Illustration1996 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
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.
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: 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
Visibility complaints
42 reportsRECALL 03V159 000 CONCERNING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR: WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY OR NOT AT ALL DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL BACK IN 1999. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE WIPERS ONLY WORK SOMETIMES. *TC *JB
1996 CHEVY SUBURBAN WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. OCCURED SUDDENLY IN A DOWNPOUR ON A MOUTAIN HIGHWAY, NEAR COLLISIONS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. UPON HAVING THE MOTOR REPLACED, I FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS EFFECTED FOR THIS ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN. I WISH I HAD KNOW, I WOULD…
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1996 CHEVY SUBURBAN WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. OCCURED SUDDENLY IN A DOWNPOUR ON A MOUTAIN HIGHWAY, NEAR COLLISIONS TRYING TO NEGOTIATE TRAFFIC AND FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. UPON HAVING THE MOTOR REPLACED, I FOUND THAT A RECALL WAS EFFECTED FOR THIS ISSUE THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN. I WISH I HAD KNOW, I WOULD HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE ANYWAY. CONCERENED ABOUT THE OTHER VEHICLES OUT THERE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE WINDSHIELD WIPER INADVERTENTLY CUTS OFF, CAUSING LOW VISIBILITY. TS
CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL 98 V 151 001, WIPER WORK INTERMITTED, NOW REALLY STOPPING A LOT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
NHTSA RECALL 98V150001 VISUAL SYSTEMS WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER; WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INTERMITTENT. THIS TRUCK IS NOT WITHIN THE RECALL SCOPE. *MR OCCASSIONALLY THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME JERKY AND MOVE SLOW. CONSUMER HAS FOUND THAT TAPPING THE WIPER MOTOR CAUSES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO WORK. *JG
PREVIOUS RECALL ONLY COVERED VEHICLES MANUFACTURED UNTIL 05/96. MINE WAS MANUFACTURED 06/96 AND DEALER (DADELAND CHEVROLET) WILL NOT ACCEPT RECALL REPAIR. WINDSHIELD WIPER FAILURE IS INTERMITTENT, JUST AS IN EXISTING RECALL FOR VEHICLE A FEW WEEKS OLDER THAN MINE.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, THE CONSUMER WIPERS ARE EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS OF RECALL 98V-150001 YET THE VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK *NLM
WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR KEEPS GOING OUT. THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK *YH
THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, AT TIMES WHEN CONSUMER WENT TO TURN THE WIPERS OFF, THEY REMAINED ON. *AK *JB
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.
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
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