IllustrationBAFFLE IN THE GAS TANK FLOATING AROUND FREELY INSIDE OF GAS TANK. BAFFLE HAS KNOCKED SOME PIECES LOOSE INSIDE FUEL TANK. VEHICLE IS NOT RUNNING PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION. *AK
1987 GMC Suburban
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
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: 0 of 8 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.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Seat Belts. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports
What owners actually said
8 reportsTHE 1987 GMC SUBURBAN, LICENSE #BVW 5641WAS BEING DRIVEN ON I-40 AT 65 MPH. THE CRASH TOOK PLACE JUST SOUTH OF THE 138 EXIT, NEAR GREENSBORO.THE CRASH WAS INVESTIGATED BY TROOPER GLENN M. POWELL, MASTER TROOPER, TROOP D, DISTRICT 2, GILFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL, 650 FRANCIS STREET, HIGH POINT, NC 27263. OFFICE: …
Read full complaint
THE 1987 GMC SUBURBAN, LICENSE #BVW 5641WAS BEING DRIVEN ON I-40 AT 65 MPH. THE CRASH TOOK PLACE JUST SOUTH OF THE 138 EXIT, NEAR GREENSBORO.THE CRASH WAS INVESTIGATED BY TROOPER GLENN M. POWELL, MASTER TROOPER, TROOP D, DISTRICT 2, GILFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY PATROL, 650 FRANCIS STREET, HIGH POINT, NC 27263. OFFICE: 336-883-6155 COMMUNICATIONS 1-800-445-8621. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 22417 UR B TIRESIZE: 31X10.50R)
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED, CAUSING FLUID TO SPRAY ALL OVER ENGINE MANIFOLD & THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WHICH RESULTED IN VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
VEHICLE'S DRIVER'S SIDE RESTRAINTS ARE INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE RESTRAINT BELT IS PLACED INTO THE BUCKLE IT COMES OUT. *AK
SUSPENSION; REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE SWAY AND LEAN. *AK
DRIVING HOME ON FREEWAY APPROXIMATELY 65MPH SMELLED GAS, PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT WAS HAPPENING, BY TIME GOT OUT AND POPPED THE HOOD THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. FIRE DEPT . SAID CAUSE OF FIRE WAS THE FUEL SYSTEM, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK
THE REGULAR BRAKES ON THE TRUCK DO NOT DO WELL. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH BRAKING THERE. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
FUEL TANK FAILURE. TT
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
3EA92022 · Seat Back Bolt Breakage
Opened Jun 24, 1992 · Closed Nov 19, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seats
There is no summary currently available
PE91020 · Fuel Tank Baffle/stalls
Opened Nov 30, 1990 · Closed Apr 30, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages
There is no summary currently available
PE90026 · Improper Speed Control
Opened Dec 12, 1989 · Closed Apr 9, 1990
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment
There is no summary currently available