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 3Mar 2004
NHTSA investigations into the 1991 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
PE92005Opened 16 Jan 1992Closed 28 May 1992SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE LINE ABRASION
Recalls on the 1991 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.
United States — NHTSA
96V226000
SEATS
THE RECLINER MECHANISM AND THE SEAT FRAME MAY HAVE FOAM AND/OR VINYL VETWEEN THEM, CREATING A "SOFT" JOINT. THIS "SOFT" JOINT RESULTS IN LOWER THAN SPECIFIED BOLT TORQUE WHICH LEADS TO JOINT LOOSENESS, CAUSING BOLT FATIGUE AND EVENTUAL BOLT FAILURE.
Risk: IF BOLT FAILURE OCCURS TO THE DRIVER'S SEAT, IT WOULD ALLOW THE SEAT BACK TO SUDDENLY RECLINE, AND COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
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.
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 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.
at 206,095 milesFort Worth, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CAME UNBOLTED FROM THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10061072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Moni, CA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
(LA SUPERIOR COURT,CASE NO.PC018776) A POLICE OFFICER BECAME A PARAPLEGIC AFTER THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT (LT235/85R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT (BRIAN MATHEWS) WAS REPRESENTED IN COURT BY THE LAW FIRM (GREENE,BROILLET,TAYLOR, WHEELER & PANISH LLP). ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #556651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Moni, CA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
(LA SUPERIOR COURT,CASE NO.PC018776) A POLICE OFFICER BECAME A PARAPLEGIC AFTER THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT (LT235/85R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT (BRIAN MATHEWS) WAS REPRESENTED IN COURT BY THE LAW FIRM (GREENE,BROILLET,TAYLOR, WHEELER & PANISH LLP). ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #556651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BOLT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACKWARDS, RECEIVED RECALL# 96V226000.
NHTSA complaint #807957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seattle, WACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKE TRUCK DIDN'T STOP IT SLOWS THE TRUCK . TT THE BRAKES WORK, BUT NOT THE ABS FEATURE, THE ROAD WAS WET AND IF THE ABS HAD BEE OPERATIVE THE ACCIDENT MIGHT HAVE BEEN AVOIDED.
NHTSA complaint #974284 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 206,095 milesFort Worth, TXCrash1 injured
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 30 MPH. PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CAME UNBOLTED FROM THE FLOORBOARD. AS A RESULT, PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BACK INJURY.
NHTSA complaint #10061072 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Moni, CA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
(LA SUPERIOR COURT,CASE NO.PC018776) A POLICE OFFICER BECAME A PARAPLEGIC AFTER THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT (LT235/85R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT (BRIAN MATHEWS) WAS REPRESENTED IN COURT BY THE LAW FIRM (GREENE,BROILLET,TAYLOR, WHEELER & PANISH LLP). ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #556651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Moni, CA1 injured
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
(LA SUPERIOR COURT,CASE NO.PC018776) A POLICE OFFICER BECAME A PARAPLEGIC AFTER THE GOODYEAR WRANGLER HT (LT235/85R16) EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, RESULTING IN VEHICLE ROLLOVER ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE OFFICER WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION. THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT (BRIAN MATHEWS) WAS REPRESENTED IN COURT BY THE LAW FIRM (GREENE,BROILLET,TAYLOR, WHEELER & PANISH LLP). ATTORNEY IS WRITING IN WITH SEVERAL OTHER INCIDENTS OF TREAD SEPARATIONS AND INJURIES, POLICE REPORTS ARE PROVIDED WITH DETAILED INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #556651 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ocean City, MD
SEATS
RECALL FOR COLLAPSE OF DRIVER SEAT,RECALL DONE, SEAT COLLAPSED AFTER RECALL REPAIR???
