHICLE CANNOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE EVERY TIME SHE PUTS IT IN REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSSION PROBLEM, AND WHEN SHE PICKS IT UP AND DRIVES VEHICLE FOR ABOUT 1-2 DAYS, IT DOES THE SAME THING. VEHICLE NOT HAVE ANY POWER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #888528
Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
TRANSMISSION SHAFT HOUSING CRACKED IN HALF BECAUSE THE CASTING WAS TOO THIN. *SLC
NHTSA ODI #556154
Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2000
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE TRANSMISSION'S HOUSING WAS TOO THIN AND CRACKED, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CRACKED IN HALF (NOT RUSTED) THE EXHAUST ASSEMBLY CRACKED IN HALF (NOT RUSTED), CHEVROLET WAS CONTACT AND SAID VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT WASN'T THERE PROBLEM. WE'VE KEPT ALL DEFECTIVE PARTS AND CHEVROLET DOESN'T WANT TO LOOK AT THEM.
NHTSA ODI #733583
Official recalls
3Apr 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.
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.
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.
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
7EA02006 · 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
EA97007 · Steering Shaft Separations
Opened Apr 17, 1997 · Closed Mar 12, 1998
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
COUPLING BOLTS, JOINING THE STEERING SHAFT, MAY SEPARATE.IN SOME CASES, TOTAL UNFORESEEN, LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL MAY RESULT.
PE96076 · Steering Shaft Separations
Opened Dec 18, 1996 · Closed Apr 17, 1997
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
BOLT IN THE COUPLING, JOINING THE UPPER INTERMEDIATE AND STEERING COLUMN SHAFTS, FALLS OUT.TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING OCCURS WHEN THE SHAFTS THEN SEPARATE.
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