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.
Jul 1995peak 5May 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1990 GMC Suburban
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA94029Opened 29 Jul 1994Closed 31 Jul 1996ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
EA92022Opened 24 Jun 1992Closed 19 Nov 1993SEATS
SEAT BACK BOLT BREAKAGE
PE92026Opened 6 Mar 1992Closed 24 Jun 1992SEATS
SEAT BACK FAILURES
PE90004Opened 10 Oct 1989Closed 2 Feb 1990EQUIPMENT
TRAILER HITCH SEPERATION
Recalls on the 1990 GMC 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.
Recall 199315365,907 units in Canada
Seats And Restraints
ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH BUCKET SEATS WITH KNOB TYPE RECLINER MECHANISMS, A FRONT SEAT RECLINER BOLT MAY FATIGUE AND BREAK. THIS MAY ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, WHICH CAN LEAD TO SUDDEN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. CORRECTION: RECLINER BOLTS WILL BE REPLACED ON AFFECTED VEHICLES.
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.
Recall 199312043,021 units in Canada
Brakes
On certain K1500, Astro, Safari and Suburban vehicles, corrosion of the composite front brake rotors could cause separation of the stamped steel centre section from the cast outer rotor resulting in complete loss of braking capability for the affected wheel and a partial loss of front braking. This would increase stopping distances and could result in a crash without prior warning. Correction: Dealers will replace both front brake rotors with rotors having a corrosion protective coating.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Kenosha, WI1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER RAISED HOOD; ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, AFTER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DOUGLAS BATTERY SUDDENLY BLEW UP, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8005467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenville, SCCrash1 injured
SEATS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHERE L WAS SITTING STILL AND WAS THEN REARENDED AND CONSEQUENTLY FLEW THROUGH THE AIR AND HIT A FULL SIZE FORD PICKUP. WHEN L WAS HIT THE THIRD SEAT IN THE SUBURBAN WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BOLTS AND PUSHED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. MORE SEVERELY, THE DRIVERS SEAT (BUCKET) SNAPPED IN HALF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BACK MEETS THE SEAT. L WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH SERIOUS AND LIFE LONG BACK INJURIES. L WANT TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE. MY SUBURBAN WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION AND L WILL HAVE INJURIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LF THE SEAT HAD HELD L WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SAFE. LT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FACT THAT MY INJURIES ARE RIGHT AT THE LOWER LUMBAR SECTION OF MY BACK THAT IF L HAD BEED PROTECTED BY THE SEAT L WOULD BE WALKING FINE TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #710620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA complaint #536946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethlake, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A STOP LIGHT UP TO 15 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE RESISTING WITH A MUSHY FEELING. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT OF GRABBING, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #817910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Quincy, MACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE TRUCK HAS ABS. THE BRAKES RELEASE ON A BUMPY ROAD AND DO NOT WORK. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
NHTSA complaint #974354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Penn Valley, CA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #785902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penn Valley, CA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
CONSUMER STATES THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE WEARS INTO THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, WHICH COULD CAUSE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE HOSE AND THE REAR BRAKES, THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS ALMOST WORN TO THE POINT OF FAILURE, THE METAL PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A METAL SLEEVE ON IT TO PROTECT THE RUBBER HOSE, BUT THE NATURAL POSITION OF THE HOSE AND CABLE CAUSES THE SLEEVE TO NOT LINE UP IN THE DESIRED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #785902 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kenosha, WI1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
CONSUMER RAISED HOOD; ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE, AFTER VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DOUGLAS BATTERY SUDDENLY BLEW UP, CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8005467 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penn Valley, CA
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O.
NHTSA complaint #758997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penn Valley, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
I BELIEVE THE SUBURBAN SERIES VEHICLES HAVE A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE HOSE(FROM THE BODY TO A CONNECTOR ABOVE THE DIFFERENTIAL) IS USED AS A SUPPORT FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE STRONGER, HEAVIER PARKING BRAKE CABLE RUBS ON THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE, CAUSING THE RUBBER HOSE TO FAIL. THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE DOES HAVE A 2INCH METAL SLEEVE OVER IT NEAR WHERE THE HOSE AND CABLE RUB. HOWEVER, THIS SLEEVE IS NOT LOCATED WHERE THE NATURAL LAY OF THE HOSE/CABLE IS. IN FACT, THE SLEEVE HAS A ROUGH EDGE ON IT, WHICH CAUSES ADDITIONAL WEAR ON THE RUBBER HOSE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE IS ALSO BENT WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TRUCK BODY BECAUSE THE HOSE MUST SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE. THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON MY SUBURBAN WAS ALMOST WORN THROUGH WHEN I NOTICED IT. I BELIEVE THE FIX COULD BE THAT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE BE ROUTED BELOW THE RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WITH A RUBBER DOUGHNUT BETWEEN THE HOSE/CABLE.O.
