Owners have filed 254 complaints
about the 1993 GMC Suburban with NHTSA between 1995 and 2007.
The largest single group is the brakes.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 8 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 49
Against the median year of the GMC Suburban. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.3% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
125.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
125.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
125.0%
150,000+ miles
125.0%
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.
Jan 1995peak 12Sep 2007
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 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.
1
investigation is
still open.
DP00001Opened 31 Jan 2000Still openEQUIPMENT
OEM HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM CRACKING
THE PETITION ALLEGES THAT CRACKS IN THE HITCH RECEIVER PLATFORM MAY LEAD TO SEPARATION OF THE TRAILER AND LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL
EA94029Opened 29 Jul 1994Closed 31 Jul 1996ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
AN ALLEGED MALFUNCTION IN THE ATLERNATOR RESULTING IN ENGINE COMPARTMET FIRES.
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 70,000 milesWharton, NJCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO STOP IN TIME DUE TO THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE 1993 GMC SUBURBAN BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES ARE A VERY BIG PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK
NHTSA complaint #10057086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TXCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER PRESSED BRAKES AND THEY FAILED. VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SOME GRAVELAND. THESE WERE ABS BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #869701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #865008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #865008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CACrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #865008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Fransico, CACrash
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
EA95026, POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE; INTERMITTENTLY WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY LOCK UP, CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO A SLIDE. THIS CONDITION HAS LED TO TWO REAR END CRASHES. DEALERSHIP IS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR PANEL RATTLED, THE DEALER FOUND THE BEZEL TO BE CRACKED AND BROKEN. CONSUMER FEELS VEHICLE GETS BAD GAS MILEAGE. THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HOSES AND LINE SEALING WERE LEAKING. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #865008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 148,000 milesSilver Spring, MD
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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
NHTSA complaint #10202340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lawton, OK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER STRAP DOES NOT TIGHTEN UP.
NHTSA complaint #10063774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesWharton, NJCrash2 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
REAR ENDED SOMEONE DUE TO THE INABILITY TO STOP IN TIME DUE TO THE POOR PERFORMANCE OF THE 1993 GMC SUBURBAN BRAKING SYSTEM. BRAKES ARE A VERY BIG PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK
NHTSA complaint #10057086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,000 milesPomona, CA
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
REAR DIFFERENTIAL CARRIER ON MY 1993 SUBURBAN K1500 BROKE AND LOCKED THE REAR WHEELS, FORM MY UNDERSTANDING THIS IS A COMMON OCCURANCE ON THESE TRUCKS AND GM SHOULD BE AWARE OF HOW OFTEN THESE THINSG BREAK AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #10057104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Searcy, AR
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS IN ORDER FOR THEM TO OPERATE. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10040491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
York, SC
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FRAME BROKE ON THE FRONT LEFT CORNER. SEAT NOW ROCKS BACK 8-10 INCHES. UPON INVESTIGATION, CAUSE WAS DUE TO VERY THIN MATERIAL.
NHTSA complaint #10038821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paducah, KY
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION WIPERS WOULD STOP WORKING INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10034466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jasper, TX
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT COMING ON WHEN TURNED ON. RECALL WAS FOR LATER YEAR MODELS, BUT THIS YEAR MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A DEFECT WHEN SOMEONE WHO BOUGHT THEIR VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS LATER WITH THE SAME PROBLEM DOES NOT?
NHTSA complaint #10023850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 80,000 milesGreen BAY, WI
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILURE. WIPERS WILL SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING DURING OPERATION. ** INCIDENT DATE LISTED BELOW INDICATES APPROXIMATELY DATE OF ONSET. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING SINCE THIS DATE (TIME WE TOOK OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE).
NHTSA complaint #10010392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempe, AZ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
CONSUMER STATES WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENLY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8019659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Deckerville, MI
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THEY GO DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF VEHICLE AND VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP.
