Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 1988 Chevrolet Suburban
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Tires
925.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 84,571 mi
Seats
411.4%
Median failure at 118,049 miles
Brakes
411.4%
Fuel & Propulsion
38.6%
Body & Structure
38.6%
Transmission & Drivetrain
38.6%
Seat Belts
25.7%
Engine & Cooling
25.7%
Equipment & Accessories
12.9%
Wheels
12.9%
1 crashes, 0 fires
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
12.9%
Acceleration & Cruise Control
12.9%
Steering
12.9%
Median failure at 223,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
75,000 – 99,999 miles
233.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
350.0%
150,000+ miles
116.7%
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 4May 2017
Recalls on the 1988 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.
United States — NHTSA
06E043000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT FUEL FILTERS, FRAM BRAND NAME P/N G3727, WITH DATE CODES X52911 THROUGH X60801 SEQUENTIALLY OR X600141 AND A MEXICO COUNTRY OR ORIGIN MARKING ON THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 18, 2005, THROUGH MARCH 21, 2006, SOLD FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE AND ON CERTAIN SCHOOL BUSES. (TO SEE THE SCHOOL BUS ENGINE SIZES, CLICK ON "DOCUMENT SEARCH" AND THEN "BUS APPLICATIONS"). THE CONNECTOR ON THE FUEL FILTER WAS NOT MANUFACTURED TO HONEYWELL'S SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, THE O-RING MAY NOT SEAT CORRECTLY ON THE FUEL LINE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY CAUSE AN INADEQUATE SEAL AT THE CONNECTION, POTENTIALLY LEADING TO A FUEL LEAK. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
93V119000
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERE CORROSION DUE TO ROAD SALT AT THE JOINT OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER SECTION AND THE CAST OUTER SECTION CAN CAUSE THE SECTIONS TO SEPARATE.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE ROTOR SECTIONS CAN CAUSE LOSS OFBRAKING ABILITY IN THE AFFECTED WHEEL. THIS COULD RESULT IN INCREASED STOPPINGDISTANCE AND/OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
93V016000
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
UNANTICIPATED HEAT IN THE TRANSMISSION CAN FORCE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID OUT OF THE VENT TUBE.
Risk: THE VENTED TRANSMISSION FLUID CAN CATCH FIRE IF EXPOSEDTO A SOURCE OF IGNITION.
89V010000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVERS SEAT AND/OR SHOULDER BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT OPERATE.
Risk: IN A CRASH, AFFECTED BELTS WOULD NOT LOCK, THEREBYINCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
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.
Recall 199314111,850 units in Canada
Powertrain
NOTE: R/V SUBURBAN TRUCKS - 2 WHEEL AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. VEHICLES MAY DEVELOP AN ABNORMAL PRESSURE BUILD-UP IN THE TRANSMISSION WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF TRANSMISSION FLUID COMING OUT OF THE FILLER TUBE ONTO HOT ENGINE PARTS RESULTING IN A POSSIBLE VEHICLE FIRE. CORRECTION: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A NEW DIPSTICK WITH A LOCK-SEAL TOP, NEW OWNER MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, GRAPHICS FOR CHECKING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL AND UPDATED INFORMATION ON TOWING WITH AN OVERDRIVE EQUIPPED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Waco, TXCrash4 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, HEARD A THUMP, THUMP NOISE & THEN VEHICLE GAVE A JERK. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED TIRES. NOTICED LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN & TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. THEY WERE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 31X10.50R15. THEY WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES, AND NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHICH BLEW OUT AT 6,000 MILES. CHANGED TIRE & DROVE TO TIRE SHOP. HAD IT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. *AK TWO DAYS LATER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER CAUSING THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #866624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coal Township, PACrash
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LUG BOLTS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OFF/ACCIDENT. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
NHTSA complaint #506698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 120,000 milesSAN Diego, CA
TIRES
BRIDGESTONE TIRE RUPTURE: PLY SEPARATION, ON FREEWAY, NO WARNING, AT 35000 MILES WITH LOTS OF TREADLIFE REMAINING. I CAN PROVIDE PHOTOS OF DAMAGED TIRE ON REQUEST. ALL PLIES OF TIRE COMPLETELY SEPARATED, THEY WERE NEVER BONDED TOGETHER PROPERLY. TIRE IS BRIDGESTONE M773 SWP II, SIZE 235-85-16.
