Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1987 Chevrolet Suburban
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
628.6%
Tires
314.3%
Fuel & Propulsion
314.3%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Electrical System
29.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Engine & Cooling
29.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Other & Unspecified
14.8%
Seats
14.8%
Wheels
14.8%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 1995peak 2May 2007
Recalls on the 1987 Chevrolet Suburban
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 1995096227 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles, the service-part fuel tanks may have one or more pairs of the six projection welds which attach the sender-unit ring to the tank that do not meet specification. These out of specification welds may fracture during sender unit installation resulting in fuel leakage and a possible vehicle fire. Note: recall covers 1975-1986 chevrolet/gmc c/k pickup and chassis cab trucks and 1987-1991 chevrolet/gmc r/v pickup and chassis cab trucks. Correction: vehicles with fractured sender ring weld pairs will have a new fuel tank installed.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Myrtle Beach, NCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1987 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SAW SMOKE, PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *MC (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB A VEHICLE QUESTIONAIRE WAS MAILED TO CUSTOMER TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10190063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL1 injured
WHEELS:HUB
WHILE IN MOTION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. THE OFFICER REPORTING LISTED THIS AS EQUIPMENT FAILURE BECAUSE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE'S RIM WAS STILL ATTACHED. IT HAD SHEARED OFF THE HUB. THE STUDS HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE HUB ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE AND RIM TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #567671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ludington, MIFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTED FROM USE OF CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #517302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jasper, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRYING TO START THE AUTO, IT MADE A VERY HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AUTO CAUGHT A FIRE AND BURNED, NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #985361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrollton, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO GAS LEAK IN FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #501834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Myrtle Beach, NCFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1987 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY SAW SMOKE, PULLED OVER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *MC (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) *JB A VEHICLE QUESTIONAIRE WAS MAILED TO CUSTOMER TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THE COMPLAINT.
NHTSA complaint #10190063 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chicago, IL1 injured
WHEELS:HUB
WHILE IN MOTION, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE SUSTAINED DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL. THE OFFICER REPORTING LISTED THIS AS EQUIPMENT FAILURE BECAUSE THE RIGHT REAR TIRE'S RIM WAS STILL ATTACHED. IT HAD SHEARED OFF THE HUB. THE STUDS HAD BROKEN OFF OF THE HUB ASSEMBLY WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE AND RIM TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #567671 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcmurray, PA
TIRES
I BOUGHT 2 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HTS IN JULY 2000 FOR OUR SUV. I FOUND A TWO INCH TEAR IN ONE AFTER 2,500 MILES, ABOUT 800 OF WHICH WAS SUSTAINED HIGHWAY DRIVING DURING A HOT JULY. THERE WAS NO BRUISING AROUND THE TEAR AND IT LOOKED CLEAN INSIDE, BUT FIRESTONE COMPANY TIRE STORE WHERE I BOUGHT IT SAID I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY. I PURCHASED TWO REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM A MORE HONORABLE COMPANY ON SEPT. 1. I WOULD LIKE FIRESTONE TO REFUND MY MONEY AND I WILL HAPPILY GIVE THEM THEIR DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE TIRES BACK.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235R7515 )
NHTSA complaint #730193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcmurray, PA
TIRES
I BOUGHT 2 FIRESTONE WILDERNESS HTS IN JULY 2000 FOR OUR SUV. I FOUND A TWO INCH TEAR IN ONE AFTER 2,500 MILES, ABOUT 800 OF WHICH WAS SUSTAINED HIGHWAY DRIVING DURING A HOT JULY. THERE WAS NO BRUISING AROUND THE TEAR AND IT LOOKED CLEAN INSIDE, BUT FIRESTONE COMPANY TIRE STORE WHERE I BOUGHT IT SAID I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING AND REFUSED TO REFUND MY MONEY. I PURCHASED TWO REPLACEMENT TIRES FROM A MORE HONORABLE COMPANY ON SEPT. 1. I WOULD LIKE FIRESTONE TO REFUND MY MONEY AND I WILL HAPPILY GIVE THEM THEIR DANGEROUS AND DEFECTIVE TIRES BACK.*AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 235R7515 )
NHTSA complaint #730193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alden, NY
TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE
SUNDAY, JUNE 11, 2000 - TRUCK PARKED IN PARKING LOT THE THE SURFSIDE MOTEL, POINT PLEASANT, NJ WITH ALL WINDOWS OPENED APPROX. 1". SPARE TIRE IN TIRE WELL IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. TEMP OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT 90. *AK( DOT NUMBER: VDORCRA TIRE SIZE: 235/85/R16 )
NHTSA complaint #726824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Turnersville, NJ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #711125 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean Side, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN HAD STOPPED WORKING ABOUT SEVEN TIMES WITHOUT A WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #856656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalispell, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VACUUM TO APPLY BRAKES. THEREFORE WAS FORCED INTO THE INTERSECTION, PUT IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER CHIP.
NHTSA complaint #850006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalispell, MT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
WHILE DRIVING CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH VACUUM TO APPLY BRAKES. THEREFORE WAS FORCED INTO THE INTERSECTION, PUT IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP. HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE BY THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS IN THE COMPUTER CHIP.
NHTSA complaint #850006 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING SYSTEM HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT DURING THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. MORE OR LESS PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES CAUSES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, ESPECIALLY DURING EMERGENCY STOPPING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND CANNOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #833823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hellam, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:HYDRAULIC:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
BRAKE LINE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #529543 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ludington, MIFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION RESULTED FROM USE OF CRUISE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #517302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stony Cree, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK MOUNTED OUTSIDE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #516278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Central Point, OR
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHIILE DRIVING DOWN ON FREEWAY CONSUMER LOST POWER OF REAR WHEELS- AND COULD NOT RE ENGAGE- CAUSING A NEAR AUTO ACCIDENT FROM THE REAR.
NHTSA complaint #809985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #601978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Long Island, NY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
WATER PUMP FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #601978 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jasper, GAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
WHILE TRYING TO START THE AUTO, IT MADE A VERY HIGH PITCHED NOISE AND SMOKE BEGAN TO COME FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AUTO CAUGHT A FIRE AND BURNED, NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #985361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dublin, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM
REAR BRAKES ARE LOCKING UP WHEN APPLYING BRAKES EVEN AT A SLOW SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #984416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrollton, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO GAS LEAK IN FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #501834 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Diego, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
THERE IS A BROKEN BAFFLE IN THE FUEL TANK. PLEASE EXPLAIN. TT
NHTSA complaint #966234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vacville, CA
SEATS
DRIVERS SEAT FRAME COLLAPSED, CAUSING SEATBACK TO FALL BACKWARDS. REPAIRED TWICE. TT
NHTSA complaint #960862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.