NHTSA complaint #8013551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Morgan Hill, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #763136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mullica Lahill, NJ
SEATS
WHILE PARKED DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BROKE, AND CONSUMER FELL BACKWARDS. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #8007150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Krum, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
DUE TO SEVERAL PAST ABS INCIDENTS, ONE RESULTING IN A COLLISION, VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR COMPLIANCE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 01I006000. SUBSEQUENTLY, PANIC STOP MAXIMUM BRAKING IS DELAYED. THERE IS EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE TO INITIAL BRAKE PEDDLE MOVEMENT AS IF THERE IS NO BOOST. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 1/2 SECOND, WITH HEAVY PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE PEDDLE, ACTUAL WHEEL BRAKING CAN BE FELT TO PROGRESSIVELY INCREASE AND RESISTANCE TO PEDDLE MOVEMENT REDUCES. AT THIS POINT BRAKING FEELS ABOUT NORMAL. DEALER TECHNICIAN ON TEST DRIVE CONFIRMED THIS DESCRIPTION OF PROBLEM. HOWEVER, TECHNICIANS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY ANY MALFUNCTIONING COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #751821 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
MY SUBURBAN HAS HAD 4 RADIATOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. ALL HAVE BEEN DUE TO ELECTRALISIS. GMC PAID FOR THE 1ST FAILURE (PART ONLY I PAID LABOR) EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK WAS OVER 10000 MILES OUT OF WARENTY. THE 4 RADIATOR HAS NOW FAILED AND A 5TH IS REQUIRED. GMC IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT INSISTS THIERS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. AS A SIDE NOTE THE HEATER CORE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, AL GREENFIELD.
NHTSA complaint #749957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
MY SUBURBAN HAS HAD 4 RADIATOR FAILURES SINCE NEW. ALL HAVE BEEN DUE TO ELECTRALISIS. GMC PAID FOR THE 1ST FAILURE (PART ONLY I PAID LABOR) EVEN THOUGH THE TRUCK WAS OVER 10000 MILES OUT OF WARENTY. THE 4 RADIATOR HAS NOW FAILED AND A 5TH IS REQUIRED. GMC IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT INSISTS THIERS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE COOLING SYSTEM. AS A SIDE NOTE THE HEATER CORE HAS NEVER BEEN REPLACED. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME, AL GREENFIELD.
NHTSA complaint #749957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lilburn, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
SAILED THROUGH A RED LIGHT WITH BRAKES APPLIED, BOTH ABS AND BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED.
NHTSA complaint #748228 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mundelen, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TROTTLE TO CRUISE CONTROL CONNECTING ROD WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE PLATE AND FELL DOWN INTO THROTTLE CABLE BRACKET. THE HOOK ON THE ROD GOT STUCK IN THE BRACKET, HOLDING THE THROTTLE OPEN. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #886799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jamestown, TN
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 75 MPH LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD A BLOWOUT. THEN, CONSUMER FOUND OUT THAT TIRE HAD A TREAD SEPARATION. BRIDGESTONE, P-265/75R16. *AK CONSUMER STATES TIRES HAD 65 PERCENT TREAD WEAR LEFT, THEY WERE PROPERLY INFLATED TO MANUFACTURER SPEC OF 50 PSI NO EXCESSIVE EDGE WEAR DUE TO POOR ALIGNMENT, BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED THEY WOULD PRORATE THE BLOW OUT, CONSUMER DECLINED AND REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND.
NHTSA complaint #886812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lincoln Park, MI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAS HAD RADIATOR WORK DONE ON SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 1996. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #883462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Whitewater, MO
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 TO 35 MPH, WENT TO APPLY BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP DID NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING A POSSIBLE DEFECT IN VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #883447 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wethersfield RD, CT
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH NO METHOD OF CORRECTION BY GMC. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #736195 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clifton, NJ
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
WHENEVER RIDING IN THE RAIN WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOP WORKING. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN TURNING ON WINDSHIELD WIPERS ONE HEARS A HUMMING NOISE , LIKE THEY WANT TO MOVE, BUT THEY WON'T MOVE.
NHTSA complaint #873697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fairway, KS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
INTERMITTENTLY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #873511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Prospect Hghts, IL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EA95026; POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE: WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH AND APPLYING BRAKES NORMALLY, ABS KICKED IN AND VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO GO FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED WHEN WEATHER WAS PERFECT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE FALL OF 1993. WHEN THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM, DEALERSHIP DID NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM WITH THE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #870322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.