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1996 GMC Suburban

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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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

What owners actually said

172 reports
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP FAILED, UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNIT MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE INSULATION WAS BURNED ON THE WIRING INSIDE OF THE TANK. WE HAVE HAD THIS NONE FUNCTIONING FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT COMPLETELY QUIT AND WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT AMP DRAW ENOUGH TO MELT BACK WIRE INSUALTI…

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FUEL PUMP FAILED, UPON INSPECTION OF THE UNIT MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE INSULATION WAS BURNED ON THE WIRING INSIDE OF THE TANK. WE HAVE HAD THIS NONE FUNCTIONING FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT COMPLETELY QUIT AND WOULD NOT START. IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT AMP DRAW ENOUGH TO MELT BACK WIRE INSUALTION INSDE THE FUEL TANK SHOULD BE FUSE PROTECTED! LAST TIME THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START THE DEALERSHIP WE USE IN CLINTON MO ( RAYSICK GMC, CLINTON MO) TOWED THE TRUCK IN AND ONCE INSIDE IT STARTED. BUT THE TRUCK HAS LEFT US STRANDED NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707772

Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 1999
Visibility

WINSHIELD WIPER FAILED, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *YC

NHTSA ODI #546263

Mileage unknown · Jun 10, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

HYDRAULIC BOOSTER FAILED, TOGETHER WITH CONSTANT POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE FOR 3 YRS. REPLACEMENT PART IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND AND OVER $800! GM CONTACTED BUT WOULD OFFER NO ASSISTANCE, EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707408

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE DIES. WHEN TAKEN TO A CHEVROLET DEALERSHIP THE FUEL INJECTION PUMP WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. GM DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE GM DEALER 4 TIMES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836142

Mileage unknown · Apr 22, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

CONSUMER HAS NOTICED LEAKING OF BEARINGS AND ALL 8 SEALS. ALSO WHEN DRIVING OF GRAVEL SURFACES AND APPLYING BRAKES, THE VEHICLE EXCEEDS THE NORMAL STOPPING DISTANCE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #837002

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 1999
Suspension

I'VE OWNED MY GMC SUBURBAN LESS THAN TWO YEARS AND HAVE HAD TWO SETS OF BRAKE PADS PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES STILL DO NOT ACT PROPERLY. THE LAST SET OF REAR BRAKESPADS WAS DUE TO THE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKING FLUID ALL OVER THEM. LAST WEEK THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING UPON STOPPING AND THEY WERE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNE…

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I'VE OWNED MY GMC SUBURBAN LESS THAN TWO YEARS AND HAVE HAD TWO SETS OF BRAKE PADS PUT ON THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES STILL DO NOT ACT PROPERLY. THE LAST SET OF REAR BRAKESPADS WAS DUE TO THE REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKING FLUID ALL OVER THEM. LAST WEEK THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED VIBRATING UPON STOPPING AND THEY WERE REPLACED. I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL VEHICLES AND I'VE NEVER HAD THIS MUCH TROUBLE OUT OF BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI #705544

Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WHILE GOING AT ANY SPEED/ AN ANY OCCASION, AND IN ANY WEATHER. REDUCED FUEL CONSUMPTION EFFICIENCY. DEALER CAN'T DUPLICATE PROBLEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #835442

Mileage unknown · Feb 5, 1999
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING VEHICLE WILL PULL TO THE LEFT SEVERELY WHICH MAY CAUSE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. DEALER REPLACED REAR BRAKES AND FRONT BRAKE PADS, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. GM SAYS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #834516

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 1999
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. WIPERS WORK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN STOP FOR VARYING PERIODS OF TIME. SOME DAYS THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL. LOCAL DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE WIPERS. GMC HOME OFFICE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150000, SINCE MY VEHICLE…

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WINDSHIELD WIPERS FUNCTION INTERMITTENTLY. WIPERS WORK FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN STOP FOR VARYING PERIODS OF TIME. SOME DAYS THEY DON'T WORK AT ALL. LOCAL DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF ANY RECALLS REGARDING THE WIPERS. GMC HOME OFFICE STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 98V150000, SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS ASSEMBLED AT A DIFFERENT PLANT THAN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE WIPERS DON'T WORK RELIABLY ENOUGH TO TRAVEL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. SUDDEN RAINSTORMS CAN CAUSE LOSS OF FORWARD VISIBILITY FOR EXTENDED PERIODS OF TIME. MAJOR ACCIDENTS HAVE BEEN AVERTED SO FAR, BUT IT IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. THANKS.

NHTSA ODI #700026

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 1998
Visibility

RECALL COMPONENT WIPER MOTOR CIRCUIT BOARD PULSE MODULE FAILED, CONSUMER UNABLE TO RECEIVE RECALL WORK AND HAD TO PURCHASE PART.

NHTSA ODI #543147

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

5

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.

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