NHTSA complaint #10983839 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 223,000 milesArlington, WA
STEERING
IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE P/S GEARBOX WAS SEPARATING FROM ITS MOUNT ON THE VEHICLE FRAME AS THE STEERING WHEEL WAS MOVED. THE STEERING BECAME LOOSER. IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE U-CHANNEL FRAME WAS CRACKED OUT IN THE AREAS OF 3 OF THE 4 POWER STEERING GEARBOX MOUNTS. THESE CRACKS HAD TO BE WELDED. A YEAR AN A HALF LATER A CHECK OF THE WELDS WAS MADE FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND A NEW CRACK WAS FOUND. THERE WAS NO COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE DOUBLER/STIFFENER REPAIR PLATE AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. THE FRAME SHOULD NOT CRACK UNDER NORMAL USE.
NHTSA complaint #10576312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,571 milesSAN Diego, CA
TIRES
I PURCHASED FOUR PREMIUM BRIDGESTONE TIRES ($168 EACH). TWO OF THESE HAVE NOW FAILED PREMATURELY DUE TO CATASTROPHIC TREAD SEPARATION. THE FIRST WAS AT 29,000 MILES, THE SECOND AT 32,000 MILES. BOTH STILL HAD PLENTY OF TREAD DEPTH REMAINING. I BELIEVE THAT MY SAFETY IS AT RISK WITH THE TWO REMAINING TIRES. THESE TIRES WERE NEVER DRIVEN OFF-ROAD, AND WERE WELL CARED FOR PRIOR TO SUDDEN FAILURE. THE TIRE MODEL WAS BRIDGESTONE R273SWP.
NHTSA complaint #10233598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,500 milesSAN Diego, CA
TIRES
PURCHASED FOUR BRIDGESTONE R273 SWP PREMIUM TIRES IN 2001 ($168 EACH) FROM BRIDGESTONE DEALER. VEHICLE IS 1988 CHEVROLET SUBURBAN, USED FOR ON-ROAD USE ONLY. VEHICLE IS GARAGED DAILY, ONLY DRIVEN ~5000 MILES PER YEAR. TIRE SIZE IS 235-85R16E. TOTAL MILEAGE ON TIRES IS 29,000 MILES. ESTIMATED REMAINING TREAD LIFE 50% (9/32"). LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY HAD TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY. TIRE DID NOT LOSE AIR, BUT TREAD SEPARATED FROM CASING AND STEEL BELTS WERE VISIBLE FOR APPROX 6-8" IN AREA OF SEPARATION. THERE WAS NO PUNCTURE OR ANY OTHER VISIBLE EVIDENCE FOR CAUSE OF FAILURE. DEALER REPLACED TIRE FOR FREE, ONLY CHARGING FOR BALANCE/ETC. HOWEVER, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE OTHER THREE TIRES. HAS THERE BEEN ANY HISTORY OF FAILURES/RECALLS ON THIS TIRE? SHOULD I INSIST THAT BRIDGESTONE REPLACE THE REMAINING THREE TIRES FOR FREE?
NHTSA complaint #10208502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesMohnton, PA
SEATS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BOLT FRACTURED CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL BACKWARD. AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE BOLT.
NHTSA complaint #10150086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
White Plains, NY
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
DT CONTACT STATES HE PURCHASED A SET OF GENERAL TIRES, ONE OF THE TIRES DEVELOPED A HUGE FLAT SPOT AFTER 7,000 MILES OF DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FLAT SPOT WAS NOT COVERED IN THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATES EVERY TIME THE WHEEL IS TURNED THERE IS VIBRATION. THE TIRES ARE REGULARLY MAINTAINED. CONTACT FEELS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN CONSTRUCTION OF THE TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #10120797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,098 milesFullerton, CA
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SINGLE BOLT THAT ATTACHES SEAT BACK TO SEAT BASE FAILED, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO FALL BACK LEAVING ME LOOKING AT THE CEILING. I WAS STOPPED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. HAD I BEEN DRIVING THEIR WOULD CERTAINLY BEEN A LOSS OF CONTROL AND SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATHS COULD HAVE RESULTED. THE DESIGN OF THIS SEAT IS AWFUL. ON THE ADJUSTMENT SIDE THERE ARE TWO BOLTS ATTACHING THE SEAT BACK TO THE SEAT BOTTOM. IF EITHER BOLT FAILS THE SEAT BACK COLLAPSES WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10018570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carrollton, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE STALLS OUT, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND HAD ENGINE REPLACED. HOWEVER, PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. *AK CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS WATER IN AIR THE FLITER HOUSING AND VEHICLE OVERHEATED AND DIED, ALSO NOTICES A RATTLING COMING FROM RIGHT HAND SIDE OF VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE IS RUNNING. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE WIH USED ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #8009687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lona Lindda, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL A HISSING NOISE IS HEARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #894836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lona Lindda, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
