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1996 Chevrolet Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Suburban years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Chevrolet Suburban are substantially higher than the model-year median of 118.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 26 of 360 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 129 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

20 crash reports12 fire reports7 injury reports

Seats complaints

7 reports
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102,000 miles · Aug 4, 2004
SeatsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND VEHICLE SERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE OUT OF THE DITCH, AND DRIVE THE HOME. CONSUMER BACK, LOWER NECK AREA, AND CHEST WERE SORE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE PARKED IN…

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WHILE DRIVING DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BACK DECLINED BACKWARDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO SEE, AND VEHICLE SERVED OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE OUT OF THE DITCH, AND DRIVE THE HOME. CONSUMER BACK, LOWER NECK AREA, AND CHEST WERE SORE. CURRENTLY VEHICLE PARKED IN CONSUMER'S DRIVEWAY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10087151

Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2002
Seats

A BROKEN BOLT ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK ANCHOR CAUSED SEAT TO MOVE WHILE DRIVING. DEALER / MANFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003791

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2000
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingParking Brake

THE VEHICLE MAKES A HUMMING SOUND AND INCREASES AS IT ACCELERATES DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION OIL PUMP AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. YH

NHTSA ODI #552886

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2000
Seats

THE BRACKET SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BRACKET REINFORCED AND RE-WELDED. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO VEHICLES THIS NEW. ALSO, NONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ARE OVER WEIGHT. THESE SEATS S…

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THE BRACKET SECURING THE DRIVER'S SEAT BROKE. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 3 OTHER PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. EACH HAS HAD TO HAVE THE BRACKET REINFORCED AND RE-WELDED. I DO NOT THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE HAPPENING TO VEHICLES THIS NEW. ALSO, NONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM ARE OVER WEIGHT. THESE SEATS SHOULD NOT BE BREAKING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #724391

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 1999
Seats

DRIVER'S SEAT BRACKETS WERE LOOSENING FROM THE ANCHOR FRAME. THIS CAUSED THE SEAT TO BE LOOSE/WOBBLY WHENEVER MAKING TURNS. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED NOT A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE PROBLEM OF THE SEAT IS STEADILY GETTING WORSE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #843676

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 1997
Seats

REAR SEAT LATCH FAILED.

NHTSA ODI #603551

Mileage unknown · Feb 12, 1997
Seats

SEAT FRAME FAILED TWICE.

NHTSA ODI #602820

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.

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.

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

7

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

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