IllustrationWINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY DUE TO CRACKS WITHIN SOLDER JOINT. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 98V150001 DUE TO VIN. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A BUZZING NOISE WHEN TURNED ON. *SLC
1996 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: 15 of 172 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 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Visibility. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports
Visibility complaints
26 reportsSOLDER JOINTS NEAR THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR HAVE CRACKED CAUSING WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED IN RECALLS 98V150001 OR 98V057000 FUEL THROTTLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO ANAHEIM HILLS GMC UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY WIPERS WORKING INTERMITENTLY OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE WIPERS ONLY FAILED TO OPERATE ONCE FOR ME AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE WIPERS WERE WORKING FINE THAT DAY THEY TESTED AND THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO ANAHEIM HILLS GMC UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY AND TOLD THEM ABOUT MY WIPERS WORKING INTERMITENTLY OR NOT WORKING AT ALL. THE WIPERS ONLY FAILED TO OPERATE ONCE FOR ME AT THIS TIME. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THE WIPERS WERE WORKING FINE THAT DAY THEY TESTED AND THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY VIN WASN'T LISTED ON THE RECALL. IT'S BEEN ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND THE PROBLEM HAS INCREASED IN SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY. I CAN'T SEE OUT OF MY WINDSHIELD MANY TIMES AND HAVE TO PULL OVER TO CLEAN IT MANUALLY. SOMETIMES THE WIPERS DON'T STOP WORKING EVEN IN THE OFF POSITION SO MY WIPER BLADES ARE GETTING TORE UP ON A DRY WINDSHIELD. THE WASHER FEATURE ONLY WORKS 10% OF THE TIME. I AM HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THAT THE CAMPAIGN RECALL COVERS. I AM TOLD BY GMC CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF THE RECALL NOT INCLUDING MY VIN #. BOLOGNA, NHTSA HAS BETTER SOURCES OF TRACKING THIS AND THEY SAY THAT APPROX. 1,557,583 VEHICLES ARE AFFECTED. GMC TELLS ME ABOUT 100,000 VIN'S ARE AFFECTED. THESE #'S AREN'T EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. INJURIES OR DEATHS ARE POSSIBLE FROM POOR VISION IN A RAIN OR SNOW CONDITION.LET'S NOT HAVE ANOTHER FIRESTONE SITUATION ON OUR HANDS. GMC MUST STEP UP TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY AND TAKE CARE OF THE CONSUMER IN THIS SAFETY ISSUE.
REPAIR IS NOT COVERED UNDER MFG CAMPAIGN #98043. VEHICLE MFG DATE IS 7/96. *AK
CRACKED HOSES AND PIN HOLE IN HEATER HOSE(CAUSING CORROSION FROM A LEAK). *SLC
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING THE VIEW OF THE DRIVER. A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED ON THE VEHICLE'S MAKE AND MODEL; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO THE VIN. DEALER HAS REPAIRED WINDSHIELD WIPERS AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE.*AK
WHEN WE FIRST TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE "GRABBING" VERY ABNORMALLY AND WE COMMENTED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A BAD PROBLEM TO THE SALESMAN THAT WAS WITH US, ALSO WE HAD NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE FIXED AND THAT T…
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WHEN WE FIRST TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE WE NOTICED THAT THE BRAKES WERE "GRABBING" VERY ABNORMALLY AND WE COMMENTED THAT THE BRAKES HAD A BAD PROBLEM TO THE SALESMAN THAT WAS WITH US, ALSO WE HAD NOTICED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER DID NOT WORK PROPERLY ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BE FIXED AND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD BE FIXED. THE DEALER SAID THAT THEY HAD TURNED THE ROTORS ON BOTH FRONT AND BACK BRAKES AND HAD REPAIRED THE WIPER. AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BRAKES WERE BETTER BUT THEY WERE NOT FIXED. WHEN YOU WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AT ANY TIME IT WOULD SHIMMY, BUCK AND JUMP. IF YOU HAD TO MAKE A SUDDEN STOP IT WOULD JUMP MANY TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I DON'T MEAN THAT THE FOOT PEDAL WOULD JUMP, I MEAN THAT THE VEHICLE ITSELF WOULD SHIMMY AND JUMP. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO ANOTHER GMC DEALER - GWATNEY GMC- TO HAVE THEM WORK ON THE BRAKES AND THEY AT FIRST THOUGHT THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TURNING AGAIN. AFTER THEY TURNED THEM THE VEHICLE STILL RESPONDED IN THE SAME MANNER. THEY NOW SAY THAT THE ANTI-LOCK SENSOR IS BAD ON THE RIGHT SIDE, (A $500.00 COMPONENT). I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE INDICATOR ON THE DASH NEVER GAVE ME A WARNING THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD ANY REPORTS SIMILAR TO THIS PROBLEM FOR THE GMC BRAKING SYSTEM, MALFUNCTIONING OF INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD OR IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS. MY DAUGHTER-IN-LAW HAS TOLD ME THAT SHE THOUGHT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ON GMC LIGHT TRUCKS FOR THE YEARS 1993 THRU 1997. I KNOW SOMEONE IN A 1996 GMC JIMMY THAT WAS IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WHERE HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HER BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IN THIS ACCIDENT. IT'S A MIRACLE THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO KEEP HER LEG WHICH WAS MANGLED, BROKEN IN SEVERAL PLACES AND CUT UP FROM THIS ACCIDENT.THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ABOUT 96% OF THE TIME.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER NEEDED TO REPLACE MOTOR AND CIRCUIT BOARD. ALSO, WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT DRIVER'S SEAT SLID FORWARD OR BACKWARD. SEAT WOBBLED IN THE TRACKS. DEALER REPLACED DRIVER'S SIDE S…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY IN A HEAVY RAINSTORM WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER SAID THAT CONSUMER NEEDED TO REPLACE MOTOR AND CIRCUIT BOARD. ALSO, WHEN PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT DRIVER'S SEAT SLID FORWARD OR BACKWARD. SEAT WOBBLED IN THE TRACKS. DEALER REPLACED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT TRACK. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL QUIT WORKING DURING OPERATION, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY DUE TO CIRCUIT BOARD FAILURE. *AK
INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF OPERATION, AND SOMETIMES THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WILL NOT COME ON AT ALL. THE PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
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
5EA02006 · 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.