NHTSA complaint #735280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 405 IN LOS ANGELES AT 65 MPH LAST THURSDAY NIGHT AT 10 PM. MY LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO COME APART AS IF THE SKIN WAS COMING OFF OF IT. I DID NOT CRASH BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY ONTO AN EXIT. THE TIRE APPEARS TO BE SHREDDING LIKE THE ONES I HAVE SEEN ON TELEVISION AND IN THE NEWSPAPER, EVENT THOUGH IT IS A DIFFERENT FIRESTONE TIRE. I KEPT THE TIRE AND CALLED FIRESTONE, AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. I DRIVE 2 HOURS A DAY TO WORK AND I CAN'T NECESSARILY AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR, WHICH I NEED TO NOW DO. I AM ALSO VERY ANGRY BECAUSE I AM SO CAREFUL TO KEEP MY CAR IN WORKING ORDER ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY, WHICH YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT PULL OVER ON SAFELY, AND IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. AND I HAD TO CHANGE MY TIRE AFTER A 13 HOUR WORKDAY. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS SITUATION. (TIRESIZE: L23585R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: L23585R16 )
NHTSA complaint #732991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Monica, CA
TIRES
I WAS DRIVING ON THE 405 IN LOS ANGELES AT 65 MPH LAST THURSDAY NIGHT AT 10 PM. MY LEFT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO COME APART AS IF THE SKIN WAS COMING OFF OF IT. I DID NOT CRASH BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER SAFELY ONTO AN EXIT. THE TIRE APPEARS TO BE SHREDDING LIKE THE ONES I HAVE SEEN ON TELEVISION AND IN THE NEWSPAPER, EVENT THOUGH IT IS A DIFFERENT FIRESTONE TIRE. I KEPT THE TIRE AND CALLED FIRESTONE, AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN. I DRIVE 2 HOURS A DAY TO WORK AND I CAN'T NECESSARILY AFFORD TO REPLACE ALL FOUR, WHICH I NEED TO NOW DO. I AM ALSO VERY ANGRY BECAUSE I AM SO CAREFUL TO KEEP MY CAR IN WORKING ORDER ON THE LOS ANGELES FREEWAY, WHICH YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT PULL OVER ON SAFELY, AND IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. AND I HAD TO CHANGE MY TIRE AFTER A 13 HOUR WORKDAY. COULD YOU PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I HAVE ANY RECOURSE IN THIS SITUATION. (TIRESIZE: L23585R16)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: L23585R16 )
NHTSA complaint #732992 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Point, UT
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE PROBLEM: THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED. THE BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ANYMORE. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED ALL THE COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. NOW THE BRAKES ARE REALLY MUSHY AND THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #729828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Point, UT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE PROBLEM: THE SPEEDOMETER WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOSE POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET FIXED. THE BRAKE LIGHT DOESN'T COME ON ANYMORE. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED ALL THE COMPONENTS ON THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. NOW THE BRAKES ARE REALLY MUSHY AND THE TRUCK PULLS TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER CHANGED THE SPEED SENSOR, BUT THE SPEEDOMETER DOESN'T WORK. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN AT THE DEALER FOR MORE THAN 2 WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #729828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain Home, ID
SEATS
HAD RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 96V226000. CONTACTED DEALER. TOOK VEHICLE ON DATE GIVEN. PICKED VEHICLE UP. RECALL WORK NOT DONE. VEHICLE IN SAME LOCATION. BOLTS WERE NEVER REPLACED. ORIGINAL BOLTS STILL ON SEAT & STILL RUSTY. SEATBACK HAD BROKE.
NHTSA complaint #849011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Simpsonville, SC
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR PASSENGERS RESTRAINTS DO NOT RETRACT OR PULL OUT. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #848224 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tifton, GA
SEATS
FRONT SEAT BOLTS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #529271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesquite, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
ENGINE FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #523706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Alanson, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN TRAVELING ON WET OR DRY PAVEMENT, UPON MAKING A GRADUAL STOP THE REAR BRAKES LOCK UP, VEHICLE JUMPS FORWARD. ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER, DEALER HAS REPLACED PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #819447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tifton, GA
SEATS
THE BOLT HOLDING SEAT RECLINER BROKE PRIOR TO/AFTER SERVICE RECALL. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #814348 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ferguson, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS THE BRAKES FADE, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #818606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Green Valley, AZ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FAILED WITH PEDAL GOING TO THE FLOOR. *AK CONSUMER STATES WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKES WOULD KICK IN, DEALER HAS TURNED ROTORS TWICE, REPLACED ROTORS ONCE, REPLACED ABS BRAKE MODULE, AND REPLACED ABS PUMP VALVE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #817569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery, MN
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THE SURFAC EHARDENING TECHNIQUE UTILIZED DURING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE RING GEARS BEARINGS AND ASSOCIATED COMPONENTS WERE NOT ADEQUATE ENOUGH. DURING 1991 THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE AXLE COMPONENTS DUE TO LABOR NEGOTIATIONS WHICH WERE HELD, AND THERE WERE A SIGNIFICANR NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE PARTS PLACED INTO SERVICE.
NHTSA complaint #526242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lonpoc, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
THE ABS REAR BRAKES DID NOT PERFORM FROM TIME OF PURCHASE. WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES ONLY THE FRONT BRAKES WORKED. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKE NEVER WORKED.
NHTSA complaint #816068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Saint, MN
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FAILED , CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #515773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cupertino, CA
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, WOULD HEAR NOISES; THEN LOST STEERING CONTROL DUE TO FRAME ATTACHED TO GEAR BOX WAS CRACKED. TOOK TO DEALER & REFUSED TO REPAIR CRACKS; SAID IT SHOULDN'T BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT WOULD COME LOOSE & SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED.
NHTSA complaint #813949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamden, OH
SEATS
RECALL #96V226000, MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE VEHICLE REPAIRED. DROVE 30 MILES TO DEALER, WAITED I HOUR AND DEALER CAME OUT AND SAID HE DIDI NOT HAVE THE PARTS.
NHTSA complaint #810157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Yuba City, CA1 injured
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACK BOLT BROKE WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO RECLINE BACKWARDS, RECEIVED RECALL# 96V226000.
NHTSA complaint #807957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pearland, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKE FAILURE, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #808462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fredericksburg, OH
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE LAP AND SHOULDER BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AND MIDDLE SEATS GET STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR AND WILL NOT RELEASE PROPERLY UNLESS THE DOOR IS OPENED. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #808106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vashon, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE TRUCKS FRONT BRAKES DO NOT OPERATE, THEY WEAR OUT QUICKLY AND CAUSE GREATER STOPPING DISTNACE.
NHTSA complaint #800410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.