NHTSA complaint #758997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pittsburgh, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE STARTED RACING. COULD NOT STOP. PUT IN NUETRAL,ENGINE RACING. SHUT ENGINE . LATER FOUND THAT THE HOOK FROM SERVO HAD RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF AND THE BAR ATTACHED TO THE THROTTLE HAD GOTTEN STUCK IN THE THROTTLE. THIS HOOK SHOULD NOT BE OF A MATERIAL THAT CAN RUST & BREAK OFF LIKE THAT. ALSO I HAVE LOOKED INTO THE SERVICE MANUAL & THERE IS NO MENTION OF SERVICE TO THAT PART ATALL.WHY WILL THE MECHANIC EVEN LOOK AT THAT PART IF THERE IS NO MENTION FOR MAINTENANCE TO THAT PART. THAT JUST MEANS THAT GM FELT THAT THIS PART SHALL LAST TILL I CAN DRIVE THE CAR.I COULD HAVE HAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND I COULD STOP ONLY BECAUSE I KNEW WHAT TO DO. THE ENGINE WAS REVING LIKE CRAZY WHEN I STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #745247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atascadero, CA
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
UPPER BALL JOINTS WERE REPLACED 9/25/99 BY SUSPENSION PLUS IN SAN DIEGO USING MCQUAY NORRIS PARTS.. ON OR ABOUT 11/04/2000 THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING AT LOW SPEED LEFT TURN INTO A PARKING LOT WHEN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL COLLAPSED UNDER THE FRONT END. SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACED UPPER BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED BY SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT RETAINER ASSEMBLY FROM THE BALL JOINT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER 9,000 MILES OF OPERATION. WE HAVE THE FAILED PART.
NHTSA complaint #745305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #560749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, CA
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
LEFT REAR TIRE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, TIRE ROLLED AT A HIGH SPEED ONTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO STOP RIGHT AWAY AND DRUM WAS DRAGGED 192 FEET, ONCE VEHICLE STOPPED IT WAS UP ON SIDEWALK, POSSIBLY RELATED TO LUG NUT FAILURE, REPAIR INCLUDED NEW LOCKS FOR THE LUG NUTS.
NHTSA complaint #560749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brentwood, CA
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
CONSUMER WAS HEARING NOISE FROM BRAKES WHEN COMING TO A STOP, WAS INSPECTED, AND WAS ADVISED THAT FRONT BRAKES WERE NEEDED, AND REAR SHOCKS WERE LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #560749 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boise, ID
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
FRAME OF SEAT BACK SNAPPED WHEN DRIVER ENTERED VEHICLE AND GOT INTO SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #741357 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midlothian, TX
SEATS
RECALL 93V187000, WAS PERFORMED, SEAT BOLTS BROKE 2 TIMES AFTER THAT, AND 3RD TIME CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE WHOLE SEAT FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #879998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mechanicville, VA
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BUT, CONSUMER COULD KEEP CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT THAT TIME. BRIDGESTONE 31.1050 R16.
NHTSA complaint #870017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
NHTSA complaint #712537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A DEALERSHIP. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH MY FIRST GMC PURCHASE SO FAR. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF BUYING THIS CAR, I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE. NOW, TWO MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WENT BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW DEALERSHIPS CAN SELL THESE CARS WITH SUCH PROBLEMS AND THE MANUFACTURES NEED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEMS AND RESOLVE THEM. ANY INFO WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
NHTSA complaint #712537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES IN EMERGENCY STOPPING PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #847164 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warrenville, SCCrash1 injured
SEATS
I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION WHERE L WAS SITTING STILL AND WAS THEN REARENDED AND CONSEQUENTLY FLEW THROUGH THE AIR AND HIT A FULL SIZE FORD PICKUP. WHEN L WAS HIT THE THIRD SEAT IN THE SUBURBAN WAS KNOCKED OFF THE BOLTS AND PUSHED INTO THE SECOND SEAT. MORE SEVERELY, THE DRIVERS SEAT (BUCKET) SNAPPED IN HALF AT THE POINT WHERE THE BACK MEETS THE SEAT. L WAS SEVERELY INJURED WITH SERIOUS AND LIFE LONG BACK INJURIES. L WANT TO KNOW WHAT, IF ANYTHING, CAN BE DONE. MY SUBURBAN WAS TOTALED IN THE COLLISION AND L WILL HAVE INJURIES FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. LF THE SEAT HAD HELD L WOULD HAVE BEEN PERFECTLY SAFE. LT WAS DETERMINED BY THE FACT THAT MY INJURIES ARE RIGHT AT THE LOWER LUMBAR SECTION OF MY BACK THAT IF L HAD BEED PROTECTED BY THE SEAT L WOULD BE WALKING FINE TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #710620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denton, TX
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #539835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Metairie, LA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
DRIVER'S SEAT BOLTS FAILED AFTER RECALL REPAIR, CAUSING SEAT BACK TO COLLAPSE.
NHTSA complaint #536946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bethlake, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS LEAVING A STOP LIGHT UP TO 15 MPH. WHEN SHE HIT BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE BRAKES SEEMED TO BE RESISTING WITH A MUSHY FEELING. THERE WAS NO SUPPORT OF GRABBING, AND THE VEHICLE KEPT MOVING FORWARD, RESULTING IN A CRASH, REAR ENDING ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #817910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salinas, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER CAN BE RELEASING BRAKE, STARTING OUT AT APPROX 5-10 MPH WHEN CONSUMER NEEDS TO MAKE SUDDEN STOP BRAKES WILL NOT WORK PROPERLY, PUSHES BRAKE TO FLOOR, , TAKES ABOUT A MINUTE BEFORE VEHICLE WILLSTRT TO BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #817243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hotls Summit, MO
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
RECALL # 93V18700. OWNER STATED THAT THE BOLTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN VEHICLE. BOLTS NEED TO BE REPLACED A THIRD TIME. DEALER NOT WILLING TO REPLACE WITHOUT CHARGE.
NHTSA complaint #812545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, CO
SEATS
OWNER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR HIS SEAT RECLINER AND THAT HE HAD WORK DONE ON SEAT; HOWEVER, 40,000 MILES LATER THE SEAT COLLAPSED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #807206 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garrett Park, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK
NHTSA complaint #800814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Garrett Park, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.*AK
NHTSA complaint #800814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.