IllustrationFIRST FAILURE OCCURRED AT 6:30 AM MILE MARKER 57 I-95 NORTH, SC, UP ON TWO WHEELS ALMOST ROLLOVER - SCARED THE H_LL OUT OF US. SECOND AT 3:15PM I-95 NORTH MILE MARKER 23 I-295 NORTH, VA. CHANGED ALL FOUR TO GOODYEAR. *AK (TIRESIZE: LT24575R16)
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
What owners actually said
172 reportsBRAKES BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO AVOID A COLLISION WITH STOPPED TRAFFIC. POWER ASSIST WAS REPLACED AND BRAKES ARE OPERATING FINE. LEARNED THROUGH AUTO PARTS SUPPLIER AND DEALERSHIP THAT THIS FAILURE ON THE SUBURBAN HAS BEEN VERY COMMON.*AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE PASSING A SEMI IN A RAINSTORM. WE NEARLY CRASHED. CARS WERE GOING EVERYWHERE TO GET OUT OF MY WAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE. UPON RETURN HOME I CHECKED NHTSA'S WEB SITE AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON SUBURBAN WIPERS 3 YEARS AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY WIFE BOUGH…
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WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED WHILE PASSING A SEMI IN A RAINSTORM. WE NEARLY CRASHED. CARS WERE GOING EVERYWHERE TO GET OUT OF MY WAY BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE. UPON RETURN HOME I CHECKED NHTSA'S WEB SITE AND FOUND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL ON SUBURBAN WIPERS 3 YEARS AGO. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER. MY WIFE BOUGHT A USED 1996 BLAZER AND WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE WIPERS ON THAT VEHICLE. I NEVER CONNECTED THE TWO UNTIL WE NEARLY CRASHED. IT'S HAPPENED ONCE SINCE. I'M CALLING MY DEALER TODAY FOR AN APPOINTMENT. IT UPSETS ME THAT MY WIFE AND GRANDCHILDREN FLIRTED WITH INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE WE WEREN'T NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM. *AK
TRUCK PULLS WHEN BRAKING. TBS FIX IMPLEMENTED WITH LITTLE TO NO IMPROVEMENT. LAST TIME AT DEALER, DEALER SAID GMC HAS PROBLEM WITH 3/4TON SUBURBAN BRAKES BUT DOESN'T HAVE FIX. NOTHING HE CAN DO. TRUCK HAS HAD COMBINATION VALVE REPLACED, REAR SHOES REPLACED, FRONT PADS REPLACED (5X TOTAL), CALIPERS REPLACED, ROTORS REPLACED, …
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TRUCK PULLS WHEN BRAKING. TBS FIX IMPLEMENTED WITH LITTLE TO NO IMPROVEMENT. LAST TIME AT DEALER, DEALER SAID GMC HAS PROBLEM WITH 3/4TON SUBURBAN BRAKES BUT DOESN'T HAVE FIX. NOTHING HE CAN DO. TRUCK HAS HAD COMBINATION VALVE REPLACED, REAR SHOES REPLACED, FRONT PADS REPLACED (5X TOTAL), CALIPERS REPLACED, ROTORS REPLACED, TIE RODS REPLACED, IDLE ARM REPLACED, STEERING BOX AND PITMAN ARM REPLACED, FRONT BRAKE HOSES REPLACED, CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS REPLACED, AND ALIGNED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO FIX TO THE PROBLEM. BRAKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH WAY THE VEHICLE WILL GO AND HOW HARD IT WILL TRY TO GET THERE. AS AN ENGINE DESIGNER I FIND IT AMAZING THAT GM HAS A HANDLING/SAFETY ISSUE OF THIS MAGNITUDE. THIS IS A BIG TRUCK TO HAVE SUCH A CONTROLABILITY PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP. A SHAULL
98 V 150 00/WINDSHIELD WIPER WIRING: WIPERS TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY, CAN RESULT IN INOPERATIVE WIPERS , REDUCING A DRIVER'S VISIBILITY AND INCREASING RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. DEALER/MFR'S WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
WHEN APPLYING ABS BRAKES PEDAL BECOMES EXTREMELY SOFT AND NEARLY GOES TO FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED. BUT HAS NOT CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
WINDSHIELD WIPERS INTERMITTENTLY BECOME INOPERABLE DUE TO PROBLEM WITH SOLDER JOINTS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
WINDSHIELD 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
EA00013. BATTERY LEAKED ACID AND CORRODED MAIN BATTERY CABLE. *AK
ROTORS WARPED, NEED TO BE TURNED EVERY 5,000 - 7,000 MILES. *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