PE00017 · Headlight
Opened Apr 11, 2000 · Closed Sep 26, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting
BASED ON THE REPORTS RECEIVED BY ODI FROM CONSUMERS, FAILURE OF THE HEADLIGHT ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MAY OCCUR IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, AND MAY RESULT FROM REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OFTHE TILT STEERING WHEEL IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.REPEATED ADJUSTMENT OF THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION MAY STRAIN THE WIRING IN THE HEADLIGHT CIRCUIT TO THE POINT OF FAILURE WHERE THEY ARE ATTACHED TO THE MULTI-FUNCTION SWITCH, RESULTING IN THE UNANTICIPATED LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.ODI HAS CONCERNS REGARDING THE HIGH RATE OF WARRANTY REPAIRS FOR PROBLEMS POTENTIALLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES, WITH THE RECOGNITION THE EACH INCIDENT OF HEADLIGHT FAILURE REPRESENTS A CONDITION OF VEHICLE DISABLEMENT.IN ADDITION, THE MANUFACTURER'S EVALUATION OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN RECEIVED, AND THIS OFFICE HAS INTEREST IN THE DETAILS OF THE METHODOLOGIES AND RESULTS OF THAT ASSESSMENT.
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
PE99073 · Battery Leaks Acid
Opened Dec 3, 1999 · Closed May 2, 2000
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System
ODI HAS RECEIVED 21 COMPLAINTS WHERE OWNERS ALLEGE THAT THE STANDARD GM FACTORY SUPPLIED AC DELCO BATTERY CASE FAILED, RESULTING IN THE LEAKAGE OF SULFURIC ACID.OF THE 21 COMPLAINT VEHICLES, SIX SUBURBAN, THREE TAHOES, AND ONE YUKON OWNER(S) COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID FROM DETERIORATION OF THE RIGHT FRONTBRAKE LINE AS A RESULT OF SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION.THE REMAINING 11 COMPLAINTS PERTAIN PRIMARILY TO SULFURIC ACID LEAKAGE FROM THE BATTERY CASE.AT LEAST ONE COMPLAINANT STATED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BATTERY ALSO FAILED.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS NOTE THAT THE LEAKING ACID HAD COME IN CONTACT WITH A WIRE HARNESS AT THE FRAME IN THE VICINITY OF THE STEEL BRAKE LINE.A FIELD INSPECTION BY ODI INDICATES THAT THE DESCRIBED HARNESS IS THE ABS CONNECTION TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.PRIOR TO THE BATTERY CASE FAILURE, THERE IS USUALLY NO WARNING (SHORT OF AN UNDERHOOD INSPECTION), AND THE ENSURING DAMAGE (SULFURIC ACID CONTAMINATION) IS PROGRESSIVE.OF THE KNOWN BATTERY FAILURES, THERE MAY BE A TEMPERATURE CORRELATION, AS 60% OF THE OWNER COMPLAINTS CAME FROM FOUR STATES; CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA AND TEXAS.THERE IS ALSO A PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM AND ENGINEERING CHANGE NOTICE TO ADD 1% SILVER TO THE BATTERY'S POSITIVE SIDE TERMINALL, WITH THE EARLIEST IMPLEMENTATION DATE FOR THIS BEING FEB 2, 1998.THE EFFECT OF THIS DESIGN CHANGE IS AS YET UNKNOWN; FURTHER REVIEW IS WARRANTED.AN EA IS BEING OPENED TO GATHER FURTHER APPROPRIATE INFORMATION, CLARIFY ANY DEFECT TRENDS, AND TO ASSESS THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS AND RISKS CONCERNING THESE FAILURES.
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