WHEN DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL A HISSING NOISE IS HEARD AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELS TO FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #894836 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Emmaus, PA
TIRES:SIDEWALL
FIRESTONE, FR480, P235/75R15 DOT VNH, REPLACEMENT TIRES WITH 20000 MILES ON A 1988, CHEVROLET, SUBURBAN. WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE DEVELOPED A SPLIT NEAR TREAD LINE OF TIRE. ON JULY 3 2001 WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH , RIGHT FRONT TIRE DEVELOPED A SPLIT NEAR TREAD OF TIRE. NO ACCIDENT.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #892020 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
W. Sunberry, PA
TIRES
WHILE DRIVING, FRONT DRIVER FIRESTONE WILDERNESS AT TIRE BLEWOUT THE SIDEWALL, TIRE SPLIT FROM BEAD TO TREAD, DOT 8XHL1PY179. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #878554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA
TIRES
LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING (FIRESTONE FIREHAWK RMT LT2677516). NLM
NHTSA complaint #556310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salt Lake City, UT
TIRES
PE00 020; WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 60MPH ON HIGHWAY AND A PASSER BY WAS POINTING TO HIS TIRE. THERE WAS A LUMP INSIDE OF HIS LEFT REAR TIRE. ALSO, WAS PULLING A BOAT. TIRES ARE FIRESTONE DUKER P26575. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.
NHTSA complaint #871121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Waco, TXCrash4 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH, HEARD A THUMP, THUMP NOISE & THEN VEHICLE GAVE A JERK. STOPPED VEHICLE & CHECKED TIRES. NOTICED LEFT REAR TIRE HAD BLOWN & TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE. THEY WERE BRIDGESTONE DUELER AT 31X10.50R15. THEY WERE REPLACEMENT TIRES, AND NOT THE ORIGINAL TIRES WHICH BLEW OUT AT 6,000 MILES. CHANGED TIRE & DROVE TO TIRE SHOP. HAD IT REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TIRE. DO NOT HAVE TIRE. *AK TWO DAYS LATER RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER CAUSING THE TRAILER AND THE VEHICLE TO WRECK. THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS WERE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #866624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Austin, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BECAUSE OF BROKEN CRANKSHAFT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW MOTOR AND TRANSMISSION. YH
NHTSA complaint #549712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tucson, AZ
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
SINGLE BOLT HOLDING SEATBACK UPRIGHT SUDDENLY FAILED,LEAVING DRIVER FLAT ON HIS BACK, LOOKING UP AT THE CEILING. THIS OCCURRED JUST AFTER I HAD TRAVELLED 120 MILES ON THE INTERSTATE, AT THE LISTED SPEED LIMIT OF 75 MPH. HAD THE VEHICLE NOT BEEN STOPPED WHEN THE BOLT FAILED, I MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL AND CRASHED.
NHTSA complaint #707940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roswell, NM
SEATS
THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE DRIVER'S BUCKET SEAT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE SEAT TO RELEASE FROM THE UPRIGHT POSITION. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #816964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warren, MI
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #516141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Merkel, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
REAR SEAT BELT ON BOTH SIDES ARE HARD TO PULL TO FASTEN AND DO NOT "CATCH" WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY GOES FORWARD.
NHTSA complaint #546755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Eastland, TX
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRYING TO PASS OTHER VEHICLES, WILL NOT DOWNSHIFT, WOULD FREE SPIN/REV MOTOR, HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED ONCE, DEALER REPLACED CERTAIN PARTS IN VEHICLE, BUT PROBLEM IN TRANSMISSION STILL EXISTS. HAVE RECEIPTS.
NHTSA complaint #807774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Utica, MI
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
HAD TO GET A NEW GAS TANK BECAUSE THE BAFFLE CAME LOOSE IN THE GAS TANK AND WHENEVER GOING AROUND A CORNER THE CAR WOULD DIE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #807140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livermore, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED; BRAKE PEDAL HAS ALWAYS FELT SOFT AND IN COLD WEATHER, THE BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #511769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Livermore, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
MASTER CYLINDER FAILED;BRAKE PEDAL FEELS SOFT AND IN COLD WEATHER, IT GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR.
NHTSA complaint #511769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT RATCHET JAMS/LOCKS.
NHTSA complaint #509296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.