IllustrationTHE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES VEHICLE SKIDS. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
1997 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: 30 of 200 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 57 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
15 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
57 reportsLEFT REAR BRAKE SELF-ADJUSTER INOPERABLE FROM THE FACTORY. INADEQUATE REAR BRAKING CAUSED PREMATURE BRAKE SYSTEM WEAR AND FAILURE INCLUDING ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR.
LEFT REAR BRAKE SELF-ADJUSTER INOPERABLE FROM THE FACTORY. INADEQUATE REAR BRAKING CAUSED PREMATURE BRAKE SYSTEM WEAR AND FAILURE INCLUDING FRONT DISC PADS, WARPED FRONT DISC ROTOR, WORN REAR BRAKE DRUMS AND SHOES, AND ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE REFUSED TO HONOR WARRANTY SERVICE OR SAFETY RELATED DEFECT.
REAR SELF ADJUSTER INOPERABLE FROM FACTORY, CAUSING PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR AND COMPONENT FAILURE.
WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT. OWNER HAS HAD THE PASSENGER'S SIDE BRAKE ROTORS , AND THE MASTER CYLINDER REPLACED TWICE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
BRAKES FAIL CONTINUALLY CAUSING LOSS TO STOPPING DISTANCE CONTROL, PULSATION AND PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO RECTIFY.
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; ON DRY ROAD CONDTIONS WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR VEHICLE BEING TOWED BEHIND, THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE WILL LOCK UP. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG 0F 97. DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *…
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ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; ON DRY ROAD CONDTIONS WHEN HITTING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE PULLS THE VEHICLE TO THE LEFT. WHEN THE ROAD IS WET OR VEHICLE BEING TOWED BEHIND, THE FRONT LEFT BRAKE WILL LOCK UP. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 5 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUG 0F 97. DEALER IS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK
VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES , WENT TO DEALER, REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER THIS REPAIR, DEFECT WAS STILL OCCURRING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REARENED A ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX 40-45 MPH. ,BRAKES COMPLETLEY FAILE. ,NO ABS WARNING LIGHT. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR …
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VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT WHEN APPLYING BRAKES , WENT TO DEALER, REPLACED BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER. AFTER THIS REPAIR, DEFECT WAS STILL OCCURRING WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO REARENED A ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROX 40-45 MPH. ,BRAKES COMPLETLEY FAILE. ,NO ABS WARNING LIGHT. DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
ABS BRAKES FAILED, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN A CRASH/INJURIES. DEALER ALSO REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER. *AK
ABS BRAKE PROBLEMS; ON DRY ROAD CONDITIONS, APPLYING THE BRAKES IN A NORMAL MANNER, AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. DRIVER USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. CONTINUED HOME USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES. THE ABS CONTROL UNIT WAS LEAKING AND WAS REPLACED ON 11/17/97, ALONG WITH THE MASTER CYLINDER. *AK *SLC
Official recalls
203V159000 · 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.
03V093000 · Visibility:rearview Mirrors/devices:exterior
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, MINI VANS, AND PICKUP TRUCKS MAY DEVELOP A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN, IT COULD RESULT IN AN INOPERATIVE SWITCH, HEAT DAMAGE TO THE DRIVER'S DOOR, AND/OR IGNITION OF COMPONENTS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND A SUBSEQUENT VEHICLE FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUSED JUMPER HARNESS TO THE ELECTRIC OUTSIDE REARVIEW MIRROR SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 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 OR GMC AT 1-800-462-8782.
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.
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.
PE98060 · Erratic Steering Boost While Driving
Opened Nov 13, 1998 · Closed May 12, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
ALLEGED THAT THE VARIABLE EFFORT STEERING UNIT INTERMITTENTLY PROVIDES FULL BOOST TOT HE POWER STEERING GEAR AT MODERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS.
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